Upbeat Period Films

[happyfilmluvguy]

All too often do I see dramatic films set in the past, but occasionally one comes along that is comedic or at least more upbeat. "A League of Our Own" is upbeat throughout the film as is The Sandlot, both set in the past. More recently "Talk To Me", which is set in the 1970s is upbeat to a point.

So what are some period films that are more upbeat?

 

[Feraud]

The Imposters.

 

[CharlieH.]

I can think of Lost In Yonkers, Swing Kids (a little depressing maybe, but... that music!), Zelig, Love And Death, Purple Rose Of Cairo (heck pretty much all of Woody's period numbers), Pleasantville, the Indiana Jones films and 1941(yowsah!).

 

[Doh!]

My Favorite Year

http://imdb.com/title/tt0084370/

"I'm not an actor! I'm a movie star!!"

 

[Quigley Brown]

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005) will get you smiling.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

All I can say is - Casablanca!

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

Man on the Moon is upbeat.

 

[dostacos]

wouldn't most of the comedies fill that bill? if so I nominate all the thin man movies:eusa_clap

 

[Quigley Brown]

I'm thinking 'period' films are those made at that current time, but set in the past (maybe the future?). So 'Casablanca' wouldn't qualify since it was made during WWII and set during WWII.

 

[LizzieMaine]

"Hairspray," in both the 1988 original and the current musical versions. Either one is a genuine hoot.

 

[Ed Bass]

"Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"
gets my vote.
Excellent period piece. Great costumes, props, story, dialogue, soundtrack, etc.

Best, Toots

 

[imoldfashioned]

I really enjoyed Radio Days--it's sweetly sad at points but overall I think it has a nice affectionate feel for the period. Kenneth Mars as Rabbi Baumel always makes me howl "I'll show you a faithful Indian companion!". The cameo by Diane Keaton singing "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" is great too, she does a very nice job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmZl4eo3Vsg

 

[sweetfrancaise]

I really enjoyed Radio Days--it's sweetly sad at points but overall I think it has a nice affectionate feel for the period. Kenneth Mars as Rabbi Baumel always makes me howl "I'll show you a faithful Indian companion!". The cameo by Diane Keaton singing "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" is great too, she does a very nice job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmZl4eo3Vsg

Aw, I love that movie!

Swing Shift is a good one too.

 

[ShortClara]

My favorite movie of all time is "A Room with a View" and it's just wonderful and upbeat! Plus - naked men. Need I say more?

 

[imoldfashioned]

My favorite movie of all time is "A Room with a View" and it's just wonderful and upbeat! Plus - naked men. Need I say more?

My (then) teenaged friends and I saw that so many times in the theater when it came out--it was like the "Titanic" of 1986. All of us girls wanted Lucy's hair and the clothes in it are to die for. I always thought her brother Freddy played by Rupert Graves was the cutest guy in that film--Julian Sands leaves me cold. I still have the movie poster.

A great film for quotes too--

"I never travel without a macintosh square; one never knows when one will be called to sit upon damp ground or cold marble"

"You had an adventure there, feign to deny it!"

Remarking on a Giotto masterpiece; "Look at that great fat man there, he's floating up like an air balloon!"

"Remember the facts about this church of Santa Croce; how it was built by faith in the full fervour of medievalism."
"Built by faith indeed! That simply means the workers weren't paid properly."

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

I'm thinking 'period' films are those made at that current time, but set in the past (maybe the future?). So 'Casablanca' wouldn't qualify since it was made during WWII and set during WWII.

Exactly. A period film is one set in a particular period in the past and I believe the future as well. But then again, there were period films made during WWII.

Mel Brooks' History of the World anyone?

 

[ShortClara]

"Mother doesn't like me playing Beethoven. She says I'm always peevish afterwards. "

 

[imoldfashioned]

"Mother doesn't like me playing Beethoven. She says I'm always peevish afterwards. "

"I can see how one might be... stirred up." Ah, Mr. Beebe!

I love the killer line at the end too;
Lucy: "I have to go. They trust me!"
Mr. Emerson: "Why should they, when you deceived everyone, including yourself?"

 

[ShortClara]

Lucy: "I have to go. They trust me!"
Mr. Emerson: "Why should they, when you deceived everyone, including yourself?"

 

[sweetfrancaise]

Brilliant film, A Room with a View!* Anything by Merchant-Ivory is gorgeous (but not necessarily upbeat!). Have any of you seen Enchanted April? Hard to find, but worth the search!

*By the way, they're in post-production of a remake of it, starring Timothy and Rafe Spall, Elizabeth McGovern, and Sinéad Cusack. Could be wonderful...!

Edited to say "McGovern" instead of Montgomery--oops!)