1. CASABLANCA-1942
A great film! A Great cast! Great one-liners! Great Romance! A Great Bar! The Great Claude Rains
2. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE-1946
This is my favourite film! We all need to view our life this way. I love every scene so this is the start.
3. LA BELLE ET LA BETE-1946
This IS the BEST version of a fairy tale ever done! Period! It simply took my breath away when she opened the doors and went down this hall. Jean Cocteau is a genius (he's the director).
4. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES-1987
"Those aren't pillows!" I can't fathom of someone not having seen this film. Perfect pairing of 2 fun and great actors. Great priceless scenes and the music just adds to the brilliance of the film.
5. THE QUIET MAN-1952
The all man John Wayne falls in love with the beautiful but spitfire Maureen O'Hara in a great comedy romance set in Ireland. I have to admit, if a man didn't get put off by my high-falooten ways and dragged me through 5 miles of country, I would be bruised up but I would look at him with happy excitement dreaming about breaking the bed (see the film).
6. THE SEARCHERS-1956
I love John Wayne and Westerns! This is one of his best acting roles ever. He showed tenderness, loneliness, anger, hatred, and so much more. When I saw him look back at a woman, this look reminded me of my dad who could shoot the same look. Powerhouse film
7. SINGING IN THE RAIN-1952
Great musical! Stunning dancing! Great story when the movie industry went from Silent films to sound. If you think they overdid the issues of silent movies and stars going to sound...think again. Jean Hagen as the big silent film actress just about steals the show (but not Cyd Charisse's legs)
8. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN-1952
Hitchcock at his best. 2 men meet on a train-one is nuts and he wants to swap murders...criss-cross. So many scenes are brilliant and you never think of a carousel ride the same way again.
9. THE THIRD MAN-1949
Post war Vienna, shot on location brought me to film noir with unique angles. I am not sure if there is any shot done that does not have a crookedness to it. Add the wonderful Third Man theme played by Anton Karras with his Zither and you have a stellar film.
10. WHAT'S UP DOC-1972
Crazy ass comedy hi-jinks at its best! a tribute to all the screwball comedies from the 1930's and early '40's. When my dad saw this scene, he laughed so hard, tears were streaming down his face. This film has a car chase scene to end all car chase scenes.
So this is my top 10 of films I can watch over and over...and over again. This was hard but this is it. My next 15 will be next week:)
Casablanca and The Third Man - oh yes! I saw What's Up, Doc at the school film club - must revisit. The copy was so bad I could only make out half the words!
ReplyDeleteAnabel's Travel Blog
Yes those 2 films are great and I hope you see What's Up Doc because it is so funny
DeletePlanes, Trains and automobiles and it's a wonder life I've seen a few times. I think the only ones I haven't seen are 3 and 10.
ReplyDeleteLa Belle is a hard one to find but it is a treasure! You should see What's Up Doc-It is just brilliant in every sense and so, so funny.
DeleteI've seen all of these and they belong on any great movie list.
ReplyDeleteOh great! Glad you have seen all of these
DeleteGreat list you compiled here. I saw It's a Wonderful Life last year for first time bfrom start to finish, very enjoyable. Haven't seen any of the others though.
ReplyDeleteBetty
It's A Wonderful Life makes me cry and I must have seen it 100 times so far. Hope you get a chance to see some of the others
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC Top Ten list! But then I knew it would be!
The only one I can't remember is 'What's Up, Doc?' I'm sure I've seen it, because I recall that it was one of the first movies that was being shown on the very first cable movie channel (or one of the very first, anyway). It was in Los Angeles and called Z CHANNEL. We used to get it because for awhile my Pa used to be a salesman for Z Channel. But that was so long ago, and I was so young, that now I don't remember anything about 'What's Up, Doc?' I need to re-watch that one.
OK, I've just put your list in my file and will add "The Next Fifteen" when you post them.
Two of your movies here will also be on my list, but every single one of these is fabulous! I'm currently revising my 2004 list and it's agonizing. There are still a couple movies I'm trying to get on it but... that means I have to remove two movies from my prior list. What to remove? I'm not sure I can do it.
It's also difficult trying to decide what should be "Top Ten" and what goes into "The Next Fifteen", because some movies are, like, right on the cusp - could go in either place, really.
I'll be posting my own list in conjunction with Bish Denham's 'LISTING BLOGFEST' on October 26th. (See FAE's 'Far Away Series' blog for details.)
Did you find differentiating Top Ten from Next Fifteen to be hard at times?
I'm thinking that I will probably be accepting lists through about the middle of November. After that, my friend Kevin and I will begin tabulating the results.
Thanks so much for your Part One, Birgit. It's an excellent Top Ten list!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I hope you revisit What's Up Doc since it is so funny and madcap! This was tough to do because I just wasn't sure how to split them. Some were easy to be in my top 10 but others-man it was tough. There are more that I would add and create another 10 after the 25-so hard! In the end I went with the movies I can just keep re-watching and am never tired of watching it. There are more I could add but I am sticking to my list. Can't wait to see yours and I will check out this list for the 26th
DeleteWhen a person has seen as many movies as you and I have, it's almost impossible to narrow a Favorites list down to just 25.
DeleteThere are some movies that I absolutely love - I mean, I LOVE THEM and watch them over and over and over - but they won't make my list because I'm restricted to just 25 favorites.
Here is a just a sample of movies I'm crazy about, own on DVD, watch over and over again, and yet they won't fit on my 25 FAVORITE MOVIES list:
Heaven Can Wait (1943)
The Devil And Miss Jones
Born Yesterday (1950)
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison
The Wizard Of Oz
Casablanca
Sunset Boulevard
Better Off Dead
Love And Death
This Is Spinal Tap
and on and on...
It's so frustrating!
~ D-FensDogG
Oh wow-yes-Sunset Boulevard is a big one I left off as well as All About Eve.
DeleteI haven't seen 3 and 4. I'm sure they are great choices because you, beautiful Birgit, have great taste (that's why we so often like the same things). Good God, I love that shot with Gene Kelly and I think her name was Syd Charisse. Her legs went on forever. Beautiful dancer. I thought that scene was from Bandwagon or An American in Paris, but I adore Singin' In The Rain. Can you imagine being Debbie Reynolds in that movie? First role, I think. Not trained as a dancer. She says Gene Kelly was furious with her. She cried underneath a piano, where Fred Astaire happened upon her and treated her kindly. Strangely, she was not allowed to sing. The voice was dubbed. Debbie has a beautiful voice and was never dubbed again. It's A Wonderful Life is my all-time favorite movie. I'm eager to see your other choices.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Ah, it's Cyd Charisse.
DeleteCyd Charisse is also in The Bandwagon (see my next list coming soon). I always wanted to dance like her...oh well:)Debbie Reynolds was in the film "Three Little Words" but just a quick 3 minute piece. This was her first starring role. Debbie did say Gene Kelly was difficult and preferred Donald O'Connor. What is neat is when the character, played by Debbie, mimes the words to Jean Hagen's character (Nina), it is actually Jean Hagen's own voice!
DeleteI didn't know that about Jean Hagen. I read somewhere that after Donald O'Connor did the Make 'Em Laugh number that he had to go home to rest for a couple of weeks. It's great and must have been strenuous work.
DeleteSome of those I have seen and enjoyed. Singing in the Rain several times. Saw The Quiet Man just a few days or so ago. Don't think I ever did see Casablanca.
ReplyDeleteHope you liked The Quiet Man. I am surprised you have never seen Casablanca but I hope you do one day
DeleteVery cool list, Birgit! Casablanca would definitely be on my top 10, too... What a brilliant, fantastic movie. And cast. And story. And—yes, one-liners!
ReplyDeleteGuilie @ Quiet Laughter
It is so great-I love that film!
DeleteEven though none of these would be in my personal top 10, all of the ones I've seen are great movies. Excellent list!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what your top 10 would be? or top 25
DeleteYeah- I have seen at least 4 of these and really enjoyed them! This is a tough question. The Breakfast Club would probably make my top 10- growing up in the 80s I watched it a million times and I still watch it when I catch it on tv. I would put The Wizard of Oz on my list too. Hmmm- definitely need to think about this one. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
The Breakfast Club was on last night (sorry, didn't watch it:)) and it was tough for me to leave off The Wizard of Oz but it is not in my top 25 (E-Gad!)
DeleteWonderful life has got to be the all time classic among classics.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the remains of your Sunday.
Hugs
It is a classic-you too:)
DeleteI remember watching most of those. So you like old movies, and westerns. You and my hubs would enjoy tv together :) When he's not watching football . . .
ReplyDeleteI love them but not football:)
DeleteIt's a Wonderful Life may very well be my favourite too. I watch it every year at Christmas and look forward to it each time. It's hard to be believe it was so negatively reviewed when it came out.
ReplyDelete-Matt
Great to hear and I am amazed also but I think it was a sign of the times
DeleteThese are some great picks. A few appear somewhere on my list. Originally Strangers on a Train was on my list, but then I decided that only one Hitchcock would be on the list (since most of my list might have been Hitchcock films) and North By Northwest became my pick. But I could have gone with Vertigo, Rear Window, Psycho, or any number of other Hitchcock films since are so many good ones to choose from.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Wrote By Rote
I know, Hitchcock is in a world of his own and I could make a list just of his films alone
DeleteNow that is a wonderful list... love each an every one of them. It's A Wonderful Life - lost count how many times I've watched it.... and I enjoy t every time.
ReplyDeletehugs, Asha
Thanks so much Asha! I love the message of It's A Wonderful Life.
DeleteFantastic list. I love Casablanca and The Quiet Man, and I'm actually going to see It's A Wonderful Life tonight for the first time. I know, what a slacker. Apparently I've been missing out all these years. ;)
ReplyDeleteOK I have to know what you think of this film unless you don't like it which means your brains have been eaten by some zombie from Walmart
DeleteI'm with your dad! I'd be laughing my head off. And what do these movies have in common? Everybody can relate to them on some level. They grab your heart and won't let go. Great list.
ReplyDeleteThanks! He did laugh and it's one of my fondest memories
DeleteGreat list! I've seen all but 5 & 6. The scene you've captured from La Belle et la Bette is one of the all-time greats. Who needs CGI?
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a great movie filled with such visuals CGI is not needed at all
DeleteI became a John Wayne fan when I saw the Quiet Man. He and Maureen O'Hara were brilliant together. I've put La Belle et La Bete and The Third Man on my list to see. Also to see What's Up, Doc? again. I wonder if I have 25 movies in all that I could see over again.
ReplyDeleteYou should make a list too and be part of the tribe over at Stephen McCarthy. I would love to know your list.
DeleteI've seen Casablanca with Heath Ledger. I need to make time for these classic favorites.
ReplyDeleteThere was a remake?? I can't even imagine anyone else but Bogie
DeleteGreat list! Singin' in the Rain is of course my favorite, and Casablanca not that far behind. I think I'm going to have to try to join in on this....
ReplyDelete...and also I MAYBE haven't seen Planes Trains & Automobiles....
Oh I hope you do join! You have into Nov to work on the list. You haven't seen Planes, Trains...? OMG!
DeleteBelieve it or not, the only one of those I have seen is What's Up Doc?.
ReplyDeleteOh wow-I hope you get to see more:)
DeleteI have to admit I have never seen Cassablanca. I keep talking about watching, but have never gotten around to it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a Wonderful Life and Singing in the rain I have seen many, many times. My sisters used to watch those all the time, so I'm very familiar with both, I actually like them, though they are not on my top ten list.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a hilarious film, I love it. Again, it's not on my top 25 list though. I'm actually hoping to compile my list soon. I was working on it this weekend.
Love to see your list! I hope the hype of Casablanca doesn't let you down
DeleteJeez, the only one on this list I've seen is It's a Wonderful Life. I've always wanted to watch Cassablanca but never got around to it.
ReplyDeleteStop stealing my comments Chrys.
DeleteHahahaa-OK both need to see that movie because there are so many great lines in this film (Are my eyes really blue?")
DeleteI love Strangers on a Train and all of Hitchcock's movies. Haven't seen them all, though. I get too scared.
ReplyDeleteAvoid Psycho and The Birds but the others should be aok. Janet Leigh never took another shower after she made Psycho
DeleteI don't think I could ever make a list like that. It would be too hard. I'd have to include The Frighteners and Frequency. Oh, and Stardust. As well as Gigi. Then I'd have to pare down several classics. Like, would It Happened One Night make the cut? Or My Man Godfrey? And my Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers phase was a while ago, so do I still consider those favorites? And how could I possibly justify The Truth about Youth. It's a stupid movie, but one I love just because one of the characters is called The Imp.
ReplyDeleteI do love Singing in the Rain and What's Up, Doc? I haven't seen all the movies on your list, but I never could get into Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. I saw it in the theater once. Have never been able to sit through it since. (I blame my sense of humor. I didn't find the movie funny.)
(I have seen Casablanca, It's a Wonderful Life, and Strangers on a Train.)
I find humour one of the most personal for people. Some will find one comic or film really funny while another is left just staring blankly. The Frighteners & Frequency are both quite good even though I felt The Frighteners end was not the best. I have to see it again. Love Gigi also and the other films you listed here
DeleteI like many of these films. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles if definitely a newer classic, and quite nostalgic since John Candy died so young.
ReplyDeleteI almost tear up at the very end when the film ends on Candy's face. He was too young to die
DeleteI might see about squeezing this top ten and fifteen deal into my blogging schedule, but I also think I'd have a HARD time choosing! Hm. I've never seen any of these movies :O
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I wonder which films you would choose and hope you do participate
DeleteHitchcock made lots of great movies, Strangers on a Train, North by Northwest and Psycho are my favorites. They've got a gripping quality about them that makes them so watchable. The hooks are really neat - the lighter, the blank bullets and the money in the newspaper.
ReplyDeleteThey are great and before you know it we are in Hitchcock's web and loving every moment of it.
DeletePlanes and Trains was a hoot wasn't it. I sure miss John Candy. What a loss.
ReplyDeleteIt was and I love every part of this film and the music! John Candy is missed to this day
DeleteBirgit, I see we share some tastes in movies...especially the John Wayne ones! Quiet Man (and The Searchers) are my best beloved of all his films. Also liked Casablanca and Jimmy Stewart's choices. Some of the others I don't know, and I love the old westerns and the old romance ones. Some Hitchcock, (but not all!) and I don't watch any horror or spooky films (never saw Psycho, and never watched the Birds but once). I love movies that leave you feeling good at the end of them. So glad we found each other's blogs. TFS & Hugs.
ReplyDeletePsycho and The Birds are the closest to truly scary films of Hitchcocks. I know what you mean about wanting to see a film without all the blood and gore-we don;t need that. A musical, great story and uplifting endings are always wonderful
DeleteGreat list of films, Birgit! ☺ I've seen them all. We watch "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas and recently took a road trip to Seneca Falls, NY, which is the town Bedford Falls was modeled after. I'll do a post about it one of these days. Looking forward to your next 15. It must have taken you a long time to put this together. Nice one!
ReplyDeleteOh my best friend and I want to go to Seneca Falls. Last year we went to Jimmy Stewart's home town and Lucille Ball's.
DeleteTerrific list. Although none would make my top 10 several would make my top 100 and a couple might make my top 25.
ReplyDeleteCasablanca, The Searchers, Strangers on a Train and What’s Up, Doc? are all films I love and watch frequently. Beauty and the Beast is awesome but I don’t watch it that often. Both Wonderful Life and Singin’ in the Rain are marvelous films but I’ve never adored them as much as most do.
My current top 10 would be:
All the President’s Men (1976)
Auntie Mame (1958)
From Here to Eternity (1953)
The Heiress (1949)
Howards End (1992)
How the West Was Won (1962)
The Mating Season (1951)
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Woman’s World (1954)
I have not seen The Mating Season or Woman's World. this is a great list! I love that you have The Poseidon Adventure on here. You should head over to Stephen t McCarthy's blog and make your list there:) Love to know your next 15
DeleteIt's taken me forever to get here and for that I apologize. I really wanted to see your list, because you love the oldies as I do. There are some that made it onto my list and some that I love but they didn't quite make the cut. Some like 'What's Up Doc', which I think was hysterical, didn't make my list because I don't own it and so, don't watch it over and over, but I would.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of 'Strangers on a Trail', but definitely want to check that one out.
OK, now I'm on to the next list.