Holiday (1938), The Quiet Man (1952), and Roman Holiday (1953)

Hello, and welcome back to Bing’s Basement! This month I have three more wonderful movies to share in Vol. 2 of 3 Classic Romances. If you have not seen Vol. 1, click here. Each of the Vol. 2 films have a wonderful balance of tender and lighthearted moments that make them delightful. You'll find yourself revisiting these gems over and over again.

- Olivia

Holiday (1938)- 1 hr 35 mins

Johnny (Cary Grant) is a hard-working man with the unconventional idea of going on an extended "holiday" to enjoy life while he's still young rather than spending his prime sitting behind a desk. However, when Johnny falls in love with Julia (Doris Nolan), a young socialite, she and her father have other things in mind for Johnny. They want him to work in the family firm and make a success of it. Julia’s unique and better-suited sister, Linda (Katharine Hepburn), and her alcoholic brother (Lew Ayres) see the value in Johnny’s idea. Everyone's life changes upon his arrival.

For more on this film check out this post.

Linda (Katharine Hepburn) and Johnny (Cary Grant) showing off their acrobatic skills

Availability: Youtube, Amazon, Googleplay, and DVD

Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Lew-Ayres/dp/B000ION7AI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517674369&sr=8-1&keywords=holiday+1938+dvd

The Quiet Man (1952; in color)- 2 hrs 9 mins

When a mysterious stranger, Sean Thornton (John Wayne!), returns to his peaceful home town in Ireland, he causes a bit of trouble - particularly when he begins courting the fiery red head, Mary Kate (Maureen O’Hara).

This film really sparkles. The Quiet Man is not a conventional romance. It’s more of a quaint comedy, riddled with slapstick and Irish wit, set against the gorgeous background of the green hills of Ireland. It was shot in beautiful technicolor, making it especially breathtaking.

Availability: Youtube, Amazon video, Googleplay, DVD, and Blu-ray.

Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Man-60th-Anniversary-Special/dp/B009YX8MSG/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Purchase Blu-ray: https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-60th-Anniversary-Special-Blu-ray/dp/B009YX8LO6/ref=asc_df_B009YX8LO6/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312152579167&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4485243779725226415&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003967&hvtargid=pla-479393720764&psc=1

Roman Holiday (1953)- 1 hr 29 mins

Overwhelmed by all the responsibilities that come with being a princess, Ann (Audrey Hepburn) dashes off one night while touring through Rome to get away from it all. Exploring the city, she comes in contact with American foreign correspondent Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck). Bradley, with the secret help of photographer Irv (Eddie Albert), tries to capture an exclusive interview with the European princess. However, romance blossoms between the two, and she must decide between duty or this new found love.

This was Hepburn’s first Oscar and first film. But beyond that amazing feat, there is a reason this film has stood the test of time. It’s more than a one-dimensional romantic film. The script and the great performances give it color and nuance, making it a wonderful holiday in Rome for any viewer.

Availability: Youtube, Amazon video, Googleplay, and DVD.

Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Holiday-Gregory-Peck/dp/B06XGRFZKM/ref=asc_df_B06XGRFZKM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312239736139&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16208812670100807551&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003967&hvtargid=pla-448867811986&psc=1st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_New+Marketplace+Shopping+Media_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP164955&gclid=CjwKCAjwgabeBRBuEiwACD4R5ju1ffAIBYENyghtIX556kujFK_Vnd4ejzx9aCwRNXPmbb1NV2eAfxoCpd0QAvD_BwE

Westward the Women (1951)- 1 hr 58 mins

About: Now that the territory has been settled in California, all that is missing is women. Buck Wyatt is hired to bring a caravan of 100 women from Chicago., but these women may prove tougher than he thinks.

Starring:

Leads: Robert Taylor (older here, but a famous leading man) and Denise Darcel
Supporting Cast: Hope Emerson, John McIntire, Julie Bishop, and Henry Nakamura

Directed by: William Wellman; one of the biggest directors during the Golden age of Cinema. Wellman directed a wide range of different genres, including the films Wings (1927; won the first Best Picture Oscar), The Public Enemy(1931), A Star is Born (1937), and The High and the Mighty (1954).

Story by: Frank Capra; a legendary director and screen writer, he is responsible for the film It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

Whitman teaches the women how to shoot

Availability: Youtube, Amazon video, Googleplay, and DVD.

Purchase DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Westward-Women-Robert-Taylor/dp/B007RKFXQW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519502186&sr=8-1&keywords=westward+the+women

Fun Facts:

The writer of the film, Frank Capra, had intended on making the film himself with Gary Cooper in the lead but in the end he sold the scrip to Wellman.
Denise Darcell's native French language let her get away with a lot of words that in English would not have been able to pass the censors.