12 Great DVDs for Holiday Gifting

Christmas is almost upon us. Gifts must be bought and wrapped and given. So, since we gays love our movies, here are 12 fantastic films that should end up in your special someone's stocking. From classic to camp and listed in order of release (age before beauty, you understand) there's something here for every kind of gay. Give anyone on your list one or more of these gems and you will not only get "a basket of kisses" but also "a basket of hugs!"

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

There is no better movie to watch at Christmas than this great Judy Garland musical about life in St. Louis at the turn of the century. The songs are classics, like "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and the cast is just about perfect. Garland is wonderful, whole both Mary Astor as her mother and Lucille Bremer as her sister sparkle. But it is little Margaret O'Brien who steals the film as Tootie.

Director Vincente Minnelli never made a better film, and the DVD has plenty of extras.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notorious (1946)

If you love Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant and director Alfred Hitchcock then you need this thriller in your collection. I think it is Hitchcock's best film, and Bergman was never more gorgeous or seductive as the promiscuous and drunken Alicia Huberman who goes to Rio to uncover Nazis. With a jealous Grant encouraging her, she takes up with head Nazi, played by Claude Rains. Rains is brilliant, was Oscar nominated and should have won. Plus, Ingrid Bergman in her glorious Edith Head gowns is so totally gorgeous that you will be spellbound! (Which, incidentally, was the name of another Hitchcock/Bergman hit!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gun Crazy (1949)

 

You haven't hear of this great Film Noir classic? This unique take on the Bonnie and Clyde legend is probably the greatest B film ever made. Starring the gorgeous Peggy Cummins and gay actor John Dall (from Hitchcock's Rope), you won't find a better acted or directed noir film. The bank robbery scene and escape, all shot in one long, delirious take without is considered one of the greatest in film history.

Cummins also gives the performance of her career. When she takes on her boss who has been complaining about her wearing slacks to work, you will find yourself cheering. This is a gem you need to see.

 

 

A Star Is Born (1954)

Judy Garland's greatest performance.

What more can you say than that? How about gay director George Cukor's finest film. Or that Judy sings and emotes in the greatest Garland tradition. And what gay can hear "The Man That Got Away" and not tear up for any number of reasons? Judy's dressing room breakdown scene is her finest dramatic moment on film. At age 34 her voice was never better and she proved once and for all that she was a sublime actress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bad Seed (1956)

This film about a 12-year-old murderess has to be seen to be believed. Everyone in the movie had been in the Broadway play and director Mervyn LeRoy lets them yell and overact as if they were still on stage. Everyone in it is awful, but in such a grand way that the film is totally hilarious. My favorite scene is when Mom, played by Nancy Kelly, notices her father's glass is empty and squeals, "Daddy I am so sorry!" and rushes to refill it. By the size of the glass, Daddy is one epic alcoholic.

Eileen Heckart was Oscar nominated for her hysterically over-done role as the mother of poor little Claude Daigle. You will get "a basket of kisses" if you give this DVD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auntie Mame (1958)

This classic Rosalind Russell comedy is probably in every gay's top 10—and it should be; it's even shown every December at the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles. Not only is the film campy and funny but it is a true time capsule for Rosalind Russell's brilliance. She is a force of nature and both her comedic and dramatic scenes showcase a great actress at her very peak. Roz was Oscar nominated and many think she should have won. Auntie Mame is ageless and there are enough quotable lines to get you through any holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Like It Hot (1958)

This great Billy Wilder classic is probably the funniest mainstream comedy ever made in the United States. With Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis going in drag to avoid the mob, the film careens from one hysterical scene to another. Toss in luscious Marilyn Monroe as Sugar, and you have a truly hilarious comedy romp that is just about perfect.

Funny, sweet, and with a fantastic last line you won't forget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Last Picture Show (1971)

For those true cinema buffs among us, you can't find a finer Peter Bogdanovich film than this one. About a dying Texas town in 1951 and the teenagers who live there, this drama was amazingly filmed in black and white. It's based on the Larry McMurtry book, and was the beginning for stars Jeff Bridges and Cybil Shepherd, and verterans Cloris Leachman and Ben Johnson both won supporting Oscars.

But the gem in this cast is sexy Timothy Bottoms, who is unbelievably moving and just about the cutest boy in Texas. Truly one of the 1970's greatest films.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabaret (1972)

This great Bob Fosse musical starring Liza Minnelli is just about the most perfect Broadway to Hollywood film ever made. Framing the rise of the Nazis in 1930's Berlin allows Fosse to showcase Liza as no movie before or sense. She justly won an Oscar as did Joel Grey as the sleazy nightclub host. Michael York rounds out the cast as a sexy bisexual and he looks adorable in his 30s finery. And model Marisa Berenson is wonderful as the German Jewish girl. Liza and Michael are both having sex with the dishy Helmut Griem. When he sends a farewell note addressing Dear Sally and Brian, Minnelli wickedly states: "Please note that order." This is a great film. I don't think there is a single false moment in the entire film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xanadu (1980)

This flop Olivia Newton John film is one of the most enjoyable bad movies in history. You will love the music from Olivia and ELO and Gene Kelly shows up to teach our star how to dance. The final production number that seemingly goes on forever must be the reason the word camp was invented. And if you want to see the worst leading man in film history check out Michael Beck as Sonny. This star of The Warriors gives wooden acting new meaning. Bottom line: Xanadu is really fun. You should try watching it with Lost Horizon, the horrendous 1973 musical (Warner Archive only) that is probably the worst musical ever made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ghost Writer (2010)

This Roman Polanski thriller was the best movie made last year. With a great cast that includes Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor, Polanski made an exciting and taut film that will totally captivate the serious movie fan on your list. Every scene and camera angle is perfect, and the final minutes rival anything that Hitchcock ever created. A lot of people did not see this great film when it was released early in 2010; this is your chance now to see it— a wonderful mystery directed by a master.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginners (2011)

This charming film about a father (Christopher Plummer) who comes out at age 75, has just been released on DVD. Co-starring sexy Ewan McGregor and gorgeous Melanie Laurent (Inglorious Basterds) this film is a true delight. Plummer is wonderful as the aging man who steps very late into the gay dating scene. I predict he will win the Best Supporting Oscar. And did I mention that there is a dog in the film who speaks with subtitles? Sounds corny, but it works. This film is truly one of the year's biggest pleasures.