Vertigo, 1958

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Stars: James Stewart, Kim Novak

There are a few films out there (well, probably a lot more than a few, actually) that are truly meant to be watched on a rainy day. And Hitch knew how to make them.

Detective John "Scottie" Ferguson (Stewart) was on the force for years before he discovered he has acrophobia (fear of heights) while chasing a criminal. When the man dies, having fallen from a building while being pursued by Scottie, Scottie takes an early retirement, knowing he can't do his job while suffering from acrophobia.

A few months later an old friend, Gavin Elster, looks him up. Elster heard about his early retirement and acrophobia, but wants Scottie to follow his wife. Elster suspects that the spirit of his wife's grandmother, Carlotta, who committed suicide many years ago, is possessing his wife. He fears that Carlotta's spirit will cause his wife to commit suicide, as well.

Scottie begins to follow the beautiful and mysterious Mrs. Elston (Novak), and begins to become obsessed with her. A wonderful and chilling mystery follows......

I can't give too much away, it's brilliant! It's very suspenseful, very colorful, very crazy! I especially love the effects of Scottie's dream/nightmare. Stewart's disembodied head against a swirl of color. It's so funny! Sorry, Hitch.

But this movie was made for a rainy day, I promise!

The Pleasure of His Company, 1961

Director:George Seaton

Stars: Fred Astaire, Debbie Reynolds

Okay, just so we're clear, this isn't actually a musical! I know, it has Fred, and Debbie, but they only dance once or twice at a party. This is a drama/comedy. A dramedy.

Fred plays the very absent father of Debbie. He has been around the world, seeing the sights, living the life of pleasure. She has been home in San Fransisco, missing him, wondering what he is like, and also- falling in love with a man whose life is the opposite of her father's: a rancher who works hard or a living.

Then her father comes home for her upcoming wedding and turns everyone's life upside down. It is a bit emotional in the beginning, when he comes homes for the first time in 15 years, and father and daughter don't know each other at all. But I don't think the film dwells too much on it. It's an ok film with a cute ending. It felt like a rainy day film to me. Calm, generally happy, good ending.

I need to review some more Fred Astaire films soon!

FACT: In the party scene, there's a bunch of women who see Fred and Debbie dancing and want to dance with Fred, naturally! One of them is the woman who plays (the voice of) the evil step-mother in Disney's Cinderella, and Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty! I knew it the moment I heard her speak, and I just checked it- Eleanor Audley. I wouldn't want to be known for my evil voice, but oh, well!