I'LL BE SEEING YOU

I'LL BE SEEING YOU - 1944

RATED - NR but probably G. VERY family friendly but not very interesting for young children. Older teenage girls may be interested in what a young woman (Shirley Temple) was like in the 1940's.

RATINGS - 19 Amazon (4.5/5), 14,657 Netflix (3.6/5), 381 IMDB (7.1/10).

STARRING - Ginger Rogers, Joseph Cotten & Shirley Temple.

THEMES - Relationships, forgiveness.

STORY - A soldier and a young, attractive woman in a hurry to catch the train 'home' for the Christmas holidays, both stop at the newspaper stand simultaneously. The soldier (Cotten) is obviously nervous and distracted and the woman (Rogers) is confused why gum is not available. They end up sitting across from one another on the train. The conversation is awkward but the soldier decides quickly to create a story about going to the same destination in the hopes of seeing her again. As the story develops we learn the secrets each is carrying and the obvious risk there is in sharing that secret with someone they might care about. They each must deal with their secrets apart, also, as they wrestle the demons from the past. The story of the soldier could easily apply to any one of our troops today coming home from Iraq or Afghanistan. This is a well done story and performance by everyone involved. Shirley Temple is a little over the top as Roger's niece but turns in a solid performance as well. While not as well known as THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES or IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, it is a worthwhile addition to your Christmas collection. It's readily available from Netflix but is OOP and very expensive to purchase on Amazon. I bought a new copy very reasonably on Ebay from a foreign source and it played perfectly with a great quality picture. Enjoy the Christmas season and remember those you meet may be dealing with unseen demons in their lives. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/05/09.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB

THE FOURTH WISE MAN

THE FOURTH WISE MAN - 1985

RATED - NR but most likely G.

RATINGS - 41 Amazon (5/5), 4,707 Netflix (3.5/5), 173 IMDB (6.7/10).

STARRING - Martin Sheen (Artaban), Alan Arkin (Orontes)

STORY - Based on the novel by Henry van Dyke, 'The Story of the Other Wise Man', it is the story of Artaban, a Magi and medical doctor who leaves his practice and wealth behind to find the King of Kings he believes has been born in Jerusalem. His father assigns his servant Orontes to go along and protect Artaban and promises to set him free when he returns safely. Artaban brings three precious and valuable gifts to present this new King. Pursuing every lead they find, they are always just missing Jesus at every turn. Their journey lasts 33 years culminating on Easter Sunday. Though fiction, it incorporates many Biblical facts and is a fascinating tale of one man's search for meaning in life and how that changes him along the way. Arkin also does a great job as the reluctant, humorous servant more interested in returning home and getting his freedom than finding this Messiah. Although not a big budget film, the acting is good and the story is very meaningful. Add this to your Christmas watch list for the whole family. It's available for instant play on Netflix. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 10/25/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB.

THE BISHOP'S WIFE

THE BISHOP'S WIFE - 1947

RATED - NR but almost certainly G. VERY family friendly.

RATINGS - 109 Amazon (4.5/5), 3,313 IMBD (7.5/10), 25, 224 Netflix (3.9/5).

STARRING - Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young.

AWARDS - 1 Academy Award for BEST SOUND & 4 nominations including BEST PICTURE.

THEMES - Faith, hope, love, spirituality.

STORY - This could be subtitled 'be careful what you pray for'. David Niven is the Bishop and he's under a lot of pressure to raise money for a new Cathedral. There is one wealthy donor that can make it happen but it means compromising to satisfy her. This pressure has also put a strain on what has until now been a wonderful marriage. It's also Christmas and his family wants to spend time with him which he doesn't believe he can spare. In desperation he cries out to God for wisdom. He thought he was asking for help in building the cathedral. He received something entirely different. Cary Grant shows up as Dudley the Angel and sets about trying to help the Bishop. He also tries to mend the relationship between Julia (Loretta Young) and the Bishop and finds himself becoming attracted to her. The Bishop also senses this. It eventually comes to a head and leads to a much different conclusion than the Bishop expected. This is a delightful, romantic comedy and should be a Christmas favorite right along with It's A Wonderful Life and other Christmas classics. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/23/2007.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMBD, TRAILER.

HOLIDAY INN

HOLIDAY INN - 1942

RATED - NR but almost certainly G. Very family friendly.

RATINGS - 33 Amazon (4.5/5), 2,451 IMBD (7.5/10), 90,722 Netflix (3.9/5)

STARRING - Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire

AWARDS - 7 Academy Awards including BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTOR (Bing Crosby) & BEST MUSIC SONG plus 5 nominations. AFI TOP 100 Movies nominee.

STORY - Bing , Fred and Virginia Dale have a love triangle/musical act that is very successful and demanding. Bing is ready to retire and be a gentleman farmer in Connecticut. He assumes Dale, who has led both men on, will come with him, get married and settle down. Wrong! -as they say. He takes off and leaves Dale & Astaire to their own career. One year of farming is enough for Bing and he decides to turn the farm into the HOLIDAY INN, a rural nightclub which will only be open only on holidays. He discovers a wonderful new song and dance partner in Marjorie Reynolds. By this time Dale has dumped Astaire and he shows up unexpectedly at the Holiday Inn quite drunk, looking for work and dances a number with Reynolds. Later, he comes back and tries to find her, only remembering what a great time he had but not recognizing her. Bing does everything to hide her-he's already lost one girl to Fred. Lots of fun and laughs as they go round and round. Every holiday brings a new set and new act so there is lots of music and singing including the premiere of WHITE CHRISTMAS. There is one scene that caused a lot of stir and that was the act celebrating Lincoln's birthday in which white actors painted their faces black and gave tribute to Lincoln as freed black slaves. Is controversial in some circles even today. Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire-what more can you say. A terrific classic. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12/2/2007.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMBD

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT - 1945

RATING - NR but almost certainly G. VERY family friendly.

RATED - 83 Amazon (4.5/5), 875 IMBD (7.3/10), TV Guide (4.5/5)

STARRING - Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet.

STORY - Elizabeth Lane is the Martha Stewart (don't carry the analogy too far) of her day. The public and her publisher know her as the famous food writer for Smart Housekeeping magazine who lives with her husband and new baby on a farm in Connecticut. Her agent and would-be suitor know her as the single woman living in a Manhattan bachelorette apartment who can't cook a lick and whose famous recipes are supplied by her restaurant owner uncle. The facade works well until...Jefferson Jones (Morgan) is rescued from his sunken destroyer after staying alive partly by the sweet dreams of Lane's recipes on the little life raft. His nurse at the military hospital has marriage on her mind and thinks a real home Christmas experience would be the catalyst for a proposal. She used to care for the grandchild of Mr. Yardley (Greenstreet), the pompous, wealthy publisher of Smart Housekeeping and contacts him about setting up Christmas with Lane and her 'family'. He readily sees the potential boost in circulation, never mind that he might be doing something good for a war hero and 'tells' Lane she should be expecting Jones and him for the Holidays. The fun AND romance begins. Just an aside as to how morals have changed in movies. The housekeeper at the farm they 'commandeer' for the charade quits when she see Lane and her boss go into the bedroom together (it was all innocent but she doesn't know that) and she will not be a part of anything immoral. Lots of fun, romance and, of course, Christmas spirit. Good anytime of the year but especially fun now. Enjoy!! Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/23/2007.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMBD