Tea and Sympathy (1956) dir. Vincente Minnelli
This film is a favorite of mine, I've already watched it twice during lockdown. Sure, it's a studio-system watered down version of the Broadway play, but it's still an emotional film about a sensitive college boy, Tom (played by John Kerr), being ostracized for a perceived lack of masculinity. You can't help but want to give Tom a hug. The film is beautiful to look at, tugs on your heartstrings, and Deborah Kerr on the TV screen is always a gift to viewers.
Victim (1961) dir. Basil Dearden
I've loved Peter McEnery since seeing Disney's The Moon-Spinners as a kid, so when I found out he was in the first English language film to use the word “homosexual”, naturally I had to check it out. Wow. It became more than just a “curiosity watch.” This film is so important to me. McEnery's performance as Jack “Boy” Barrett is so special and empathy-inducing, and my appreciation for Dirk Bogarde, who delivers a powerful monologue I think about at least once a week, skyrocketed because of Victim.
On Moonlight Bay (1951) dir. Roy Del Ruth
An underrated musical film from the 1950s, On Moonlight Bay, and its sequel By the Light of the Silvery Moon, are my favorite Doris Day and Gordon MacRae movies. Expect a lot of familiar faces in the cast (shoutout to the incomparable Mary Wickes), and a batch of songs you'll be humming to yourself for the next week.
Earth vs. The Spider (1958) dir. Bert I. Gordon
I have a special place in my heart for B-movies, and Earth vs. The Spider (aka The Spider) is high on that list. Gene Persson plays the lead role- a high school boy who works in his dad's movie theater, and is the dorky, handsome, funny, 1950s-stylish guy I wish to wake up as one day. His girlfriend (played by June Kenney) takes him along to a cave in a search for her missing father, and surprise surprise, B-movie giant spider ridiculousness ensues. (PS Gene & June also star in Bloodlust! from 1961 – which also features a young Robert Reed, I recommend that as well. More B-movie thrills. More Gene Persson being adorable. Fun fact: Gene Persson was co-producer and co-creator of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. What a small world we live in.)
Benjamin (2018) dir. Simon Amstell
Merlin's Colin Morgan plays an emotionally complex, quirky, young filmmaker who falls for a sweet, intriguing musician played by Phénix Brossard. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll hug your throw pillow while watching... at least I did. Written and directed by Simon Amstell, Benjamin is the most recent movie I've seen that entered my 'top 10 favorite films' list.
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) dir. Karel Reisz
Young Albert Finney in a 1960 British kitchen sink drama. Good for any time of the week, but it only feels right to recommend late Saturday night viewing.
Departure (2015) dir. Andrew Stegall
I stumbled upon this while Hulu-surfing one afternoon, and Alex Lawther stuck out to me from his role as young Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. He's a truly terrific young actor. Departure takes place in the South of France, and follows Elliot (Lawther) and his mother packing up their summer home, amidst the parents' divorce. He then meets Clément (played by Phénix Brossard – who appears twice on this list), and an infatuation unfolds. I won't spoil anything, but you'll be reminded of Call Me By Your Name at least a few times. You'll know what I mean after watching.
Diabolique (1955) dir. Henri-Georges Clouzot
No movie has unsettled me more in recent history than Diabolique. Suspenseful, eerily atmospheric, and with twists you'll never see coming. Great for a late Friday or Saturday night with all the lights down.
Day-time Wife (1939) dir. Gregory Ratoff
Day-time Wife is my favorite Tyrone Power matinee idol-era film. A bit screwball-ish, it's a lighthearted domestic comedy about the wife of an architect catching her husband in a compromising position with his secretary, so she goes to work as the secretary of his business rival. The restaurant scene where Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell (who filmed this at SIXTEEN YEARS OLD) have to pretend not to know each other is particularly entertaining. Good late 1930s comedy fun to enjoy with some afternoon popcorn.
The Flesh Eaters (1964) dir. Jack Curtis
As far a B-movies go, The Flesh Eaters is a quality B-movie. With well-rounded characters, clever dialogue, and an as-believable-as-can-be premise, this film is a wonderful showcase of the “be afraid of science!” motif that was so prevalent in B-movies of the late 50s and early 60s. Great for an early Saturday morning before you've gained the effort to get out of bed.
Kenny Rioux. Creative writer. Lifelong New Englander. Lover of art, film, and history. Follow him on Twitter @itskennyagain.
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