Valentine's Day

This year for Valentine's Day I decided to create a list of films that are perfect for this romantic holiday that you may never have heard of:

Random Harvest (1942)
Starring Greer Garson and Ronald Colman
An amnesiac World War I vet falls in love with a music hall star, only to suffer an accident which restores his original memories but erases his post-War life.

My thoughts: Flat out my favorite romantic film of all time. Probably considered a tear jerker (but I would not know). It lucky came back into print a few years back so the world could be reintroduced to it. Greer Garson, one of my favorite actors, truly shines in this film. As for Ronald Colman, I could listen to him read a phone book, his voice is so distinctive and calming. FYI- it was nominated for 7 Oscars it is that good.

The Enchanted Cottage (1945)
Starring Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young
A homely maid and a scarred ex-GI meet at the cottage where she works and where he was to spend his honeymoon prior to his accident. The two develop a bond and agree to marry, more out of loneliness than love.

My thoughts: Unfortunately out of print. This film also has a great supporting cast with Mildred Natwick and Herman Marshall. The film score will stick with you and completes the film (it was also nominated for an Oscar). Discusses the true meaning of love that I do not think any other film has accomplished with such an impact as this film has.

The Major and the Minor (1945)
Starring Ginger Rogers and Ray Milland
A woman disguises herself as a child to save on a train fare and is taken in charge by an army man who doesn't notice the truth.

My thoughts: Came back into print last year to my delight. It is just a light romantic comedy. There is a scene that Milland is talking to Rogers about dating using an analogy with light bulbs that is priceless.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison
In 1900, a young widow finds her seaside cottage is haunted...and forms a unique relationship with the ghost.

My thoughts: It’s a film that you probably could see once and be satisfied, but yet I am drawn to it.

Come Live with Me (1941)
Starring Hedy Lamarr and James Stewart
Illegal immigrant Johnny Jones is due to be deported from the USA, her only hope is to get married. She meets down-on-his-luck author, Bill Smith, and proposes a marriage of convenience in order to remain in the country, but Bill has more ambitious ideas.

My thoughts: Another great film out of print. Jimmy Stewart is just his charming self as the awkard man in love. Love the scene Jimmy discusses fireflies to Hedy.

Two Weeks with Love (1950)
Starring Jane Powell and Ricardo Montalban
The Robinson family is spending two weeks of summer vacation at a resort in the Catskills. Older daughter Patti vies with her friend, Valeria, for the affections of Demi Armendez but Patti is at a disadvantage because her father thinks she is too young for boys.

My thoughts: I just realized that this is the first colorized film on this list. Great supporting cast with a very young Debbie Reynolds. It is a musical, so brace yourself for some songs, but also get ready to laugh. It reminds me a lot of "Cheaper by the Dozen" (1950) about a girl trying to grow up while her parents think she is too young but without the sad ending.