So Dear to My Heart (1948)

So Dear to My Heart (1948)

Family|Drama|Animation    1hr 19mins       Color

Starring: Burl Ives, Beulah Bondi

Co-Starring: Bobby Driscoll, Luana Patton

Director: Harold D. Schister and Hamilton Luske

A heart warming Disney classic of a little boy, who lives with his  country Granny, and his mischevious lamb. A super cute movie filled with valuable life lessons for everyone. Also, contians wonderful songs that you are sure to fall in love with.  This is definitely not your average Disney film. Highly recommended for all ages. 

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guidence:
None

Audience: All ages           MFM Rating: 5 stars

Movie Clips:

Johnny Tremain (1957)

Johnny Tremain (1957)
Adventure|Family|History         1hr 20mins          Color

Starring: Hal Stalmaster, Luana Patten, Jeff York

Co-Starring: Sebastian Cabot, Richard Beymer, Rusty Lane, Walter Sande, Whit Bissell

Director: Robert Stevenson

Johnny Tremain is a young teen who becomes a fighting patriot during the Revolutionary war. This movie has lot's of history tied into it, including a scene of the Boston Tea Party. Based on the book of the same title by Esther Forbes. 

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidence:

A boy burns his hand on hot metal

Audience: All ages                MFM rating: 5 stars

Movie Clip

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Drama|Family           2hrs 9mins              B&W

Starring: Jean Arthur, Jimmy Stewart

Co-Starring: Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee, Thomas Mitchell

Director: Frank Capra 

After a US Sentor dies, a naive Jefferson Smith (Stewart) takes his place. Smith is shocked at how corrupt the government is and is determined to expose all their lies!

This is one of the best movies ever made! Nominated for 11 Academy Awards including best original story. This reveals a lot of  truth about our American government. There are so many good quotes in this movie and so inspiring. This is a must see for anybody living in America. If I could, I would send a copy of this to every American citizen!

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidance:

Kissing, Minor Drunkenness

Audience: All ages            MFM rating: 5 stars

Trailer

Follow Me, Boys! (1966)

Follow Me, Boys! (1966)
Drama|Family         2hrs 11mins     Color

Starring: Fred MacMurray, Vera Miles

Co-Starring: Lillian Gish, Charles Ruggles, Elliott Reid, Kurt Russell, Luana Patten

Director: Norman Tokar

Lem Siddons is the home town hero. He volunteers to be scoutmaster of the newly formed boy scout troop and he studies law in his extra time. A wonderful story of Lem, his wife and "their boys". Based on the book "God and My Country". It's a touching story full of love, loyalty and it has a surprise ending!

Available in Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidance:

None

Audience: All ages                                      MFM rating: 5 stars

Movie Clip

Blossoms in the Dust (1941)

Blossoms in the Dust (1941)

Biography|Drama|Romance     1hr 39mins     Color

Starring: Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon

Co-Starring: Felix Bressart, Marsha Hunt, Fay Holden

Director: Mervyn LeRoy

This is a highly recommended movie. I know I say this a lot, but this is a superior movie. Though you might want to have a Kleenex ready. This is a story of the life of Edna Kahly Gladney, the tragedies, her sacrifice, her loyalty and her ''children'' in Fort Worth, TX. This is a true story of a women who loved, cared, and found adoptive families for over 10,000 children. This is also about her fight with the Senate to remove the name 'illegitimate' from children without last names. As Mrs. Gladney says "There are no illegitimate children only illegitimate parents." Learn more about Edna Gladney here

The last scene is very touching I must say. Watch the movie and you will know what I mean. This is a must see. 

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidance:

On and off screen death, off screen suicide, kissing

Audience: All ages               MFM rating: 4 stars

Trailer

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Comedy|Drama|Family|Romance     1hr 53mins      Color

Starring: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien

Co-Starring: Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Marjorie Main

My favorite musical ever!!!!! I love the family life in this movie and the sisterly love between Esther (Garland) and Tootie (O'Brien). This movie is filled with wonderful songs and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" was introduced in this movie. 
This was also the second highest grossing picture in 1944.

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidance:

 Kissing, Halloween scene

Audience: All Ages               MFM rating: 4 stars

Trailer

The Bells of St. Mary (1945)

The Bells of St. Mary's (1945)

Drama|Family         2hrs 6mins         B&W

Starring: Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman

Co Starring: Henry Travers, William Gargan

Director: Leo McCarey

Nominated for over 7 academy awards and winning 1.  The Bells of St. Mary's is the sequel to Going my Way.  I love this movie.  This film follows Father O'Malley to another church and school for children. You will be sure to laugh in this film. I mean, who has ever seen a boxing nun? But also this movie has a great story line and is often watched at Christmas time.

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guide:

None

Audience: All ages                     MFM rating: 5 stars

Trailer

Going My Way (1944)

Going My Way (1944)

Comedy|Drama|Music     2hrs 6mins         B&W

Starring: Bing  Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Rise Stevens

Co-Starring: Frank McHugh, James Brown,  Jean Heather, Gene Lockhart

Father O'Malley (Bing Crosby) starts a boys choir and helps the aging Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald). This was the highest grossing picture in 1944. It was also nominated for 11 academy awards and won 7 including best picture. It's worth watching just for the last scene. This movie includes two of my favorite actors Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald.

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guidance

None

Audience: All ages                      MFM rating: 5 stars

Trailer

Little Women (1949)

Little Women (1949)

Drama|Family|Romance           2hrs 2mins         Color

Starring: June Allyson, Peter Lawford

Co-Starring: Margaret O'Brien, Elizabeth Taylor, Janet Leigh, Rossano Brazzi &  Mary Astor

Director: Mervyn LeRoy

Based on the book of the same title by Louisa May Alcott. A simple story of four sisters who grow up and find love. Personally this is the best version of the movie. The story of Little Women is timeless and June Allyson makes the perfect Jo and Margaret O'Brien is so sweet.  You will cry and laugh in this classic film.

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guidence:

None

Audience: All ages                                   MFM rating: 5 stars

Trailer

The Glenn Miller Story (1954)

The Glenn Miller Story (1954)

Biography|Drama|Music    1hr 55mins    Color

Starring: James Stewart, June Allyson

Co-Starring: Harry Morgan, Charles Drake, George Tobias

Director: Anthony Mann

A movie about the life of the infamous bandleader Glenn Miller (Stewart), who starts at the bottom and works his way to the top, with the help of his encouraging wife (Allyson). After the disappointment of not being able to have children the Millers adopt two children. Miller also joins the army as USO entertainer and as he flies over Britain his plane is lost. Glenn Miller is still proclaimed as missing-in-action to this day. This movie contains wonderful jazz and Big Band music. 

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guidance:

None

Audience: All Ages                         MFM rating: 5 stars

Trailer

Music for Millions (1944)

Music for Millions (1944)

Comedy|Drama|Music        1hr 57mins       B&W

Starring: Margaret O'Brien, Jose Iturbi, June Allyson, Jimmy Durante

Co-Starring: Marsha Hunt, Hugh Herbert, Marie Wilson, Harry Davenport, Larry Adler

Director: Henry Koster

Little six year old 'Mike' joins her pregnant sister Barbara, who is a bassist in a symphony orchestra, in New York during WWII. Barbara fears her husband is MIA and Mike teaches her to trust God and to pray. The finale includes the Orchestra playing the Hallelujah Chorus. This  movie is filled with wonderful music played by Jose Iturbi and the orchestra, laughter by Jimmy Durante and wonderful acting by June Allyson and the child star Margaret O'Brien.

The role of Barbara, in Music for Millions, was literally a tonic for me. - June Allyson

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidance:

None

Audience: All Ages                 MFM Rating: 5 stars

Trailer

I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951)

I'd Climb the Highest Mountain ( 1951)

Biography|Drama|Romance       1hr 28mins       Color 

Starring: Susan Hayward, William Lundigan

Co-Starring: Rory Calhoun, Barbara Bates, Gene Lockhart

Director: Henry King

A city bred women marries a Methodist minister, called to north- Georgia mountain-community in the early 20th century and together they face all the crises and problems of the  community and congregation. Filmed in North Georgia and includes regional people. A little known movie that is fantastic!

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guidence:

Kissing, on and off screen death, a boy drowns

Audience: All ages                     MFM rating: 5 stars

Trailer

Apartment for Peggy (1948)

Apartment for Peggy (1948)

Drama| Comedy       1hr 36mins       B&W

Starring: Jeanne Crain, William Holden, Edmund Gwenn

Co-Starring: Gene Lockhart, Griff Barnett, Randy Stuart, Betty Lynn

Director: George Seaton

A widower, Professor Barnes, contemplates suicide. His attitude       changes when a chipper Peggy Taylor, a mother-to-be, convinces the Professor to rent out his attic to her and her husband Jason, a former GI trying to finish college. This movie is one of my personal favorites!

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidance:

None

Audience: All ages                  MFM Rating: 5 stars

Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)

Cheaper by the Dozen (1950)

Comedy| Drama|Family| Biography     1hr  26mins

Starring: Clifton Webb, Jeanne Crain, Myrna Loy, 

Co-Starring: Barbara Bates, Betty Lynn, Edgar Buchanan

Director: Walter Lang

Based on the real life family, the Gilbreths. Follow Mr. Gilberth (a pioneer in motion study), Mrs. Gilberth (psychologist)  and their 12 children (sometimes their guinea pigs!) Mr. G keeps his family on tight schedule, has peculiar time saving ways to educate his children and the girls have to put up a fight for cosmetics and bobbed hair because Mr. Gilberth resists the pop culture. This movie is such a classic and will have you laughing and crying! 

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guidance:

Off screen death

Audience: All Ages                    MFM Rating: 5 stars

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945)

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945)

Drama|Family        1hr 45mins

Starring: Edward G. Robinson, Margaret O'Brien

Co-Starring: James Craig, Frances Gifford, Agnes Moorehead, Morris Carnovsky, Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins

Director: Roy Rowland

A cute movie about a Norwegian family, living on a farm in Wisconsin during WWII. The movie focuses on Selma (Margaret O'Brian, age 8) and her cousin Arnold (Butch Jenkins) and all the mischief they get into. This movie is has so many tender moments, I'm sure this will be a family favorite. The title is taken from the Bible, Solomon 2:15.

Available at Amazon. Click Here.

Parental Guidence:

Kissing, Barn Fire

Audience: All Ages                   Rating: 5 Stars

Trailer

I Remember Mama (1948)

I Remember Mama (1948)

Drama|Family             2hrs 14mins

Starring: Irene Dunne

Co-Starring: Barbara Bel Geddes, Oskar Homolka, Philip Dorn, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Edgar Bergen, Rudy Valee, Ellen Corby and Barbara O'Neil

A daughter reminisces about her childhood in San Francisco. She remembers her family and her funny relatives but, most of all she remembers Mama.

A story of Mama's daily sacrifices for her children. This is wonderful movie! Every family should watch it!

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidence:

None

Audience: All ages                          MFM rating; 5 stars 

Trailer 

Room for One More (1952)

Room for One More (1952)

Comedy| Family     1 hr 38 mins       B&W

Starring: Cary Grant, Betsy Drake

Director: Norman Taurog

A heartwarming story of a couple with three children who decides to become foster parents. A movie filled with family friendly comedy and a tenderness.  You will fall in love with Cary Grant and his real life wife, Betsy Drake, and their family adventures! A must see!

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental Guidence:

Contains "The Birds and The Bees" conversation. Some parents may not appreciate this.

Audience: All ages                  MFM rating: 5 stars

A Man Called Peter (1955)

A Man Called Peter  (1955)

Biography| Drama| Family       1hr 55mins      Color

Starring: Richard Todd, Jean Peters

Director: Henry Koster

This is a very inspiring movie. Based on the book by the same title written by Catherine Marshall (portrayed by Jean Peters). This movie is a must see. It's my favorite!

This is a story about Peter Marshall from Scotland who became the Chaplin for the United States Senate and was the pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. A story full of trials, triumph and love.

Available at Amazon. Click here.

Parental  Guidance:

None

Audience: All Ages        MFM Rating: 5 stars

Trailer