The novel I’m currently querying is set in 1941. It’s a young adult mystery wrapped in a love letter to the 1940s, because my parents were teens during that decade. I blame them for my sentimentality. All the movies they raised me on were full of romance. Here’s my totally subjective list of the top five romantic movies of the 1940s, in case you want to indulge in some old-fashioned romance this month.
The Shop around the Corner (1940) Margaret Sullavan and Jimmy Stewart play the enemies-to-lovers trope perfectly.
Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) This is the original that inspired the Heaven Can Wait re-makes. Evelyn Keyes and Robert Montgomery find the right balance of humor and romance.
To Have and Have Not (1944) This is very loosely based on Hemingway’s story. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall practically sizzle on screen!
The Philadelphia Story (1940) Even though a few bits aren’t as funny in contemporary times, the script is still brilliant. Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant are a delightful couple.
Casablanca (1942) This is one of the best movies of all time. If you haven’t seen it, you must ASAP. ‘Nuff said.
Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for over fifty years. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult historical fiction is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.
