They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To.....

..... and when it comes to movies, for the most part, they just don't. I'll admit that somethings about movies today are much better. The special effects are out of this world, the story telling a bit more subtle, and the cinematography amazing, to name just a few, but there is a certain charm that is lacking in today's films, a charm and nostalgia that you just don't experience when watching modern movies. Not to mention the fact that you never know what kind of junk is going to flash across the screen when watching a contemporary film. When you sit around the TV with the whole family and watch a classic, you can rest comfortably knowing that it's will be good, clean entertainment, nothing to worry about as far as the kids are concerned, or the adults for that matter.

My parents (mostly mom in this case) raised me right. I grew up on a steady diet of old classic movies. Lots of them. My cousins and I watched all the good stuff back in the day....Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, Greer Garson, Gary Cooper, Irene Dunn....oh so many. One of my fondest memories of childhood was spending an entire day watching Cary Grant movies on AMC with my mom while she sewed. It was that day that I first saw An Affair to Remember. I'll never forget.

While attending college at Utah State, my cousin Melissa and I would set aside an evening now again to watch some classic movies. We would head down to Somer's video store in Logan because they had the best selection of oldies, rent a whole stack and watch all night. Those were good times.

I've been working on some scrapbooks for my kids for Christmas. Whenever I'm down in the craft room working away I like to stick in a movie to watch. Lately I've been revisiting some of my old classic favorites. Love them.

I don't know how many of you are classic movie fans, but I wanted to share a few of my favorites here on the blog. If they look interesting, maybe you could Netflix them or something and enjoy some good, clean vintage movie nights with the kids, husband, or just yourself.



Winning the Oscar for best picture in 1942 and staring one of my favorite on-screen duos, Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson, Mrs. Miniver is the story of a middle class British family living in a small town and experiencing the first months of World War II. Amongst the chaos of war, the Miniver's son falls for rich Lady Beldon's granddaughter as the Miniver Rose, named after the charming Mrs. Miniver is entered into a contest against Lady Beldon's rose, a rose that has never lost at the annual village flower competition. Greer Garson and Teresa Wright won the Oscars for Best Actress and Supporting Actress for their roles in this film. There are a few scenes in this movie that are absolutely unforgettable.



Another great one, I Remember Mama stars Irene Dunn as Martha Hanson, an immigrant, Norwegian mother raising her family in San Francisco circa 1910. The story is told through the eyes of her daughter Katrin who dreams of being a famous writer and finds that the best stories to write about are those she remembers about her wise and practical mother. A beautifully told story. Very poignant.



Cary Grant is always perfect as the leading romantic man and something to behold in a good Hitchcock movie, but I like him best in comedies. It's hard for me to pick just one of my favorite Cary Grant comedies, but Monkey Business is up there. Here he stars with another comedic favorite, Ginger Rodgers, in this hilarious romp of a film. Grant plays a absent minded scientist who "discovers" a potion that makes people feel years younger. Mayhem ensues when he, his wife (Rodgers), and his colleges are test subjects for the new youth potion. My favorite scene is later in the movie when Cary Grant plays cowboys and indians with the neighborhood children. Marilyn Monroe even makes an appearance in this one.



Everyone loves a good Hitchcock movie, right? Here's one staring Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton, who makes a super creepy bad guy. This one's a nail bitter. Uncle Charlie (Cotton) comes to visit his sister and his niece Charlie (Wright), who happens to be named after him. Soon Charlie discovers that her favorite uncle may not be the man that he seems to be. I won't give away anymore because it is a mystery after all.

And one more......



This a super classic and one of my all-time favorites. Friendly Persuasion is the story of a family of Quakers living in Indiana in 1862. Their religious sect is strongly opposed to violence and war, but when war comes to their front door they must make a choice, should they fight despite their peaceful beliefs? Gary Cooper and Dorthy McGuire play one of the best couples in all of film history, this one can't be missed!

I hope, if you haven't seen some of these, you'll go out get them. Treat yourself. In fact, I've decided I've got to start having a classic movie night. I've got to do what my mom did and start introducing these classics to my kids. You know what, I'm going to. Movie night it is. Come on over if you're interested. Maybe I'll periodically post some more classic movie blogs in the future because I've got tons of favorites. Viva the classics!