- Get link
- Other Apps
- Get link
- Other Apps
This article is part of the Winter in July Blogathon hosted by Moon in Gemini.
It's hot out there this summer, at least here in the Midwest (the temperature was 92 degrees Fahrenheit at 10 am this morning). I'm beating the heat by watching some of my favorite classic movies set in winter, so I thought I'd share my top five picks plus some runners-up and where you can watch them. The movies are in chronological order and the highlighted text has links to full-length articles.
Citizen Kane (1941), dir. Orson Welles
![]() |
Harry Shannon, George Coulouris, Agnes Moorehead, and Buddy Swan in Citizen Kane (1941). |
Wisconsin native Orson Welles filled his landmark film with references to snow. The Christmas Day scene where a young Charles Foster Kane (played by Buddy Swan) is taken from his parents is the linchpin for the entire film (it also happens to be a masterclass in deep-focus cinematography). The newspaper magnate spends the rest of the film trying to replace his stolen childhood with a mansion on the "deserts of the Gulf Coast" in Florida stuffed with artwork and, most significantly, a snowglobe. Runner-up: Welles second film, the Indiana-set The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), has a Christmas Eve ball and a delightfully snowy car ride. Citizen Kane is available for streaming on HBO Max and on Blu-ray, DVD, and video on demand. The Magnificent Ambersons is available for streaming for DIRECTV subscribers and on Blu-ray, DVD, and video on demand.
Christmas in Connecticut (1945), dir. Peter Godfrey
![]() |
Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan in Christmas in Connecticut (1945). |
Battleground (1949), dir William Wellman
![]() |
Ricardo Montalban, John Hodiak, and Van Johnson in Battleground (1949). |
The Thing from Another World (1951), dir. Christian Nyby
![]() |
James Arness in The Thing from Another World (1951). |
This science-fiction thriller from producer Howard Hawks is about a gigantic blood-sucking alien (James Arness) who menaces the inhabitants of an Arctic research station. Not nearly as scary today as it must have been in 1951, this film is still a lot of fun, especially the flirty antics of leads Kenneth Tobey and Margaret Sheridan and the performance of Robert Cornthwaite as the lead scientist. He spouts scientific gobbledygook likes his life depends on it while wearing a ridiculous-looking fur hat. The Thing from Another World is streaming for DIRECTV subscribers. Also on Blu-ray, DVD, and video on demand.
On Dangerous Ground (1952), dir. Nicholas Ray![]() |
Ida Lupino in On Dangerous Ground (1952). |
Bonus: 'A Fine Romance' from Swing Time (1936), dir. George Stevens
Swing Time didn't make it in my top five, but I couldn't leave you without Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers warbling "A Fine Romance." This snowy musical number will leave you with a smile on your face. Swing Time is available on Blu-ray, DVD and video on demand.
As always, feel free to leave your picks in the comments section, and check out the other blogathon entries for more winter films.
Barbara Stanwyck
Battleground
blogathons
Christmas in Connecticut
Citizen Kane
Dennis Morgan
old hollywood top five
On Dangerous Ground
Swing Time
The Thing from Another World
winter
- Get link
- Other Apps
Comments
An absolutely fabulous list. Folks would do well to keep it handy.
ReplyDeleteBattleground, The Thing from Another World and On Dangerous Ground are particular favourite of mine (when the blogathon came up I could have kicked myself for already having talked about them).
The Bishop's Wife becomes dearer to me each Christmas season. Track of the Cat has become more fascinating with time.
The Bishop's Wife is one of those films that just sneaks up on you. At first, you think it's just a fun rom-com, but it really is profound in its own way.
DeleteGreat stuff. Battleground is one of my favorites. And i feel your heat, fellow Midwesterner!
ReplyDeleteIt's supposed to rain today. Fingers crossed!
DeleteA terrific list – it has my Approval (haha). Also, I'm very glad you included Fred & Ginger in "A Fine Romance". That scene never gets old.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great example of the charm of the Astaire-Rogers movies.
DeleteI love the variety of picks for this list! Different genres and tones, all taking place during winter.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for contributing to the blogathon!
Thanks for hosting!
DeleteChristmas In Connecticut is one of my all time favorites! I'm so happy to see it on your list.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be Christmas without watching Christmas in Connecticut every year.
Delete