Father of the Bride, 1950

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Stars: Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Bennett, Don Taylor

I grew up watching Father of the Bride- the 1991 version. I didn't know until probably a year ago that there was an older version, the original. If you've seen either of them, they are very similar. Extremely similar! But I did enjoy the remake better. Steve Martin is funnier than Tracy, and Martin Short is brilliant! The music is modern and more enjoyable, and I always cry no matter what, because the story is just lovely.

The story: Kay Banks (Taylor) surprises her parents Stanley (Tracy) and Ellie (Bennett) with news of her engagement to Buckley (Taylor). The journey from engagement to wedding day is the story, with the focus being on Stanley, the "father of the bride", as he deals with paying for the wedding, and more importantly, losing his only daughter to her husband.

I did like the remake better, but it was totally entertaining and enjoyable! 5 stars in my book

(5 stars for the great movies that are worth it---6 stars for the ones you must own and watch over and over again!)

NOTE: just so you know, Elizabeth Taylor and Don Taylor (who play the happy couple) just happen to have the same last name. They weren't married in real life!

The Philadelphia Story, 1940

Director: George Cukor

Stars: Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, James Stewart

Tracey Lord (Hepburn), the former wife of C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant), is getting married again. But the editor of a tabloid magazine has some dirt on her father, and to protect her high society socialite family from embarrassment and scandal, she very reluctantly agrees to have reporter Mike (James Stewart) and a photographer stay at her home and do a story on her wedding. Dexter shows up, too, to make things interesting, and Mike starts to make her fiance George uncomfortable with his attentions towards her.

This is one of my favorites of all time! Just look at those leads! Cary Grant, Katherine, and Jimmy! They are absolutely wonderful!

FACT: When I write these "reviews", I utilize Imdb (Internet Movie Data Base) and Wikipedia to make things a little more interesting, and also to make sure I get the right information on the director. Usually I know who the stars are, but the director (unless he's Hitch) is often a forgotten name. All that to say, when I looked up George Cukor, the name sounded familiar. And no wonder! First, he also directed "Pat and Mike", which I just reviewed a couple weeks ago; and second, he was the director of "My Fair Lady"!