Happy Valentines Day... Reel Romances

Today is 14 February, known to the Western world as Valentine's Day.

If you're planning to have a cosy night in with a DVD, popcorn and some chocolate, here is a selection of my favourite romantic films, which you may enjoy...

Keen to hear what your favourite Reel Romances, so feel free to post a comment.

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957)
Starring Deborah Kerr & Cary Grant, a couple who fall in love aboard a cruise ship agree to meet again in 6 months on top of the Empire State Building. But a lot can happen in 6 months...

ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (1955)
Jane Wyman stars as an upper clad widow who falls in love with a younger man, played by Rock Hudson. Directed by the brilliant Douglas Sirk

ANNA KARENINA (1935)
Greta Garbo in her second portrayal as Anna Karenina (she had previously played the role in the 1928 film 'The Kiss'). I haven't yet seen the new 2012 version of the film, so can't comment as to which version is better.

THE BRIDE CAME C.O.D (1941)
James Cagney kidnaps Bette Davis, at the request of her father to prevent her from marrying Jack Carson. Matters are complicated when they find themselves stranded in a deserted town in the middle of the desert. Lots of laughs in this very funny romantic comedy.

BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945)
Directed by David Lean, a married woman falls in love with a stranger she meets while waiting for a train.

CAMILLE (1936)
Greta Garbo's plays Marguerite, a courtesan forced to chose between money and love in a tragic tale of star crossed romance.

CASABLANCA (1942)
Ingrid Bergman must choose between Humphrey Bogart and Paul Henreid in this classic romance.

CLEOPATRA (1963)
Elizabeth Taylor stars as Cleopatra alongside Richard Burton in one of the most expensive films ever made.

THE DELINQUENTS (1989)
Kylie Minogue in her film debut in the story of forbidden love in 1950s Australia. Co-stars Charlie Schlatter.

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953):
Marilyn Monroe plays Lorelei Lee, the ditsy blonde bombshell who is in love with diamonds, diamonds, diamonds. She's joined by Jane Russell, who plays Dorothy Shaw, who is love with men, men, men (including the entire American Olympic team).

GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
The greatest romance ever put to screen tells the unforgettable saga of Scarlett O'Hara, played by the beautiful Vivien Leigh

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? (1967)
Complications arise when a Caucasian girl introduces her parents to her African-American boyfriend. Stars Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy & Sidney Poitier

HAROLD & MAUDE (1971)
A romantic comedy with a difference... 20 year old Harold (played by Bud Cort) falls in love with 80 year old Maude. Entertaining, a lot of fun & a good soundtrack.

JEZEBEL (1938)
Warner Bros.' great southern romance stars Bette Davis as Julie, in love with Henry Fonda.

LA BELLE ET LA BÊTE (1946)
The original French film version of Beauty & the Beast is a magical romance experience for both the young and young at heart. One of my favourite French films.

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944)
Possibly my favourite film of all time. Judy Garland falls in love with the boy next door in this musical romance.

MOULIN ROUGE (2001)
Baz Luhrmann's colorful musical stars Nicole Kidman as a courtesan. Memorable cameo by Kylie Minogue as the Green Fairy.

9 SONGS (2004)
Controversial film tells the love story of a young couple, intercut with 9 songs performed live at The Brixton Academy. The film pushed boundaries with its explicit unsimulated sex scenes, which some consider crosses the very fine line of pornography.


NOW VOYAGER (1942)
After suffering a nervous breakdown, Charlotte Vale (played by Bette Davis) breaks away from the clutches of her overpowering mother and finds love in Paul Henreid.

ON THE TOWN (1949)
Gene Kelly & Frank Sinatra play sailers on leave who find love in New York. Co-stars Ann Miller & Betty Garrett

THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)
Tracy Lord (played by Katharine Hepburn) has last minute wedding jitters when her ex-husband visits just before she is about to be remarried. Co-stars Cary Grant & James Stewart.

PILLOW TALK (1965)
Doris Day and Rock Hudson make the perfect romantic couple in this immortal romantic comedy (or sex comedy as it was called)

PRINCESS O'ROURKE (1943)
A reverse Cinderella story, where a commoner finds his Princess. Stars Olivia de Havilland.

THE PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH & ESSEX (1939)
Bette Davis stars as Queen Elizabeth I in a retelling of her love affair with Robert, Earl
Of Essex. Co-stars the beautiful Olivia de Havilland

ROMEO & JULIET (1936) / (1968) / (1996)
Pick a version...
* 1936 - Norma Shearer & Leslie Howard... My personal favourite version
* 1968 - Franco Zeffirelli classic version with Olivia Hussey
* 1996 - Baz Luhrmann's contemporary twist to the Shakesperean classic

SUMMERTIME (1955)
David Lean directs Katharine Hepburn & Rossano Brazzi in this beautuful filmed love story on location in Venice.

WEST SIDE STORY (1962)
Possibly the greatest musical ever written, tells the story of Romeo & Juliet in 1950s New York City. A great supporting cast with brilliant music by Leonard Bernstein.

WHAT'S UP DOC? (1971)
One of my favourite romantic comedies stars Barbra Streisand with Ryan O'Nesl & Madeline Kahn.