219 of 1001 Movies: Children of Paradise (1945)

I couldn't help but keep recalling that the entire time this movie was being filmed in France that they were also still being occupied by Nazis at the time. It's an interesting thought because it gets you to think of how it might affect the filming of this movie and what was on the actors minds at the time. It did affect production to some extent especially when Normandy happened, but in 1945 they were able to get the movie out there. For three hours though this movie isn't the easiest to get into, but you have plenty of time for the characters to develop enough to find them fascinating.

Summary: Garance seems to attract a lot of men. She wanders the town while artistic events are happening, and crosses paths a few men who she will make a long impact on. Baptiste, a theater mime, falls deeply in love with Garance, but when Garance fails to return his feelings he begins a romance with Nathalie. The other men are Fredrick, who is a famous actor in the town, Lacenaire, a thief who looks for trouble, and Count Eduard. When things go awry in Garance's life when she is tied to a robbery she ends up having to depend on the man she seems least attached to, Count Eduard.

185 of 1001 Movies: Spellbound (1945)

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the biggest name directors there is, but it seems people associate him more with his horrors works in the 60's than they do with his work prior to then which was more up the thriller and suspense ally. Spellbound has a lot of great Hitchcock techniques though, which include lots of sharp shadows cast on people, the use of blades to build the suspense of danger, and innovative techniques to keep the film looking a bit beyond the times. The acting is also quite strong with leads Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. The only thing is when the story feels over it goes on for way over.

Summary: Dr. Constance Peterson is about to get her strangest patient yet. She works at a psychiatric hospital, so she sees lots of strange things. Including a man who is weaving through the guilt of a father he can't remember killing and a woman who has a deadly seductive nature. A man shows up as the famous Anthony Edwards though to take over a position there, but when it's revealed he isn't really Dr. Edwards he goes on the run. Constance follows him not only because she wants to help him solve why he can't remember murdering Dr. Edwards, but also because she has fallen in love with him.

127 of 1001 Movies: Brief Encounter (1945)

David Lean created a story in Brief Encounter that can easily switch back and forth between the screen and stage. It's not too complex and it's short, but there is something about the narration done by the lead actress that gives it a depth that it needs. It's unique and well woven together. Also, the two lead actors have the necessary chemistry to make all their longing, and hidden romance work.

Laura is a housewife who is feeling lonesome, and without affection from her husband. While on a trip to town she has a chance encounter with a traveling doctor, Alec. The two meeting each other only amplifies her lonely feeling at home. They make an arrangement to meet every Thursday despite her reluctance at first to go behind her husband's back to meet him for dates. The more their feelings grow though the more difficult it becomes for her to let go of their dates when they end.