My Favorite Movies: Movie Hopping with Gregory Peck

Movie Hopping. Choose three movies currently showing in movie theaters and travel from theater to theater during a single day to watch them. Closely related to Binge Watching.

My Mom introduced me to the concept of movie hopping during a vacation in Atlantic City, NJ. At the time, there were no casinos along the boardwalk, but movie theaters were a popular entertainment. On a particularly cool and stormy day, she suggested we "movie hop". We started at 10 AM and finished late that night. We saw three movies. The only one I remember is "Thoroughly Modern Millie" with Julie Andrews because it became one of my favorites. Have I mentioned I'm a big fan of musicals?

Fast forward to today. With DVD, Netflix, Hulu, and other such services, you can do your own version of movie hopping (aka binge watching) right at home. Here at the Blog, I'll be sharing some of my favorite movies with you in threes, mini-marathons you can try out at home.  Movie hopping at home or in theaters makes for a great mini-vacation, too.

A Day With Gregory Peck

As a boy, my husband devoured old movies on TV, so when I married him, in addition to many other sterling qualities, he brought me his personal filmography. Gregory Peck figured high on my husband's list, and subsequently, on mine. These movies are all available for home viewing.

The Big Country

1958, with Jean Simmons, Caroll Baker, Charlton Heston, and Burl Ives
When sea-faring captain Jim McKay travels to the West to wed his fiance Pat Terrill, she requires him to prove his love for her again in her territory - cattle country. Enter Pat's best friend Julie. Add a land-and-water feud, stirring music, photography that is as sweeping as it is intimate, and a great cast. Western romance at its best. 

To Kill a Mockingbird

1962, with Mary Badham and Philip Alford
Peck won an Oscar for his performance in this movie, and Elmer Bernstein's musical score is haunting and tender. Racial hatred boils in the Alabama heat when defense lawyer Atticus Finch takes as his client a Black man accused of assaulting a white woman. Told through the eyes of Finch's young daughter Scout, this story is as relevant, touching, and compelling today as it was then. 

Captain Newman, M.D.

1963, with Tony Curtis, Angie Dickinson, Bobby Darin and a strong cast.
It's near the end of Word War II, but in the US Army Air Corps, there is no shortage of neuro-psychiatric (NP) cases, what we know today as PTSD.  Doctor Josiah Newman treats his patients with tough love and compassion, all the while wondering why he helps them, only to send them back to battle. The antics of his assistant, the support of a lovely nurse, and a flock of sheep lighten the mood of this file that explores a serious subject. Bring the tissue. Tears, laughter and hope abound.

[Swap-out] Captain Horatio Hornblower

1951, with Virginia Mayo

Captain Hornblower leads the crew of his British Navy frigate with firm discipline, wisdom and sharp navigation skills, but when the lovely Lady Barbara, a relative of Lord Wellington, comes aboard, he has met his match. Alas, he is already married and she is betrothed to another. Adventure and romance on the high seas set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. 

That's our movie hopping for today. Look for another installment of My Favorite Movies, right here on "Writing in the Spirit".

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Have a wonderful day!