5 Classic Movies I Would Take to a Desert Island: The Pick My Movie Tag

Sunshine. Palm trees. The sound of crashing waves on a sandy shore.

Although it’s technically spring where I live, winter is still grasping on with all its icy might, so when the lovely Gill from Realweedgiemidget Reviews tagged me for this challenge, I was, pardon the expression, in like Flynn.

Thanks for tagging me with this fun topic, Gill! I’d never considered anything like this, so your tag was a very introspective and eye-opening exercise.

On to the rules…

• Nominate one or more people to review the film or films of your choice. Or you can request they review something from a certain year, genre, or star. Everyone can review the same thing, or you can request each person cover something different. As long as it’s something they haven’t written about yet, you’re good.
• Nominees are allowed to request a different pick for whatever reason no more than five times. Stuff happens. We all know it.
• Nominees must thank the person who nominated them and provide a link their blog.
• Nominees may nominate others to keep the tag going. Picking the person who nominated them is allowed, or they can nominate someone else. Maybe both.
• All participants need to include these rules in their post, whether they’re nominees or picking nominees.
• All participants should use the “Pick My Movie” banner or something similar in their posts.
• Have fun!

In no particular order, let’s begin!

1. Some Like it Hot (1959)

Everything about this movie is irresistible.

Marilyn Monroe. Billy Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond’s screenplay. The comedic pairing of Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Joe E. Brown. The film is legendary and for good reason.

Some Like It Hot never fails to cheer me up when I need a lift, putting a smile on my face within the first 10 minutes of viewing. And once the laughs start, they don’t let up.

This delightfully zany bunch would be a welcome reprieve from the loneliness that would inevitably start to creep in when on my desert island.

2. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Whenever I need to push the reset button in life, this treasured classic does the trick.

It not only brings me back to my childhood, a time of carefree innocence, but also puts everything back into perspective. The Wizard of Oz reminds me that although life is difficult and heart-rending at times, deep down I know I wouldn’t trade mine for anyone else’s.

Dorothy’s fantasy world contains beauty and joy, but also fear and sorrow. No where she goes will be a perfect place, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be wonderful.

Through her adventures in Oz, she realizes just how much she loves her friends, family, and home. She also develops the confidence to bravely defend herself and loved ones, leading to a happier, richer life.

3. The Gay Divorcee (1934)

My island stay would not be survivable without the magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

While the majority of classic movie lovers would choose Top Hat and Swing Time as their favorite Astaire and Rogers pairing, I’ve become quite fond of Astaire and Rogers first starring vehicle.

The Gay Divorcee doesn’t have as many dance numbers as the more popular titles, but I really enjoy the immediacy that is undeniably present. It is thrilling knowing you’re watching lightning in a bottle being captured as Astaire and Rogers find their footing while RKO establishes the filmic formula for their legendary partnership.

To me, the relationship between Astaire and Rogers has never been more adorable and believable than in The Gay Divorcee.

From their awkwardly sexy meet cute, to the charming way they sneak out of the hotel room when under the watchful eye of Erik Rhodes, they embody the fresh excitement of young lovers and genuinely seem to be having a ball.

The goodness doesn’t stop there. The lovable and hilarious cast of characters includes Alice Brady, Edward Everett Horton, Eric Blore, Erik Rhodes, and even an appearance by a young starlet, Betty Grable. Plenty of laughs with a heavy dose of 1930’s glamour on the side.

4. Vertigo (1958)

You either love it, or you hate it. You either get it, or you don’t.

More than any other film I’ve seen, this is the one that just won’t let me go. I confess, I am obsessed with Vertigo.

I really don’t know where to begin because I love everything about it: the romantic eerieness of the score by Bernard Hermann; the striking color palette and cinematography; the gorgeous costumes by Edith Head; and Kim Novak and Jimmy Stewart giving terrific performances as the leads.

Hitchcock paints a disturbing portrait of romantic love that is mesmerizing in its storytelling, breathtaking in its beauty, and intoxicating in its mystery.

The director said for him the most important thing in filmmaking was not the story itself, but how it is told.

I think some people forget that this movie is not necessarily about the actual story…it’s about the presentation and the feels that come with it. Vertigo is masterfully told and comes with about 1,000 different emotions happening all at once (okay, that’s maybe a slight exaggeration), and it is glorious.

5. Sabrina (1954)

Isn’t it romantic…

I thought I would never make my final choice…let me tell you, there was much deliberation, but I’m very happy with this inclusion.

I knew I had to bring both Audrey Hepburn and William Holden with me to my desert island and I’ve always loved the smart and fun romantic comedy, Sabrina.

Billy Wilder’s titular heroine is a dreamer. She takes her dreams and her life very seriously, yet she is open to change, to growing emotionally and accepting truths, and ultimately becoming a self-assured and self-aware young woman.

Audrey Hepburn is at her most charming in this mid-century Cinderella story. Her thoughtful depiction of Sabrina’s journey of self discovery moves me every time, while her dizzying effect on the Larrabee brothers (Holden and Bogart) makes me sigh with pure cinematic delight.

Along the way, there’s talk of Paris in the rain, “la vie en rose“, and perfectly cooked souffles, which would provide a lovely European escape from island living.

But no matter where I find myself, I know I will never tire of the whimsy, elegance, and romance of Sabrina.

And now I nominate these 7 wonderful bloggers to assemble their own list of 5 classic movies they would take to a desert island…

1. Totalleemac
2. The Classic Film Connection
3. Filmland Follies
4. Movie Fan Man
5. Phyllis Loves Classic Movies
6. The Caffeinated Fangirl
7. Magic Time…and anyone else who would like to join in!

…I’d love to know what 5 classic movies you would take to a desert island…

Share your list in the comments below!