My original criteria for this list was couples we love from the screen that starred together in at least 5 films. The ones I came up with far exceeded that. So here they are!
#1 William Powell and Myrna Loy (13 films together)
Everybody loves these two! We especially remember and love them for their witty, fun portrayals of Nick and Nora from the Thin Man series. Here's a link to a great description of
their films. And here's a clip of some of their lines to give you an idea if you've never seen them before. But I urge you to just go watch the whole movies! You're in for a treat.
#2 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (10 films together)
This is my favourite on-screen couple. They just made magic when they danced. Despite the sometimes weak plotlines and dialogue of their movies, their dancing more than makes up for it. Just lovely. Descriptions of their films are
here. "Swing Time" and "Top Hat" are some of their most popular, and might be a good place to start. If you're looking for something with a bit of a less "fluffy" script (but with less spectacular dance sequences unfortunately) "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" is a very sweet film, and well-acted by both Astaire and Rogers.
#3 Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Macdonald (8 films together)
These two people are very special .. not only were they very talented singers and excellent actors, but they were also really in love. This chemistry comes across on the screen whether they are engaged in funny banter (as they usually are at the beginning of their films) or portraying being deep love. Here's their
films. And I've provided a clip of a couple of their movies (first from "Naughty Marietta", others from "New Moon"). I apologize for the rather awkward throwing together of random clips but its hard to get their movies and I just wanted you to get a little taste of their work to hopefully whet your appetite for more.
#4 Walter Pidgeon and Greer Garson (8 films)
Strong actors in and of their own right, you could enjoy Greer Garson in "Good-bye Mr. Chips" and Walter Pidgeon in
"How Green Was My Valley". But these two always have something special when they're together on screen. As more "mature" actors, they were usually paired in roles as husband and wife and they did an incredible job portraying the fondness, respect, and fun in their characters' relationships. Which should you see first? How about
Mrs. Miniver which I'll review at a later date.
#5 Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn (9 films)
Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn were enormous stars. They were adored by fans, and there's no denying there's a certain spark to their on screen interactions, and a deep affection for each other in real life. The last movie they made together right before Spencer Tracy passed away. Their
films are usually "battle-of-the-sexes" type plots, with Hepburn ever the strong, feminist woman. So not usually my cup of tea, but Tracy and Hepburn are still enjoyable to watch.
Okay, while I was reading to refresh on some of these couples I was reminded of another. So make it 6. Is that okay? It doesn't seem kosher to have a list of 6. Or this can be our bonus.
#6 Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland (8 movies)
These two are cute together! I've only seen "Babes on Broadway" and some of the "Andy Hardy" movies. The scenes with Rooney and Garland are always fun and delightful, but the movies themselves are pretty average in terms of plot, dialogue, etc. Worth seeing if you're a huge fan of either though, just to see them so young and yet so talented. Find out more
here.
Which movie couples (from black and white film) do you like the best and why? I might have named some of them, or maybe there's a couple you thought of (they don't have to have starred in more than one film together :)
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| Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn |
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