It's movie Friday. Often in the past we have done spotlights on different actresses or actors or a we've spotlighted different subjects that we feel were covered well in movies. This week we have a movie that we love that stands on it's own.
The movie is Harriet. Here is the trailer. You can watch it at the dollar theater or rent it from RedBox or probably view it on Netflix.
The woman is AMAZING! She is courageous. I think my favorite thing about the movie is how inspired she is and how good at praying to God, hearing His voice, and following His directions.
It's a great movie to watch for pure entertainment. It's a great movie to watch if you are trying to inspire your children to be heroes. It's an outstanding movie to watch when you are discussing the fact that hard times come to us all and if we pray and hear and follow the voice of God we get through life with more safety and happiness.
By the way, this is definitely a movie blog, but I couldn't end without pointing out one of my favorite children's books on hearing the word of God. It's called With You All the Way by Max Lucado. You can get it a most any library. You're going to love the ending of the book.
We love adding to our sacred celebrations by clips and movies. We hope you will enjoy some of these about the Savior
#BECAUSEofHIM: An Easter Message of Hope and Triumph - clip
He Lives—Celebrate Easter Because Jesus Christ Lives - clip
Because of Him - Easter 2018 | Mormon.org - clip
#Hallelujah—An Easter Message about Jesus Christ - clip
Follow Him—An Easter Message about Jesus Christ - clip
The Prince of Peace: Find Lasting Peace through Jesus Christ - clip
Why We Need a Savior—A Christmas Message about Our Savior Jesus Christ. #ASaviorIsBorn.- clip
The Atonement: A Bible Story for Children - clip
Finding Faith in Christ - mini film about the Savior
The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd (2000) - Movie
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has produced some amazing Bible Videos that tell the story of Christ using only the words from the Bible. Here's a playlist of them.
If you are studying authenticity you might want to study some Thelma Ritter movies. Thelma is about as authentic as they come.
Miracle on 34th Street 1947
This is a favorite family-centered movie to watch at Christmastime. A little girl is being brought up by a mom who is very practical and doesn't like any kind of fantasy including Santa Claus. See what happens when the real Santa Clause comes on the scene.
Father was a Fullback 1949
This football coach has problems. The college team he is coaching has a losing season, he doesn't understand his youngest daughter and his teenage daughter is a mystery as well. But through everything you can see the love and concern that each member of the family has for each other. It's really a delightful film!
The Mating Season 1951
In the movie Thema Ritter plays a mom who will do anything (good) to help her son. But her plans do not go smoothly. Don't let the name fool you. Remember many words had completely different definitions back in the 1950's.
As Young as You Feel 1951
What are you going to do when you reach the young age of 65 and your company retires you against your will. This man comes up with a plan to get his job back. Let's see if his plan succeeds or not.
The Model and the Marriage Broker 1951
Thelma Ritter usually played supporting roles in most of her films. But in this film she plays one of the two main female roles. Who wouldn't want ever practical and sensible Thelma going to bat for them and teaching them how to be a little more attractive to the one you love.
With a Song in My Heart 1952
If you are in the mood for a musical and have seen most of the the ones you can think of, try watching With a Song in My Heart. It's a biographical film of actress Jane Froman. We think her determination will inspire you.
Lucy Gallant 1955
There are so many quick relationships nowadays. This movie shows us that not all relationships are instant. It may take quite a time and work to convince the one you love that you are the one they love in return.
Northside 777 1948Usually we don’t go in for movies about murder. As murder is about the farthermost thing away from living a wholesome life as you can get. But though this movie about a true story has a murder in it that is not the crucial aspect of this story. The crucial aspect of this movie is how one man was unjustly accused and how his family believed in his innocence and how another man worked to discover the truth. The movie shows us that even when all hope is gone things can still change. And hoping on and working on in even though all evidence might point to the hope being nigh to impossible is what living the wholesome life is all about.
I'll Get By 1950
A wonderful romantic musical about the rise of a song writing and song publishing team.
Move Over Darling 1963
A comedy of a man who's wife has been pronounced dead because she has been lost at sea. So he decides to get remarried. And on the day he does, and before the honeymoon, his first wife shows up.
Friday, December 14, 2018
You all know the talent of Danny Kaye from the film White Christmas. He has many other delightful movies that we think you might like!
White Christmas 1954 is a Christmas Classic. It's a delightful musical romance set at the end of World War 2 and the years not long after. If you want a movie where the world is happy and any problems are small and solvable this is one one for you.
Hans Christian Andersen 1952 is a gentle musical about one of the world's favorite fairy-tale writers.
A Song is Born 1948 is comedy of what happens with a set of classical musicians try to write about the history off music and suddenly see how much music has evolved. We loved all the styles of music that they had in the movie and think you will as well.
Clip from A Song is Born
Many of you might be familiar with the film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty released in 2013 starring Ben Stiller buy some of you might not know that it was a remake of the much earlier film with the exact same title starring Danny Kaye released in 1947. Both films are comedies and star a man who daydreams about the life he someday wants to lead and the man he someday wants to be. It's fun to watch both film back to back. I would start with the original though.
Here are the trailers for them both
1947
2013
The Court Jester 1955 is ____. You will love this look of Angela Lansbury in he younger years.
It is hard to describe anyone's style in one or two word. And as we are trying to think of how to describe Jane Wyman's style we think of the word composed. Composed whether confident or timid.
I think most people my age first saw Jane Wyman when she played Aunt Polly in Pollyanna, a story about a little girl who played the glad game - a game where she tried to find something to be happy about in every situation.
Here's a clip where she explains her Glad Game.
But Jane Wyman was a well known actress ever before that! And here are some of our favorite films with her in them.
In Three Guys Named Mike Jane is an airline stewardess and has to choose between three guys who love her. Who would you choose?
In the movie Magnificent Obsession 1954 She is a widow who's very philanthropic husband dies when he can't get the emergency help he needs because it was being used to save a man who up until then had lived a very selfish life. This movie holds a secret to happiness and is well worth the watch!
In The Story of Will Rogers 1952 Jane plays the wife of Will Rogers and we get to see through her eyes the story of a man who was humble and kind of afraid to take his place in the world to use his influence for the best good.
In Lucy Gallant 1955 Jane plays a business woman who starts her own store. She is forced with the decision between being a business owner and being a wife and a stay-at-home.
In All That Heaven Allows 1955 Jane is a widow who falls in love with a man of whom her friends and family disapprove. She has to decide whether to choose to marry the man she loves or live her life by other people's wishes.
In Magic Town 1947 Jane plays the editor and owner of a small town newspaper and James Stewart is a man who comes to the town for good, though secretive reasons. Romance starts from there.
In Lost Weekend 1946 Jane plays the girlfriend of a man who is an alcoholic. We get to see the how thoroughly addictions can destroy a person's life and the lives of those who care about them. We see the lies, the deceit, the selfishness and the desperation. We also see that their are choices along the way and that while people are still alive there is always a chance to change. Adult themes. Preview first
In Miracle in the Rain 1956 Jane plays a daughter of a mother whose husband has walked out on her. For a while Jane is living her whole life to help her mother. Then she meets a solider and the story changes. - there are some adult themes in this movie so definitely preview first.
Here Comes the Groom 1951 is a delightful romantic comedy starring Jane Wyman and Bing Crosby.
In The Glass Menagerie 1950 Jane plays a very shy girl who has some crippled legs who has a mom who desperately is trying to do what she can for her children. This is the first film version of Tennessee Williams play.
Sorry no trailer
Night and Day 1946 the musical of the story of song writer Cole Porter. It is wonderfully full of the the songs that he wrote
Jane Wyman made many other movies and I would think that they are probably worth watching. All the ones we've seen her in are wholesome and explore life various thoughtful ways.
He made too many movies to begin to count. He rarely played a main character. But his characters in the movies seemed to know how to get things done and not take no for an answer. I'll try to break his movies down into categories though each of them have beautifully romantic elements.
***Historical Films***
Edison the Man
If you are trying to teach the value of creativity and determination, this is the movie for you!
John Paul Jones 1959
How do we teach ourselves and our families courage like this Revolutionary War Hero had?
The Story of Alexander Graham Bell 1939
A wonderful film
*Sorry No Clip
Stanley & Livingston
***Romantic Comedies***
Bachelor Mother 1939
A cute movie about a woman who finds a baby at Christmas time and everyone thinks it's hers.
Has Anybody Seen My Gal 1952 Super cute film about a man who loved only one woman had how he tries to bless her family's lives
Monkey Business 1952
A film about people searching for the formula for perpetual youth and what happens along the way.
Louisa 1950
A darling film about about a widow that shows that life has it's ups and downs. What we want and need can be just around the corner. The fun part with his movie is that Ronald Reagan stars in it.
**Sorry No Trailer
Peggy 1950
Super cute movie about 2 sisters, a pageant, a boyfriend,
and a father who likes to have things his way.
**Sorry No Trailer
Mr. Music 1950
See what happens when you get someone who doesn't like to work together with someone who does.
The More the Merrier 1943
A film about the housing shortage and the mix up that follows
Clip no trailer
The Devil & Miss Jones 1941
A business owner becomes one of his employees
to see what his business is really like.
**Clip No Trailer
***Drama / Romance ***
Made for Each Other 1939
Colonel Effingham’s Raid 1946
So you think something should be done? If you care about it, do it!
**Sorry, No Trailer
The Rocket Man 1954
Ever wished for a magic wand?
This boy has a magic gun given to him from the Rocket Man.
The Green Years 1946
The tale on an orphan growing up in Ireland.
He loses his parents and goes to live with his grandparents.
The film contrasts neglect & miserliness with generosity and love.
AStranger in My Arms 1959
When someone you love dies, your life shouldn't end as well.
The holiday season is fast upon us. Celebrate with some movies by Bing Crosby. His mellow happy style is sure to bring some peace and happiness to your holiday season.
