garsonfan

> When the Yearling was being introduced one time, > either Robert or Ben told a story about Jane Wyman's > daughter. When she saw the movie she was quite young > and was so upset about her mom's character making the > little boy shoot the dear that she wouldnt talk to > Jane for two weeks. That in itself shows how well > Jane Wyman played that role. > Yes, I've heard that and I believe it. Another scene is when the whole family is in the house because of a terrible storm and Wyman sees the deer eating their bread and she goes up and hits the deer and then yells at Jody for keeping the deer in the house. Wyman does not hold back here at all...her frustration over her immediate situation and just her life in general is so apparent here. But I imagine her daughter had some trouble stomaching this scene as well because she is so convincingly mean, and almost cruel here.

Oh, I am DEFINITELY a sucker for this movie. It is so stunningly photographed and acted...just perfect. I'm constantly trying to convince people that Jane Wyman gives one of the best performances I've ever seen. Her transition from a cold and bitter woman to a warm and affectionate mother is so wonderfully portrayed...I mean it. I think it takes a few viewings to really notice it, because her work is so subtle and understated but it's fabulous. Oh and I love Fodderwing's belief of what happens to us when we die...some may find it corny, but I adore it.

Love Ms. Cooper, always a class act. My favorite performance of hers that I don't think has been mentioned yet was in Forever and a Day (1943). *SPOILERS AHEAD* She plays the mother of a soldier and her reaction when she discovers that he has died is one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever seen. So often, she played such cold and hard women (brilliantly of course), but here she will just break your heart. A wonderful and surprising performance.

Thanks lzcutter for the info and so sorry for bringing up old material...it's been a while since I visited. Thanks again!

I'm just going to bump this thread because I am really curious about this one too...I just loved this little montage and this song really added to it. Anyone know??

I agree...Three Came Home is a wonderful film. I believe it's Colbert's best dramatic performance and Sessue Hayakawa was marvelous as well. It's a much different approach to a war film than I'm used to seeing and I enjoyed it immensely. I was actually able to find it on DVD for only about $8.

Greer Garson...when she smiles, her entire face lights up. Also like Kirk Douglas.

The "Night and Day" number from The Gay Divorce? This was the first time I really recognized the intense chemistry that Astaire and Rogers had with one another...beautiful.

I agree about Ms. McGuire twinktab...she is such a gifted and underrated actress. Her performance in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my absolute favorites and she was robbed of an Oscar nod. She's also fantastic in The Spiral Staircase. Unfortunately, I think most of her movies play on the Fox Movie Channel.

I loudly second Random Harvest....a beautiful and very mature love story. I'd also add Brief Encounter. It's one of the most honest love stories I've seen put to the screen...the characters are extremely believable and the acting is superlative.

MYRNA LOY-such a striking beauty that you never forget. CLAUDETTE COLBERT-You'll always remember those eyes.

Ida Lupino- Brilliant actress who is too often forgotten or overshadowed by others. Also, it would be great to see the films she directed/wrote/produced as well.

Mary Poppins

Here are ten of my favorites, though like everyone else I have a million more: A Streetcar Named Desire Random Harvest Palm Beach Story Pride and Prejudice The Yearling Waterloo Bridge The Women The Innocents A Tree Grows in Brooklyn The Major and the Minor

Thanks for the recommendation classicsfan1119...I'll have to check that one out.

classicsfan1119, I'm so glad you mentioned "Three Came Home." I just recently saw that for the first time and I think it's incredible and one that I don't usually hear mentioned very much. I believe it features one of Claudette Colbert's best performances and a stellar one by Sessue Hayakawa. Great pick!!

Vivien Leigh for A Streetcar Named Desire-such a fantastic performance and still ranks #1 for me. Anne Baxter for The Razor's Edge-absolutely heartbreaking performance that could have been much more over the top, but she made it believable and honest. Judy Holliday for Born Yesterday-I know this award brings huge debate and even if Holliday's performance isn't the best of the nominees it's still brilliant. In addition, it's always great to see a comedic performance get recognition.

Your mention of Splendor in the Grass princessalt, made me think of another one. I absolutely looooooove the scene when Natalie Wood recites the poem in her class that includes the movie title. Wood is absolutely heart wrenching here...she is just so completely raw and almost frighteningly realistic...amazing!

Oh my gosh...I have sooooooo many. Here are a few: Random Harvest-Oh so many great ones here but one I really like that I don't hear much about is the scene in Paula's dressing room before she does her big song and dance number. Ronald Colman is so devastating here and Garson is so cute and touching at the same time ("Smithy, you're ruining my makeup":)). I love how she keeps moving her chair closer to him. Great moment. The Yearling-I love the scene when Pa and Jody come back from town and tell Ma that they're going to build her a well. Jane Wyman's reaction is so heartbreaking. She's just so overcome with emotion and then you see her keep trying to hold it in. Awesome. The Sundowners-The scene where Deborah Kerr is looking at a train that's pulling out and sees a high class woman and for a moment seems to wish she could be that woman on the train. Beautiful. The Best Years of Our Lives-Scene where Fredric March comes back home. The moment Myrna Loy realizes it's him is so great!

To Kill a Mockingbird Absolutely haunting and beautiful. A timeless piece that sounds just as fresh as I'm sure it did when it was released.

Great topic! Well...where to begin. Classic movies just have this aura and appeal and magic about them that films just don't have today. Now, that's not to say that I don't like some contemporary films b/c I do, but the classic era is definitely the best for me. As some have already stated, whenever I watch these films, I just feel happy and they often act as an escape from everyday life. I just pop one of these movies in, and I'm transported back in a time that I wish I could have been a part of (since I'm 21). And when you think of the stars that were prevalent in this era, as someone once said, giants really did walk the earth. Also, since these movies were highly censored, they had to come up with clever and creative ways to suggest certain things and I find that much more interesting than coming right out and saying or showing it. Case in point: Black Narcissus (POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD!!).... Throughout this film Deborah Kerr's and David Farrar's are obviously attracted to each other but the only time they touch is when they part from one another and Farrar takes Kerr's hand. Now, this seemingly small act of tenderness may seem insignificant but I think it illustrates their passion for one another far better than some type of make out session would have been able to convey. Anyway, old movies are very special pieces of history and I'm so glad that so many are appreciative of their signifance.

Here are some of mine: Actors: William Powell Joseph Cotten Walter Pidgeon Robert Mitchum Thomas Mitchell Actresses: Greer Garson Vivien Leigh Deborah Kerr Claudette Colbert Jane Wyman Dorothy McGuire Susan Hayward

Well I don't think I'm qualified to guess the greatest performances ever, but here are some of my favorites. Vivien Leigh-A Streetcar Named Desire. I was completely floored when I first saw this one. Right away in that opening shot of her coming through the smoke from the train, I just knew this was going to be special. (She's wonderful in anything she's in including Waterloo Bridge, Anna Karenina and GWTW) Jane Wyamn-The Yearling. I have to admit that before seeing this, I had never considered Ms. Wyman a great actress. But, boy, did she prove me wrong here. This performance is so heartbreaking...it just moves me every time I see it. She never hits a false note and her character's transformation from a cold, bitter woman to a warm and loving mother is done with such subtlety and realism...astonishing. Greer Garson-The Miniver Story. I know this is a very unconventional choice for Ms. Garson since this isn't one of her best remembered films, but I think it's her finest performance. There's just something about it that is so beautiful thought I can't really explain it. Just a wonderful and touching portrayal that is another addition to her many, MANY terrific performances. Anne Baxter-The Razor's Edge. Absolutely heartwrenching performance here. I was mightily impressed by Baxter here and this one stayed with me for quite a while. I was so impressed with her big drunk scene. I feel many actresses would have gone overboard here, but her characterization is perfect...not too over the top but still very convincing. Beautiful. I have many others, but I think I've talked enough:)