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The movies of the 1940s! I guess I enjoy this period in film history best of all. We survived the Depression, WW1, only to find ourselves in another war, a most heinous one at that. Yet during the 40s what we needed was strength and humor and our films reflected both of those needs.

During the 40s women were depicted as powerful people, not to be ignored or forgotten. Their strength and humor stands out the most for me and I happily list these fine actresses in their films.

1. The first woman I thought of was Claudette Colbert in "Since You Went Away". She represented many women who waited at home and did their part to keep sane and keep the family in tact while her husband was at war. When she runs up the steps at the end of the film to shout that "Pop is coming home" I sit and cry...over and over again.

2. Barbara Stanwyck is a fine actress capable of all types of roles, however, she is outstanding in the two humorous films, "The Lady Eve" and "Ball of Fire". In both films the men have no choice but to succumb to her charms. In "The Lady Eve" poor Henry Fonda has no clue who he really married!" And in "Ball of Fire", when Barbara Stanwyck takes off her coat and reveals her glistening outfit...the look on Gary Cooper's face is priceless. What does he do now? He tries to cover her up...super!

3. Ginger Rogers danced into our hearts with Fred Astaire, but it was in the film "Kitty Foyle" that I felt her strength. When she loses her baby, the many expressions on her face are all that you need to see to understand what she is feeling. Wonderful movie.

4. I can see "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" once a week just to see how Dorothy McGuire changes from the beginning of the film to the end. She so loved her husband played beautifully by James Dunne, but did not understand him till after his death. When her daughter hands her the graduation flowers bought for her by her dad before he died, the silent moment as Dorothy looks at her daughter was intense.

5. Irene Dunne in "I Remember Mama",and "The White Cliffs of Dover",presents two totally different women, and all so memorable. These films dealt with death, poverty and war, and she is valiant as she survives.

6. Kathryn Hepburn is truly an American legend. In the films before, during and after the 1940's she projects women who remain with us always. Her character in "The Philadelphia Story" and in "Pat and Mike" are my favorites. Opposite Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Spencer Tracy, she shone!

7. Bette Davis projected such power,such determination in "Dark Victory", "Now, Voyager" and "Watch on the Rhine". Her closing scene with Paul Henreid in "Now, Voyager" is a classic....they light two cigarettes, one for each of them...and vow not to ask for the moon since they have the stars. Oh, what a moment!

8. Ingrid Bergman is stunning in "Casablanca", how I wanted her to remain with Humphrey Bogart...but that would not work. In the movie"The Bells of St Mary", her face softens and she becomes a spiritual nun...yet a baseball player too.

9. Greer Garson is so outstanding in "Mrs. Miniver". Her character has so many emotions to display. The most heartfelt one for me was when she held her daughter-in-law's body after she was shot. You could feel her aching heart.

10. I could continue on for pages and pages, however, I would like to list the names of women who have left wonderful memories for me from their films. Perhaps when you read their names, you will remember their artistry.

Elizabeth Taylor

Shirley Temple

Judy Garland

Jean Arthur

Margaret Sullaven

Deborah Kerr

Rosalind Russell

and

Donna Reed

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