Christmas Movie Consumption

I didn't quite overdose like I did last year (see my previous post about that) but I did manage to squeeze in a good number of movies during the Christmas break. I still have another week of movie-viewing which I'll consider my New Year's Movie Consumption.

The surprising thing is that I didn't watch Christmas Carol (1938). I have an annual tradition of reading the classic Dickens book (this one is the best edition) and viewing the original film. This year I skipped both. I felt like this was by no means a traditional Christmas, so I kept to non-traditional movies instead.

Dr. No (1962) ~ My introduction to the world of Bond, James Bond.

Get Smart (2008) ~ What a disappointment!

The Naked City (1948) ~ Excellent! A post about this is sure to come.

Christmas in Connecticut (1945) ~ Dennis Morgan! ::sigh::

Love, Actually (2003) ~ Dip it in yogurt, and cover it with chocolate buttons!

Holiday Affair (1949) ~ It's a Mitchum Christmas.

Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) ~ One of the sexiest films I've seen, ever!

Fortune Cookie (1966) - It's great, once you get through the first 30 minutes.

Breathless (1961) ~ Working on an essay for this one.

Bachelor Mother (1939) ~ And I'll watch it next week too!

So what did you guys watch during Christmas?

20 Actresses Movie Meme

I was just dying for someone to tag me for the 20 Actresses Movie Meme started The Film Experience blog. But I was patient because I knew that Ibetolis over at the excellent blog Film for the Soul would tag me. He's always very kind to think of me and I appreciate that a lot.

It was a lot of fun working on this list. I discovered that my tastes are by no means mainstream or ordinary. Ladies are presented in no particular order, except for the Queen of MGM who always gets top billing.

~ Norma Shearer ~

~ Joan Blondell ~

~ Susan Peters ~

~ Sandra Dee ~

~ Bette Davis ~




~Ruby Keeler ~



~ Doris Day ~



~ Jean Harlow ~


~ Kim Novak ~



~ Marilyn Monroe ~


~ Bonita Granville ~

~ Ginger Rogers ~


~ Jean Seberg ~


~ Jean Hagen ~


~ Caroll Baker ~


~ Shirley MacLaine ~

I couldn't just make this all about classic film ladies, when there are so many contemporary actresses I enjoy watching too. Here are a few.

~ Amy Adams ~


~ Samantha Morton ~


~ Romola Garai ~

~Ludivine Sagnier~

(thanks Jonas for the photo of Ludivine!)

I'll tag Jonas of All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing!, Ginger of Asleep in New York, Carrie of Classic Montgomery, CK Dexter Haven of Hollywood Dreamland and Sarah of Cinema Splendor. Not so much as a tag, more like a smack. Hee hee. Have fun!

All I Want for Christmas...

Christmas in nigh upon us. I got myself a little Christmas tree. She's a beaut. It's a dwarf Alberta Spruce and the best part about it is that I get to plant it in the Spring and watch it grow. No dead tree carcass waste here. I'm on a tight budget so buying this tree was a bit of a splurge for me. I just decorated her with one sole snowman ornament and a bit of leftover yarn.

After I wrote my Buyer's Guide: Books for Classic Film Fans post, I got to thinking. As a classic film fan, what would I want for Christmas? Apart from DVDs and books that is. What other items in the form of coolness are there out there for me to enjoy? And of course, I came up with a list.

New York Herald Tribune T-Shirt (Yellow) @ Zazzle

I could wear it just like Jean Seberg did in Breathless (1960). Now all I need is a ticket to Paris and I could walk down the Champs D'Elysees and my Jean-Paul Belmondo would approach me offering me a trip to Italy. Yup. That's realistc right?

Ticket Stub Diary @ Borders

I got this for Kevin for Christmas. He's been collecting ticket stubs for eons so I thought this was the best way for him to keep the most memorable ones intact. It's so cool, I'd like one myself.

Jazz Age Note Cards @ Barnes & Noble

I picked up a set of these at my local Bob Slate Stationery store (not at B&N) and fell in love with them. I gave them out as birthday cards to many friends and now that I'm running low, I need some more! These cards are the perfect excuse for me to practice my 1920's slang.

Tattinger Champagne Ad with Grace Kelly Magnet @ All Posters

I've always loved this image of Grace Kelly behind a very tall glass of champagne. It's elegant and beautiful. And since I enjoy acquiring new magnets, this would be a perfect addition to my fridge collection.

The Waning Sex (1926) with Norma Shearer Tile Coaster @ Cafe Press

Who better to prevent nasty rings on my beloved coffee table than Norma Shearer? While the Queen of MGM may not appreciate being subjected to such a lowly task, this is still definitely a collector's item I would love to have.

Jean Harlow Bottle Cap Charm @ Etsy

Etsy is the best. Full of beautiful handmade items sold by the folks who made them. There are a lot of things here that would catch the eye of any classic film fan. It's all fun stuff like jewelry, magnets, cigarette cases, etc.

Humphrey Bogart Stamp Jigsaw Puzzle @ USPS

The United States Postal Service sure loves classic films. With Frank Sinatra and Bette Davis recently honored with stamps, classic film fans are sure to find something they want in the USPS store. And right now I would love to sit down and work on this Humphrey Bogart puzzle!

TCM Khaki Fleece Blanket @ TCM's Boutique

The office I work at is very cold. And since my work area is already plastered with classic film memorabilia, why not add to it a nice warm fleece blanket? It's dual purpose. Warmth and decoration. Plus plus. And I could also warm up with some tea in a TCM mug too!

Marilyn Monroe T-Shirt @ Retro Factory

It's to add to my collection of Marilyn Monroe T-shirts. Which is right now at 5. Yes that's right. I have 5 Monroe shirts. I am a dork. And to perpetuate my dorkiness, I need this extra-cool shirt NOW.

Regular Membership @ The Brattle Theatre

I love this theatre and my friend Kevin got me this membership as a Christmas present. Yay! What's better than supporting a local independent theatre that continually showcases excellent films? It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Stop Staring 40's Golden Vogue Holiday Dress @ Unique Vintage

I absolutely adore Unique Vintage. They have retro-ware inspired by eras from the 1920's to the 1950's. It's all sexy and fun and new (in an old way). This particular dress looks straight out of a 1940's film.

Buyer's Guide: Books for Classic Film Fans

Do you have a classic film fan in your life? Are you wondering what to get that person for Christmas? Sure you could get them a classic film on DVD but that is so predictable. And chances are, they already own it anyways. Instead get them a book. Yes, a book! Books are the classic film fan's darling. They are the perfect accompaniment to all those films they love so dearly. Treat a loved one (or even yourself) to one of these treasured tomes.

Biography
Ernie: The Autobiography

by Ernest Borgnine

ISBN: 9780806529417

$19.95

Hardcover

Citadel Press

August 2008

A charming and approachable autobiography about Ernest Borgnine's long life and acting career. Read my review of it here.

Jimmy Stewart: A Biography

by Marc Eliot

ISBN: 9781400052226

$14.95

Paperback

Three Rivers Press

September 2007

Don't listen to those reviewers who panned this. Eliot's biography of the late, great Jimmy Stewart is comprehensive and well-written. You will learn more than you will ever need to know of the man who made "Auw shucks" sexy.

Collectible Coffee Table Books

Lana: The Memories, the Myths, the Movies

by Cheryl Crane (daughter of Turner)

ISBN: 9780762433162

$35.00

Hardcover

Running Press

October 2008

This gorgeous, fully illustrated, over-sized hardcover book will make you want to become a Lana Turner fan, if you're not one already.

Jazz Age Beauties

The Lost Collection of Ziegfeld Photographer Alfred Cheney Johnston

ISBN: 9780789313812

$40.00

Hardcover

Universe (Rizzoli)

October 2006

Beautiful sepia photographs of actresses and Ziegfeld girls shot by the reknown photographer Alfrey Cheney Johnston. You'll find Norma Shearer and Louise Brooks amongst others here.

Silent Movies: The Birth of Film and the Triumph of Movie Culture

by Peter Kobel

ISBN: 9780316117913

$45.00

Hardcover

Little, Brown and Company

November 2007

Gorgeous hardcover filled with stills, poster art and photographs from the silent film era. Silent film fans will want to caress this book once they lay their hands on it. It doesn't hurt that the writing is excellent as well.

For the Woman in Your Life

Leading Couples

by Frank Miller

ISBN: 9780811863018

$19.95

Paperback with French Flaps

Chronicle Books

November 2008

The quintessential guide to favorite onscreen couples. Anyone who likes romance, will enjoy this book. Perfect accompaniment for viewing films on Turner Classic Movies. Read my review of it here.

For the Man in Your Life

Clark Gable: A Biography

by Warren G. Harris

ISBN: 9780307237149

$15.95

Paperback

Three Rivers Press

October 2005

This is a juicy no holds barred of the life and times of the King of Hollywood, Clark Gable. Gable was truly a man's man and reading about his exploits is just fun. Not for the faint of heart.

For Younger Kids

Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire

by Roxanne Orgill

Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch

ISBN: 9780763621216

$17.99

Hardcover

Candlewick Press

September 2007

Fans of Fred Astaire or even just kids who like to dance, will love this picture book biography of the brother-sister Astaire dancing duo. You can read an interview with the author here.

Tuff Fluff

Written and Illustrated by Scott Nash

ISBN: 9780763639457

$5.99

Paperback
Candlewick Press

February 2008

Get the kids interested in Film Noir early with this madcap adventure. Private Eye Tuff Fluff is on the case to find Duckie's missing brain. You can download a fun activity sheet to go along with this book here.

For Older Kids

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Written and Illustrated by Brian Selznick

ISBN: 9780439813785

$22.99

Hardcover

Scholastic

March 2007

A heavily-illustrated tome takes readers on a visual journey following the young orphan Hugo. Very influenced by early French cinema, this is sure to be a hit with young reluctant readers. Won the Caldecott Award for excellence in Children's Book illustration in 2008.

Fiction for Classic Film Lovers

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

by Winifred Watson

ISBN: 9781906462024

$15.00

Paperback with French Flaps

Persephone Books

February 2008

It has all the glamour and drama of a classic movie with a more direct and uncensored edge. A must-read! The novel became a major motion picture starring Amy Adams in 2008.

M: A Graphic Novel

by Jon J Muth

ISBN: 9780810995222

$24.95

Hardcover

Abrams

April 2008

Fritz Lang's classic M (1931) comes to life in illustrator Jon J Muth's graphic novel. Read my review of it here.
Just Buy It Okay?

Movie Posters: 2009 Wall Calendar

by National Film Registry - Library of Congress

ISBN: 9780789317643

$13.99

Universe (Rizzoli)

August 2008

I know this isn't a book, but I had to mention it anyways. This is the best Classic Film calendar there is. I buy it religiously every year and have gotten it as a gift. It's a must-have.

Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide

by Leonard Maltin

ISBN: 9780452286207

$20.00

Paperback

Plume Books

February 2005

This is the OFFICIAL companion for any and all classic film buffs. It's an absolute must. And if your classic film fan already has one, a second back-up copy will prove to be infinitely useful.

Support the book industry. Buy books as presents this Christmas. And support your local independent bookstore. All links above are to the well-known and respected independent Powell's Books.

Ten Things I Like About Old Movies

Jacqueline over at Another Old Movie Blog, did an excellent post called Ten Things I Like About Old Movies. She set aside obvious things like acting, script, camera work, etc. and listed only quirky things that she enjoyed. Self-Styled Siren also did a similar post. I'm going to join the bandwagon and do one too! It's not stealing if I give credit to folks, right?

1) Busby Berkeley-esque choreography - Women and men move in and out of shapes. It's a beautifully complex feast for the eyes. 42nd Street (1933) , Dames (1934) and The Gold Diggers of 1933 are among my favorites.

2) Men lighting Matches - Oh so sexy. They light them in unconventional ways. These men exude confidence and are not scared of a little flame. Wow. Fred MacMurray lit one with his thumb in Double Indemnity (1944), Kirk Douglas lit one on a typewriter in Ace in the Hole (1951) (see below) and William Holden lit one on another man's shirt in Stalag 17 (1953). S'all good.

3) Women's silk robes/negligees - Complete with fancy slippers or some other frou-frou. It made going to bed look like a red carpet event. Like Jean Harlow in Red-Headed Woman (1932).

4) New Year's Eve - It looks like so much more fun in an old movie than it is in real life. How I would love to have a night like Ginger Rogers had in Bachelor Mother (1939) . David Niven dolled her up and took her out for a fancy meal, dancing and a final countdown in Times Square. ::sigh:: New Year's Eve celebrations in The Divorcee (1930) and The Apartment (1960) are memorable too!

5) Coffee & Pastries - So much more delicious (and less fattening) when actors consume them on screen. There is the famous Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) scene with Audrey Hepburn balancing a pastry and cup of coffee in front of the famous Tiffany's store. Jane Wyman offers Rock Hudson a coffee and a roll in All That Heaven Allows (1956) and they fall in love over lunch. Robert Mitchum sips at a cup of coffee when he romances Janet Leigh in Holiday Affair (1949).

6) Clothes Shopping - The Women (1939) anyone? "Zips up the side and no bones." Young models wearing the latest fashions, walking and posing for potential buyers. You'd have to be famous or an industry professional to get this kind of showcase these days. It puts me in mind of How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) too.

7) Impeccably dressed Men - Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart. They all look good in a suit. Sure the women's fashions were great. But a well-dressed man is a sight to behold. If they just happen to be wearing a pocket watch, I absolutely swoon. Even ratty trenchcoats are wonderful, because they wore them well. My absolute favorite? Dennis Morgan in uniform in Christmas in Connecticut (1945). Someone get me the smelling salts! I feel a faint coming on.

8) Art Deco Architecture & Design - I'm getting really specific here. The clean, elegant lines and shapes of Art Deco were beautiful and very conducive to bringing a sense of sophistication to movies. Pools seem to fit very nicely here for some reason. I'm thinking of the communal swimming pool in Their Own Desire (1929) as well as the private one in Female (1933) (see image below).

9) Title Songs - Very popular in the late '50s and early '60s, especially for the sex comedies. Titles were taken from the song name or a song was written for the title. My favorite is Pillow Talk (1959) sung by Doris Day. But I also really love Where the Boys Are (1960) (sung by Connie Francis), Come Fly with Me (1963) (sung by Frank Sinatra) and If a Man Answers (1962) (sung by Bobby Darin).

10) Physical Comedy - We have physical comedy these days, but not to the extent of the great comedians back in the day such as Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy, just to name a few. They threw their bodies into their work and the results were hilarious. Even Donald O'Connor did amazing physical comedic work in Singin' in the Rain (1952). The Make 'Em Laugh number sent him to the hospital, but has kept us laughing for decades afterwards.

You were looking for what?!

A friend of mine who has a personal blog (going for almost 10 years!) used to periodically make a list of the funny keywords people used on internet search engines that led them to her blog. I always enjoyed them and wanted to do something similar for my blog. I had never really paid attention to keyword paths until recently when I waded through some on my stat site. While some were pretty basic, others were downright hilarious! I've listed some of the most amusing or interesting ones below with my reactions. I'm using dashes instead of spaces for some of these so that people don't use the same keyword paths again to find my site.

Seductive-classic-movie-moments - Yes please. I'll take two.

Pressure-Point-lipstick-tic-tac-toe - I haz it!

Famous-Film-Noir-cloche-hat-scene - Whatever this person is looking for, I bet the right words are at the tip of the tongue.

People-that-got-rich-thanks-to-the-great-depression - Those bastards!

A-Face-in-the-Crowd-Vitajex-scene - I haz it!

Classic film calendars - get this one -> Universe's Movie Posters Calendar 2009

Double-Indemnity-matches - huh?

Fred-MacMurray-matches-Double Indemnity - OK I get it. I posted about how I thought Fred MacMurray's ability to light a match with his thumb was oddly sexy. Read it here.

1930's-gay-movie - Well, Let Us Be Gay is definitely 1930 and Norma Shearer was definitely gay. In the jovial sense.

What-necklace-did-norma-shearer-wear-in-The-Women? - I need to join forces with this person to find the long lost booty of Norma. Arr. We search for buried treasure.

Kirk-Douglas-naked -I haz it!

Kirk-Douglas-in-bed-with-cigar - I haz it!

Why do I enjoy watching classic film? - Good question my friend. I ask myself that question every day and I love coming up with answers.

Classic-nun-sex-movies - OK that's just wrong!

Leslie-Nielsen-children's-narrator - He's got a wonderful voice for a narrator. I loved his storytelling in the long lost Canadian TV show Katie & Orbie. This search probably led them to my Young Leslie Nielsen post.

Coolattas3 - I think Kevin has a stalker.

Garbo-at-party-at-Otto-Preminger - Did she actually come out of hiding and attend a Preminger party? I need my resident Preminger and Garbo experts to come answer this one. Kevin and Jonas, where are you?

Robert Mitchum in a trenchcoat - Nice one. Here you go!

I encourage other film bloggers to post any funny or interesting keyword paths that have lead internet roamers to your site. Consider yourselves tagged!

Thanksgiving Holiday Consumption

In my latest questionnaire, I asked visitors "What is your Thanksgiving movie watching ritual?". While some of you were passing out after all that turkey or all that cooking, others saw a new film at the theater. However, the majority of you said you'd be watching old movies at home.

So what did you see? Even if you are not in the US and/or didn't celebrate Thanksgiving, what did you watch over the weekend? I'd love to hear your answers. Please share!

I definitely did my fair share of movie consuming over the break. Here is what I saw.


1) Breathless (1961) - I watched this for a second time along with some of the documentaries (DVD extras). Absolutely brilliant. Post about this movie TK.

2) Stalag 17 (1953) - I had to see this movie again before sending it back to Netflix. Whoever thought that a movie about American POWs in WWII could be so entertaining? I'm recommending this movie to everyone and their cousin!

3) Dancing Lady (1933) - A great pre-code musical. Check out Jonas' review of this movie on his blog All Talking! All Singing! All Dancing!

4) Mister Lonely (2007) - I missed out on watching this Harmony Korine film at the Boston Indie Film Festival because of school. Kevin got the DVD for my birthday because he knew how much I wanted to see it (You rock Kevin!). I cried watching this. A touching story about a Michael Jackson impersenator trying to fill the void inside of him that his loneliness created. He connects with a Marilyn Monroe impersenator who takes him to an impersenator commune. Oh and there are some flying nuns too.

5) She Done Him Wrong (1933) - This is the first Mae West film I have ever seen and by golly I'm already a BIG fan of hers. She was the shizzle, fo sho! I love the line: When a woman goes wrong, the men go right after her.

6) Blotto (1930) - Laurel & Hardy short. Laurel has a nag of a wife and he works with Hardy on a way to get Laurel out of the house. Laurel plans to steal his wife's liquor, but she's on to him. She replaces it with cold tea, unbeknownst to the pair who think they are getting plastered. Very funny!

Raquelle's Favorite Genres

I got to thinking about genres and types of movies I like to watch. And I have to say, I have a very unique taste. Very specific things excite my wonderment and curiousity. I have talked about a few on here, but there are others, some of which I made up terms for, that I haven't really delved into. Do you have any very specific types of films that you enjoy? Please feel free to share!

Here is my list (some genres overlap with each other). Each category links to one of my favorite films in that given genre.


Contemporary French Films

Pre-Codes

'60's Sex Comedies & Romantic Comedies

Film Noir

'40s Romances

Screwball Comedies

Mormon Cinema

Controversial '50s Films

'90s Period Pieces

Visually Stylized Films

Contemporary Romantic Comedies

Office/Workplace-based Comedies

Book Industry-related Films

Literary Adaptations

Dating/Relationship Movies

Sweltering Deep-South Dramas

Americans Abroad - Comedies

Questionnaire ~ Movie Awareness

I took Shelf Awareness' regular questionnaire that they ask authors and made it relevant to movies. See my responses below. Feel free to comment back with your own responses to these questions! I'd love to here what other people have to say!

Last movie you saw:

Do Not Disturb (1965) with Doris Day. Bleh. The only funny part was when one of the executives fed a male waiter a banana instead of one of his lovely secretaries.

Favorite movie when you were a child:

Little Mermaid (1989). There was no way I wouldn't cry when I watched it.

Your top five movies:

Out of the Past (1947), Pillow Talk (1959), You've Got Mail (1998), Emma (1996) and The Women (1939).

Movie you've faked watching:

The Graduate (1967). I know enough about it, and have seen the most famous scenes. Do I really need to watch it? Besides. After watching the horrible movie Rumor Has It... (2005), I'm kind of over it all.

Movie you are an evangelist for:

I'm an evangelist for several types of movies, but not one in particular. I love encouraging people to watch pre-codes, '60s sex comedies, scandalous '50s movies, Robert Mitchum films, Bobby Darin films, Blonde-Bette Davis films and Norma Shearer films.

Movie you've watched for no apparent reason:

Fat Girl/A Ma Souer (2001). I still don't know why. And the last scene I think scarred me for life. No I take that back. The whole movie scarred me for life.

Movie that changed your life:

You've Got Mail (1998). Put me in the book industry.

Favorite line from a movie:

Quel Nightmare! - You've Got Mail (1998)

Movie you most want to re-watch:

D.O.A. (1950). Just because I think it's awesome.

Movie you most want to watch again for the first time:

Heavenly Creatures (1994) - So I can experience the shock and wonderment of my very first viewing.

Catalyst for a Little Crazy

Has watching a particular film ever made you do something kind of strange? Maybe even a little crazy? Not Taxi Driver (1976)/attempted-assasination-on-a-president type of crazy, but something that might warrant a raised eyebrow?

I'm what you might call an "emotional viewer." Movies (and books too) intertwine themselves into my life, and to some extent I become emotionally invested in them. They affect me and I think about them long after seeing them, especially if I can relate to a theme or a particular character. So, sometimes, after watching a particularly touching story, I tend to become, let's say... over-enthustiastic.

All That Heaven Allows (1956)/Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) - Double Feature - I watched both films for the first time within a week of each other. And for months afterwards, I could not stop craving croissants and coffee! In All That Heaven Allows, one of the most romantic scenes is when Jane Wyman's character offers Rock Hudson's character breakfast and he only takes a roll and coffee. That is the moment when their love starts to blossom. Then in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly, who I think is the epitome of self-transformation and classic style, pulls out a croissant and sips at her coffee while admiring a window display showcasing jewels. I could not help thinking that she was just so hip and so cool and why am I not more like her?!

Pillow Talk (1959) - My pillow and I, both agree, there must be a pillow-talking boy for me. My favorite part about this movie is the title song. I find myself humming it or outright singing it as I wash the dishes, sweep the floors, make the bed etc. etc. Especially if I'm rueing the sometimes sorry state of being a single, independent professional woman.

84 Charing Cross Road (1986) and book - This story (based on a real life cross-atlantic friendship) is one of the many reasons I took a trip to England a few years back. I made a point to go to Charing Cross Road in London and find the location of the original store. I knew beforehand that the actual bookstore wouldn't be there but at the same time I wasn't expecting to find a Pizza Hut! In the end, I was happy to see a commemorative plaque in honor of this amazing story.

Sexiest Scenes in Film History

Many folks say that the famous beach shot of Burt Lancaster and a blonde Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity (1953) is one of the sexiest scenes in film history. I had that in mind when I watched the movie for the first time last weekend. Maybe I was expecting more, but I was mildly disappointed when I did finally see it. It was far too short and quickly moved into a heated argument over jealousy and rumor. I was much more intrigued by the scene in which Deborah's character is looking for her husband and Burt's character says to her, in a very flirty manner, "Is there anything I can do for you?". Yes, I'm sure there was a lot of things he wanted to do for her.

This got me thinking. Classic films are not generally known for their sexiness. In fact, most people have a preconceived notion that because these films were heavily censored that they were stripped of any sexuality. But that just isn't the case. There are plenty of very sexy pre-code films and suggestive movies from the late '50s. Besides, filmmakers found numerous ways to work around the censors and subtley makes for more of an impact on the viewer.

Below is a list of what I believe are the top 10 sexiest scenes in classic films. I hope you've had the pleasure of seeing at least one of them.

1. Rear Window (1954) - Grace Kelly walks in on a sleeping Jimmy Stewart and wakes him up with a seductively soft kiss. Then plants numerous little kisses on him after showing him her overnight bag. WOW! (link is a short clip)

2. Double Harness (1933) - Ann Harding slips into something more comfortable while at playboy William Powell's apartment. So scandalous that it was discovered many years later that the 2-1/2 minute clip was taken out of many copies of the movie. (link is another related clip)

3. Red-Headed Woman (1932) - What scene of this film isn't sexy? I think they all were. Jean Harlow is red-hot as she seduces her wealthy boss played by Chester Morris. He's fed up with her seduction and confronts her at her apartment. She traps him in her bedroom by locking the door and hides the key in her cleavage. Yowzah! (link is another related clip)

4. A Free Soul (1931) - Norma Shearer is in a figure-clinging dress (and nothing else, if you know what I mean) when seducing gangster Clark Gable. She reclines on a sofa and beckons him to put his arms around her.

5. The Cabin in the Cotton (1932) - The sexual tension between Bette Davis and Richard Barthelmess is intense. The most famous scene is Bette line to Richard: "I'd kiss ye, but I just washed ma' hair". She teases him almost endlessly, until one day, the rich southern belle takes the poor boy up to her room, in her mansion, and then well, you know. (link is the trailer)

6. Spartacus (1960) - One of the opening scenes in which Kirk Douglas is slaving away under the hot sun, combines his muscles, a nice tan and a lot of sweat. It's just all very good.

7. North by Northwest (1959) - Hitchcock was a very very clever man. The final scene with Eva Marie Saint and Cary Grant, on a train, in a bed... then cut to a shot of a train entering a tunnel. Talk about suggestive. (link is a featurette about censorship of the movie)

8. Woman of the Year (1942) - You are probably surprised that this is listed here. However, the scene where Katerine Hepburn's character meets Spencer Tracy's character for the first time is electric. The chemistry between them was unmistakeable. This was their first film together and it lead to their real-life romance of 27 years. (link is the trailer)

9. The Seven Year Itch (1955) - One of Marilyn Monroe's most iconic roles. Besides the famous flowing skirt scene, this film is rife with Monroe's special doses of blonde bombshell. Monroe is hot (because it's summer and for other reasons as well) and is trying desperately to find ways to cool down. In the meantime, she gets the married Tommy Ewell all hot and bothered. The air-conditioner scene is my personal favorite. (link is the trailer)

10. Cat People (1942) - Feline Simone Simon is seductively bad. There is something very alluring about the bathtub scene. She seems delicate yet dangerous. So subtle! (link is the trailer)