# Recommend a Classic Romance Movie -- Need Answer Sort of Fast **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 7, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445 "2016-02-07T18:09:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/21 "2016-02-07T22:45:53Z")
_ **The Ghost and Mrs Muir** _. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/22 "2016-02-07T22:51:44Z")
It’s not pre-1960, but _ **Murphy’s Romance** _ doesn’t have a false note in it. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/23 "2016-02-07T22:53:32Z")
It’s not a romance exactly, but **The Thin Man** is good fun, with snappy dialogue and good acting. It may fit the bill for you because the two leads are a happily married couple who playfully flirt and spar with each other while solving a mystery. Also, Myrna Loy. Great googily moogily. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/24 "2016-02-07T23:36:46Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > _Sabrina > Holiday > Bringing Up Baby > The Philadelphia Story > (I’m seeing a theme here) > Wuthering Heights_ You may never have heard of Sabrina. It’s not very famous. But it’s right near the top of my list of the best ever romantic movies. It’s wunnerful! So is Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. AAMOF, I would take a look at all of Audrey Hepburn’s movies. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/25 "2016-02-07T23:48:23Z")
This thread is Freakishly close to home. Its what I got my wife for Xmas. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/26 "2016-02-07T23:58:47Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > AAMOF, I would take a look at all of Audrey Hepburn’s movies. Except maybe **Wait Until Dark** - it’s probably the least romantic of her movies. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/27 "2016-02-08T00:00:46Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > _ **The Ghost and Mrs Muir** _. Yes! One of the most romantic movies ever. And the ending always makes me cry (in a good way). ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/28 "2016-02-08T00:09:00Z")
Very romantic, very funny, and nicely unsappy is _Ninotchka_. Tagline was “Garbo laughs!” She does, and it’s beautiful. [Here’s a clip.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU6nB-uJh68) It doesn’t happen until 2 minutes in, but stay with it-- it’s so worth it. Also, if anyone suggests _Magnificent Obsession_ with Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson, this is another remake of an Irene Dunne movie where the Irene Dunne original is vastly superior. I am president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and greens committee of the Irene Dunne fan club, and I’m here to tell you that anything that is a remake of one of her movies isn’t as good as the original. Unfortunately, the originals aren’t so well known, because the remaking company often bought the original and kept it out of circulation. This is why Irene Dunne isn’t so well known, even though in her own time she was more popular than Katharine Hepburn. Also, _The Thin Man_ is a great idea. Does your wife like silent movies? I can suggest some with Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish that are grand, but not everyone likes silents. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/29 "2016-02-08T00:10:11Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Except maybe **Wait Until Dark** - it’s probably the least romantic of her movies. Also, after 1960, so we’re safe. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/30 "2016-02-08T04:48:21Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Does your wife like silent movies? I can suggest some with Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish that are grand, but not everyone likes silents. I may pick one silent. Variety should be a bonus. I want you thank everyone who has responded. My goal will be to choose five, and along with a box of Lake Champlain chocolates I hope to survive another Valentine’s Day. With all these interesting suggestions. I might reprise the idea next year if it all goes over well. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/31 "2016-02-08T05:15:00Z")
There are at least two versions of _ **Sabrina** _: The 1954 version with Bogart, Grant, and Hepburn, and the 1990s version with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. I, uh, suggest you buy the former. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/32 "2016-02-08T05:23:44Z")
If you like musicals, you might want to check out _ **High Society** _. It’s Cole Porter’s version of _ **The Philadelphia Story** _ with Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, John Lund, and Celeste Holm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG6UllZwj9c ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/33 "2016-02-08T05:30:51Z")
_ **Waterloo Bridge** _ with Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor. A great tragic love story. This one will have her sobbing on your shoulder! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/34 "2016-02-08T05:32:40Z")
Franco Zefferelli’s _ **Romeo and Juliet** _, one of the few movies I would call a true work of art. **EDIT:** Post-1960, but still… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/35 "2016-02-08T05:46:09Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > It’s not a romance exactly, but **The Thin Man** is good fun, with snappy dialogue and good acting. It may fit the bill for you because the two leads are a happily married couple who playfully flirt and spar with each other while solving a mystery. > > Also, Myrna Loy. Great googily moogily. If you want to keep with the William Powell theme, I also like **My Man Godfrey** (the 1936 version). It’s perhaps more fast-talking comedy than pure romance, but Powell does end up with Carole Lombard at the end, whether he knows it or not. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/36 "2016-02-08T11:06:09Z")
Not exactly slushily romantic, but how about His Girl Friday (Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell)? It’s funny, with a strong and unconventional female lead (and I couldn’t help noticing how, even as the dialogue speeds up as the tension mounts through the film, the actors still manage to articulate every word clearly, unlike more modern Method mumblers). And why no Fred’n’Ginger? Can’t get more romantic than that. (PS: Brief Encounter is sad-but-redeemed: remember the last line, where it suddenly becomes clear that the husband knew all about it and was just waiting for her to come back? A different sort of romance). ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/37 "2016-02-08T12:23:22Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > [Brief Encounter](http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1003094-brief_encounter/) is a true classic from David Lean I agree. You might also consider Powell & Pressburger’s _A Matter of Life and Death_ if you want something that’s bigger in scope than just the romance. It’s a big beautiful film that deserves more attention. > [@terentii](#): > > There are at least two versions of _ **Sabrina** _: The 1954 version with Bogart, Grant, and Hepburn, and the 1990s version with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. > > I, uh, suggest you buy the former. I haven’t seen the former but I have seen the latter and I, uh, don’t recommend it either (although I like Greg Kinnear in pretty much everything I’ve seen him in). ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/38 "2016-02-08T13:51:20Z")
Silents: Sad, but with a very happy ending is _Way Down East_, with Lillian Gish. Cute, funny, and generally happy is _My Best Girl_, with Mary Pickford. Not silent: Another undeservedly obscure film (with pre-fame Lucille Ball) is\* Joy of Living\*, starring Irene Dunne. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/39 "2016-02-08T13:55:13Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > There are at least two versions of _ **Sabrina** _: The 1954 version with Bogart, Grant, and Hepburn, and the 1990s version with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. > > I, uh, suggest you buy the former. Yeah. So very much. What a waste of talent that useless remake was. ---
**Author:** ![iljitsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445/40 "2016-02-08T14:03:25Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > Not exactly slushily romantic, but how about His Girl Friday (Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell)? I tried watching that one recently and gave up as the tedious setup kept going and going and going, with no payoff in sight. I thought I watched it and enjoyed it in the past. So maybe I gave up too quickly or maybe I’m confusing it with another movie. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-classic-romance-movie-need-answer-sort-of-fast/745445.md?page=3)