Top 10 Movies to Watch on Valentine's Day

The old lament is: they don't make them like they used to. It certainly applies to movies appropriate for lovers to watch quietly together on Valentine's Day. It seems today's movies are all about murders, monsters and mayhem.

Maybe it's worth going back a bit in movie history to choose the top ten that are worth watching while cuddled up with that special someone on that special day.

1. Casablanca (1942): Considered by many one of the greatest movies of all time, Casablanca weaves a World War II story into the affair that can never again be between two star-crossed lovers. When Bogie sadly says farewell to Bergman at the end, you and your love will be in tears.

2. Romeo and Juliet (1968): How could you go wrong with the most famous love story of all time? This movie has all the color and snap of the original, and an ending much, much sadder than Casablanca. You'll think of a clever way to convince your love to stop crying.

3. Doctor Zhivago (1965): The strumming balalaika and Lara's theme song will haunt you long after you see this classic for the umpteenth time. However, when viewing with your love beside you, you'll see new and thought-provoking elements you may have missed before. This also ends in tragedy, but isn't that the typical Russian way to tell a love story?

4. Singin' in the Rain (1952): This is a much happier love story that has become a classic in its own snappier way. Seeing Hollywood in its early talkie days through the talented eyes, voices and feet of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor is always a delight. It may inspire you to take your love dancin'.

5. Moonstruck (1987): Cher won the Oscar for her performance in the great slice of Italian-American life. Engaged to another guy, she falls in love with Nick Cage, and they get together surrounded appropriately by operatic Verdi love arias.

6. Ghost: (1990): This movie proves there can be love after death, although the ghostly deceased husband can only pretend to touch his love once again. Whoopie Goldberg won the Oscar for her hilarious portrayal of a phony New York fortune teller who discovers she really can bring back the dead.

7. Titanic: (1997): This is another weepy movie where the hero doesn't survive to the closing credits. The story focuses on the doomed love of a society girl and an immigrant boy, while all the historic disaster-at-sea events happen around them.

8. Gone With the Wind (1939): The classic movie love story of all time is great viewing on Valentine's Day. Imagine you and your love are Rhett and Scarlett and let the sparks fly. Whatever happens, neither of you should say, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn!"

9. The African Queen (1951): This on stars a much older, crustier Bogie who falls for spinster Katharine Hepburn. They cruise down the river in his dinky boat, fall in love and sink at World War I German warship. What could be more romantic?

10. The Quiet Man (1952): This John Ford classic stars John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, but not as their usual Western cavalry characters. John is an American ex-boxer who returns to his late mother's Irish town to reclaim the family house. Maureen is a feisty widow who reluctantly falls in love with him. It's a beautiful story, full of typical Irish scenery and characters.

You and your love will enjoy all or any one of those top ten classic movies on Valentine's Day. Just cuddle up and fire up the DVD, and don't forget to bring extra hankies for the sad scenes.