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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Holiday Gift Guide for Classic Film Lovers

So, I've been seeing holiday gift guides for classic film lovers popping up at all of my favorite blogs recently, and so I thought I'd join in on the fun! Here are ten items sure to please most any classic film lover. Books and movies particularly. I've picked items that have come out this year, and have tried to vary it with gifts for both sexes. Like I said, there have been several guides already written so I've done my best to be original! And speaking of other guides, the most original by far however must be Clara's: go and read it. Best list of presents I've ever seen. ;)

Holiday Gift Guide for Classic Film Lovers

You can click on the link to be taken to where you can purchase it online. :)

MOVIE:

Cary Grant: The Early Years DVD Set

I really love the idea of this box set, I honestly think it's so clever! It contains Cary Grant's early films, before he became the suave, debonair movie star we all know. This box set contains three, rare movies from 1935: "Devil and the Deep," "The Eagle and the Hawk," and "The Last Outpost." His co-stars in these movies include Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, and Tallulah Bankhead. This also has some great special features which include lobbycards, publicity stills, etc. PLUS, to top it off, it's on sale for 14% off at TCM (check the link up there). It's one of their best sellers, and this would make a great gift for any Cary Grant fan. Someday I honestly hope this set is mine. 

BOOK:


This is about a 350 book detailing Judy's legendary film career, written by John Fricke. Amazon has got it for good price currently. I myself haven't read this book - I don't think I've ever mentioned this, but I like Judy better as a singer than an actress. In fact, she's one of my favorite singers. I like her and I think any Judy fan will really enjoy this. It's gotten excellent reviews and TCM made it the book of the month in their magazine back in August, when it was first released. [Also, what a lovely cover it has! I think that's a sign of excellent pictures.]

BOOK:

Picture Show: Classic Movie Posters from the TCM Archives (Paperback)

This is kind of pricey, but I've still been eyeing this! It's filled with eye candy, 150 posters compiled from TCM's archives. If you read my Sunday Movie Reviews, you know that I enjoy movie posters and critiquing them. Posters from the Golden Era are often so nicely and neatly done they nearly seem like pieces of art themselves: paintings of movie stars, like the one on the cover of this book, are my personal favorite. This book has posters from seven decades of films, and from such studios as RKO, MGM, and Warner Brothers!


MOVIE:

Jean Arthur Comedy Collection DVD

This is pretty exciting for us Jean Arthur fans: Jean's first box set! I'm happy she's finally getting one, and it just so happens I haven't seen any of the movies this box set contains. The movies are as follows: "Adventure in Manhattan (1936)", "More than a Secretary (1936)", "The Impatient Years (1944)," and "The Public Menace  (1935)". A four disc set filled with Jean to get you laughing - pretty tempting, isn't it?

  MOVIE:

Greatest Gangster Films Collection: Prohibition Era DVD

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I really love the Roaring Twenties. I simply adore this era of speakeasies, flappers, gangsters, jazz music, and F Scott Fitzgerald. I once even had a roaring twenties themed birthday party. BUT, anyway, back to the box set - that's why this drew my eye. I haven't seen that many gangster movies, but this looks like a great set of movies all set in the Roaring Twenties. It includes "Little Caesar (1930)", "Smart Money (1931)", "The Roaring Twenties (1939)," and "The Public Enemy (1931)". Actors in these films include James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, and Humphrey Bogart. Sounds exciting, doesn't it??!!

BOOK:

Among the many anniversaries this year was Breakfast at Tiffany's fiftieth birthday! This book, written by Sarah Gristwood, is big and gorgeously illustrated, and it's that lovely shade of blue! I remember seeing it on a display at the bookstore, and I didn't buy it because it was slightly pricey, but it's really a lovely book. I also recommend this book about the making of the movie. I read it earlier this year and it's beautifully written, engrossing, and perfect for anyone who is a fan of the movie.

MOVIE:

Astaire And Rogers: 10-Film Collection DVD

This is definitely pricey at nearly sixty dollars, but it contains all ten films that Ginger and Fred did together in a gorgeous format (I adore that cover). I think this is the perfect gift for any hardcore Ginger and Fred lover, and honestly, who doesn't love the both of them together? This has got everything from "Flying Down to Rio" to "The Berkleys of Broadway." [This is a much cheaper option, however it's only got four of the ten movies. Still a nice package.]

MOVIE:

This is another sparkling set, containing all NINE of Kate and Spence's films. Gee, this one I'm totally also craving. I mean, all NINE movies that's pretty awesome you know! Like with the last one, there are other cheaper options but they don't contain all nine movies and I absolutely love the cover of this set. Also, for Tracy and Hepburn fans: you might want to check this book out, too, a very very very thorough biography of Spence (more than one thousand pages, to be exact. Thorough you think?)

BOOK:


This book, compiled by TCM and containing 4,000 questions, has been pretty popular this year! It looks really fun and I'm sure is filled with so much trivia. This is another one I have been contemplating to get - I read TCM's "Leading Ladies" book this year, and it was really nicely put together with beautiful pictures and a lovely format. TCM's books don't disappoint, so I have a feeling that this one will be good.

***

Well, there's my list of ten items!! Which ones have you got your eyes on?

By the way, TCM came out with their memorial video for the stars who died this year. This was another rough year - we lost Peter Falk, Cliff Robertson, Jane Russell... but for me the hardest would have to be Elizabeth Taylor.

It's lovely, I think, though I nearly thought they had somehow forgotten Elizabeth Taylor! They had me worried for a little bit... lol.


8 comments:

Carmen said...

Rianna, yesterday I was thinking about how I didn't really know what I wanted this Christmas. Now you already tempted me with several things.
Oh, and the Fred and Ginger set was my birthday's present this year!! I got so excited. I recommend it highly. It includes an extra documentary about their partnership.

Clara Fercovic said...

Thanks a million for the kind words and the mention, Rianna! I need that Cary Grant box set, I just loved the picture in the cover :) Have a great weekend!!

Natalie said...

I love your list, Rianna! I would love to own the Fred&Ginger box set... Oh, Dear Santa, Please!! :)

Rianna said...

Carmen: Haha, I'm glad this guide was helpful! A lot of these are so tempting, aren't they - it's enough to make a classic film lover drool, lol! The Fred and Ginger box set looks so wonderful, I think I've only seen maybe about four or five of their ten movies, so I would love that box set!

Clara: You're welcome, Clara, I absolutely adored your post!! I know, the Cary box set is one of my favorites on this list. The picture of him on the cover is gorgeous. You have a great weekend, too! :)

Natalie: Thanks, Natalie! Yeah, doesn't the Fred and Ginger set look awesome? All 10 films! I'll cross my fingers that your Santa comes through. :D

Unknown said...

Awesome! Wish I had them!

Dawn said...

What a great post. Thank you for the many wonderful ideas.

Rianna said...

Elisa: Yeah, me too! :)

Dawn: Thank you! :)

Anonymous said...

My friend LOVES classic movies.he mentioned that he wants to start a classic movie collection.He mentioned one movie in particular: "The Good.The Bad and the Ugly".
I'd like to create a DVD set for his birthday but I don't know which other movies to add.
any suggestions?

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