The Screen Sirens

Fashion meets empathecalism in gorgeous Paris in "Funny Face," starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire.

The warfront meets the homefront in 1946's "The Best Years of Our Lives."

The lady of the manor has everything, and she gets even more when a handsome rich American trespasses on the private part of an English castle, in "The Grass is Greener."

In 1957's "Designing Woman," Mike and Marilla meet in California, fall in love, and get married -- all within one week. But when they return to NYC, the trouble starts.

Sidney Poitier finds himself up against a persistent Mother Superior in "Lilies of the Field" (1963).

The movie industry is ready for its closeup in "Sunset Boulevard" (1950), starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden.

The movie industry is ready for its closeup in "Sunset Boulevard" (1950), starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden.

Henry and Julia used to be a happy couple -- until Henry got promoted. Now his life is consumed by building a cathedral. He prays for help -- and Dudley appears to give him want he truly wants. That's 1947's "The Bishop's Wife."

Henry and Julia used to be a happy couple -- until Henry got promoted. Now his life is consumed by building a cathedral. He prays for help -- and Dudley appears to give him want he truly wants. That's 1947's "The Bishop's Wife."

Mortimer and Elaine's wedding day takes a dark turn when he discovers his aunts have been poisoning lonely old men in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Add in his long-lost murderous brother and Teddy Roosevelt, and you've got "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Mortimer and Elaine's wedding day takes a dark turn when he discovers his aunts have been poisoning lonely old men in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Add in his long-lost murderous brother and Teddy Roosevelt, and you've got "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Katharine Hepburn dons men's clothing to walk freely in England -- but how free can she be in a patriarchal society? Find out in "Sylvia Scarlett," her first pairing with Cary Grant.

Katharine Hepburn dons men's clothing to walk freely in England -- but how free can she be in a patriarchal society? Find out in "Sylvia Scarlett," her first pairing with Cary Grant.

It's 1944 and a war is raging in Europe, which doesn't feel very far away in Martinique, where Bogart and Bacall meet in a cafe that harbors resistance fighters. She's a beautiful drifter, he's freelance boat captain; they're both about choose sides in this game of love and war.

It's 1944 and a war is raging in Europe, which doesn't feel very far away in Martinique, where Bogart and Bacall meet in a cafe that harbors resistance fighters. She's a beautiful drifter, he's freelance boat captain; they're both about choose sides in this game of love and war.

Katharine Hepburn heads to Venice in "Summertime," a meditation on love in a watery city that reflects her character's weepy POV faced with compromising her morals or finally finding love.

Katharine Hepburn heads to Venice in "Summertime," a meditation on love in a watery city that reflects her character's weepy POV faced with compromising her morals or finally finding love.

Susan and Sharon are strangers who meet at summer camp - only to discover they are twins who were separated when their parents divorced years ago. Determined to bring their family together again, the girls hatch some cross-country hi-jinx.

Susan and Sharon are strangers who meet at summer camp - only to discover they are twins who were separated when their parents divorced years ago. Determined to bring their family together again, the girls hatch some cross-country hi-jinx.

What happens when your heist is thwarted by romance? In "The Lady Eve" Barbara Stanwyck falls for Henry Fonda, and he's smitten - until he discovers she's a card shark out for his money.

Two men take their chances on the run from the chain gang and find there's more binding them together than the physical chain connecting them in 1958's "The Defiant Ones," starring Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier.

Boy meets girl... but boy is a New York butcher from an Italian family that has high hopes for his future wife. That's the predicament of the title character in the gentle movie, "Marty" (1955).

Pick up the phone and call the party (line): we're headed to New York, where it's easy to be charmed by millionaires, ranchers, and interior designers. Get cozy with Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Thelma Ritter and Tony Randall in "Pillow Talk" (1959).

In this month's episode we frolic in the Connecticut woods with Katharine Heburn, Cary Grant, and a leopard (or two), all in the name of funding for museums. Catch "Bringing Up Baby" (1938) by its tail.

Here's a real recipe for holiday hijinx: toss in a little lie, mix in some men who always get what they want, add a strong hint of winter romance, sprinkle in some random babies, and flip! Celebrate "Christmas in Connecticut" (1945)with Barbara Stanwyck, Sidney Greenstreet and S. K. Sakall.