soooo. 1939. 

gone with the wind, still the highest domestic grossing film adjusted for inflation. adjusted for 21st century attitudes it loses its swagger. appreciating it on its merits id still put it in the top 5 somewhere. 

never had a particular fondness for of the wizard of oz. like gone with the wind it was broadcast on tv yearly so there was no shortage of opportunities to change my opinion. unlike gwtw, it was not a box office success. it became a classic through its annual tv viewings.

mr smith goes to washington a little earnest for my taste but shallow, corrupt politicians are timeless and jimmy stewart is the everymans everyman.

id like to say i have more affection for wuthering heights but im not sure ive ever watched it from start to finish rather that picking up somewhere along the way on tcm. my one take away is a brooding laurence olivier.

only angels have wings. howard hawks, cary grant, jean arthur, rita hayworth. action. romance. back when men were men and planes were deathtraps.

ninotchka garbo laughs. lubitsch touches.

the women all female comedy exclusively about men. murders row talents led by norma shearer joan crawford, rosalind russell, joan fontaine, mary boland and paulette goddard. 

the rules of the game owned it on standard def so crushed by the grinding gears of antiquated technology.

a bunch of others:

dark victory

intermezzo

destry rides again

stagecoach

the roaring twenties

of mice and men

i know someone must stan for goodbye, mr chips. anyone, anyone? bueller?

so whats the answer?

gunga din?