The greatest tear-jerk movies of all time?

August 17, 2002 | self / vanity

[The Other Harry]

In a completely unrelated thread, I recently got into a brief discussion with someone about tear-jerk movies.

I'm an absolute sucker for animal movies myself. _Where the Red Fern Grows_, Homeward Bound_ etc. Someone recommended _The Dog from Flanders_, but I'm not sure I could stand to watch it.

Anyway, my daughter's 22nd b'day is coming up. She has an intereset in film, and I've been thinking about getting her a selection of tear-jerk movies. Last year I got her a Leatherman, so this would seem to offset. Send her a box of those along with some Kleenex.

Any suggestions?

[Sungirl]

Here's a good animal movie that'll bring tears to your eyes:

WHITE FANG

Jack London's classic adventure story about the friendship developed between a Yukon gold hunter and the mixed dog-wolf he rescues from the hands of a man who mistreats him.

[MagnoliaMS]

Oh, you are so correct. After reading your reply, I had to look it up on the internet, and was I ever confused!! I knew my memory was failing, but I didn't know it was THAT bad yet. LOL. I THOUGHT Mahalia Jackson actually played the mother in the film. And the name of Susan Kohner did not ring a bell at all.... I thought it was someone named Susan something-or-other, but couldn't think of the last name. Thanks for straightening me out. As many times as I've seen this movie, you'd think I would know better.

[still lurking]

Thank you

[andysandmikesmom]

You are both most welcome...

The first time I saw that movie, I just cried and cried, at that fancy funeral procession, and Mahalia Jackson singing in the great way only she could, just made the tears run all the more...

It seems to me, I was just a kid, when I saw that movie for the first time, but it did make a life long impression on me...

[nopardons]

I'll be on the lookout for that one ! Many tnanks for the suggestion. :-)

I adore OLD movies, but seem to have missed this one. Many of the movies, from the '30s and '40s are fantastic. Have you seen " THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE " ? A love story , which is a four hanky job.

[nopardons]

The original one ... YES ; the remake, with Sandra Dee, et al ... absolutely NOT ! If you like the movie , read the book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

[Moonmad27]

An Affair to Remember would be THE suggestion. Thinking of others that have made me bring out the kleenex: Casablanca, particularly the part where everyone in the club starts singing the French national anthem. Mrs. Miniver. Ditto to the Now Voyager suggestion (Paul Henreid - mmmmm!).

[MozartLover]

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.

Boys' Town.

How Green Was My Valley.

Titanic (the original, not the Leo Di Caprio soap opera version.)

A Charlie Brown Christmas. Okay, technically not a movie, but I still get choked up every time Linus steps out on that stage, asked for the lights to be dimmed, and launches into St. Luke's version of the Christmas story.:)

[Savage Beast]

The three greatest tear-jerk movies ever made are (1) The Yearling, (2) Dumbo, and (3) Bambi.

[Savage Beast]

(4) Boys Town, (5) Rudy, (6) The Human Comedy, (7) A Place in the Sun.

[Savage Beast]

P.S. (I know this is off the subject, but) don't read The Human Comedy by William Saroyan unless you've got a crate or two of Kleenex on hand.

[computerjunkie]

I see it's been mentioned...and purchased already(!)...but my vote is for "Imitation of Life." I remember when I was a kid, my cousin and I watched it and literally sobbed when it was over. Had the chance to see it again recently, and did the same! Brings back memories!!

[The Other Harry]

Do you remember a movie made in the 60's called "A Man and A Woman"?

You know, this is apparently only available in VHS. Worse yet, they dubbed it into English.

The dialogue was never important in the first place. You didn't even need to read the subtitles.

The sound of the French language being spoken was *very* important, however. It was part of the romance.

I don't know how "they" can be so stupid.

Continuing on, I'm rather surprised that nobaody has come up with _The Journey of Natty Gann_ yet. As with _Penny Serenade_, that's another movie that apparently got badly damaged when it was converted to DVD. The original was absolutely wonderful. One of my all-time favorites.

[goodieD]

Flowers for Algernon, Brian's Song, (both the originals, not the icky remakes), Love Story, Steel Magnolias, Forrest Gump, Terms of Endearment, Ordinary People, Less Than Zero, Little Women (any version).

[Moonmad27]

Flowers for Algernon - I know there was a recent version, but try the 1968 film Charly with Cliff Robertson in the title role. Its sitar music soundtrack and unconventional camera angles in some scenes make it undoubtedly a film of the late Sixties, but it's definitely a tearjerker.

[WSGilcrest]

When I read the title of the thread, 'My Dog Skip' immediately came to mind. I'm glad to see it right near the top of the thread. Two more that come to mind are 'Out Of Africa' and 'Terms Of Endearment'.

[YaYa123]

The Enchanted Cottage, a lovely movie, I forgot about that one, and looked up this review.

http://www.moviemom.com/review.cfm?ReviewID=107

[KnutCase]

The coreect title is "ADog of Flanders"

[mommya]

I cry easily - but some of the ones I really bawled at were....

Fried Green Tomatoes
Heart & Souls
Beaches
Braveheart
Saving Private Ryan

....Along with some others that have already been listed.

I've also heard that "My Life" with Micheal Keaton - where he is dying and makes video tapes of himself for his child - is a good one.

And even my brother had tears for one called "Pay it Forward" - I'm gonna rent that one soon.

[Valpal1]

MRS. MINIVER is a must see post 9/11. It was an Oscar winner when it still meant something.

If nothing else, it shows the proper response to evil and illustrates why we must fight always and everywhere for freedom. Ending requires a box of Kleenex. And has an excellent skewering of early socialism/liberalism.