Finally! The Winter Films post I promised you!
These films are set in the winter, or in a place where there is lots of snow. They have their characters skiing, sledding and enjoying other winter activities. There are comedies and dramas, musicals and suspense. I hope you enjoy them!
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)
Magazine article
This is the only comedy directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He took the project at the request of Carole Lombard, the films leading lady. She even directed Hitchcock's cameo, making him do multiple takes.
I absolutely loved this movie. Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery are a perfect comedy team. Example:
After telling his wife that if he could do his life over he wouldn't have married her, David (Montgomery) learns that their marriage is not valid. Ann (Lombard) finds out about it and becomes angry when he fails to tell her about it. She decides that she must become a single woman again - which includes going out on dates - while David tries everything possible to make her come back to him, even pretending to be sick. All the scenes at the cabin in the snow are especially funny, as well as the scene near the beginning where Ann wears the dress she wore when they were first married and discovers that it "shrunk" while in the closet.
Trying to take off her skis - I feel like this when I take mine off too.
A Woman's Face (1941)
While this may not seem like a winter movie at first, there is a skiing scene and a sleigh party scene (that has an unexpected turn).
A thief (Joan Crawford), scarred on one side of her face, gets a new lease on life after plastic surgery. However, the man she loves wants her to become the nanny to his wealthy uncle's grandchild and cause an accident that will leave him the sole heir. The child is very lovable, which causes Crawford doubts, but her lover keeps pushing her. It all comes to a head during what was supposed to be a fun sleigh ride. Melvyn Douglas plays the plastic surgeon.
Sun Valley Serenade (1941)
A musical featuring the talent of Burl Ives and taking advantage of professional skater Sonja Henie. Also starring John Payne. You can watch the film on YouTube below.
A psychological thriller from Hitchcock about an amnesia patient accused of murder while attempting to recover his memory. There is a skiing scene (with not very special effects). I haven't seen it yet but you can read more about it over at one of my favorite sites, The Blonde at the Film - Spellbound. It stars Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman.
Road to Utopia (1946)
Bing and Bob are on the road again, this time to snowy Alaska to try their hand in the Gold Rush. They find a map showing the location of a gold mine. Of course they run into all sorts of shady characters who want to get ahold of it too. Luckily they have Dorothy Lamour to help them!
This picture says it all.
North to Alaska (1960)
John Wayne takes on claim jumpers and a French lady during the Alaska gold rush. Starring Stewart Granger, teen idol Fabian, and Capucine.
The title sing tells you everything you need to know.
The Pink Panther (1963)
If you haven't seen this movie then you need to stop everything and find a copy now! Peter Sellers is hilarious as Inspector Clouseau and David Niven is the perfect gentleman thief, 'The Phantom'. The Pink Panther is a fabulous jewel that belongs to a foreign princess. The majority of the film is set at a winter resort. The scenes in the bedroom are among the best, but really the whole film is a treat. Robert Wagner's performance is also top notch. This is one of my top movies. Just writing about it makes me want to go watch it again! Also starring Capucine.
Help! (1965)
Ridiculous, as only the Beatles can be and with tons of great one liners. The plot is as follows: An Eastern cult discovers that the sacrificial ring is missing. Ringo, drummer of The Beatles band has it; sent by the girl (who's to be sacrificed) as a gift. Several cult members leave for London to retrieve the ring. After several failed attempts to steal the ring, they confront him in an Indian restaurant. Ringo learns that if he does not return the ring soon, he will become the next sacrifice. Ringo then discovers that the ring is stuck on his finger. Its a race against time; John, Paul, and George try to protect their friend while they're all being chased not only by Clang and his minions, but also by two mad scientists and the chief inspector of Scotland yard. Will Ringo be saved, or will he be sacrificed?
The sacrificial ring.
This ridiculously funny movie is a great way to showcase their album, Help! "She's Got a Ticket to Ride" is sung during the skiing scene (filmed in Austria).
All images found via Pinterest
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