A few months ago, the fabulous Tony at Movie Fan Man included us in “The Five Films on a Desert Island Tag”, and if you’ve ever tried to narrow down your favourite movies to just five, you know how difficult it is.
Tony’s list is a good one, and you should check it out HERE. He made the whittling down of so many wonderful movies look easy.
Because we’ve been eating so much ice cream this summer (we’re talking gallons of ice cream), we started speculating which films we’d choose if we were on a DESSERT island. A gal can dream a little if she wants to, right?
Here are our choices, and, like most people’s picks, none of them are about being marooned on an actual island. (Because if you’re stuck on an island, who wants to be reminded of it? Unless, of course, there is dessert.)
Here, therefore, are our Film and Dessert picks for today, based on how we feel about the weather, our breakfast, and the tub of chocolate-cherry ice cream in the freezer.
Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire in Top Hat (1935). Image: IMDb
5. Top Hat (1935)
Because Top Hat is a shiny, sassy celebration of Hollywood Studio Art. Because it has a ridiculous story – and knows it – yet gives you the Best Time Possible. Because of Fred and Ginger, most of all.
Because this study in political corruption is gritty and honest, and it’s as relevant today as it was in 1949. Because it’s a sobering reminder to watch our political leaders and hold them accountable.
Best paired with Pecan Pie.
Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray in Double Indemnity (1944). Image: Reel 13
3. Double Indemnity (1944)
Because the casting and directing are perfect, and it’s everything film noir is supposed to be. Because it has razor-sharp lines and shrewd insights into human nature.
Best paired with Trifle.
Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall in How to Marry a Millionaire. Image: Doctor Macro
2. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
Because this is a heist film dressed as a romantic comedy. Because the set features one of the best movie apartments ever. Because Monroe, Grable, and Bacall are the ultimate partners-in-crime.
Best paired with Lemon Cheesecake.
1. Casablanca (1942)
Because Claude Rains and Conrad Veidt have some of the best lines in classic film. Because the script is both cynical and optimistic and, in its way, inspiring. Because there were many real-life European refugees who worked as extras in the film.
Best paired with Moroccan Orange Cake.
“The Pick My Movie Tag” has been around for a little while, and we aren’t sure who has participated and who hasn’t, but we’d love to discover your top Desert (or Dessert) Island Picks in the comments below.
Wonderful choices there Silver Screenings, and a very clever take on the Tag too – love it. Double Indemnity is my favorite Noir and Casablanca is an immortal classic. Thanks for the shoutout as well.
oooooh some wonderful choices, most of which I’ve seen! Top Hat has always been a particular favorite of mine 🙂 But now more importantly, what’s your favorite iced cream flavor? 🙂
Ah, Blade Runner! What a dark and beautiful film. I hated it when I first saw it, but when I re-watched a few years ago, I admired its loving, sci-fi tribute to noir. Definitely a classic.
I wouldn’t have picked the same exact list, but I appreciate your choices and reasoning, and I certainly wouldn’t mind spending a little shipwreck time with those 5!
There are so many wonderful films to choose from, aren’t there? Granted, Hollywood produces its share of stinkers every year, but it also produces some amazing movies.
Marvelous! Also your clever doubletake on the subject of desert/dessert. I love the idea and want to steal it!
I have not seen All the King’s Men, so I better get to it (and get baking)
Yes, and also online acquaintances and friends. The furthest was Sweden and Canada. Crazy.
The canadian said they were delicious, and the Swede said that they were delicious crumbs by the time they reached him!
These are great choices and I have to see Double Indemnity now.. just watched Sunset Blvd for the first time and loved it. And seems I have been tagged so expect a post reply once I have narrowed it down.
I have one minor and one major quibble with the list. MINOR: My favorite Fred and Ginger movie is SWING TIME (in place of TOP HAT, which I also like very much). MAJOR: I can think of dozens of films I would list ahead of HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE, including the Jack Lemmon/Tony Curtis/Marilyn Monroe classic SOME LIKE IT HOT (directed by Billy Wilder).
But how do I get to Dessert Island? Seems like I could feel pretty comfortable there… Your numer 1 and 2 could as well be in my personal list, for sure! Along with Arsenic and Old Lace, Silent Movie and Pocketful of Miracles (but how hard it is to choose only 5 movies!)
Silver Screenings 
Wonderful choices there Silver Screenings, and a very clever take on the Tag too – love it. Double Indemnity is my favorite Noir and Casablanca is an immortal classic. Thanks for the shoutout as well.
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My pleasure! You have a terrific blog, and here’s hoping more people stop by. 🙂
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All such classics!
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I absolutely adore these films.
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Double Indemnity is a film I’d like to see again. With or without dessert, it’s a great one.
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You said it! Double Indemnity is one of The Best.
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All those yummy deserts, makes me hungry. Great choice of films! 🙂
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Ha! Yes, I had to have a few snack breaks while compiling this post…
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oooooh some wonderful choices, most of which I’ve seen! Top Hat has always been a particular favorite of mine 🙂 But now more importantly, what’s your favorite iced cream flavor? 🙂
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I cannot resist Mint Chocolate Chip. What’s your fave ice cream?
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Hmmmmm…. probably Fish Food by good old Ben&Jerry.
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I just did an online search for this flavour, and it looks A-MAZ-ING.
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I really can’t recommend it enough. They even have a dairy free version, thank goodness.
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Love your picks. If I could only take one movie with me, I think it would be Blade Runner (director’s cut, of course!)
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Ah, Blade Runner! What a dark and beautiful film. I hated it when I first saw it, but when I re-watched a few years ago, I admired its loving, sci-fi tribute to noir. Definitely a classic.
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Roy’s speech at the end is so haunting!
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A nice assortment of movies…and I’d want variety if stuck on island with only five movies! Plus, you can’t go wrong with Fred and Ginger.
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Haha! Yup, variety is the spice of life, especially on a desert island.
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I’ve seen almost all these classics fairly recently. The only one I still haven’t seen is Double Indemnity.
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Ooh – I can’t wait to read what you think about Double Indemnity.
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I wouldn’t have picked the same exact list, but I appreciate your choices and reasoning, and I certainly wouldn’t mind spending a little shipwreck time with those 5!
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There are so many wonderful films to choose from, aren’t there? Granted, Hollywood produces its share of stinkers every year, but it also produces some amazing movies.
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I’ve only seen three of these so please send me to the desert (I have the dessert) to watch the others! 😂
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I thought of you and your fab blog while compiling this post. It made me pretty hungry!
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Awe thank you!
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Great choices! One suggestion: All the King’s Men needs to be paired with something really, really salty to counter the film’s extreme-acidity. 😉
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Yes, you’re right. “Acidic” is a perfect description for this film.
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Marvelous! Also your clever doubletake on the subject of desert/dessert. I love the idea and want to steal it!
I have not seen All the King’s Men, so I better get to it (and get baking)
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All the King’s Men is a gritty and mesmerizing film. I think you’d like it. And if you’re doing any baking…do you deliver?
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Ha! I used to send cookies around the world, but I can’t afford it anymore. I was crazy back then with my cookies
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That’s a wonderful thing do. But I can see how the costs would quickly add up. Did you send them to far-flung family & friends?
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Yes, and also online acquaintances and friends. The furthest was Sweden and Canada. Crazy.
The canadian said they were delicious, and the Swede said that they were delicious crumbs by the time they reached him!
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GREAT choices. Bona fide classics and awesome desserts. Always a pleasure to read your stuff.
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Thanks! I was feeling especially hungry that day, and craving large amounts of sugar…
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Oh, I hear ya!
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These are great choices and I have to see Double Indemnity now.. just watched Sunset Blvd for the first time and loved it. And seems I have been tagged so expect a post reply once I have narrowed it down.
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I have one minor and one major quibble with the list. MINOR: My favorite Fred and Ginger movie is SWING TIME (in place of TOP HAT, which I also like very much). MAJOR: I can think of dozens of films I would list ahead of HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE, including the Jack Lemmon/Tony Curtis/Marilyn Monroe classic SOME LIKE IT HOT (directed by Billy Wilder).
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Ah, Swing Time is a fabulous movie, and there are times I prefer it over Top Hat.
As far As How to Marry a Millionaire goes, I am a sucker for this film and always will be. I think it’s that wonderful apartment.
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But how do I get to Dessert Island? Seems like I could feel pretty comfortable there… Your numer 1 and 2 could as well be in my personal list, for sure! Along with Arsenic and Old Lace, Silent Movie and Pocketful of Miracles (but how hard it is to choose only 5 movies!)
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You’re right – it’s SO hard to choose only 5 movies. It took me a long time to come up with this list.
As for Dessert Island, if I ever find such a place, I’ll send you an airline ticket for sure!
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Fabulous post, Ruth. These are fine choices and I’m in love with your spin on a des(s)ert island ❤
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Ha! Thanks! I was hungry when I worked on this post, and was CRAVING chocolate cake.
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