My Favorite Movies and TV Shows

Well, this is basically just a list of my favorite movies and TV shows. Every single one of these was filmed before the year 2000. Because that's just the way I am ;)

My Favorite Movies (no particular order)


1) Gone With the Wind

Gone With the Wind, 1939

Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Hattie McDaniel

I really don't need to tell you what this is about, of course. This - along with other greats like "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane" - is probably one of the biggest stereotypical "favorite movies." But, that does not take away from it's enduring charm, the bone shivering performances of all (but most importantly, Vivien Leigh), and the gorgeous score to wrap it all up. One of the very best movies to come out of film. 

(I also just love the sultry poster with a scene that did exist in the movie, but most certainly not with all that skin showing. The Hays Code Office would've had a fit!)

2) Singin' in the Rain

Singin' in the Rain, 1952 

Gene Kelly, Donald O'Conner, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen

This is one of the greatest musicals of all time. It's Gene Kelly as a silent film star and Jean Hagen as his most frequent on screen lady, Lina Lamount. When the studio requests them to make one of those popular "talkies," America is horrified to discover that their favorite Movie Queen has a voice that sounds like fingernails on a blackboard! Donald O'Conner is Cosmo, Kelly's piano playing best friend.  Gene Kelly falls in love with Debbie, and she may help save the day.

This film gives me such a "glorious feeling!"

3) The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music, 1965

Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker

Another musical...This is my "guilty pleasure" movie, the one I loved with all of my heart as a little girl!

Julie Andrews plays a nun-in-training who is sent to be a nanny to the seven Van Trapp children, who are hereded by their stern (but inside, he's a big softie) father, Captain Von Trapp (played by Christopher Plummer). To the chagrin of the Baroness, (played by Eleanor Parker) Captain's latest consort, sparks fly between the nanny and Captain. Meanwhile, the Nazis loom on the the front.

I know all the songs by heart, and it's got lovely Austrian scenery.

4) Bringing Up Baby

Bringing Up Baby, 1938

Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Charlie Ruggles

In my opinion, the greatest screwball comedy there ever was. Kate plays an unusual character for her: a ditzy heiress who, through a serious of hilarious events, falls in love with Cary Grant, who plays a nerdy scientist (all set to get married in the next day). Unfortunately, he does not have the same feelings for her. When Susan (Kate) receives a leopard named Baby from her brother, she calls upon David (Cary Grant) to help her with her beloved pet.

I just adore this movie :)

5) Notorious

Notorious, 1946

Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains

Ingrid goes under cover to work for her the United States while in the meantime has a troubled relationship with fellow spy, Cary Grant. My father just can't agree with me on this one, but I adore this movie. I love Hitchcock, and I would even find this one of his best (my father would cringe at this)! I also love Ingrid and Cary, and I love them together. This is witty, suspenseful, very romantic... just a great movie.

6) Casablanca

Casablanca, 1942

Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid 

Haha - there's Ingrid and Claude Rains again!! My father will agree with me on this one. Bogie plays Rick, who owns a saloon in Casablanca during World War Two. Ingrid plays his lost love, Ilsa, married to Lazlo (Henreid). The two have an affair in Paris, but just as Bogie plans to sweep her into his arms and carry her off into the sunset, Ingrid ends it unexpectedly. They meet again in Casablanca, and Ilsa must chose between the man she loves, or the safety of America. 

Needless to say, this is one of the best movies of all time. "Play it again", and again!

7) Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast At Tiffany's, 1961

Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal

Audrey plays that "darling, darling" Holly Golightly, who meets a struggling writer (Paul, played by George Peppard). The two make a connection, but try to remain friends as Audrey searches for a rich beau while Paul is Patricia Neal's "boy toy." I won't give too much away because I don't want to spoil the plot. But this is just a "darling, darling" movie, my favorite one starring Audrey, and I believe that "Moon River" is one of the most awesome movie songs of all time.

8) Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, 1962

Bette Davis, Joan Crawford 

Bette Davis has an amazing performance as Baby Jane Hudson - once a child vaudeville star, she is now washed up and alcoholic. Her sister, Blanche Hudson (Crawford) was a big time movie star in the 1930's, but became crippled in a car accident that many blame on her physco sister. Now, the two share a rotting LA mansion in which Blanche is dependent upon her crazy sister, who is not very happy with her. This movie is HILARIOUS yet suspenseful. Everyone knows how much Bette and Joan hated each other, but that is perfect for these roles. They are amazing - especially Bette. I just lovvvvve this one!   

9) It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life, 1946

Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers

Gosh, I adore this movie SO much. And not just for Christmastime, but for anytime. Besides that absolutely glittering cast you've got Frank Capra as the director. This was too one of my earlier classics that I watched, and I have loved it ever since. Yes, of course I watch it each Christmas Eve when NBC shows it! Teacher says that when a bell rings, an angel gets it's wings... and remember how when Jimmy's running through Bedford Falls "The  Bells of St. Mary's" is playing on the marquee??.. and ZuZu's petals? Remember all of that? (Yes, I am highly emotional about this lovely lovely movie). 

Other movies I love:
An Affair to Remember, Roman Holiday, West Side Story, Gilda, Rear Window, The Man Who Knew Too Much, This Property is Condemned, Giant, Random Harvest, Now, Voyager, Some Like it Hot

My Favorite TV Shows

1) I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy, 1951 - 1957

Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley

Lucy plays Lucy Ricardo, the scattered brained, red headed wife of Ricky Ricardo (Desi), the Cuban bandleader. Lucy is always trying to break in show business and always trying to get into her husband's show - he won't let her, of course. She is always getting him and their best friends and landlords, Fred and Ethel (Vance and Frawley) into the craziest of situations. MY FAVORITE SHOW OF ALL TIME , and in my opinion, and lots of other people's the most classic, funnest, greatest show ever. I probably sound really blunt, but if you haven't seen this you haven't seen real TV.

2) Who's the Boss?

Who's the Boss?, 1984 - 1992

Tony Danza, Judith Light, Katherine Helmond, Alyssa Milano, Danny Pinaturo

Tony Danza (remember him from "Taxi"?) plays Tony Micelli. He used to play baseball for the Cardinal's, but  was forced to quit after suffering a shoulder injury. His wife dies, leaving him with his beloved daughter, Samantha (Alyssa Milano). He decides to make a better life for her and they leave Brooklyn for his new job in Connecticut  - working as a housekeeper for divorced ad executive Angela Bower (Judith Light). Danny Pinaturo plays her son, Jonathon, and Katharine Helmond her man-crazy mother, Mona. Together, they form a unique yet loving household, while sparks fly between best friends Tony and Angela. I love the 80's, and I adore this show. My second favorite show of all time (after this, nothing is in particular order).

3) The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls, 1985 - 1991

Bea Arthur, Betty White, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan 

Bea Arthur plays Dorothy Zbornak, the witty, smart substitute teacher who was forced to get married to that "yutz," Stan, after getting pregnant on one impulsive night in high school. Her mother (played by Estelle Getty) is Sophia Petrillo, the little, wise cracking Sicilian lady who forever carries around with her a plastic purse! (She's adorable). Betty White is Rose Nyland, the sweet, naive, Scandinavian  farm girl from St. Olaf (as she is always telling her crazy stories about her childhood there). And Rue McClanahan is Blanche, the sultry, sex crazed Southern belle. They all live together in a Florida home owned by Blanche. As you can imagine, this equals a ton of fun and laughter. 

4) The Nanny

The Nanny, 1993 - 1999

Fran Drescher, Charles Shaughnessy, Daniel Davis, Nicholle Tom, Benjamin Salisbury, Madeline Zima, Lauren Lane

Fran Drescher plays Fran Fine, who was "working in a bridal shop in Flushing, Queens, when her boyfriend kicked her out in one of those crushing scenes." So "over the bridge to the Sheffields' door, where she was there to sell makeup but the father saw more!" She becomes the nanny of Maxwell Sheffield, a Broadway producer's (Shaugnessy) three children, Maggie (Tom), Brighton (Salisbury), and Grace (Zima). Daniel Davis is Niles, the wise cracking butler, and Lauren Lane is C.C Babcock's, Sheffield's associate who prys for his love and despises "Nanny Fine." Like with WTB?, they form a unique but loving family while Fran and Maxwell develop a relationship. I know this show copies off other shows very bluntly ("Who's the Boss?", "I Love Lucy") but it is still funny and enjoyable.

5) The Cosby Show

The Cosby Show, 1984 - 1991

Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Sabrina La Beauf, Lisa Bonet, Malcom Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam

Bill Cosby plays the doctor Cliff Huxtable, who is also the loving husband to lawyer Clair (Rashad) and five children - Sondra (La Beauf), Denise (Bonet), Theo (Warner), Vanessa (Bledsoe), and Rudy (Pulliam). The Brooklyn based Huxtables are a family of warmth and the show a comedy (with the occasional dramatic moments) that teaches real life moments. I just adore this show because it is so real and easy to relate to.. The Huxtables are just like us!

Other shows I love:

I Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, The Facts of Life, Three's Company, The Brady Bunch