Given last week’s stock market occurrences and this year’s quadrennial exercise in divisiveness – this November’s presidential election – I thought it might be a good idea to contribute something positive, even hopeful to this blog.  With very few exceptions, it’s nearly impossible to find an uplifting story in the media or out of Hollywood these days (decades), but at least that wasn’t always the case.  Although Walt Disney’s studio was (literally) responsible for dozens with Pollyanna outlooks, they weren’t the only one that produced optimistic movies for the public’s consumption.  If you’re feeling overly cynical and pessimistic, perhaps a temporary escape from these troubling times is all you need.  During our nation’s Great Depression, Hollywood churned out upbeat musicals and screwball comedies to help salve ‘our’ woes, and ‘we’ went in droves.  Unfortunately, it seems that we’ve become too sophisticated to enjoy such simple pleasures, either that or (I would contend) there’s a large body of the movie-going population which remains un-served, neglected by filmmakers that:  underestimate their audience’s intelligence, or can’t seem to keep their personal politics (and social agendas) out of their plots.

Therefore, it’s great that we have Turner Classic Movies – and DVDs of great ‘old’ films – available to watch anytime we want:  to laugh, cry or otherwise be entertained without having to be subjected to unsolicited messages.  We can wallow in the sassy, sappy, and dated all we want to; call me naïve, call me jingoistic (just call me in time for dinner), but I enjoy movies that make me feel good about human nature, my country and the uniquely American dream that, with the right attitude and through hard work, enables its citizens’ success.  It’s certainly easy to be a skeptic, and far easier to give up or not to try at all, but the opportunities are so endless that people from many other parts of the world willingly risk their lives to be part of it.  It’s unfortunate that so many Americans take their liberties and freedoms for granted such that all they can do is find fault.  Whether feeling guilty that they were blessed to be born here vs. in some third world country or having just given in to the media’s endless onslaught of stories of hopelessness, the end of institutions, hurricanes, war, and climate change (the end of world?), too many people have chosen to focus on the negative in their lives and (therefore) our country.

If you’re not predisposed to stay depressed about the state of ‘the situation’ today, I’d like to challenge you to remember a time when you felt that ‘warm glow’ feeling inside after watching a movie:  because it lifted your spirits, made you laugh out loud, reminded you of your faith, gave you hope, or just put a smile on your face.  Then, take the appropriate actions to watch it again, as soon as possible:  look for it on TCM’s schedule, put it atop your Netflix queue, or find a DVD store that rents or sells classic movies.  Escape your reality – see an animated Pixar feature if you want to totally immerse yourself in another one – but do something to break out of that ‘funk’.  It’s only been two years since the AFI released their list of the 100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time (AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 CHEERS) and, for some ideas, it’s not a bad place to start.  But there are others …

The following are from my own essential films compilation; if they’re on AFI’s list as well, I’ve bolded (and numbered) them for reference:

42nd Street (1933) – “You’re going out there a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a star!”

The African Queen (1951) #48 – If these two can get together, fall in love AND fight the Germans …

Boys Town (1938) #81 – Thank God for Father Flanagan, a real life hero!

Breaking Away (1979) #8 – determination/perseverance (esp. after disillusionment) is needed to win

The Devil and Miss Jones (1941) – Even CEOs have a heart, if you give them a chance

Dodsworth (1936) – Happiness in the second chapter of one’s life

The Farmer’s Daughter (1947) – in these United States, anything is possible

Field of Dreams (1989) #28 – non-religious faith

Gentleman Jim (1942) & The Pride of the Yankees (1942) #22 – sports figures that were role models

Going My Way (1944) – kindness and respect for one’s elders (and others)

I Remember Mama (1948) – Immigrants can make it here (and “love thy mother”)

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) #1 – the title says it all

Marty (1955) – There’s someone for everybody

Now, Voyager (1942) – “… don’t let’s ask for the moon. We have the stars.”

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945) – love thy father

Rocky (1976) #4 – queue its theme song for inspiration

Sergeant York (1941) #57 – another real life hero

Sullivan’s Travels (1941) #25 – “There’s a lot to be said for making people laugh.”

The Wizard of Oz (1939) #26 – there’s no place like home

 Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) #88 – I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy, Yankee Doodle do or die

And I’ve barely scratched the surface of movies available that should improve anyone’s mood.