It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

★★★★★

It's A Wonderful Life is a 1946 film directed by Frank Capra, starring James Stewart as George Bailey, Donna Reed as Mary, and Lionel Barrymore as mean old Mr. Potter.

With help from the angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), George has been given the chance to see how things would be if he had never been born, and furthermore discovering he really did have a wonderful life.

It's the feel-good motion picture. Leaving you with a heartfelt feeling that no one is insignificant, miracles can happen, and every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings. Why, it's full-blown Capraesque!

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A Christmas Carol (1938)

★★★★★

MGM's 1938 good-spirited adaption of Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol". Directed by Edwin L. Marin, starring Reginald Owen as the miser Ebenezer Scrooge, Gene and Kathleen Lockhart as Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, Barry MacKay as Ebenezer's nephew Fred, June Lockhart as one of the Cratchit daughters, Belinda, and Terry Kilburn as Tiny Tim.

On Christmas eve the Ghost of Jacob Marley (Leo G. Carroll), Scrooges once business partner, appears to inform Ebenezer that he is to be visited by three spirits that same night; the Ghost of Christmas Past (Ann Rutherford), Present (Lionel Braham), and Future (D'Arcy Corrigan). That perhaps will make the old man have the change of heart he needs, and live out his days in kindness and joy instead of misery and greed.

It just wouldn't seem like the season til this treasure fit for all is watched!

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The Glenn Miller Story (1953)

★★★★★

The delightful 1953 biography of Bandleader, musician, arranger, and composer, Glenn Miller. Directed by Anthony Mann.

Follow the infinite Glenn Miller, portrayed by the impeccable James Stewart, as he searches for that signature "sound", marriage to college sweetheart Helen Burger (June Allyson), the Orchestra's rise to fame, and the solemn disappearance of Miller's plane when flying over to entertain U.S. troops in France during WWII.

With the many hits throughout the film, naming a few "Moonlight Serenade", "String of Pearls", "American Patrol", and "In the Mood". This is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates the sound, and if this was my perfect world, that would be everyone.

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Holiday Inn (1942)

★★★★★

Holiday Inn is a 1942 film, directed by Mark Sandrich, and featuring the music of Irving Berlin.

Taking place at an inn which only opens for Holidays. Singer Jim (Bing Crosby) who wants nothing more than to escape from show business winds up running the inn after his ideal life on a farm goes kaput. To make matters worse, Jim, and dancer pal Ted (Fred Astaire), both fancy the same girl, Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds)... not like they haven't gone through this once before!

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The Gold Rush (1925)

★★★★★

The Gold Rush is a 1925 silent comedy, written, directed, and starring Charlie Chaplin. The Tramp is a Lone Prospector, who falls in love with a dance hall girl (Georgia Hale). From eating his own shoe for the Thanksgiving meal, to the famous dance of the bread rolls, and many other strokes of genius I wish not to spoil for the first time watcher... If there was one word to describe this film, it would be "sublime".

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White Christmas (1954)

★★★★★

White Christmas is a 1954 film directed by Michael Curtiz, featuring the music of Irving Berlin. Bob Wallace (Bing Crosby), and Phil Davis (Danny Kaye) are a famous song-and-dance team. While thinking they are doing a favor for an old army pal, auditioning the act of Haynes sisters - Betty (Rosemary Clooney), and Judy (Vera-Ellen). Bob and Phil get more than they bargained for. Much more... Maybe even a little snow!

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The Family Jewels (1965)

★★★★★

The Family Jewels is a 1965 family comedy, written, directed, and starring Jerry Lewis in several different roles.

Young orphaned heiress, Donna Peyton (Donna Butterworth) must choose between one of her six quirky uncles as guardian. Willard Woodward is her chauffeur, and takes Donna to spend time with each of the candidates. Who will she pick? Who would YOU pick? My choice is obvious, Captain Eddie.


*la Sigh*

All Uncles, and the father-like chauffeur are played by, you guessed it, Jerry Lewis! Also starring Sebastian Cabot as Dr. Matson.

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Dracula (1931)

★★★★★

Dracula is a 1931 horror film directed by Tod Browning, with Bela Lugosi as the infamous Count. The legendary vampire leaves Romania and ventures to England, with his insane-stricken servant Renfield (Dwight Frye); This insectivorous practically steals the show as far as I am concerned.

It is not long before Renfield is taken to a sanatorium, which happens to belong to Dr. Seward (Herbert Bunston), the father of Mina (Helen Chandler), a young women whom Dracula soon begins preying upon. Professor Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) begins to suspect something. Thoughts are confirmed when he and Mina's sweetheart, Jonathan Harker (David Manners), notice that Dracula's refection does not show in a mirror.

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

★★★★★

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a 1948 release, directed by Charles Barton, and starring the famous comedy duo in which the title mentions. Baggage clerks, Chick Young (Bud Abbott), and Wilbur Grey (Lou Costello) are to make a delivery to the McDougol's House of Horrors; two crates containing the remains of Count Dracula (Béla Lugosi), and Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange). Both creatures awaken, and make a stealthy escape, though it's not long before Chick and Wilbur are on the trail. The Wolf Man (Lon Chaney, Jr.) also makes an appearance. With a mix of both classic comedy and iconic horror characters, this will be a great watch for Halloween, as well as any other time of the year.

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Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

★★★★★

Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 dark comedy, directed by Frank Capra, and starring Cary Grant as Mortimer Brewster. After having just wed his sweetheart Elaine (Priscilla Lane), Mortimer returns home to his quirky Aunts, Abby (Josephine Hull), Martha (Jean Adair), and bizarre brother Teddy (John Alexander).

When discovering a corpse under the window seat in the Brewster sisters home, and assuming that Teddy did it, Mortimer confronts his Aunts, only to find that they have been taking in lonely old men and poisoning them to bring the gentlemen peace, while doing away with their bodies in the basement. Bigger problems arise when Mortimer's other brother, Jonathan (Raymond Massey), and plastic surgeon companion Dr. Einstein (Peter Lorre), arrive.

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The Time of Their Lives (1946)

★★★★★

One of the better works of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Besides Little Giant, This is the only other film in which the two did not work together as a team. Instead, Costello is partnered up with Marjorie Reynolds; What I thought to be a great pairing as they do so compliment each other quite well. The film starts off at the time of the Revolutionary War. When a Terrible misunderstanding leaves characters Horatio Prim (Costello) and Melody Allen (Reynolds) mistaken for traitors and are spirit bound to that which is known in the film as Danbury acres. 166 years pass before the ghosts have hope of finding the proof needed that will clear their innocent names and free the spirits. Directed by Charles Barton.

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Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

★★★★★

Meet Me in St. Louis is a 1944 film based from a series of short stories by Sally Benson, of a family living in St. Louis during the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair (aka Saint Louis World's Fair) in 1904. Staring Judy Garland as Esther Smith, and directed by Vincente Minnelli. Filled with song, the most beautiful selection of colors, and sweet romance. Add to that a heartfelt family film, and you couldn't ask for more. One of the best known and loved holiday songs "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" made it's first introduction, sung by Judy Garland, for near the ending of this film.

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Introduction

Every Friday (If I have the available time) I am going to post about a film. Think of this as a suggestion for your weekend movie watch. This blog is called "It Certainly Was" for a reason, as I plan to spotlight many films from an era where motion pictures were at their finest, and stars at their brightest. Expect biopics to be thrown in now and then. I will keep each post short. If you are like me, you're always trying to find a new classic to watch, and for those who aren't, I hope I can help introduce you to a time that had some great films, that otherwise you might be oblivious to, like I once was.
Stumbling upon the right thing is all it takes.