Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon my Darlings.   Today’s post is a continuation of yesterday’s post about watching classics in Winter.   For this post, I will be giving my top 20 recommendations on specific films to watch during Winter. Still, I will not include films that are technically holiday films, so these are just favorites that make me feel cozy, and some of them are Wintery in nature, while others will help you escape the cold for a while with a Summery plot!   Without further ado, here’s my list!

Number 20: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)

~The classic 1930s film adaptation of the Shakespeare play features the classic music of Felix Mendelssohn.   It is a great escape for those times when the cold weather is getting you down and you just wish to escape to an Enchanted Faery Forest in Summer!

Number 19: Anne of the Thousand Days (1969)

~The film that starred Richard Burton as Henry VIII, Burton’s turn as the King is still my favorite performance of the famous monarch.    I truly enjoy this one since it tells the story of my favorite Queen of all time, even if Genevieve Bujold is only my second favorite Anne Boleyn, as no one can top Natalie Dormer in my opinion!   It is always a fun watch, oh and see if you can pick out Elizabeth Taylor’s cameo during a Masquerade Ball scene.

Number 18: It Happened One Night (1934)

~The classic Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert film about a journalist happening upon a runaway heiress on a bus, and accidentally falling in love with her while trying to work on a story about her!   It is also the only film that Clark Gable ever won an Oscar for.

Number 17: Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter (1957)

~This film is based on a stage play of the same name which was produced as a send-up of Marilyn Monroe.    Jayne Mansfield starred in both the original stage play and this film, which is a raucous comedy about a spoiled starlet.   Interestingly, the film also works to send up Mansfield herself, using the titles of her actual films when talking about the career of the fictional starlet!

Number 16: The Girl Can’t Help It (1956)

~This film is about a Gangster’s girlfriend who is pushed into trying to succeed in the music business, and chaos ensues!   It is also a famous film featuring Jayne Mansfield.

Number 15: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)

~The Pulitzer Prize-winning Tennessee Williams play was made into an iconic film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, and Burl Ives.   It is a must-watch for all Elizabeth Taylor fans!

Number 14: Butterfield 8 (1960)

~This is the first film that Elizabeth Taylor won an Oscar for, where she played a high-class call girl having an affair with a married man.

Number 13: Cleopatra (1963)

~This is an absolutely iconic film, with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton famously falling in love on set while they were playing Cleopatra and Antony.   It is also famed for being one of the most expensive films of all time, nearly bankrupting 20th Century Fox Studio!

Number 12: Platinum Blonde (1931)

~The first Jean Harlow flick to make the list is an adorable romp about a journalist who falls in love with an heiress, yes that is a common theme in 1930s films, and the screwball antics that ensue!

Number 11: Dinner at Eight (1933)

~This is one of the first examples of a truly all-star ensemble cast film, which famously featured Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, John Barrymore, Marie Dressler, Lionel Barrymore, Billie Burke, and even more!

Number 10: Libeled Lady (1936)

~This is a film about the Editor of a newspaper being sued for libel, and finding an interesting way of dealing with the problem.    It starred Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy in a foursome cast of truly epic acting prowess!

Number 9: China Seas (1935)

~This is one of my husband’s absolute favorite films of all time!   It is the story of a Sea Captain, played by Clark Gable, who is beset by an awkward love triangle when his lover China Doll (yes that is her character name), played by Jean Harlow, and a former flame, played by Rosalind Russel, end up on the same boat!

Number 8: Hold Your Man (1933)

~This is the story of a criminal and his lady love going through trials and tribulations in the 1930s, even with her ending up imprisoned.   This is yet another incredible film with Jean Harlow and Clark Gable!

Number 7: Red Dust (1932)

~This is my favorite Clark Gable and Jean Harlow film!   It is about an owner of a rubber plantation who finds himself in a love triangle with a sultry blonde and the uptight wife of a colleague!

Number 6: Let’s Make Love (1960)

~This is the musical romp that starred Marilyn Monroe and Yves Montand.    It is the story of the wealthiest man in the world falling in love with a singer and dancer!

Number 5: Some Like It Hot (1959)

~This is the iconic film about Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon dressing as women to go on the lamb with an all-female musical group.   It does take place in Winter, as it begins with the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre!    Marilyn Monroe is also a most iconic delight to watch in this riotous classic. 

Number 4: How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

~This is the film about three models living together in a Manhattan apartment in hopes of scoring rich husbands.    Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, and Betty Grable shine in this film!

Number 3: The Seven Year Itch (1955)

~This is the film that brought us the most iconic scene in Marilyn Monroe’s film history!   The skirt scene that caused a stir is part of this tale about a man stuck in New York City when his wife and son are out of town for Summer, and he lusts after his upstairs neighbor!

Number 2: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

~This is probably my most watched Marilyn Monroe film.   It starred her and Jane Russel as best friends and showgirls on their way to Paris on a boat in this hilarious musical comedy!    It is the ultimate buddy film to be sure!

Number 1: Bell Book and Candle (1958)

~This had to top my list of Winter films, although it is not my favorite on this whole list, because the film starts on Christmas Eve and takes place through the rest of Winter!    It is the tale of a witch living in New York and the publisher she seduced with magick as she begins to fall in love for real!   It starred Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart, and is a romantic comedy delight!

~I hope you have enjoyed this countdown.   What are your favorite films out of these 20?   Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Tarot Note: I have a page offering tarot and oracle readings for those interested in these services!    I am very happy to be offering these readings to my treasured readers at White Rose of Avalon!  Link to page: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/tarot-and-oracle-readings/