Top 10 Father’s Day Movies

It’s Father’s Day, so rent a movie to watch with your dad. Here’s my list of my 5 favorite classic and 5 favorite contemporary Father’s Day movies.

Top 5 Classic Father’s Day Movies

Cheaper By the Dozen

Released 1950

Directed by Walter Lang

Starring: Clifton Webb, Myna Loy, Jeanne Crain, Betty Lynn

This is the best Father’s Day movie of them all. It’s touching, funny, sad, and nostalgic. If you haven’t watched this earlier version, you’re in for a treat.

The Courtship of Eddie’s Father

Released 1963

Directed by Vincente Minnelli

Starring: Glenn Ford, Shirley Jones, Ron Howard, Stella Stevens

After his mother dies, a young boy plays matchmaker for his father. This is a great movie, but don’t watch it unless you have tissues handy. It’s a real tearjerker.

Three Godfathers

Released 1948

Directed by John Ford

Starring: John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr., Pedro Armenderez

This is a wonderful classic John Wayne movie where Wayne is an outlaw running from the law. He comes across a baby in the desert and becomes the child’s adoptive father. He risks his life and his freedom to save the child.

Life With Father

Released 1947

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Starring: William Powell, Irene Dunne, Elizabeth Taylor

Funny movie about the exasperations of fatherhood at the turn of the century. William Powell is a hoot in this, and Irene Dunne should have been a blond.

The Champ

Released 1979

Directed by Franco Zeffirelli

Starring: Rick Schroder, Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, Jack Warden

This version of the classic movie about a father of a boxer is better than the original 1938 version. Keep tissues handy. This is a tearjerker.

 

There are a series of classic movies that I would like to also list that are the forerunner of every “Father Knows Best” TV Show. These are “The Hardy Family” Movies popular during the 1930’s and 1940’s starring Mickey Rooney as a teen-ager. I’ll list these movies on Thursday.

 

5 Favorite Contemporary Father’s Day Movies

Pursuit of Happyness

Released 2006

Directed by Gabriele Muccino

Starring: Will Smith

The best movie about a father and son and about the perseverance of the human spirit ever made. This is based on the true story of Chris Gardner who went from rags to riches to make a life for his son.

Frequency

Released 2000

Directed by Gregory Holbilt

Starring: Dennis Quaid, James Caviezel

A great thriller movie about a father and son with a little sci-fi and time travel mixed in.

Liar, Liar

Released 1997

Directed by Tom Shadyak

Starring: Jim Carey

Comedy about the effects of lying to our children.

The Incredibles

Released 2004

Directed by Brad Bird

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter

Great kid’s movie about the struggles of raising a family when you’re a superhero.

Daddy Day Care

Released 2003

Directed by Steve Carr

Starring: Eddie Murphy

Comedy about a father who starts a day care.

Another series of father/son movies not mentioned in the top ten list are The Hardy Family Movies made in the 1930′s and 1940′s. They star Mickey Rooney and are well worth seeing.

The Hardy Family Movies

Starring:

Lewis Stone as Judge James K. Hardy

 Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy

Cecilia Parker as Marian Hardy

 Fay Holden as Mrs. Emily Hardy

A couple of the movies also star Judy Garland as a family friend and love interest of Andy Hardy.

You’re Only Young Once (1937)

Judge Hardy’s Children (1938)

Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)

Out West with the Hardys (1938)

The Hardys Ride High (1939)

Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939)

Judge Hardy and Son (1939)

Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940)

Andy Hardy’s Private Secretary (1940)

Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)

The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942)

Andy Hardy’s Double Life (1942)

Andy Hardy’s Blonde Trouble (1944)

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946)

Andy Hardy Comes Home (1958)

Most of these movies can be ordered on DVD through Amazon. Just click here to order from my website.

Tomorrow, I’ll list my favorite classic father TV Shows.

Top 10 Classic Romantic Movies

Here’s my list of my 10 favorite romantic movies. I couldn’t keep the list to 10, so at the end, I have 5 honorable mentions.

10. Miracle In the Rain

1956

Directed by Rudolf Mate

Starring: Jane Wyman, Van Johnson

This obscure film nobody’s heard of is guaranteed to put a lump in your throat.

9. Sabrina

1954

Directed by Billy Wilder

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn

One of my many favorite Humphrey Bogart movies. This one has an ugly duckling turning into a swan theme.

8. Gigi

1958

Directed by Vincent Minelli

Starring: Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan

Touching story of a romance of a girl whose been raised to be a mistress.

7. Notorious

1946

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Starring: Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman

Technically this isn’t a love story, but the passion between the two main characters explodes on the screen.

6. The African Queen

1951

Directed by John Huston

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn

Two unlikely people fall in love during World War 1. The acting can’t get any better than this.

5. West Side Story

1961

Directed by Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise

Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer

Make sure you have tissues handy for this modern take of Romeo and Juliet.

4. Casablanca

1942

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman

This movie is brilliant in it’s simple triangle love story in the middle of political upheaval and war.

3. To Have and Have Not

1945

Directed by Howard Hawks

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Becall

This was the first movie Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall starred in together, and it can’t be beat. It was based on a novel by Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner wrote the screenplay.

2. The Sound of Music

1965

Directed by Robert Wise

Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer

One of my all time favorite movies.

1. An Affair To Remember

1957

Directed by Leo McCarey

Starring: Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr

This is my all time favorite classic love story. It brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it.

Honorable Mentions:

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

Starring: Gene Tieny, Rex Harrison

It Happened One Night (1934)

Starring: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert

Test Pilot (1938)

Starring: Clark Gable, Myra Loy, Spencer Tracy

Made For Each Other (1939)

Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Carole Lombard

My Fair Lady (1964)

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison

Top 10 Classic Christmas Movies of All Time

These are 10 classic must watch every year Christmas movies. Since everyone has their favorite version of A Christmas Carol, I didn’t include those movies. To see my favorite 10 renditions of A Christmas Carol, check next Wednesday’s blog.

10. Remember the Night

Released 1940

Directed by Mitchell Leisen

Starring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwick

A prosecuting attorney asks for a pretty thief to be let out on bail for Christmas. When the thief is placed in his custody, interesting things occur.

9. The Homecoming: A Christmas Story

Released 1971

Directed by Fielder Cook

Starring Patricia Neil and Richard Thomas

This movie became the pilot of the TV series, The Waltons, and tells of a family during the depression.

8. Santa Claus, The Movie

Released 1985

Director: Jeannot Szwork

Starring David Huddleston and Dudley Moore

The best film that tells the story of Santa Claus.

7. 3 Godfathers

Released 1948

Director: John Ford

Starring John Wayne

A Christmas western where three outlaws must get a baby safely to the cow town of Bethlehem while running from a posse. This is my personal favorite John Wayne movie.

6. Home Alone

Released 1990

Director: Chris Columbus

Starring Macauley Culkin

First of many movies about a boy accidentally left home alone at Christmas time.

5. White Christmas

Released 1954

Director: Micheal Curtiz

Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye

Best Christmas musical ever made with great singing and dancing features the song, “White Christmas”.

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Released 1965

Created by Charles M. Shultz

Animated

This animated classic helps Charlie Brown learn the true meaning of Christmas. The best part is where Linus tells the Christmas story word for word from the Bible and ends with “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

3. Miracle on 34th Street

Released 1947

Directed by George Seaton

Starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gween, and a very young Natalie Wood

This is the best movie made about believing in Santa Clause. It also featured the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

2. A Holiday Affair

Released 1949

Directed by Don Hartman

Starring Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum

This is the best Christmas love story ever filmed. It’s sad more people don’t know about it.

1. It’s a Wonderful Life

Released 1946

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring James Stewart and Donna Reed

This touching story of an ordinary man who sacrifices his own ambitions for others is my all time favorite Christmas movie.

Top 10 Alfred Hitchcock Movies

One thing I love about Hitchcock movies is they keep you on the edge of your seat with very little violence, blood, or gore. Hitchcock was a master of allowing the plot and our imaginations to do the work of scaring us. All Hitchcock fans have their favorite movies. Here’s mine.

10. Torn Curtain (1966)

Starring Paul Newman and Julie Andrews

This Cold War era movie is one of the best. There are so many great scenes in this movie like when Paul Newman told Julie Andrews he wasn’t a traitor while agents were watching. She had to mask her reaction and pretend he was trying to convince her to defect. The most chilling scene was when Paul Newman, a scientist, had to kill a man to get away. But the man wouldn’t die easily.

9. Strangers on a Train (1951)

Starring Farley Granger and Robert Walker

On a train, a tennis pro tells another man who wants a divorce his plan. They each will murder the other’s wife. The man thinks the tennis pro is joking until his wife is murdered and the tennis pro orders the man to murder his wife.

 

8. Notorious (1946)

Starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains

A woman is asked to spy on a group of Nazis in South America because of her immoral past. They send her in harm’s way, but she has to compromise her morals even more to get information. Then, when she’s in danger of getting caught, they don’t want to come to her rescue because of the kind of woman she is. There’s a lot of exposure of hypocrisy in this movie.

7. The Birds

Starring Rod Taylor and Tippi Hedron

This is the first Alfred Hitchcock movie I ever saw. I was a little girl at the time, and it gave me the creeps everytime I saw a bird for weeks afterwards.

6. The Trouble With Harry (1955)

Starring John Forsythe and Shirley MacLaine

Hitchcock tries his hand at comedy here and is brilliant. Harry is dead, and everyone’s trying to hide the body because each one thinks they killed him.

5. North By Northwest (1959)

Starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint

An insurance agent is mistaken for a spy and chased across the country. It’s almost comical how he tries to convince them he’s not the man their looking for. There’s a great twist at the end.

4. Suspicion

Starring Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine

This is the best of Hitchcock’s earlier movies. An heiress believes her husband who she adores is trying to murder her for her money.

3. Rear Window (1954)

Starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly

A man with a broken leg spies on his neighbors. When he sees what he believes is his neighbor murdering his wife, nobody will believe him. But the neighbor catches on.

2. Rope (1948)

Starring James Stewart, John Dall, and Farley Granger

This movie isn’t as well known as some of the others. That’s a shame because it’s one of the best. In fact, it’s number two on my list. Two men kill their friend because they believe they are superior, and the rules of society don’t apply to them. This movie really delves into the mistaken notion that some people are superior to others and that morality is relative.

1. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Starring James Stewart and Doris Day

What would you do to protect your child? A man’s only son is kidnapped when he stumbles on a murder plot. If he stops the murder, his son will die. This is my all time favorite.

Of course, there are other Alfred Hitchcock movies I enjoy. Psycho and A Shadow of Doubt are two of them. Do you agree with my list? Are there any of your favorites I haven’t listed?

Top 10 Patriotic Movies

1. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Released 1939

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Jimmy Stewart is the underdog fighting corruption in Washington D.C.

2. Independence Day

Released 1996

Directed by Roland Emmerich

Starring: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell

What’s not to love about this film? Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum have the funniest lines, and Bill Pullman is the president who fights for not just the US but for the world. In this movies, the United States saves the day.

3. Air Force One

Released 1997

Directed by Wolfgang Peterson

Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close

The president of the United States will not negotiate with terrorists, and in this movie, he takes them down.

4. 1776 The Musical

Released 1972

Directed by Peter H. Hunt

Starring: William Daniels, Howard da Silva, Ken Howard

Great musical comedy about the founding fathers of America. William Daniels plays John Adams who is so passionate about independence, he ends up being a jerk.

5. State of the Union

Released 1948

Directed by Frank Capra

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, Van Johnson

Another movie taking on corruption in Washington D.C. What’s not to love about Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn?

6. Apollo 13

Released 1995

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon

This is the true story of the Apollo 13 space mission where 3 astronauts almost didn’t make it home. This shows the true heroism and enterprise of Americans.

7. National Treasure

Released 2004

Directed by John Turtelbaub

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight

A wonderful movie laced with historical trivia that makes the point that sometimes you have to do what others consider wrong to do what’s right.

8. National Treasure: The Book of Secret

Released 2007

Directed by John Turtelbaub

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Jon Voight

This sequel is as good as the original.

9. The Patriot

Released 2000

Directed by Roland Emmerich

Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger

This movie gives us a taste of what people endured to fight for the independence of the United States of America.

10. Sergeant York

Released 1941

Directed by Howard Hawks

Starring: Gary Cooper

This is a true story about the reluctant hero of World War 1 and the part his faith played in his heroism. 

Top Ten Gene Kelly Movies

Since it was Gene Kelly’s 100th birthday yesterday, I’m listing my top ten favorite Gene Kelly Movies.

10. The Cross of Lorraine

1942

Starring Gene Kelly and Jean-Pierre Aumont

World War 2 movie about Nazi prisoners trying to survive.

9. Thousands Cheer

1943

Starring Gene Kelly and Kathryn Greyson

Gene Kelly is a circus acrobat who falls in love during the war. This features the mop dance.

8. Invitation to the Dance

1956

Starring Gene Kelly and Igor Youskevitch

This largely unknown movie celebrates dance.

7. The Three Musketeers

1948

Starring Gene Kelly and Lana Turner

Classic MGM over the top adventure.

6. On the Town

1949

Starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra

Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra sing and dance on shore leave in New York City.

5. An American in Paris

1951

Starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron

Romance with dancing and singing.

4. Anchors Away

1945

Starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra

Gene Kelly dances with an animated character.

3. For Me and My Gal

1942

Starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland

Great music and good story.

2. It’s Always Fair Weather

1955

Starring Gene Kelly, Dan Daily, and Cyd Charrise

He tap dances on roller skates. Need I say anymore.

1. Singing In the Rain

1952

Starring Gene Kelly, Donald O’Conner, and Debby Reynolds

If you want to know why this is number one, just watch this clip.

Top 10 Classic Sports Movies

With all the interest in the Olympics, I thought I’d post my top 10 favorite sports movies of all times.

10. Jerry Maguire

(1996)

Director: Camoron Crowe

Starring Tom Cruise

Who can forget the famous quotes from this movie? “Show me the money” and “You had me at hello”.

9. The Pride of the Yankees

(1942)

Director: Sam Wood

Starring Gary Cooper

This features the life of Lou Gehrig.

8. The Longest Yard

(1974)

Director: Robert Aldrich

Starring Burt Reynolds

This version about a sadistic warden who uses a football game to hurt inmates is so much better than the remake.

7. The Jackie Robinson Story

(1950)

Director: Alfred E. Green

Starring Arthur Mann

This is a history lesson about Jackie Robinson and the prejudice black baseball players faced when they were as good, if not better, than the white players.

6. Angels in the Outfield

(1994)

Director: William Gear

Starring Danny Glover

An angel from Heaven helps the angels win the pennant. This is just a feel good movie.

5. Field of Dreams

(1989)

Director: Phil Alden Robinson

Starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones

An Iowa farmer hears a message to build a baseball field in the middle of a corn field. “If you build it, they will come.”

4. Rocky

(1976)

Director: John G. Avildsen

Starring Sylvester Stallonne

Okay, how can I have a list of sports movies without mentioning Rocky.

3. The Champ

(1979)

Director: Franco Zeffirelli

Starring Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway, and Ricky Schroder

Although the 1931 original version of this movie is good, this is one time I like the remake even better. Make sure you have tissues handy. This is a tear-jerker.

2. The Blind Side

(2009)

Director: John Lee Hancock

Starring Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock

There are just too many things I love about this movie to describe it. You just have to watch it.

1. Chariots of Fire

(1981)

Director: Hugh Hudson

Starring Ben Cross

The olympic sports movie of all time. Not to mention, who could forget that music.

Top 10 Humphrey Bogart Movies

Here’s my top 10 favorite classic movies starring one of my favorite actors, Humphrey Bogart. Some of the results may surprise you.

1. To Have and Have Not

Director: Howard Hawks

Year: 1944

Bogart plays Harry “Steve” Morgan

Also starring Walter Brenan and Lauren Bacall

My all time favorite Humphrey Bogart movie and the first movie he made with his future wife. You can see the sparks between them jump off the screen especially when she tells him how to whistle.

2. Casablanca

Director: Michael Curtiz

Year: 1942

Bogart plays Rick Blain

Also starring Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains

This is most people’s favorite Humphrey Bogart movie, and it’s my second favorite, but nothing beats the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall. Still this is one of my all time favorites and one of the most quoted movies of all time.

3. African Queen

Director: John Huston

Year: 1951

Bogart plays Charlie Allnut

Also starring Katherine Hepburn

John Huston direction and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn? How can it not be good?

4. Key Largo

Director: John Huston

Year: 1948

Bogart plays Frank McCloud

Also starring Lauren Becall, Edward G. Robinson, and Lionel Barrymore

Another great John Huston movie with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. This is the last movie Bogart and Bacall made together.

5. Sabrina

Director: Billy Wilder

Year: 1955

Bogart plays Linus Larimore

Also starring Audrey Hepburn and William Holden

A great romantic story about a girl who believes she loves one man when she really loves another.

6. The Left Hand of God

Director: Edward Dmytryk

Year: 1955

Bogart plays Jim Carmody

Also starring Gene Tierney

A movie based on the novel by William Barrett. This movie isn’t that well known, but it’s one of my favorites about a priest who finds redemption in China.

7. The Maltese Falcon

Director: John Huston

Year: 1941

Bogart plays Sam Spade

Also starring Mary Astor

This is the original Sam Spade private eye movie that all the others copy. The beginning of a movie genre and a great flick.

8. Dark Passage

Director: Delmar Daves

Year: 1947

Bogart plays Vincent Parrey

Also starring Lauren Bacall

A man is convicted of the murder of his wife. He didn’t do it and on the way to prison to be executed, he escapes. This is the original Fugitive movie, only Bogart is lucky enough to have Lauren Bacall help him solve the mystery of who killed his wife.

9. Across the Pacific

Director: John Huston

Year: 1942

Bogart plays Rick Leland

Also starring Mary Astor

This movie was made during World War 2. Rick Leland is court martialed and hints that he’s for hire to the highest bidder.

10. High Sierra

Director: Raoul Walsh

Year: 1941

Bogart plays Roy Earle

Also starring Ida Lupino

This movie is when Humphrey Bogart became a star and started the genre of the bad guy as the sympathetic main character.

Top 10 Easter Movies About Christ

10. Give Us Barabbas

1961

Director: George Scaefer

Starring James Daly and Kim Hunter

This is the best movie about Barabbas ever made.

9. Demetrius and the Gladiators

1954

Director: Delmer Daves

Starring Victor Mature and Susan Hayward

Cheesy sequel to “The Robe” but fun to watch.

8. King of Kings

1961

Director: Nicholas Ray

Starring Jeffrey Hunter

If you can get past Jeffrey Hunter’s blue eyes and blond hair, it’s a good movie.

7. The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John

2003

Director Phillip Saville

Starring Christopher Plummer and Henry Ian Cusick

It follows the words in the Bible. Good, but not as good as Matthew.

6. The Greatest Story Ever Told

1965

Director: George Stevens

Starring Max Von Sydow

Great movie about Christ’s life.

5. Jesus of Nazareth

1977

Director: Franco Zeffirelli

Starring Robert Powell

Miniseries on the life of Jesus.

4. The Robe

1953

Director: Henry Koster

Starring Richard Burton and Jean Simmons

This movie takes some liberties with the story, but it’s a great movie to watch and doesn’t change the essence. It’s also a touching love story. The line I remember most was when Richard Burton with his wide eyes glaring said. “Were you there?” It gave me the creeps.

3. Ben Hur

1959

Director: William Wyler

Starring Charlton Heston

Also one of my favorites. Who can forget Charlton Heston in the chariot race?

2. The Visual Bible: The Gospel of Matthew

1993

Director: Regardt Von Den Bergh

Starring Richard Kiley, Bruce Marchiano, and Gerrit Schoonhoven

This is my all time favorite portrayal of Jesus.

1. The Passion of the Christ

2004

Director: Mel Gibson

Starring James Caviezel

When I watch this movie, I feel like I’m watching the real event. It chokes me up every time.

10 Great Classic Movies To Watch Thanksgiving Day

10. Mouse On The Mayflower

(1968) Animated

This classic children’s cartoon movie about a mouse traveling on the Mayflower is a must if your children have never watched it.

9. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

(1973) Animated

The best part of this movie is Linus’ Thanksgiving prayer reminding us of the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

8. Holiday Inn

(1942) Starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire

This prequel to White Christmas cover all of the holidays including Thanksgiving featuring Bing Crosby singing I’ve Got Plenty To Be Thankful For.

7. Plymouth Adventure

(1952) Starring Spencer Tracy, Gene Tierney, and Van Johnson

Any movie starring these three giants of acting is worth watching. This movie tells the story of  the voyage of the Mayflower.

6. Mayflower: The Pilgrim’s Adventure

(1979) Starring Jenny Aqutter and Tim Barrett. Anthony Quinn and Richard Crenna also have roles in this movie.

Another telling of the crossing of the Mayflower.

5. A Man Called Peter

(1955) Starring Richard Todd and Jean Peters

This story has nothing to do with Thanksgiving, but it does tell a story of the spiritual heritage of our nation. Peter Marshall feels the call to be a preacher. He leaves Scotland and comes to America and eventually becomes the pastor of “The Church of Presidents” and the chaplain of the US Senate without ever becoming politically correct or compromising his faith.

4. The Wizard of Oz

(1939) Starring Judy Garland

This movie used to be showed on TV every Thanksgiving and reminds us we can be thankful for what we have. There’s no place like home.

3. Miracle On 34th Street

(1947) Starring Edwin Gween, Maureen O’Hara, and Natalie Wood

Although technically this is a Christmas movie, who can forget that it starts with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

2. It’s A Wonderful Life

(1946) Starring James Stewart and Donna Reed

This movie reminds us that sometimes what we consider hardship may be the very thing we can be thankful for because our lives matter to other people.

1. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

(1987) Starring Steve Martin and John Candy

In my opinion, this comedy is the best Thanksgiving movie reminding us to be thankful for what we have and sharing our blessings with those who might have lost everything. I get a lump in my throat at the end every time I watch it.