Getting ready for National Classic Movie Day. Image: The Tempest
Are you ready for May 16?
That would be National Classic Movie Day, and we hope you’ll have time to indulge in at least one fabulous old movie.
Each year on May 16, The Classic Film & TV Café throws a party to celebrate classic film, and this year they’re asking party-goers to bring six fave movies from the 1920s to the 1970s.
Of course, this is a near-impossible task, because there are so many grand films from which to choose. But we’re bringing six of our favourite comedies starring some very funny women, because that’s the kind of mood we’re in.
None of these movies are perfect, but they are amusing and entertaining, which makes them Perfect to us.
Almost no one is funnier than Marion Davies when she’s allowed, and she’s splendid as the overlooked second daughter in a socially-ambitious family spearheaded by Marie Dressler. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes, especially when Davies does Spot-On impersonations of contemporaries Lillian Gish and Mae Murray.
Irene Dunne sparkles as a woman accused of infidelity by her allegedly philandering husband. This is the first of three films in which Dunne starred with Cary Grant, and their chemistry is enchanting. The Awful Truth is a feast of wit and cleverness, including a hysterical scene where Dunne impersonates a nightclub singer.
This zany (writer/director) Preston Sturges movie stars Claudette Colbert who leaves husband Joel McCrea to seduce a millionaire to fund the airport McCrea wants to build. The supporting cast, which includes Rudy Vallee and the fab Mary Astor, have impeccable comedic timing, but this is Colbert’s film and she carries it with ease.
Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, and Marilyn Monroe star in this glam heist movie, where three women lease a penthouse apartment in hopes of ensnaring a millionaire. This movie is light and frothy; the clothes are divine, and so is the script. It’s the ultimate in escapism.
Admittedly, this film is pure silliness, and at least one of the performances falls flat, but The Pink Panther is a legend for a reason. Peter Sellers stars as Inspector Jacques Clouseau, who travels to a ski resort to prevent a jewel thief from stealing a rare diamond. The stellar cast includes David Niven, Robert Wagner, and Capucine – who plays Clouseau’s unpredictable wife.
Director Peter Bogdanovich called this screwball comedy a “G-rated movie with no socially-redeeming value.” It’s a fast-paced movie involving four identical travel bags, and there’s no way they’re not going to get mixed up. This film doesn’t stop for anybody, nor should it, with remarkable performances by Barbra Streisand and a scene-stealing Madeline Kahn.
Happy National Classic Movie Day! What are some of your favourite films from the 1920s to the 1970s?
Great list for a great celebration indeed! I did not know this classic movies day, thanks for letting me know! How to Marry a Millionaire would be in my list too! Now I’m gonna need popcorn…a lot of popcorn!
Comedy is my favorite genre and I love all your choices!! I almost listed What’s Up Doc? in my list, but ended up picking a slightly lesser known film. Thanks for sharing the joy of these films with us.
Yes! I’m looking forward to seeing it for the first time.
Yeah, I shut it all down when the new editor took over. It was so frustrating and I had no real direction for the blog anyway. I’m good with it because I have so much more time to watch these movies we love. They’re really helping my mood lately. If I ever blog again, it’ll be a different subject, but for now, I’m completely satisfied reading this one 🙂
The new editor is not fun – I’ve been using it for a few months and I struggle. I can’t get into a “groove” with it, and everything takes so much longer, e.g. having to use code for special characters instead of copying/pasting them from the chart in the old editor.
Anyway, if you do start a new blog, count me in! However, I do hope Mrs. Charles stages a comeback. I admire your wit, smarts, and writing skill.
So many wonderful choices! Im particularly happy to see The Pink Panther, a personal favorite, here. And you’re right about everything in the descriptions, including Marion Davies’s talent and the wonderful clothes in How to Marry a Millionaire.
Cheers!
I was able to see it on the big screen too – what a thrill, right? However, I am a bit envious that you saw it for the first time ever in a theatre setting. What prompted you to see it?
Fantastic list!! I decided against including THE AWFUL TRUTH, but I’m so happy it’s gotten a couple of mentions. Also, thrilled with WHAT’S UP DOC. Barbra doesn’t get the credit she deserves for comedy. All enjoyable. Thank you.
Barbra has great comedic timing, doesn’t she? I can’t imagine anyone else in that role in “What’s Up Doc?” I’ll be by later to check out your fab choices. Here’s to Classic Film! *clink!*
Fantastic list!! It simply made me smile. This was such a difficult list to do, my goodness! LOL. “What’s Up, Doc?” never fails to remind me of the first time we saw it as kids and couldn’t stop laughing… I still can’t when I even think about it. Poor Howard 🙂
Great list. I like how you mentioned How to Marry a Millionaire as a heist movie! I think I need to rewatch it keeping that in mind. It’s been a long time!
There are some cringe-worthy things in How to Marry a Millionaire, but I totally see it as a heist movie: the set-up, the mark, the “heist”. Some great lines, too, as you know. I hope you get the chance to see it again.
The Pink Panther is a fine choice, although I think A Shot in the Dark is even funnier–but Sellers as Clouseau is always hilarious. Ditto for The Awful Truth, one of Cary’s best comedies and the only one (I think) in which he duets (sorta) with a canine. Finally, What’s Up Doc? is one of the few screwball comedy tributes that actually works as a screwball comedy. Well done!
Oh my, so many of your choices are also great favorites of mine. The Awful Truth, The Palm Beach Story, How to Marry a Millionaire and What’s Up, Doc? all on one list. Delicious! I haven’t seen The Patsy, so who knows, I’d probably love that, too.
The Patsy is a lot of fun. Marion Davies is absolutely perfect – she’s so funny. The impersonations she does of Lillian Gish & co. are worth the price of admission alone.
Whenever the local TV station aired a Pink Panther movie, back in the day, half the kids at my school would be talking like Jacques Clouseau the next day, me included. It shows the dynamic character Peter Sellers created.
What wonderful choices! I struggle sometimes with Irene Dunne (I know, I’m in the minority!), but even I can’t deny how good she is in The Awful Truth, and Cary, of course, is perfection. The Palm Beach Story always makes me laugh, and I can’t believe I didn’t think to include How to Marry a Millionaire or The Pink Panther on my own list. Those two films are truly all-time favorites, especially when I’m feeling blue.
Great selection and we all need something light and funny to watch right now. I’ll join the chorus who like ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ and ‘Pink Panther’. ‘The Awful Truth’, sounds like fun – feast of wit and cleverness will get me any time.
These are fun choices. You always try and do something different with these blogathons! The Awful Truth is one of my favourite screwball comedies, although like Rick I think A Shot in the Dark is the best Panther film. I saw a documentary about Madeline Kahn recently and it reminded me of how good she is in What’s Up Doc?, definitely scene-stealing.
Thanks so much! What’s Up Doc? has become one of my all-time faves, thanks in part to Madeline Kahn. She is utterly fab, isn’t she? Thanks for dropping by.
Silver Screenings 
Great list for a great celebration indeed! I did not know this classic movies day, thanks for letting me know! How to Marry a Millionaire would be in my list too! Now I’m gonna need popcorn…a lot of popcorn!
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Haha! These movies definitely require popcorn. And glad to hear How to Marry a Millionaire would be on your list too.
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Comedy is my favorite genre and I love all your choices!! I almost listed What’s Up Doc? in my list, but ended up picking a slightly lesser known film. Thanks for sharing the joy of these films with us.
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I’m looking forward to seeing your choices. You always have interesting things to say + films to watch.
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👏👏👏I love every one of these! Except The Pink Panther…..Can you believe I’ve never seen it? #fail
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No no – not a fail. Just great viewing ahead!
P.S. I went to your site the other day, but couldn’t find it?
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Yes! I’m looking forward to seeing it for the first time.
Yeah, I shut it all down when the new editor took over. It was so frustrating and I had no real direction for the blog anyway. I’m good with it because I have so much more time to watch these movies we love. They’re really helping my mood lately. If I ever blog again, it’ll be a different subject, but for now, I’m completely satisfied reading this one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The new editor is not fun – I’ve been using it for a few months and I struggle. I can’t get into a “groove” with it, and everything takes so much longer, e.g. having to use code for special characters instead of copying/pasting them from the chart in the old editor.
Anyway, if you do start a new blog, count me in! However, I do hope Mrs. Charles stages a comeback. I admire your wit, smarts, and writing skill.
LikeLike
So many wonderful choices! Im particularly happy to see The Pink Panther, a personal favorite, here. And you’re right about everything in the descriptions, including Marion Davies’s talent and the wonderful clothes in How to Marry a Millionaire.
Cheers!
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Thanks, Le. I’m glad to know we share a love of The Pink Panther – that film never gets old for me. I’ll be checking out your list tomorrow.
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Oh, when I was a kid our whole family would watch those Pink Panther movies–so hilarious!
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Peter Sellers was fab as Jacques Clouseau, wasn’t he? I don’t know how he made those films with a straight face.
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Yes, his physical comedy is unparalleled!
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Nice round-up! My favorite is “The Awful Truth.” Happy to say I first saw it in a theater on a re-release some years back. Terrific film.
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I was able to see it on the big screen too – what a thrill, right? However, I am a bit envious that you saw it for the first time ever in a theatre setting. What prompted you to see it?
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Great choices,you are the second person to recommend the Cary Grant choice, so adding it to the to watch pile now!
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So many good recommendations with the blogathon, right? I’ll be by later today to check your choices – which I know will be fab.
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There is, yours won me over as always with your great writing!
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Hey – I think I could have written this one myself! Great choices and a fun read!
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Haha! No way! These movies never get old for me.
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Fantastic list!! I decided against including THE AWFUL TRUTH, but I’m so happy it’s gotten a couple of mentions. Also, thrilled with WHAT’S UP DOC. Barbra doesn’t get the credit she deserves for comedy. All enjoyable. Thank you.
Aurora
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Barbra has great comedic timing, doesn’t she? I can’t imagine anyone else in that role in “What’s Up Doc?” I’ll be by later to check out your fab choices. Here’s to Classic Film! *clink!*
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CLINK! 🥂
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Fantastic list!! It simply made me smile. This was such a difficult list to do, my goodness! LOL. “What’s Up, Doc?” never fails to remind me of the first time we saw it as kids and couldn’t stop laughing… I still can’t when I even think about it. Poor Howard 🙂
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Haha! “Poor Howard” – I can just hear Eunice (with her great big hair) calling “How-ward!”
I first saw this film as a kid, too, and rediscovered it as an adult. I love it more every time I see it.
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Yes!! That sing-song voice, too!!! ❤
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Great list! I like that you included “The Patsy”–it’s such a cute movie.
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Isn’t Marion Davies fabulous in The Patsy? She is SO funny.
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She is! I don’t know why WRH wanted her to be a dramatic actress so badly–she was a natural comedienne. 🙂
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Great list. I like how you mentioned How to Marry a Millionaire as a heist movie! I think I need to rewatch it keeping that in mind. It’s been a long time!
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There are some cringe-worthy things in How to Marry a Millionaire, but I totally see it as a heist movie: the set-up, the mark, the “heist”. Some great lines, too, as you know. I hope you get the chance to see it again.
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The Pink Panther is a fine choice, although I think A Shot in the Dark is even funnier–but Sellers as Clouseau is always hilarious. Ditto for The Awful Truth, one of Cary’s best comedies and the only one (I think) in which he duets (sorta) with a canine. Finally, What’s Up Doc? is one of the few screwball comedy tributes that actually works as a screwball comedy. Well done!
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Thanks for dropping by, Rick, and for hosting this tribute to classic film. I’ve added quite a few films to my Must Watch List!
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Oh my, so many of your choices are also great favorites of mine. The Awful Truth, The Palm Beach Story, How to Marry a Millionaire and What’s Up, Doc? all on one list. Delicious! I haven’t seen The Patsy, so who knows, I’d probably love that, too.
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The Patsy is a lot of fun. Marion Davies is absolutely perfect – she’s so funny. The impersonations she does of Lillian Gish & co. are worth the price of admission alone.
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I watched a lot of the Pink Panther movies with one of my friends as a kid 🙂 Great stuff!
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Whenever the local TV station aired a Pink Panther movie, back in the day, half the kids at my school would be talking like Jacques Clouseau the next day, me included. It shows the dynamic character Peter Sellers created.
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Hahahaha that’s awesome!! 🙂 🙂 Not many others I knew watched it when I was a kid!
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What wonderful choices! I struggle sometimes with Irene Dunne (I know, I’m in the minority!), but even I can’t deny how good she is in The Awful Truth, and Cary, of course, is perfection. The Palm Beach Story always makes me laugh, and I can’t believe I didn’t think to include How to Marry a Millionaire or The Pink Panther on my own list. Those two films are truly all-time favorites, especially when I’m feeling blue.
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Thanks, Michaela! I was going for the “comfort film” angle, and selected the first movies that came to mind.
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Great selection and we all need something light and funny to watch right now. I’ll join the chorus who like ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ and ‘Pink Panther’. ‘The Awful Truth’, sounds like fun – feast of wit and cleverness will get me any time.
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I like your phrase “feast of wit and cleverness”, which is what these films are. Beautifully said.
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These are fun choices. You always try and do something different with these blogathons! The Awful Truth is one of my favourite screwball comedies, although like Rick I think A Shot in the Dark is the best Panther film. I saw a documentary about Madeline Kahn recently and it reminded me of how good she is in What’s Up Doc?, definitely scene-stealing.
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Thanks so much! What’s Up Doc? has become one of my all-time faves, thanks in part to Madeline Kahn. She is utterly fab, isn’t she? Thanks for dropping by.
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I love watching Barbra in any movie! Love your choices.
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She’s always fabulous, isnt she?
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