The Bishop's Wife 1947  N/R, 108 min.
Genre: Comedy / Fantasy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester, Sara Haden, Regis Toomey, Sarah Edwards
A bishop (David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young) lead busy lives ministering to their flock. However, when the bishop becomes so ensnared in his "churchly" duties that he ignores his own wife, a Heaven-sent angel (Cary Grant) shows him the error of his ways. Academy Award nominations were received for Best Picture and Director. There were two other nominations and an Oscar for Best Sound Recording.
|  | |
Come to the Stable 1949 N/R, 94 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Loretta Young, Celeste Holm, Hugh Marlowe, Elsa Lanchester, Thomas Gomez, Dorothy Patrick, Basil Ruysdael, Dooley Wilson, Regis Toomey, Mike Mazurki
Two French nuns, Sister Margaret (Loretta Young) and Sister Scholastica (Celeste Holm) come to New England with dreams of building a children's hospital and enlist the aid of some rather unsavory characters to obtain their magnificent goal. Seven Academy Award nominations were received.
| | |
Dear Brigitte 1965  N/R, 100 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: James Stewart, Fabian, Glynis Johns, Cindy Carol, Bill Mumy, John Williams, Ed Wynn, Jack Kruschen, Brigitte Bardot, Jesse White
The Leaf family is headed by a professor father, Robert (James Stewart). Problems revolve around the son, Erasmus (Bill Mumy), who is more interested in the practical versus his father's ethereal subjects.
| | |
Desiree 1954  N/R, 110 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Merle Oberon, Michael Rennie, Cameron Mitchell, Elizabeth Sellars, Charlotte Austin, Cathleen Nesbitt, Alan Napier, Carolyn Jones
True students of history will cringe at the haphazard treatment of facts in this story about Desiree (Jean Simmons) who is cast off by Napoleon (Marlon Brando) when he chooses Josephine (Merle Oberon) to be his wife and empress.
| | |
First Love 1939 N/R, 84 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Deanna Durbin, Robert Stack, Eugene Pallette, Helen Parrish, Lewis Howard, Leatrice Joy, June Storey, Frank Jenks, Kathleen Howard, Thurston Hall, Samuel S. Hinds, Marcia Mae Jones
Orphaned Connie (Deanna Durbin) lives with her rich aunt and uncle and their children. The family accepts an invitation to a lavish social ball, but the family tells Connie to stay home. Connie does come to the ball and meets "Prince Charming" (Robert Stack) who just happens to be her wicked cousin's boyfriend. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards.
| | |
Flower Drum Song 1961  N/R, 130 min.
Genre: Musical / Comedy / Romance
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Juanita Hall, Benson Fong, Jack Soo, James Hong, Victor Sen Yung, Kam Tong, Reiko Sato, Patrick Adiarte, Soo Yong, Ching Wah Lee, Irene Tsu, George Chakiris
This screen version of the Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway musical provides an entertaining look at San Francisco's Chinatown. Mail-order-bride Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki) arrives in Chinatown prepared for her arranged marriage to nightclub owner Sammy Fong (Jack Soo). But, Sammy is not interested in the arranged marriage and is in love with Linda Low (Nancy Kwan) who happens to be romantically involved with Wang Ta (James Shigeta). Through comedy and music, lovers are sorted out, and, by story's end, Mei Li and Wang Ta have found romance. Songs include "I Enjoy Being a Girl," "Love Look Away," and "You Are Beautiful."
| | |
Good Morning, Miss Dove 1955 N/R, 107 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Jennifer Jones, Robert Stack, Kipp Hamilton, Robert Douglas, Peggy Knudsen, Marshall Thompson, Chuck Connors, Biff Elliot, Jerry Paris, Mary Wickes
This is the touching, well-made story of Miss Dove, a small-town teacher who inspired generations of students. She is now hospitalized and her current and former students rally around her as she reflects on the past via flashbacks.
| | |
 Harvey 1950  N/R, 103 min.
Genre: Family / Comedy / Drama / Fantasy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow, Charles Drake, Victoria Horne, Cecil Kellaway, Jesse White, Wallace Ford, Nana Bryant, Clem Bevans, William H. Lynn, Grayce Mills, Gino Corrado, Ida Moore, Dick Wessel
James Stewart plays Elwood P. Dowd, a middle-aged eccentric who often drinks too much. Elwood has an imaginary friend–a very tall rabbit named Harvey. This social commentary on sanity pits Elwood against his social-climbing relatives. Josephine Hull won an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress for her fine performance as Elwood's sister Veta Louise Simmons. Stewart received a nomination for Best Actor.
| | |
Inspector General 1949 N/R, 102 min.
Genre: Comedy / Musical
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Danny Kaye, Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates, Elsa Lanchester, Gene Lockhart, Alan Hale, Walter Catlett, Rhys Williams, Benny Baker, Norman Leavitt, Nestor Paiva, Byron Foulger, Jimmy Conlin, Fred Kelsey
A case of mistaken identity results in a very funny story as an illiterate stooge, Georgi (Danny Kaye), is wrongly identified as a man of power in the government. When he arrives in their town, corrupt town officers believe that Georgi is the Inspector General and grant him wishes and bribes to keep them from being arrested for stealing tax money. When the real Inspector General (Rhys Williams) arrives on the scene, the corruption is brought to an end, and Georgi is appointed the town's mayor–free to live happily ever after with the woman of his dreams, Leza (Barbara Bates). Songs include "The Gypsy Drinking Song."
| | |
It Started with Eve 1941 N/R, 90 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Deanna Durbin, Charles Laughton, Robert Cummings, Guy Kibbee, Margaret Tallichet, Catherine Doucet, Walter Catlett, Charles Coleman, Leonard Elliott, Irving Bacon, Gus Schilling, Wade Boteler
Rich playboy Jonathan Reynolds Jr. (Robert Cummings) asks hatcheck girl Anne Terry (Deanna Durbin) to stand in for his fiancee to please his dying father (Charles Laughton) who wants to meet his daughter-in-law-to-be But Dad gets well and, having taken a liking to Anne, the pretense puts Junior in quite a spot. A fun-filled comedy/musical with Laughton at his best.
| | |
The Luck of the Irish 1948 N/R, 99 min.
Genre: Fantasy / Comedy / Romance
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Tyrone Power, Anne Baxter, Cecil Kellaway, Lee J. Cobb, James Todd, Jayne Meadows, J.M. Kerrigan, Phil Brown, Charles Irwin, Louise Lorimer, Don Brodie, J. Farrell MacDonald, Norman Leavitt, Tito Vuolo, Dorothy Neumann
American newsman Stephen Fitzgerald (Tyrone Power) is visiting Ireland when he meets a leprechaun, Horace (Cecil Kellaway), and later confronts him with his pot of gold. After Stephen tells the leprechaun that he will not take his gold, the leprechaun is obligated to return the favor. The leprechaun follows Stephen back to New York and tries to clear the way for a romance with sweet Irish colleen Nora (Anne Baxter) who Stephen had met in Ireland. But, Stephen is now seeing the daughter, Frances (Jayne Meadows), of his corrupt boss, D.C. Augur (Lee J. Cobb). When Nora visits New York and sees Stephen and Frances together, she returns to Ireland. With the leprechaun's guidance, Stephen denounces Auger, quits his job, and leaves for Ireland to find Nora.
| | |
A Man Called Peter 1955 N/R, 119 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Richard Todd, Jean Peters, Marjorie Rambeau, Jill Esmond, Les Tremayne, Robert Burton, Gladys Hurlbut, Billy Chapin, Edward Earle, Marietta Canty
Peter Marshall (Richard Todd) was a Scottish-born clergyman who became the Chaplain of The U.S. Senate. This biography is based on his wife's memoirs, and is good fare, even for those with non-religious leanings.
| | |
Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell 1951  N/R, 87 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Clifton Webb, Joanne Dru, Hugh Marlowe, Zero Mostel, Billy Lynn, Doro Merande, Warren Stevens, J. Farrell MacDonald, Thomas Browne Henry, Hugh Beaumont
This is another film in the series of "Mr. Belvedere" comedies. This time, Mr. Belvedere (Clifton Webb) heads for a retirement home where he gets the residents up and out of their rocking chairs.
| | |
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation 1962 N/R, 115 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: James Stewart, Maureen O'Hara, Fabian, John Saxon, Marie Wilson, Reginald Gardiner, John McGiver, Minerva Urecal, Lauri Peters, Michael Burns
The Hobbs family sets out for a seashore vacation where comedy reigns when everything goes wrong.
| | |
My Blue Heaven 1950 N/R, 96 min.
Genre: Musical / Comedy / Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, David Wayne, Jane Wyatt, Mitzi Gaynor, Una Merkel, Louise Beavers, Minerva Urecal, Larry Keating, Mae Marsh
Radio stars (Betty Grable and Dan Dailey) try to adopt a child, and they get one–but not in the straightforward manner. The problems that follow are entertaining with music the center of attraction.
| | |
My Cousin Rachel 1952 N/R, 98 min.
Genre: Mystery
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Olivia de Havilland, Richard Burton, Audrey Dalton, Ronald Squire, George Dolenz, John Sutton, Tudor Owen, J.M. Kerrigan, Argentina Brunetti, Mario Siletti
This is the film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's Gothic novel about tragic Rachel (Olivia de Havilland) who is suspected of being a murderess. Richard Burton won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer for his role of Philip Ashley, Rachel's young cousin who loves and suspects her at the same time. Burton also received an Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor.
| | |
 My Man Godfrey 1957 N/R, 92 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: June Allyson, David Niven, Jessie Royce Landis, Robert Keith, Eva Gabor, Jay Robinson, Martha Hyer, Jeff Donnell, Herbert Anderson, Eric Sinclair, Dabbs Greer, Harry Cheshire, Fred Essler, Jack Mather, Paul Levitt
While on a scavenger hunt for a "Forgotten Man," socialite Irene Bullock (June Allyson) finds down-on-his-luck Godfrey (David Niven) and brings him back to the party hoping to win the prize. That event leads to Godfrey being taken into the Bullock home where he serves as the family's butler and works to bring some sense into the lives of the screwball Bullock family.
| | |
No Highway in the Sky 1951 N/R, 99 min.
Genre: Drama
aka: No Highway
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Glynis Johns, Janette Scott, Jack Hawkins, Ronald Squire, Niall MacGinnis, Elizabeth Allan, Kenneth More, David Hutcheson
While on a flight, an engineer (James Stewart) becomes concerned that the tail of the aircraft is about to fall off due to metal fatigue. Now, he must convince those in control of the impending disaster.
| | |
O. Henry's Full House 1952 N/R, 116 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Hathaway, Howard Hawks, Henry King, Henry Koster, Jean Negulesco
Cast: Charles Laughton, Marilyn Monroe, David Wayne, Dale Robertson, Richard Widmark, Anne Baxter, Jean Peters, Fred Allen, Oscar Levant, Jeanne Crain
John Steinbeck narrated this film consisting of five of O. Henry's classic short stories: "The Clarion Call," "The Ransom of Red Chief," "The Gift of the Magi," The Cop and the Anthem," and "The Last Leaf."
| | |
One Hundred Men and a Girl 1937 N/R, 85 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Deanna Durbin, Adolphe Menjou, Alice Brady, Eugene Pallette, Mischa Auer, Billy Gilbert, Alma Kruger, Jed Prouty, Jameson Thomas, Howard C. Hickman, Frank Jenks, Leopold Stokowski
When musician John Cardwell (Adolphe Menjou) finds himself struggling financially, his daughter Patricia (Deanna Durbin) steps in, forms an orchestra from John's unemployed musician friends, and convinces Leopold Stokowski (himself) to conduct. The concert is so well-performed that it leads to a radio contract, and all ends well. The film won an Academy Award for Best Score and was nominated for four others, including Best Picture. For her work in this film, Deanna Durbin won a special Academy Award for her "spirit and personification of youth."
| | |
The Rage of Paris 1938 N/R, 78 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Danielle Darrieux, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Mischa Auer, Louis Hayward, Helen Broderick, Charles Coleman, Samuel S. Hinds, Nella Walker, Harry Davenport, Lionel Pape, Mary Forbes, Leonard Mudie
Nicole de Cortillon (Danielle Darrieux) needs money. Her solution: catch a rich husband. Wealthy Canadian Bill Duncan (Louis Hayward) becomes the target, and the plan works–until Bill's friend, Jim (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), enters the scene and complications are assured.
| | |
The Robe 1953 N/R, 134 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Jay Robinson, Michael Rennie, Richard Boone, Dawn Addams, Dean Jagger, Torin Thatcher, Betta St. John, Jeff Morrow, Ernest Thesiger, Leon Askin, Michael Ansara, Cameron Mitchell
This grand-scale film is the story of a Roman tribune, Marcellus (Richard Burton), whose duty is to ensure the crucifixion of Jesus. Later, he wins Christ's robe, and the ownership of the robe affects his course in life. In addition to Academy Awards for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration and Costume Design, nominations were received for Best Picture, Actor (Burton), and Cinematography. First CinemaScope film.
| | |
The Singing Nun 1965  N/R, 96 min.
Genre: Family
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Debbie Reynolds, Ricardo Montalban, Greer Garson, Agnes Moorehead, Katharine Ross, Ed Sullivan, Chad Everett, Juanita Moore, Tom Drake, Ricky Cordell
This is the biography of a Dominican nun whose song became a hit in America. Despite the good song, and having Debbie in it, the film still has a mild odor.
| | |
Stars and Stripes Forever 1952 N/R, 89 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Clifton Webb, Debra Paget, Robert Wagner, Ruth Hussey, Finlay Currie, Roy Roberts, Thomas Browne Henry, Olan Soule, Roger Moore, Benay Venuta
John Philip Sousa's march tunes are woven into the script of this enjoyable (even if shallow) biography of the leader of the United States Marine Corps Band.
| | |
The Story of Ruth 1960 N/R, 132 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, Peggy Wood, Viveca Lindfors, Jeff Morrow, Elana Eden, Thayer David, Les Tremayne, Eduard Franz, Leo Fuchs, Lili Valenty, Basil Ruysdael, John Gabriel, Ziva Rodann
This interpretation of Ruth's Biblical story involves the test of Ruth's faith after her husband, Mahlon (Tom Tryon), dies and how her belief in one God prevails and allows her to find a new man, Boaz (Stuart Whitman), with whom she will spend her life.
| | |
Take Her, She's Mine 1963 N/R, 98 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: James Stewart, Sandra Dee, Audrey Meadows, Robert Morley, John McGiver, Bob Denver, Irene Tsu, Philippe Forquet, Marcel Hillaire, Maurice Marsac
This family comedy involves problems imagined by the father, Frank Michaelson (James Stewart), when his daughter Mollie (Sandra Dee) heads off to college.
| | |
Three Smart Girls 1936  N/R, 86 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Binnie Barnes, Alice Brady, Ray Milland, Charles Winninger, Deanna Durbin, Mischa Auer, Nan Grey, Barbara Read, Ernest Cossart, Hobart Cavanaugh
When their divorced father plans to marry a gold-digging woman, his daughters step in to prevent the upcoming wedding. "Someone to Watch Over Me" is a featured song in this film. This picture received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and was Deanna Durbin's feature film debut. Followed by "Three Smart Girls Grow Up."
| | |
Three Smart Girls Grow Up 1939 N/R, 90 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Deanna Durbin, Charles Winninger, Nan Grey, Helen Parrish, Robert Cummings, William Lundigan, Ernest Cossart, Nella Walker, Felix Bressart, Grady Sutton
The song "Because" was introduced in this sequel to "Three Smart Girls" as the youngest sibling, Penny (Deanna Durbin), interferes in her sisters' romances.
| | |
The Virgin Queen 1955 N/R, 92 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Bette Davis, Richard Todd, Joan Collins, Jay Robinson, Herbert Marshall, Dan O'Herlihy, Robert Douglas, Rod Taylor, Leslie Parrish, Robert Adler, Romney Brent, Lisa Daniels, David Thursby, Frank Mills, Noel Drayton
This historical drama focuses on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth (Bette Davis) and Sir Walter Raleigh (Richard Todd). Young adventurer Raleigh wants the aging Queen to finance his expedition to the New World and is determined to make a good impression by romancing her. Meanwhile, he falls in love with lady-in-waiting Beth Throgmorton (Joan Collins), and they secretly wed. When the Queen learns about the marriage, she feels betrayed and imprisons Raleigh in the Tower of London but later relents, frees him, and provides support for his trip across the ocean.
| | |
Wabash Avenue 1950  N/R, 92 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Henry Koster
Cast: Betty Grable, Victor Mature, Phil Harris, Reginald Gardiner, James Barton, Barry Kelley, Margaret Hamilton, Irving Bacon, Jacqueline Dalya, Charles Arnt
Set during the 1892 Chicago World's Fair, this remake of 1943's "Coney Island" features Victor Mature and Phil Harris as the partners in a dance hall who vie for the attentions of burlesque queen Ruby Summers (Betty Grable).
| | |
| 1. The Bishop's Wife (1947)
2. Come to the Stable (1949)
3. D-Day the Sixth of June (1956)
4. Dear Brigitte (1965)
5. Desiree (1954)
6. First Love (1939)
7. Flower Drum Song (1961)
8. Good Morning, Miss Dove (1955)
9. Harvey (1950)
10. Inspector General (1949)
11. It Started with Eve (1941)
12. The Luck of the Irish (1948)
13. A Man Called Peter (1955)
14. Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951)
15. Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962)
16. My Blue Heaven (1950)
17. My Cousin Rachel (1952)
18. My Man Godfrey (1957)
19. No Highway in the Sky (1951)
aka: No Highway
20. O. Henry's Full House (1952)
21. One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937)
22. The Rage of Paris (1938)
23. The Robe (1953)
24. The Singing Nun (1965)
25. Stars and Stripes Forever (1952)
26. The Story of Ruth (1960)
27. Take Her, She's Mine (1963)
28. Three Smart Girls (1936)
29. Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939)
30. The Virgin Queen (1955)
31. Wabash Avenue (1950)
In The News
|
