Popular Nostalgia

Some movies mark decades. Some disappear into the ether. Remember them all here – the hits and the misses. The great successes and the catastrophic failures.

This track,and this movie, bring to mind the lazy hazy feelings of summer time for many people – and we get to enjoy the light hearted banter of Cliff Richard and the Shadows in the video clip above. Share your memories of Cliff and the Shadows “Summer Holiday” using the comments box below. We’re all […]

The Muppets were the biggest sewn people for a decade or so in the 1980s and early 90s – and there isn’t a much more nostalgic show than “A Christmas Carol” when it comes to feeling christmassy, so it isn’t really that amazing that the “Muppet Christmas Carol” evokes in me all kinds of twinkly, […]

Radio One’s Edith Bowman loves this old film: “it’s a really old film… it’s an incredible film… it’s more about the fact that the story’s great… well worth checking out.” Harold, played with deadpan humor by Bud Cort, is under extreme pressure from his overbearing mother, Mrs. Chasen (Vivian Pickles), in a performance that is […]

Pussy Galore was the most famous name of a Bond Girl. Played by Honor Blackman, the superbad female pilot appeared in Goldfinger (1964). Although the book is more forthright about Pussy’s sexuality, the film still hints at her being a lesbian: “I am immune to your charms”. This provides a unique challenge for Bond, who […]

Bill and Ted were the epitome of 80’s cool. With their long hair and jumpers tied round their waist, these “dudes” aimed to change the course of history, but not before they’d passed their history report. This film was notable for featuring a young Keanu Reeves. A man from the future, Rufus, turns up in […]

Cheese.com. This film is full of those moments that make you proud to be American. Even if you’re from Bradford. Or France. You wonder whether the writers had to keep a pen in one hand and a bucket in the other for some of these lines: Colonel William Sharp: Miss Stamper? Colonel Willie Sharp, United […]

Snow White was the first full length animated feature to be produced by Walt Disney, and the first American animated feature film in movie history. If you’re in any doubt about how a woman should behave, check out the Disney 1930’s idea of female etiquette. It’s brilliant. Move like a ballerina and clean as though […]

He doesn’t talk, he loves his teddy and lives alone, but Mr Bean is a force to be reckoned with. Broadcast from 1990 – 1996, the TV shows were immensely popular with Rowan Atkinson playing a childlike, slightly alien man. Everyday tasks turn into disaster – from shopping to decorating. The character was a massive […]

The old love story between Curly and Laurey is set in frontier America with farmers and cowboys aplenty. There are frequent songs as the film follows the musical faithfully and catered to audiences used to the format. The songs were released on LP in several volumes and have since become rare collectors’ items. The title […]

The 1984 “A Christmas Carol” was a television movie adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella. Directed by Clive Donner, staring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. Filmed on location in Shrewsbury, England. Originally aired on December 17, 1984. Scott was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special […]

The McCallister family are late for their holiday and rush to the airport. Big Sis counts the family wrongly and they leave behind eight-year-old Kevin who is still sleeping. The night before, Kevin had an argument with his older brother and wished his family would just go away. He thinks it has come true when […]

A Muppet Family Christmas is a 1987 Christmas television special starring Jim Henson’s Muppets. Fozzie Bear’s mother thinks she has it all worked out for Christmas. She is going to California for the holidays and is renting out her home to the quiet and unassuming Doc. Until Fozzie comes home bringing all of his Muppet […]

Walking in the Air is the signature song from The Snowman an animated Christmas film about a boy who makes friends with a snowman. It is shown at Christmas time every year. It was sung by St. Paul’s Cathedral choirboy, Peter Auty for only £300. He was left out of the credits in a rush […]

He’s way meaner than Postman Pat but “Number One” and the Welsh deliveryman share a love of cats. Ernst Stavro Blofeld, was the inspiration for Austin Powers’ character, Dr. Evil. He appeared in early Bond films as just a pair of hands, a white Persian cat and a voice. His face was provided by Donald […]

The X Files were, and still are, great. It was the ultimate treat to be allowed to stay up late enough to watch it. Thousands of conspiracy theorists were inspired and galvanised by the FBI cover-up sub-plot. Each episode, however, was a crush fest for young teenagers. David Duchovny became a pin-up off the back […]