[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqGiPiDnA4c?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]

BALL OF FIRE (1941)

starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. Released by R.K.O.

I just saw this movie and consider it the “crowd-pleasing” kind. It entertains as it exaggerates the stereo-types of it’s era. From the 1940s, and all about style—-of speech. It’s a comedy-crime-romance about a group of daffy professors living together like the 7 dwarfs in the story of “Snow White” because they are hard at work, writing new encyclopedia entries. And, one of them decides to write about the funny slag words that many were using at the time, and to do this, a shady, wise-cracking club singer becomes his subject of study. It’s almost like a 1940s twist on the “Snow White” fairy-tale, except funnier and with jazz music!

NOTE: In addition to the excellent stars of this film, it is worth seeing for it’s top-notch supporting cast, featuring some of the finest character actors of the time! One even went on to become the voice of Droopy the dog in the MGM cartoon shorts, if I’m not mistaken.

8/10.

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dTBvvSnKPs?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]

MEET JOHN DOE (1941)

starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper, released by Warner Bros.

December isn’t over yet, so one last Christmas movie is in order! I recommend Meet John Doe, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. It’s the 1941 predecessor to It’s a Wonderful Life and the perfect alternative! In fact, I like it 10 times better!

Yes, MEET JOHN DOE is without a doubt my new favorite movie (excluding my childhood fav, Mary Martin’s Peter Pan, of course) the film I love the best, top’ a the list, number one!! The full film is here, for those of you who are all burnt out on the better known classics.

I think if you like movies with a message of love, movies that make you smile, those that resonate with human longing, and enthusiasm, and reconciliation, you’ll love this! And, if you are a Stanwyck fan as I am, this is a must-see!

1941 was a big year for Stanwyck, who starred in three of the most well-received hits of her career—-Meet John Doe, The Lady Eve, and Ball of Fire. So successful was this string of movies that they caused Miss Stanwyck’s career to hit a high that wouldn’t be topped until three years later, with the release of Paramount Pictures’ film-noir triumph, Double Indemnity.

Meet John Doe was the second of that 1941 trio of hits, and the most heartwarming. So, keep warm this winter the movie way, with Meet John Doe!

(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)