Why do we love movies?
What secret self does the celluloid embrace and make safe? We all have our favorite films, actors and actresses; the stuff our dreams are made of. And lodged between the opening and closing credits are the unforgettable moments that speak to us as if they have read our hearts and minds and souls.
And so, fellow movie lovers, in the spirit of sharing I lay bare my heart and list 10 of my favorite scenes. Roll 'em!
10. Wuthering Heights - Oh look, Cathy, they're praying.
Olivier looks like a Byronic hero - black hair, alabaster skin and broken heart. My heart broke for him, too.
9. The Producers - Springtime for Hitler.
Mel Brooks - tasteless, vulgar and hilarious. Laughter is the best medicine and Dr. Mel is the head healer!
8. Notorious - Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman and oh, that kiss.
Cary Grant is my dream man and, yes, I have mentally bumped Ingrid out of the scene and replaced her with me!
7. Sunset Boulevard - Norma is ready for her close-up.
The great Norma Desmond, the greatest star of them all, has long been my muse (hence the name of the blog). If her love of the make-believe of movies makes her crazy, well... call me nuts.
6. Sherlock, Jr. - Buster enters the movies. Oh, the wonder of Buster. I could have easily filled all 10 slots with moments from Keaton's films, but this one speaks to the dream of cinema that lured our Buster and makes him dear to the hearts of all movie lovers. 5. Singin' in the Rain - Puddles of Joy. My heart swells and it fills me with pure joy. Each and every time. Period. 4. The Apartment - Billy & Jack Forever. Billy Wilder can do no wrong in my book, and neither can Jack Lemmon. He plays this scene beautifully (as does Shirley) and the little catch in his voice when he answers the phone makes me gasp every time. 3. Cinema Paradiso - The Magic of a Kiss. Love movies? Then you, too, are a true romantic. 2. City Lights - From Tramp to Suitor. Although that last scene from "City Lights" is gut-wrenching, this is so seamless, so perfect, and so worthy of the word "genius." In just a few motions, so much changes; in just one moment, so much romance. 1. Hannah and Her Sisters - Woody, a Tumor and the Marx Brothers. Exactly. If the world has the Marx Brothers (or Cary Grant, or Ann Dvorak or James Cagney - you fill in the blank), then this is a world worth living in.
So, there you have 10 of my most favorite scenes. Of course, there are scads more and additional posts may be required. 
And may I ask you to share those movie moments that make your list of all-time favorites?
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