The Bishop's Wife - 1947

Charming holiday movie! This film is about a Bishop ( David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young) and the struggles they are having in their marriage as the Bishop struggles to build a cathedral. As he prays for help, an angel (Cary Grant) comes to his aid. What follows is humorous, inspiring and fun as the angel maneuvers the Bishop into realizing what is really important. This movie has a great story with the plot being developed well. The characters are interesting and fun and well done by both the main characters and the supporting cast. This movie is definitely filmed in the old classic style for black and white movies but the story flows well without the need for color to put across the emotions. Definitely a favorite in our home.*****

Gaslight - 1944

Chilling classic mystery thriller! After getting married, Paula (Ingrid Bergman) reluctantly returns to her childhood home where a murder took place years before. This was a very suspenseful film that was so well crafted you will be on the edge of your seat from the first scene to the last. Although the mystery is somewhat altered from its 1940 predecessor, the changes were well written and actually helped flesh out the story. The talented cast gave exceptional performances, particularly Bergman who perfectly portrayed the despair and uncertainty of her character, while Charles Boyer was right on the mark as the charmingly cold and calculating husband. The story would struggle without its supporting cast, however, who were also right on the mark. The filming was superb with excellent sets and costuming, plus an eerie atmosphere that was perfectly balanced with the story. This one is not to be missed. *****

Gaslight - 1940

Chilling classic mystery thriller! A young woman (Diana Wynyard) is slowly being victimized by her husband (Anton Walbrook). This was a very suspenseful film that was so well crafted you will be on the edge of your seat from the first scene to the last. Although the mystery is somewhat different from the ‘44 film, this version was well written and is perhaps even more chilling than the later film. Wynyard gives a perfect portrayal of a deeply troubled and terrified young woman, while Walbrook expertly depicts a villainous husband whose cruelty is frightening. The supporting cast was excellent as well, although their roles do not seem as vital in this version. Excellent filming and costumes that fit well with both the time period and the story. This version is also definitely worth your time!  *****

Madame Curie - 1943

Exceptional film highlighting the life and scientific work of Madame Curie (Greer Garson) and her husband (Walter Pidgeon). Watching the incredible sacrifices made by these early scientists will leave you feeling humbled at the efforts they made. Outstanding performances by all, but especially by Greer Garson. She is so immersed in the part of Madame Curie that you can actually feel her determination to finish the work in spite of any obstacles that occur. Wonderful filming that enhances this intense subject matter. The story is perhaps a little long but not enough to be a problem. Although this is not a film that I would watch over and over, it is both an important part of our scientific and cinematic history and well worth viewing.  ****

State of the Union - 1948

Intriguing classic film with the incomparable Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. After businessman Grant Matthews (Tracy) decides to run for president, his ideals begin to get shoved aside by those who are pushing his candidacy. Blinded by his own lofty goals, only his wife (Hepburn) seems to recognize what is happening. In spite of its age, much of the political climate of this film seemed relevant even today. In fact, you realize how little has changed. Performances were excellent with Tracy expertly portraying the idealistic Matthews, as well as a wonderful portrayal by Hepburn as his devoted wife. However, since the focus of this film is more of a political commentary, you will not find the witty dialog that usually accompanies a film with this pair. Excellent performances by the supporting cast, especially that of Angela Lansbury as the scheming newswoman. She definitely shines in this role! Filming is good and since directed by Capra, you will find some great patriotic speeches that help maintain the focus of the story. Definitely worth your time.  ***

Rebecca - 1940

Chilling adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s famous novel. Maxim DeWinter (Olivier) and his new wife (Fontaine) feel the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, who died under unusual circumstances. A master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock created a mysterious film that keeps you riveted from beginning to end. Olivier gives an outstanding performance as the tortured DeWinter that pairs perfectly with the innocence portrayed by Fontaine as his new young wife. Great chemistry between them! As the chilling Mrs. Danvers, Judith Anderson will make you shudder! Incredible Black & White cinematography for which Hitchcock was so famous. One weakness, however, was the alteration from Du Maurier’s book concerning Rebecca’s death, which unfortunately lessened the impact of that event on the characters. Still, this is an outstanding and well done film that deserved the Oscar nominations it received. Definitely a favorite we've watched many times!  *****

Jane Eyre - 1949

Interesting CBS Studio One TV adaptation of this classic novel. At much less than an hour, it should come as no surprise to find this version extremely abbreviated. Eliminating her childhood completely, the film begins as Jane (Mary Sinclair) leaves Lowood School for Thornfield where she meets the mysterious Rochester (Charlton Heston). Their relationship has little time to develop in this shortened adaptation but the performances of Sinclair and Heston hint at the potential that existed if this had been a full-length film. The film is also completely missing the period Jane spent with her cousins after fleeing from Thornfield but it surprisingly manages to breech the gap to bring Jane and Rochester back together again. The filming is unfortunately shaky at best but to be expected for a TV film in the 40's. The sets and costumes are reminiscent of an old stage production but also in keeping with the era this was made. Although there is little time to become emotionally connected to the characters, this is still a wonderful part of the cinematic history of this story and worth at least one viewing.  **

Although not available on dvd, this Studio One adaptation can be viewed through internet archives of classic TV, complete with Westinghouse commercials! :-)

Jane Eyre - 1944

Mildly disappointing version of this classic story! This early B&W definitely had both its strengths and its weaknesses. Wonderful performances from Joan Fontaine as the adult Jane and Peggy Ann Garner as the young Jane. As Rochester, however, Orson Welles came across as too stiff and angry. In the novel he is written as a troubled and frustrated man but capable of passion, love and even humor. None of this came across in this version. The script had numerous flaws. Jane’s early life was somewhat rewritten and abbreviated. Since her adult life was a product of her childhood, these story additions and cuts made it necessary to have read the novel in order to understand Jane’s personal struggles. Her life at Thornfield Hall was fairly well written although abridged, but after she fled Thornfield the story was so completely altered that this vital third of her life is butchered almost beyond recognition. When Jane and Rochester are finally reunited, the impact of their time apart is completely lost. The B&W filming is excellent but the cave-like atmosphere of Thornfield seemed more suited to the brooding nature of “Wuthering Heights” than of “Jane Eyre”. In spite of the secrets and intrigue at Thornfield, running through the entire novel is an undercurrent of passion, hope and love. Not so during this film. Even the conclusion leaves the viewer with a darker feeling rather than the joy that is felt in the novel. Even with its weaknesses, if you are a fan of this story this is definitely one to see.   ***