7 Underrated Love Stories in Classic Films That Are Impossible to Forget
There are so many iconic onscreen romances in classic movies that some true gems often fall through the cracks
In a classic-film-loving world, filled with so many legendary romances and iconic love scenes, it is easy to keep referring to the same onscreen stories, over and over again. From doomed encounters to passion-filled relationships, from Casablanca to Splendor in the Grass, we can often overlook some real gems that normally fall through the cinematic cracks.
In this post, I'm taking you on a journey to shine a light on those other classic film romances that deserve to be brought up more frequently. Think you've seen them all? Think again. There’s always time to find love and, similarly in films, it is never too late to discover a romantic story from decades ago that still rings true today.
It is an absolute pleasure for me to discuss some of my favorite stories behind classics like The General (1926), The Petrified Forest (1936), or A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958). It's time to celebrate the underrated romances that have stood the test of time but haven't always gotten their due. So let's fall in love with these seven gorgeous film treasures, one love story at a time.
1/7. The General (1926)
Love can sometimes be like an obstinate machine and few people know that better than Buster Keaton in The General (1926). An emblematic and highly influential film, it is not often praised enough for its all-encompassing love story since the action and splendid visual gags rightly capitalize this amazing film. In The General, set against the backdrop of the U.S. Civil War, Johnnie Gray, played by Keaton, represents the underdog who will prove his worthiness to his loved one, played by Marion Mack, while trying to save his beloved locomotive and to help the Confederate Army.
In a world full of chaos and moving obstacles, this couple must work as a team to overcome all of them, conquering preexisting notions of themselves in order to become their best possible versions. Even though it is not overtly emphasized, love is behind every action. That is the kind of romantic story shown in The General and one that Keaton would often return to, both in long and short features. There are many of his creations that reflect such stance on love, like as those with Sybil Seely in One Week (1920) or with Kathryn McGuire in The Navigator (1922), but also features such as Three Ages (1923) or the beautiful The Cameraman (1928), open the scope for a more tongue-in-cheek and touching depictions of romance. As much as I adore Buster Keaton films, my ultimate tale of love and triumph amidst adversity resides in The General, as a testament of his contemporary view on love and relationships.
2/7. Lucky Star (1929)
Another kind of love but equally as charming and empowering is the one presented by Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor in Lucky Star (1929). Once one of the most sought-after on-screen romantic duos of the silent and early talkies era, Farrell and Gaynor went on to star in twelve films together! Theirs was a connection that made audiences swoon, starting with 7th Heaven (1927) and Street Angel (1928), the irresistible allure of their on-screen chemistry, coupled with their naturalistic performances, transformed their portrayal of love into an utterly mesmerizing phenomenon.
Lucky Star, directed by the legendary Frank Borzage, presents love as a timeless fairy tale unfolding amidst the harsh realities of post-World War I America. The story of Mary Tucker and Timothy Osborn is rooted in innocence and the nobility of their feelings, transcending physical limitations and exterior societal barriers to showcase the healing and transformational power of love, both for the body and the soul. A hopeful uncomplicated story that Borzage’s mastery elevates with visual fineness and emotional punch. It is one of those lovely pure stories that stay with you once the screen has turned to black. There is one particular hair-washing scene that exists in Lucky Star so that the one in Out of Africa (1985) could run. Gaynor and Farrell are absolutely beautiful, sweet and funny. My favorite of their pairings and one that I highly recommend if haven’t seen already.
3/7. The Petrified Forest (1936)
There is also lyricism and harsh circumstances surrounding the budding romance of ‘Gabby’ Gabrielle Maple and Alan Squier, the characters played by Bette Davis and Leslie Howard in The Petrified Forest (1936). This film is also not frequently mentioned in terms of great cinematic love stories but, for me, there is something really authentic about the way these two characters connect on a more profound level, basically in the middle of nowhere. I love Bette and Leslie’s genuine performances here while they both manage to transform each other through love, longing and understanding. In some instances, a fleeting encounter or a momentary connection can carry more depth and significance than years of sustained interaction. The brevity of such encounters often holds the power to leave an indelible mark, shaping our perspectives and influencing our paths in ways that endure far beyond their initial duration. This is precisely the kind of love story that this film presents, showing how even the most desolate souls can find reciprocity in the unlikeliest of places.
Set in a remote diner in the Arizona desert during the Great Depression, the film brilliantly intertwines this romance with a crime drama, involving the escape of the fugitive gangster Duke Mantee, played by Humphrey Bogart, in his breakthrough film role. It is also one of those circumstances in which a group of people is brought together and each one discovers something about themselves through the process. It is riveting and fabulous, enhanced by the cinematography of Sol Polito. This is my favorite star-crossed film romance and I often recommend it to book lovers as well.
Watch The Petrified Forest here
4/7. The Strawberry Blonde (1941)
In The Strawberry Blonde, Olivia de Havilland and James Cagney breathe truth and charm into a love story that, unlike the ones I have previously discussed, builds slowly as the film progresses. It is one based on domesticity and unlikely love interests and, in my opinion, one that, despite its appearance, holds a lot of truth.
Directed by Raoul Walsh, it also stars Rita Hayworth and Jack Carson, and it is told as a long flashback in which Cagney’s character Biff Grimes, reminisces about the time he fell in love with the popular Virginia Brush, played by Rita. Along the journey, he meets Amy Lind, an outspoken nurse in favor of women’s rights. Olivia is perfectly funny and sassy, shocking Biff in their first encounter. This is a female character that I adore, even though I wish she had even more significance in the film. These two seemingly contrasting characters end up together but this is not a story of how two opposites attract, but rather of how sometimes it takes time to grow and for us to identify. Walsh reportedly said that this was his favorite film of his and I can easily understand why. He also directed Olivia and Errol Flynn in my favorite love story of theirs in They Died With Their Boots On, also released in 1941. Historically inaccurate but, romantically, the most authentic depiction of Errol and Olivia’s real love. In terms of The Strawberry Blonde, it is the perfect film for those who know that true love is worth the wait and that there is still hope even for the obtuse.
Watch The Strawberry Blonde original trailer here
5/7. The Enchanted Cottage (1945)
Another film romance that particularly speaks to me but that I don’t see referenced quite enough is the one in The Enchanted Cottage (1945). It is an otherworldly tale that follows the journey of Laura Pennington and Oliver Bradford, played by Dorothy McGuire and Robert Young. Laura is a rather plain-looking girl, and the maid of this rather magical cottage that Oliver, now a disfigured World War II veteran, previously rented for a honeymoon stay with his former fiancée. As they spend time together, these two wounded souls and also unlikely companions, find solace and love in each other. As they do that, they begin to see themselves as wonderfully beautiful people. Has the cottage truly cast a spell on them? Or is it love they share, the real source of their new-found mutual appreciation?
Accompanied by a fantastic group of supporting players like Herbert Marshall, Mildred Natwick or Spring Byington, Dorothy and Robert present us with some of their most gentle, understated yet sensational romances. They have natural chemistry together and specially, Dorothy, captures the essence of her character with a riveting soulful and subtle portrayal. She truly should be more recognized today and The Enchanted Cottage should still resonate with new audiences for its beautiful and timeless message. The only objection one can have is the whole appearance matter in the film, not hideous from today’s perspective, but by old Hollywood’s perfection-driven beauty standards. Still, one can perfectly understand their conflict and the pain of rejection. One more tale of the transformational power of love but also of the power of kindness and acceptance. I can’t think of a better example of an underrated film love story than the one in The Enchanted Cottage.
Watch The Enchanted Cottage original trailer here
6/7. The Clock (1945)
Also released in 1945, The Clock is another unique and understated story that tends to also fall through the cracks when it comes to recommending classic film romances. The Clock is a wartime romantic tale of serendipitous encounters on a 48-hour leave in New York. It starred Judy Garland and Robert Walker, both under contract at MGM and it was directed by Vincente Minnelli, fresh from the success of Meet Me in St. Louis (1944). The Clock was also Garland’s first non-musical role, as she personally chose this story by Pauline and Paul Gallico.
The film focuses on Alice Mayberry, played by Judy, and a soldier named Joe Allen, portrayed by Robert, during World War II. It begins when Joe, on a brief leave from the army, meets Alice at the Pennsylvania Station. Despite being total strangers, they are drawn to each other instantly and spend the day together exploring the city. As their connection deepens, they find themselves falling madly in love. However, Joe’s impending departure, threatens to separate them indefinitely. The film strongly benefits from the protagonists’ touching and seemingly spontaneous performances but also from Minnelli’s delicate eye and sentiment. It is a subtle story that sneaks up on you as it unfolds, similarly to what you experience when you watch a beautifully poignant film like Before Sunrise (1995). There is also something almost magical about The Clock,by capturing the essence of feeling and connection in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, both in an romanticized and in a genuine way. It is because of movies like The Clock that we get to believe that fate plays a big part in life and no matter what happens, nothing can keep the lovers apart.
Watch The Clock original trailer here
7/7. A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958)
Another wartime drama with a poignant love story is A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958), based upon a novel by Erich Maria Remarque and directed by Douglas Sirk. In fact love is such a strong presence in this film that it even changed the name of its source material. Originally titled Zeit zu leben und Zeit zu sterben, or in English “Time to live and time to die”, Sirk felt that at its core, it had to be mainly a love story. Dealing, in his words with “the terrible incongruity of killing and young love.” Therefore, the film’s title was modified to change ‘live’ for ‘love’ and eventually, so did the novel with Remarque’s blessing.
I have been meaning to write about this film for a very long time, as it is one of Sirk’s most personal stories but I will get into that in future posts. Coincidentally, it also has to do with an officer finding love while on a short-term leave during WWII but from the opposite perspective, in this case, a German soldier called Ernst Graeber and played by John Gavin. At the beginning of the movie, he is granted a brief furlough to visit his family in Nazi Germany, where, amidst destruction and devastation, he reconnects with with Elizabeth Kruse, played by Liselotte ‘Lilo’ Pulver, a childhood friend and neighbor. In this harrowing context, the two characters are pulled towards one another. Strangely, even though, the film’s main focus is not to portray the chaos of war, it is precisely its juxtaposition with the innocence of the protagonists love and aspirations that provides a more realistic and truthful experience of its destruction than many films expressly made to do that. Your heart goes out these characters, beautifully played by Pulver and Gavin. The mood in this film is quiet and intimate, far away from Sirk’s most lavish melodramas but it is just as compelling and as effective in showcasing human contradictions but also capacity for love in extreme circumstances.
Watch A Time to Love and a Time to Die original trailer here
🎬 Once again, I hope you enjoyed this selection of films whose love stories I was never able to forget and that I believe deserve more attention. Don’t forget also that you can also find me through my YouTube channel, for more discussions on classic films.
Are there other classic film love stories that completely that you feel are overlooked? Share them in the comments, I would love to know!
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Wishing everyone a great Valentine’s day, if you celebrate!
Much love,
Miriam
Great recommendations, Miriam! I second The Strawberry Blonde and The Clock. I watched the former at TCMFF last year, and it was delightful!