THE BRIDE GOES WILD – MGM – B&W

This 1948 romantic comedy pairs June with Van Johnson for the second time. A Vermont schoolteacher (June) wins a contest to illustrate a children's book. To her dismay, the author "Uncle Bumps" (Van Johnson) possesses habits and a lifestyle she finds distasteful. A plan is set into action in order to keep June from informing her cousin, who happens to be the President of the Juvenile Betterment Society. Van must pretend he is the distraught single father of a troubled son, a child he borrows from a local orphanage. Soon he has the support and love of his new illustrator, but when the truth is discovered, problems arise. Along with winning back June's affections, Van must dissolve his relationship with his former love. Butch Jenkins, Hume Cronyn, Una Merkel, Richard Derr and Arlene Dahl also star. Directed by Norman Taurog, produced by William H. Wright.

Lavish production numbers, smart tunes and a constellation of celebrities to deliver them in elegant style - that's Words and Music, the 1948 film starring Mickey Rooney as Lorenz Hart and Tom Drake as Richard Rodgers. Rodgers and Hart's was a prolific partnership that produced a score of Broadway shows and numerous tunes for Hollywood. The fruits of their labor are heralded here, as Perry Como croons "Mountain Greenery," June Allyson teases a crew of knights with "Thou Swell," Lena Horne coos "Where Or When," then picks up the beat for a snappy "The Lady Is A Tramp." All this is capped by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in a smartly-choreographed duet of "I Wish I Were In Love Again," and Gene Kelly high-kicking his way through a dazzling "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue," featuring Vera Ellen. Producer Arthur Freed's legendary credits include Singing In The Rain, Gigi and An American In Paris, and his Words and Music is a must for every collector of great screen musicals. Directed by Norman Taurog, musical numbers directed by Robert Alton.

Swords clash as bold musketeers rally 'round their king to the stirring cry of "One for all and all for one!" Welcome to Alexandre Dumas' world of adventure and romance, recreated in this lavish star-filled version of his famous novel.  Gene Kelly and Lana Turner head an imposing cast that brings every moment of Dumas' story to life. In one of his most colorful roles, Kelly plays the dashing young D'Artagnan, seeking fortune in 17th century France. When he joins three of the king's brave musketeers, he finds himself embroiled in the intrigue and skulduggery surrounding the court. Opposing him at every turn are the beautiful but wicked Lady de Winter (Turner,) scheming for power over the throne with villainous Cardinal Richelieu (Vincent Price.) June Allyson is the imperilled heroine Constance, and others in the huge cast include Van Heflin, Angela Lansbury, Frank Morgan and Gig Young. Produced in the eye-filling MGM style, and boasting some of the most spectacular swordplay ever filmed, The Three Musketeers is grand and glorious entertainment for all ages. Directed by George Sidney and produced by Pandro S. Berman.