Love is in the Air

I love to watch a good comedy and many of the older comedies are the best. Different generations usually appreciate different types of movies. For the most part, I believe that those over 50 would look for the classics, although not all the movies on my list fit that category. Here is my list of movies for people over the age of 50 years.

10. Princess Bride - This is my most modern pick. However, this movie is filled with such hope it crosses generations. Romantics of all ages can't help but wish they too had a true love.

And, with the romance we experience adventure, pirates, sword fights, and much more. We feel Buttercup's longing for her lost love and her exhilaration and learning he is alive. This movie has something for everyone. It is a treat at any age.

9. Annie Hall - Who would ever have thought I would put a Woody Allen movie on a list of romantic movies? But Woody Allen's movie was inspired. Much of it's success was because of Diane Keaton's wonderful and flaky personification of Annie Hall.

Alvy Singer's neurotic relationship with Annie Hall charmed us all. It made us believe in love again. And, let us not forget, it showed us how good a woman could look in a suit. This movie is a love story, from the man's point of view. And it succeeded beyond expectations.

8. What's up Doc? - Viewers either love or hate Barbra Streisand. But, she was never more likeable than when Judy Maxwell walked on screen. This madcap and often frenetic screwball comedy, directed by Peter Bogdanovich is charming and funny.

Ryan O'Neal is Dr. Howard Bannister, a nerdy scientist hoping to win a $20,000 scholarship (from Austin Pendleton in a hilarious performance). He is engaged to be married to Eunice Burns (played with comic genius by the marvelous Madeline Kahn), a shrewish woman who controls his every move. Enter Judy Maxwell, a crazy, free-spirited dreamer who brings Bannister out of his shell. During the course of their encounters we have identical suitcases getting mixed up with hilarious results. This movie is truly a homage to the 1930s screwball comedy and it holds its own.

7. Some Like it Hot - Billy Wilder is one of the best directors of all time. And he did not let us down with this movie. It takes place during the prohibition era, when two people witness a gangland hit. To escape, they disguise themselves as women and travel with an all female band.

Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon are brilliant and hilarious as "Josephine" and "Daphne," especially when they start vying for the attention of band singer Sugar Cane (played to perfection by Marilyn Monroe). Despite it's crazy premise, this movie handles it for the adults. A must see on anyone's list.

6. Sabrina (Original) - This movie is almost like an adult fairy tale. The Chauffer's daughter, Sabrina Fairchild (played by the unmatched Audrey Hepburn) has been in love with David Larrabee (William Holden), a totally unattainable man, all her life. Not only is he above her station (she is told) but he is a womanizer and not someone she should be with. She is sent away to save her from this unrequited love. When she returns, she is mature and lovely, gaining the attention of David for the first time.

However, David's older brother Lionel (played by Humphrey Bogart) has come into the picture. Thinking Sabrina is only after their money, he schemes to separate them, only to fall in love with her innocence, beauty, and charm. This movie has been remade with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond playing the Bogart and Hepburn roles. Although they are good actors, they cannot hold a candle to the truly classic delivery and romantic chemistry of the original movie, which is by far one of my all-time favorites.

5. Adam's Rib - The most universal theme pervading romantic comedies is the battle between the sexes. No pairing had as much chemistry on (and off) the screen as Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. This is one of their best.

Assistant DA Adam Bonner and his wife, Attorney Amanda Bonner, become legal opponents in a heated law suit about a woman's attempt to kill her husband (watch for the perfect Tour de force performance by Judy Holliday). When Amanda decides to defend her against Adam, the sparring begins. And, boy, those sparks fly. George Cukor's direction is flawless.

4. Bringing up Baby - This screwball comedy is so fast-paced, you miss a lot on one viewing. However, I fell in love with this movie the first time I saw it. The timing is pristine and the chemistry between Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant sizzled.

This movie was very light-hearted. Wacky situations, dinosaur bones, and a pet tiger all add up to one of my favorite comedies of all time. It's a classic that most people can't resist

3. It Happened One Night - Frank Capra directed this wonderful romantic comedy about a spoiled heiress (Claudette Colbert) who runs away from her own wedding. She is helped by a stranger (Clark Gable) who turns out to be a reporter. While trying to get his story, he falls for her.

It sounds like we have heard it before. So many movies have tried to copy this formula, none have done it as well. This movie is untouched as shown by its sweeping of the academy awards for 1934. Truly a classic that no one, regardless of age, can resist.

2. An Affair to Remember - This is the movie that all other romantic movies are compared to. It was the inspiration for the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movie Sleepless in Seattle, not only coming up in the character's discussions, but scenes from An Affair to Remember are shown at key points in the film.

Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr play Nickie and Terry. Although being engaged to others, they meet and fall in love. Feeling guilty they agree to meet on top of the empire state building in 6 months if they have ended their relationships. On the way to their meeting on the agreed to date, Terry is struck by a car and Nickie leaves feeling rejected when Terry does not show.

They see each other a year later. Terry makes sure to hide her condition as Nickie coldly walks by her. When he pays her a surprise visit, the two eventually reconcile as the truth about that day is finally learned. This movie teaches us that love will eventually win the day. One of the best romantic comedies around.

1. Breakfast at Tiffany's - This movie is perhaps Audrey Hepburn's best and most memorable part, playing Holly Golightly. She is at once both naïve and sharp at the same time.

Holly is definitely flaky as she goes from one point to the other. She has a feeling of responsibility toward her brother Fred and is looking to marry someone, not for love but money. Many different escapades ensue, but love ultimately wins out in the end, with Paul (George Peppard in one of his best performances ever) and Holly ending up together with her cat, who is named cat. The perfect match.