Penny Serenade, 1941, Columbia Pictures. Starring Cary Grant, Irene Dunne. Directed by George Stevens. B&W, 120 minutes. In a series of flashbacks, brought to mind by favorite songs, Julie Adams (Irene Dunne) recollects the story of her marriage to Roger …
Category: Classic Dramas
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, 1939, Columbia Pictures. Starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains. Directed by Frank Capra. B&W, 130 minutes. The U.S. Senator of an unnamed state has died, and the pressure is on Governor Hubert “Happy” Hopper …
Dial M for Murder
Dial M for Murder, 1954, Warner Bros. Starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Technicolor, 105 minutes. One time professional tennis player Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) has discovered his wealthy wife Margot (Grace Kelly) …
Mrs. Parkington
There is no family wealthier than the Parkingtons, and the clan has gathered together for Christmas. The youngest of the family, Jane, confides in her great-grandmother, Susie Parkington, that she plans to elope with one of her father's employees, Ned. …
The Bells of St. Mary’s
The Bells of St. Mary’s, 1945, RKO Pictures. Starring Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman. Directed by Leo McCarey. B&W, 126 minutes. Father Chuck O’Malley (Bing Crosby, in a reprisal of his role from Going My Way) has been assigned to pastor …
Imitation of Life (1934)
Note: unlike most of my reviews, this one contains a spoiler. Imitation of Life, 1934, Universal Pictures. Starring Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers. Directed by John M. Stahl. B&W, 111 minutes. Bea Pullman (Claudette Colbert) is a widow struggling to make …
Notorious
Notorious, 1946, RKO Radio Pictures. Starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. B&W, 101 minutes. After her father is convicted of being a Nazi spy, Alicia Hubermann (Ingrid Bergman) is drinking and ignoring the mysterious guest …
The Best Years of Our Lives
The Best Years of Our Lives, 1946. Samuel Goldwyn Productions, released by RKO Radio Pictures. Starring Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Harold Russell, Myrna Loy. Directed by William Wyler. B&W, 172 minutes. A wonderfully crafted film that explores the plight of …
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)
For the first time in fifty-eight years, the Brookfield school's opening assembly is lacking one important participant, former headmaster and beloved teacher Mr. Charles Chipping. While he's been ordered to rest in bed, Mr. Chipping manages to sneak out, but …
The Magnificent Ambersons
The Magnificent Ambersons, 1942, RKO Radio Pictures. Starring Joseph Cotten, Dolores Costello, Anne Baxter, Tim Holt, Agnes Moorhead. Directed by Orson Welles. B&W, 88 minutes. In late-19th century Indiana, there is no family so revered as the Ambersons. Socially and financially …
