Shall We Dance (1937)

In the classic Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film “Shall We Dance,” Astaire stars as Peter P. Peters, an American hoofer who has been masquerading as a Russian ballet star named Petrov. Having built up a fairly decent following for himself in Europe, he’s tired of the ballet scene and wants to do something different. Jeffrey, owner of the ballet troupe, is rather dismayed when he finds Peter tap dancing. Star of the stage Linda Keene (Ginger Rogers) has been touring Europe as well and it’s time for her to return to the States. The ballet troupe is sailing as well, and … Continue reading →

Wedding Present (1936)

In the black and white film “Wedding Present,” Cary Grant stars as Charlie Mason, an irresponsible, happy-go-lucky newspaper reporter who’s head over heels in love with fellow reporter, Rusty Fleming (Joan Bennett). When plans to get a marriage license go awry, Rusty takes it as a sign that their marriage isn’t meant to be, and she calls it off. Not to be deterred so easily, Charlie sets out on a plan to get her back. Meanwhile, the two of them are sent out to interview the Archduke (Gene Lockhart), in town to celebrate his engagement. They take him out on … Continue reading →

The Howards of Virginia (1940)

You’re about to see something rare – I’m going to criticize Cary Grant. Not in a huge way; how could one hugely criticize Cary Grant? But there will be some words said, by me, about him, that aren’t entirely complimentary. “The Howards of Virginia” is set during the Revolutionary War. Grant plays Matt Howard, a man who as a young boy lost his father to war with the Indians. When Matt grows up, he wants to go out to Ohio and start life anew as a frontiersman, but then something happens that changes all his plans – he meets a … Continue reading →

Tristi’s Favorite Musicals

I grew up watching musicals. I love Doris Day, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire – in fact, there are very few movie stars from Hollywood’s golden era that I don’t like. There’s just nothing like a man and woman gazing into each other’s eyes and then breaking into song. Some of my all-time favorite musicals are, in no particular order: “Oklahoma!” Who could forget Shirley Jones in her first role as shy and idealistic Laurie, caught up in her feelings for that rascally cowboy, Curly? “Show Boat” took on a tough topic – that of race discrimination – and brought us … Continue reading →

Only Angels Have Wings (1939)

Geoff Carter (Cary Grant) is co-owner and operator of an airline whose business it is to deliver the mail high in the mountains in Chile. The route is treacherous and only the most skilled aviators can go through the mountain pass, and only if the fog has lifted. A man serving as a lookout lives in a hut in the mountains, and keeps in contact by radio. His word is law—when he tells them not to come, they don’t come. One day a young woman wanders into their airport while waiting for the next boat to leave the harbor. She’s … Continue reading →

Romance on the High Seas (1948)

“Romance on the High Seas” was Doris Day’s first film appearance. She stars as Georgia Garrett, a nightclub singer who has always dreamed of world travel. One day, luck finds her in the form of Mrs. Elvira Kent. Mrs. Kent (Janis Paige) has always suspected her husband of being a cheater, but she can’t prove anything. She decides to make him think she’s gone on a long trip, planning to catch him in the act when he thinks she’s not looking. She asks Georgia to go on the trip in her place, mailing her husband letters from time to time … Continue reading →

Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)

Everyone who was everyone in Hollywood (with the exception of David Niven) made an appearance in “Till the Clouds Roll By,” a look into the life of noted composer, Jerome Kern. Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, June Allyson, and Judy Garland are just a few of the names that grace this show’s playbill. Jerome Kern (Robert Walker) was a young song writer with a dream – he wanted to look out over the city, behold people he’d never met, and know that they were singing his songs. His first go-round didn’t go over so well, and he was encouraged to seek … Continue reading →

Tristi’s Favorite Gene Kelly Movies

One of the definite perks of being a movie reviewer is that I get to sit here and sigh, and then tell you why I’m doing it. Gene Kelly . . . sigh. Gene has done scads of fabulous films – I don’t think I’ve ever seen him deliver a bad performance. I’d like to share four of my favorite Gene Kelly films with you right now and tell you why they’ve made this top ten list. 1. Of course, the first on my list would be “Singin’ in the Rain.” Who doesn’t just adore this movie? Gene stars as … Continue reading →

I’ll See You in My Dreams (1951)

Doris Day and Danny Thomas star in “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” the dramatized true story of lyricist Gus Kahn, who penned such classics as “It Had to Be You,” “Too-too-Tootsie, Goodbye,” “My Buddy,” and “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” I was glad to see this film—I’ve heard these songs my whole life and never knew who wrote them. Gus is the son of poor German immigrants and he wants a better life for himself. He’s written several song lyrics and poems and hopes to sell them to a sheet music company, but when he takes his work … Continue reading →

Strike Up the Band (1940)

I would be a neglectful movie reviewer indeed if I thought I could discuss classic movies without giving a nod to the team of Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. Arguably the most famous teenaged duo of Hollywood history, these two teamed up for several films that were loved by the younger set and the older set as well. “Strike Up the Band” stars Rooney as Jimmy Connors, a young man who plays the drums in his high school band. He wants to have his own orchestra someday and play for dances at clubs, but his mother has her heart set … Continue reading →