If you want to step back in time, Prime has you covered. For some of us, when we hear the words Cathy and Heathcliff, Kate Bush’s musical version immediately springs to mind. Laurence Olivier is considered the best Heathcliff and this the best version, but I lean towards Ralph Fiennes for my Heathcliff. William Wyler directs Olivier and Merle Oberon as the unfortunate lovers who, despite a deep affection for one another, are forced by circumstance and prejudice to live their lives apart. A classic, in every sense of the word.

Cary Grant is so charismatic as Dudley, an angel who is sent to the aid of Episcopal Bishop, Henry Brougham, who has been working for months on the plans for an elaborate new cathedral, losing sight of his family and of why he became a churchman in the first place. Everyone loves Dudley, especially the bishop’s wife, but Henry begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, both at work and in his family’s affections, as Christmas approaches. A memorable scene is of Dudley telling a Christmas story to the bishop’s daughter. It is the most natural scene in the film. A bit of wisdom from the cab driver as to the problem with the world today (1947), There are too many people who do not know where they are going but want to get there fast.” Mmmm, that still resonates to this day, I believe.

David Niven also stars in this poignant drama as Uncle Rollo, who finally retires to the house he was brought up in. With thoughts of his lost love, Lark, he does not want to be disturbed in his last days. However, the appearance of his niece and the subsequent romance between her and Lark’s nephew causes him to re-evaluate his life and offer some advice so the young couple don’t make the same mistake he did all those years ago. Enchanting, absolutely enchanting!

Time for a musical break. The main reason I have watched this film is Marlon Brando, who seamlessly and naturally stars as Sky Masterson. Brando and Jean Simmons really shine here. They even do their own singing, and Marlon’s much better than I expected. I found Frank Sinatra stilted and wooden… blasphemy, I know, for me to say that. The story revolves around Nathan Detroit’s floating crap game, which has attracted all the big gamblers, but there’s no where to hold it, and Nathan needs a $1000 quick. Enter Sky Masterson, and the bet he takes on to get the strait-laced Salvation Army girl Sarah Brown to go with him to Havana.

I was seven years old when this wonderful musical was released in Australia, and I still remember going to our local country cinema when it finally arrived. I was introduced to movies at an early age by my older sisters, perhaps too early for some films. My love of film has never waned. In the Oklahoma territory at the turn of the 20th Century, two young cowboys vie with a violent ranch hand and a traveling peddler for the hearts of the women they love. There are some fantastic tunes in this one, but there is a sinister undertone that perhaps wasn’t evident to me on my first viewing, as it was all about the music. It also introduced me to Gloria Grahame, who would become my favourite “bad” girl for years to come.

This film was considered a bit risque back in 1971 in the country town I lived in… and that was the main attraction for most of us, of course. Plus, Glenda Jackson was a role model for young emancipated, independent women… or those on a mission to achieve it. John Schlesinger directs Jackson and Peter Finch in this interesting drama exploring the intricacies of a polyamorous relationship between young artist Bob and his two lovers: a lonely male doctor and a frustrated female office worker. Finch as Dr. Daniel Hirsch is incredibly moving. So much emotion in his performance. See if you can spot Daniel Day-Lewis in his debut as a street vandal.

This one is always on the holiday viewing list. Sofia Coppola won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for this outstanding film. She became the first woman nominated for writing, directing and producing in 2003. Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson star as a faded movie star and a neglected young woman, who form an unlikely bond after crossing paths in Tokyo. Bob is earning a lot of money to film a personal endorsement Suntory whiskey ad solely for the Japanese market. Charlotte is left to her own devices while her husband is on a photographic assignment. After a few chance encounters in the hotel, they end up spending much of their time hanging out together, each helping the other deal with their feelings of loss in their current lives.