Those of you who have followed me for a while, or who have delved into the archives (please do, there’s a treasure trove there), will know that I frequently look to the past for inspiration. It seems that there was more emphasis on decorum then, less of a laissez-faire attitude than I see today. At least in the way the past has been presented to me.
Which is why today’s suggestion should come as little surprise when I recommend watching American movies produced during the years of and just after the Depression and WWII.
The movies, particularly the screwball comedies, of the Depression years were meant to do one thing: cheer us up. And if ever we needed cheering up as we did then, it’s now. I recommend “The Thin Man” series, “Bringing Up Baby”, “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House”, and “
WWII movies brought us hope and added to our National legend, showing us how we banded together under a common purpose. At least some of them. Thinking about a world at war, prolonged separation and great trials and tribulation, helps me put things in perspective. The Brits survived the Blitz! Pearl Harbor wasn’t the beginning of the end of the USA! Try “The Battle of Britain”, “Casablanca”, “The Bridge Over the River Kwai”, and “Empire of the Sun.”
Mrs. E. and I used to watch a lot of old movies, we had three huge books of DVDs, shelves of VHS tapes and even a free TCM channel at one point. These days we tend to watch a lot of spy thrillers, Network shows that get good reviews, Netflix specials and the odd rom-com (they’re few and far between I’ve noticed. At least the good ones.) Fun, exhilarating and suspenseful, they are the roller coaster rides of the small screen. I wonder where the long, meandering scenic rides have gone, the toy train rides and monorail safaris that let our overheated selves cool off and enjoy the show?
Am I succumbing to nostalgia? Maybe I just need a good saga to revive the spirits.
Amen to that.
I have loved watching movies from the 1930’s and 1940’s since I was around 10 years old. They have a style that no one can duplicate. Singing in the Rain, Casablanca, Nocturne and any movie with William Powell and Myrna Loy I can watch over and over and never get tired of them. Plus any Humphrey Bogart
movie especially with Lauren Bacall.
Love your picture! One of my favorite early posts of yours was your tutorial on tying a bowtie. I sent that one to several girlfriends and we all drooled over how handsome you are! My husband enjoys your articles, as well. I started watching the favorite movies of my parents initially for the beautiful film scores. My mom and dad would harmonize in the car on warm evening drives. My sister and I would sing along in the back seat. Don’t forget Alice Adams with Katherine Hepburn; The More The Merrier with Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, and Charles Coburn; Born Yesterday with Judy Holliday, William Holden, and Broderick Crawford!
I agree absolutely as usual! It is so great seeing you again. And the tux is never out of place, especially on NYE. Dean Martin was asked one time why he always wore a tux. He said “in a tux i’m a movie star. Without it i’m just a card dealer from Steubenville, Ohio.”
looking forward to February 13, when there might be a new note…?