CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

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The Glenn Miller Story [1953]

starring: James Stewart, June Allyson, Harry Morgan, Charles Drake, George Tobias
directed by: Anthony Mann

Release Date July 01, 1999
I first saw this film on TV 20 years ago and am very pleased that it has come out in a crisp DVD version. James Stewart gives a very watchable portrayal of the struggle and triumph of the famous American musician, while June Allyson gives a moving performance that shows that her star on the Walk of Fame is richly merited. The film contains some of Miller's most famous compositions like In the Mood - the climax of this in the film against the background of a German air raid is heartening as well as causing the audience within the film to cheer and applaud. A very enjoyable way to spend the afternoon (or later).
Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

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Yankee Doodle Dandy [1942]

starring: James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Richard Whorf, Irene Manning
directed by: Michael Curtiz

Release Date February 19, 2001
This is the best film ever but try as I might I can not get hold of it for region 2. If anyone knows where or how I can find this film to play on my DVD player, here in England, I would be grateful.
Same goes for "My Beautiful Son" AKA "Strange Relations" in the American market.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

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Silk Stockings [1957]

starring: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Janis Paige, Peter Lorre, George Tobias
directed by: Rouben Mamoulian

Release Date March 27, 2000
There are a number of good things about Silk Stockings, but there also is a professional finality about the movie that makes it easier to observe than to be delighted by it. It was one of the last of the big MGM musicals coming from Arthur Freed's production unit. It was the last musical Fred Astaire made as the lead. It was the last film directed by Rouben Mamoulian. It was based on the last Broadway musical Cole Porter wrote. Silk Stockings also was used to make a statement about the excesses some thought were ruining films and music...the advent of rock and roll and the technological changes in films with wide screen and stereo sound. It even takes a crack at the fashion for ballet in many musicals. You've got to be very clever and original ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

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Bullet For A Badman [1964]

starring: Audie Murphy, Darren McGavin, Ruta Lee, Beverley Owen, Skip Homeier
directed by: R.G. Springsteen

Release Date September 23, 1996
There are a number of good things about Silk Stockings, but there also is a professional finality about the movie that makes it easier to observe than to be delighted by it. It was one of the last of the big MGM musicals coming from Arthur Freed's production unit. It was the last musical Fred Astaire made as the lead. It was the last film directed by Rouben Mamoulian. It was based on the last Broadway musical Cole Porter wrote. Silk Stockings also was used to make a statement about the excesses some thought were ruining films and music...the advent of rock and roll and the technological changes in films with wide screen and stereo sound. It even takes a crack at the fashion for ballet in many musicals. You've got to be very clever and original ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

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Sergeant York [1941]

starring: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Stanley Ridges
directed by: Howard Hawks

Release Date February 14, 2000
Gary Cooper was 40 years old when he made "Sergeant York," and his Southern accent is weak at best, but those things do not end up detracting all that much from his performance or this film. Directed in 1941 by Howard Hawks, "Sergeant York" has strong propagandistic elements. A whiskey-drinking hell-raiser, Alvin C. York undergoes a religious conversation when lighting strikes his gun and almost kills him. His goal in life becomes getting himself a piece of bottom land so he can propose to Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie). Things go against him, but Alvin holds his temper and does what the Good Book tell him to do. Then World War I breaks out and Alvin is drafted. Unable to get status as a conscientious objector because of his religious beliefs, Alvin ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

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Marjorie Morningstar [1957]

starring: Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood, Claire Trevor, Everett Sloane, Martin Milner
directed by: Irving Rapper

Release Date May 11, 1998
Gary Cooper was 40 years old when he made "Sergeant York," and his Southern accent is weak at best, but those things do not end up detracting all that much from his performance or this film. Directed in 1941 by Howard Hawks, "Sergeant York" has strong propagandistic elements. A whiskey-drinking hell-raiser, Alvin C. York undergoes a religious conversation when lighting strikes his gun and almost kills him. His goal in life becomes getting himself a piece of bottom land so he can propose to Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie). Things go against him, but Alvin holds his temper and does what the Good Book tell him to do. Then World War I breaks out and Alvin is drafted. Unable to get status as a conscientious objector because of his religious beliefs, Alvin ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

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Strawberry Blonde

starring: James Cagney, Rita Hayworth, Olivia De Havilland, Alan Hale, Jack Carson
directed by: Raoul Walsh

Release Date
Gary Cooper was 40 years old when he made "Sergeant York," and his Southern accent is weak at best, but those things do not end up detracting all that much from his performance or this film. Directed in 1941 by Howard Hawks, "Sergeant York" has strong propagandistic elements. A whiskey-drinking hell-raiser, Alvin C. York undergoes a religious conversation when lighting strikes his gun and almost kills him. His goal in life becomes getting himself a piece of bottom land so he can propose to Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie). Things go against him, but Alvin holds his temper and does what the Good Book tell him to do. Then World War I breaks out and Alvin is drafted. Unable to get status as a conscientious objector because of his religious beliefs, Alvin ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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Air Force [1943]

starring: John Garfield, Gig Young, Harry Carey, George Tobias, Arthur Kennedy
directed by: Howard Hawks

Release Date July 13, 1998
Gary Cooper was 40 years old when he made "Sergeant York," and his Southern accent is weak at best, but those things do not end up detracting all that much from his performance or this film. Directed in 1941 by Howard Hawks, "Sergeant York" has strong propagandistic elements. A whiskey-drinking hell-raiser, Alvin C. York undergoes a religious conversation when lighting strikes his gun and almost kills him. His goal in life becomes getting himself a piece of bottom land so he can propose to Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie). Things go against him, but Alvin holds his temper and does what the Good Book tell him to do. Then World War I breaks out and Alvin is drafted. Unable to get status as a conscientious objector because of his religious beliefs, Alvin ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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The Seven Little Foys [1955]

starring: Bob Hope, Milly Vitale, George Tobias, Angela Clarke, Herbert Heyes
directed by: Melville Shavelson

Release Date April 12, 2004
This is the story of Eddie Foy and the Seven Little Foys and their path to Broadway fame. The film is a child of its time - a piece of pure escapism. Many of the biographical details have been tweeked to make the story flow but who cares? With Bob Hope in the movie you dont expect realism. A highlight of the film is Jimmy Cagney reprising his role as George M Cohan and tapdancing and then performing a soft shoe shuffle with Bob Hope. Hope is good in this film. One of the rare occassions he is acting and not just being Bob Hope. For pure entertainment this should not be missed.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Air Force

starring: John Garfield, John Ridgely, Gig Young, Arthur Kennedy, Charles Drake
directed by: Howard Hawks

Release Date
This is the story of Eddie Foy and the Seven Little Foys and their path to Broadway fame. The film is a child of its time - a piece of pure escapism. Many of the biographical details have been tweeked to make the story flow but who cares? With Bob Hope in the movie you dont expect realism. A highlight of the film is Jimmy Cagney reprising his role as George M Cohan and tapdancing and then performing a soft shoe shuffle with Bob Hope. Hope is good in this film. One of the rare occassions he is acting and not just being Bob Hope. For pure entertainment this should not be missed.