During World War Two: 1946 Movie Recs (And a Short Watchlist)

OK, this might seem kinda like cheating because the war ended in 1945, but a lot of the films on this list were in production while the war was still going on, so they count. Obviously, this rec list is a lot shorter than past years, but this post has something those other lists haven’t had so far: A bonafide wishlist.

Seriously. 1946 was a crazy year in the film industry. Lots of movies about travel. Lots of music. Lots of hopefulness. Lots of movies about people finding new and better situations in life, or making peace with old ones.

So here we go, and as in past recs lists, click on the highlighted titles for full reviews…

The Harvey Girls (January 18)

After wartime travel restrictions, it must have felt liberating to think about hopping on a train or a plane to make a new start or just see something new. A movie that starts out with a paen to the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe railroad and launches into the rivalry between the old and rollicking (saloon girls) and the new and elegant (Harvey girls) must have hit the spot, and for that matter, it still does.

Ziegfeld Follies (April 8)

This is, to my mind, the big “WAR IS OVER” movie because it’s lavish in every way. Lots of costumes, everything dripping with sparkles and fringe, sultry catwomen, beautiful women everywhere, and during the finale, lots and lots of soap bubbles. MGM pulled out alllllllll the stops here, so many that the original was over four hours long. It also seemed to usher in a newer, brassier MGM while bidding goodbye to the pre-war world. “One last show,” Florenz Ziegfeld says from his plush bedroom in heaven.

Gilda (April 25)

Ah yes, Gilda and her flippy hair. This is one of those movies that should be experienced and not spoiled.

The Postman Always Rings Twice (May 9)

A drifter has a torrid affair with the wife of a diner owner and things get complicated. Oh yeah, edge was a thing. This movie was toned down from the original novel, which got pretty explicit, but still pretty racy and dangerous, with great performances by Lana Turner and John Garfield.

Till the End of Time (July 23)

An underrated exploration of soldiers finding new purpose after coming back from the war. It’s not slick and pretty like a star vehicle, and it goes for the jugular. A great cast featuring Dorothy MacGuire, Guy Madison, and Robert Mitchum.

Night And Day (August 3)

A fun and sparkly biopic of Cole Porter starring Cary Grant, Alexis Smith, Monty Wooley, Jane Wyman and Ginny Simms, with able support provided by Mary Martin and the ever-delightful Eve Arden. Yeah, it’s fictionalized, but dangit, how often do we get to see Eve Arden sing with a French accent?

The Big Sleep (August 31)

Bacall and Bogie. Few screen teams have chemistry like these two did. Sparks everywhere.

Nobody Lives Forever (November 1)

A soldier comes back from the war and figures he’ll bilk some unsuspecting rich person out of oodles of money. It’s a great plan until he falls in love. Another great performance by John Garfield and for some reason, lots of strapless dresses.

It’s A Wonderful Life (December 24)

This is a must for anyone’s postwar rec list, even if it’s a well-loved movie. Those who went to war were not the same when they came back, and while James Stewart was still James Stewart and Frank Capra was still Frank Capra, this movie showed their darker and more jaded sides.

The Best Years Of Our Lives (December 25)

This is another one that HAS to be on any World War Two rec list just because it’s such a wonderful look at the experiences of three very different men as they try to pick up where they left off after returning home. It’s also fitting that it was directed by William Wyler, himself a veteran of the Signal Corps.

1946 Wishlist

I’m not sure how I’ll be able to see most of these, because most of them aren’t available anywhere. Here’s hoping, though. All right, here we go…

Doll Face (March 27)

I want to see this movie because it stars Vivian Blaine. And Carmen Miranda. That’s pretty much it.

The Well Groomed Bride (May 17)

Involves a married couple and the last bottle of wine in San Francisco. Who else is hooked?

In Old Sacramento (May 31)

Does the movie get Old Sacramento right? That is, indeed, the first million dollar question. The other one is, “What is the Lone Ranger doing in the movie?”

Cluny Brown (June 2)

I don’t know much about this movie, but the clips look good.

A Night In Casablanca (August 10)

Anyone know if this movie is a spoof or a sequel of the Bogart and Bergman leviathan? I’m almost afraid to find out.

Holiday In Mexico (August 15)

There’s a deleted scene from this movie that I really like, so it would be nice to see the whole movie someday.

If I’m Lucky (September 2)

The thing I keep hearing about this movie (and Doll Face) is that it was a bad idea to put Carmen Miranda in a black and white, but I’d like to see for myself.

It’s Great To Be Young (September 12)

Returning GI’s try to make it big in the music business. Or so IMDb says.

Three Little Girls In Blue (September 25)

Basically a remake of Moon Over Miami, but apparently not done very well. Hope it’s better than My Blue Heaven, though.

The Locket (December 20)

A lot of my fellow bloggers like this movie, so I’m definitely intrigued,

What are some of your favorite films from 1 946? Leave a comment below! Thanks for reading, all, and I hope to see you on Friday for the Titanic In Pop Culture Blogathon…

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The Harvey Girls (DVD and Blu-ray), Doll Face (DVD and Tubi), Ziegfeld Follies (DVD and Blu-ray), Gilda (DVD, Blu-ray, and Tubi), The Postman Always Rings Twice (DVD, Blu-ray and Tubi), Till the End of Time (DVD), Night and Day (DVD), The Big Sleep (DVD and Blu-ray), Nobody Lives Forever (DVD), It’s A Wonderful Life (DVD, Blu-ray and streaming), The Best Years Of Our Lives (DVD, Blu-ray and streaming), Cluny Brown (DVD and Blu-ray), A Night In Casablanca (DVD, Blu-ray, Prime, Tubi, Roku, and Pluto), Holiday In Mexico (DVD), If I’m Lucky (DVD), and The Locket (DVD) are available to own from Amazon.

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