I just love trying to recreate a character or scene from a film. I think the key to recreating is the genuinely love or be inspired by something. That way you approach the character from a point of admiration and created your vision authentically with your own personal touch. 

After reading my Classic Film Spotlight: Scrooge (1970) post I hope you know how much a deeply adore and love this rendition of the classic A Christmas Carol story. The character of the Ghost of Christmas  Present is this burly and jovial character who shows Scrooge the joy found in Bob Cracket's house and the fun being had at his nephew, Harry's house where they play The Minister's Cat game. The Ghost of Christmas Present then gives Scrooge a drink that is the milk of human kindness. He then proceeds to sing him a jolly song called, "I Like Life".

I like life 
Life likes me 
Life and I fairly fully agree 
Life is fine 
Life is good 
'Specially mine, which is just as it should be 
I like pouring the wine and why not? 
Life's a pleasure that I deny not 

It made me so happy to channel the character of the Ghost of Christmas Present from Scrooge (1970). If you haven't seen my other recreates you can check them out HERE. What other characters or films would you like me to try and recreate?

There are a few renditions of A Christmas Carol that are incredible to watch like Scrooge (1935) and Scrooge (1951) because they have an amazing cast of actors. Scrooge (1970) is my absolute favorite version of Scrooge because not only does it have all the incredible acting and story telling that the first two renditions have but with this film version they added music, dance, songs, and even a catchy parlor game. 

Scrooge (1970) stars Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge, Alec Guinness as Jacob Marley, Edith Evans as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Kenneth More as the jovial Ghost of Christmas Present, Laurence Naismith as Mr. Fezziwig, and Anton Rodgers as the unforgettable Tom Jenkins. 

The story begins with Scrooge being his old miser self when suddenly at night he is awakened by three ghosts. Each ghost of the past, present, and future shows him what he is missing in his life, why he is the way he is, and the untapped happiness that awaits him if he turns over a new leaf. What makes this story more unique than the others is that the cast sing, dance, and act their way through the film making the viewer feel as though they too are on a unexpected adventure with Ebenezer Scrooge.

There are quite a few scenes in the film that are unique for a retelling of A Christmas Carol. You have Marley's personal hell filled with fire and brimstone, Marley flying high with his chains attached to him (Alec Guinness actually injured himself on that), a session of A Minister's Cat game which was a popular parlor game of the time, the Ghost of Christmas Present singing a uplifting song called "I Like Life", and a  bittersweet flashback of Scrooge's romance with his old boss Mr. Fezziwig's daughter. There is even an incredible song that is performed twice for two separate scenes called "Thank You Very Much". Watching the performances in this film is like watching a Broadway show come to life.

What also makes this rendition of Scrooge so unique is that Albert Finney plays himself both young and old. They aged him up to play Ebenezer Scrooge even though he was only 34 years old at the time. His performance is the most heartbreaking and uplifting I have even seen on film. 

This retelling of the Dickens classic tale of redemption is bursting with song and dance. The joy found in this film is unmistakable and connects to people of all ages. I started showing my children this film on Christmas Eve a few years ago and it is now a tradition they really look forward to experiencing every year. 

Have you seen this version of Scrooge? Have you had the chance to the watch the 1935 and 1951 film versions?

A Wonderful Life Experience was first published in Bunny's Victory and has 

since been edited and updated for A Vintage Nerd

The films begins with a few angels recalling the life of one simple man named George Bailey. They review his life and all those who he helped along the way. Then on Christmas Eve because of unforeseen financial circumstances, George Bailey decides to commit suicide by jumping over a bridge. Before he is able to jump, another man jumps and falls into the cold winter water. George immediately jumps in after him and saves his life. We then find out his name is Clarence Odbody who is played by the wonderful Henry Travers.

Today is Rita Moreno's 90th Birthday. There are those who might know all about this amazing actress and those that might not. In celebration of such a big milestone I wanted to share a few images throughout the years of Rita. She is such a beauty and a passionate performer. 

If you haven't seen any of her films, here are a few Rita Moreno films I think you might enjoy:

1. West Side Story (1961)
2. Summer and Smoke (1961)
3. The Night of the Following Day (1968)
4. Popi (1969)
5. Marlowe (1969)
6. Carnal Knowledge (1971)
7. The Ritz (1976)
8. Four Seasons (1981)

Something funny happens to me when people talk about a movie a lot or suggest that I see it. It's not that I don't want to join in the excitement of a new film or view a movie that has pleased audiences for years and years. I think I sort of recoil from films that are super famous because a lot of times they come with high expectations. I tend to put them aside for a wee bit until I get in the mood to see them or somehow I come across them and make myself watch them finally.

There aren't a lot of super famous classic films I haven't seen but there are a few that did well in the box office at their time or are well known to many. The other day I finally got access to Now Voyager (1942) and it made me think about all the famous classics I have yet to see. Here is my list of 20 famous classic films I have not seen yet.

What famous classic films have you not seen yet? Why haven't you watched them? Have you seen any of these?

It Happened One Night (1934)

Stagecoach (1939)

His Girl Friday (1940)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

The Maltese Falcom (1941)

Citizen Kane (1941)

Laura (1944)

Double Indemnity (1944) 

Gilda (1946)

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

On The Waterfront (1954)

Carmen Jones (1954)

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

An Affair to Remember (1957)

La Dolce Vita (1960)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Doctor Zhivago (1965)

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Back in the day there was nothing better than putting on a record and listening to the latest vinyl. The quality of music that can be heard on a vinyl is something special. It sounds more intimate as if you are listening to the band play nearby.

These days listening to and collecting vinyls has made a huge comeback. It honestly took me a while to move from cassette tapes to CD's and even longer to switch from CD's to the Apple Music on my phone. But I have to tell you this, I still have all of my cassettes and all of my CD's and so does my husband. If our children ever want to delve into the oldies but goodies they will be able to look through a treasure trove of cassettes, CD's and yes, vinyls. 

Recently I acquired a really hard-to-find vinyl soundtrack from the movie, The Apple (1980). One of my guilty pleasures is musicals (in film, tv, or Broadway) and this film has it all-music, campy songs, glitter makeup, over-the-top dance numbers, a battle between good and evil, and in the middle of it all is an epic love story. The soundtrack of this film cannot be found on cassette, CD, or on any music app so finding this record had made me feel so lucky to be able to add it to my collection.

Music plays a huge role in films. There are some films whose soundtrack become a main character in the story. Here are 12 must have vintage vinyl soundtracks that you can add to your collection: