Better than " It's a wonderful life" .old films

[AndThereSheGoes]

Maybe should have posted in "Films"

I love the concept of Its a Wonderful Life but the actual film is terrible. So dated, schmalzy, America at its worst.

But just watched The Bishops Wife. Made 2 years after IAWL and still American moralising but.... much better. Edgier, less cheese, interesting characters, unresolved angst...

So what other forgotten gems have I missed

Harvey - my all time favourite film even if it is older than me!
Arsenic and Old Lace - a close second!

The Shop Around The Corner is lovely
Born Yesterday with Judy Holliday is hilarious
Anything with Fred and Ginger

The Lady Vanishes 1938
Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave
directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

An absolute gem in its genre

At the moment, there are several Powell and Pressburger films on iPlayer. I just watched I Know Where I'm Going - quite whimsical but not unbearably so.

The Holly & Ths Ivy is my favourite Christmas film. It’s surprisingly modern.

I like Whisky Galore!

Another for The shop around the Corner. Also Meet me in St Louis - although lots of American schmaltz to be found!

Some Like it Hot is fabulous! So funny.

Also The Lavender Hill mob - again really funny.

All the old Elvis films.

To Kill A Mockingbird would suit you. Great film .

Depends if you mean actual Christmas films or at least films set around Christmas time. If you just mean classic films in general there are loads!

Don't Bother To Knock
Niagara
Both featuring Marilyn Monroe at her darkest.

If you fancy venturing into silent(ish) movies, Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin is an absolute classic.

I love The Bishop’s Wife. You said you’ve seen it - for those who haven’t- David Niven is Bishop praying for help to raise money to build cathedral and compromising his integrity sucking up to a wealthy parishioner. Cary Grant is the angel God sends to him to ‘assist’. Lovely

(the 1947 version)

The first Harry Potter film is ‘ Christmassy’. Some old BBC children’s series like The Box of Delights and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase also have the feel good factor.

I also have a soft spot for National Lampoon’s. Christmas Vacation.

I watched A Matter of life and Death yesterday. I've watched it so many times but absolutely love it. Another David Niven film.

The lady vanishes is brilliant but I was thinking more Christmas films.

@EvelynBeatrice saw The Bishops Wife in Prime . Never heard of it before. Thought it was interesting..the Angel almost having an affair, the rich 1950's "Karen" knowing all along marrying for money was the wrong move...

Must do a Marilyn Monroe film.

It’s not a Christmas film - as I don’t tend to like those as a genre anyway - but if you’re making a list of things to watch then All About Eve is fabulous. Bette Davis at her best.

The Lavender Hill Mob and To Kill A Mockingbird, as PPs have suggested, are amazing films.

if you’re looking for joyful and Christmassy though, you should try Meet Me in St Louis. I also love the early Doris Day films By the Light of the Silvery Moon and On Moonlight Bay, set in WW2 at Christmas. Pure romantic joy and some very funny moments too.

One of my favourite black and white films is called Raising the Wind - set at the Royal College of Music with Kenneth Williams, Sid James, James Robinson Justice and Terry Thomas. Great farce!

I’ve never heard of the Bishop’s Wife but it sounds up my street. I love the Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington film, The Preacher’s Wife - assume it must have been a remake?

I love the concept of Its a Wonderful Life but the actual film is terrible. So dated, schmalzy, America at its worst.

We must've watched different films 😬

If you think that about IAWL, you will actually vomit at the Shop Around The Corner. (Which is one of the greatest fis ever).

But you will properly enjoy The Apartment. Absolutely devoid of schmalz.

Holiday Affair with Robert Mitchum - perfect

I adore Some Like It Hot. Sheer genius. I persuaded my right-on, woke dd to watch it with me. She was highly dubious and was prepared to find it transphobic, but was pleasantly surprised (a) that it wasn't, and (b) that it was so good.

Arsenic and Old Lace is another gem. TBH I like most things Cary Grant. Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House - yes, dated, yes, fun.

To Kill A Mockingbird - completely different genre, completely awesome.

(Full disclosure: I also love IAWL!)