Why waste good money on a Netflix subscription when you can watch perfectly good classic movies on YouTube, for free? Here are some of my favorites.

My Man Godfrey 1936   (William Powell, Carole Lombard)

William Powell is a homeless man who Carole Lombard adopts as the new butler for her wealthy but madcap family. Hilarious hijinks ensue, but this screwball comedy has a heart, in the true "I help you, you help me" spirit of the great depression. Director Gregory la Cava is not terribly well-known today, but, judging from a couple of the large ensemble scenes, was apparently a master of staging. Bob Altman may have taken a page or two out of his book.   B&W, 90 Minutes

The Inspector General 1949   (Danny Kaye, Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates)

A silly film which is worth watching just to see Danny Kaye in his prime. The film is based on an old Russian play which is not terribly well realized, however, Kaye's highly entertaining song and dance numbers are worth the erstwhile price of admission alone.   Color, 101 Minutes

Lady of Burlesque 1943   (Barbara Stanwyck, Michael O'Shea, J. Edward Bromberg)

Barbara Stanwyck rather explicitly plays yet another fallen woman, in this gritty Bill Wellman pseudo-musical which bizarrely made it past the censors. Apparently the two were buds from way back in the day, and the now hugely successful Stanwyck did it as a favor to her old friend who had sadly fallen out of favor with the Warner execs. The dialogue is surprisingly witty, and Babs is surprisingly somber, perhaps a callback to her own past as a struggling Broadway performer. The most shocking moment of all: Stanwyck does the splits.   B&W, 90 Minutes

The General 1926   (Buster Keaton, Marion Mack)

I have no stomach for silents, but this one is surprisingly dry and funny. Buster Keaton is a hapless locomotive engineer who joins the Confederate cause to win the heart of his lady. The payoff is slow in coming but entirely worthwhile.   Silent ~ B&W, 78 Minutes

His Girl Friday 1940   (Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell)

Good dialogue, excellent Rosalind Russell. She and her ex Cary Grant work in the newspaper biz, and have a somewhat friendly, mostly antagonistic relationship. When Rosalind decides to remarry, he realizes he still has feelings for her, and pulls out all the stops in a series of hilarious hijinks so that she will not board the train to Buffalo with her fiancé. The film is very similar stylistically to Bringing up Baby, also directed by Howard Hawks.   B&W, 88 Minutes

Meet John Doe 1941   (Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold)

Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper reunite for this odd rehash of Mr Deeds Comes to Town. A cynical look at politics and especially those with power. Excessive Christian imagery throughout. Poor ending, but sufficiently hyperbolic, for which director Frank Capra receives far too little credit.   B&W, 122 Minutes

Nothing Sacred 1937   (Carole Lombard, Fredric March, Charles Winninger)

Early Technicolor screwball comedy starring 30's film stalwarts Carole Lombard and Freddie March. A satirical look at sensationalism in the media which seems a bit naive in retrospect, as obviously the problem has only become worse (much worse). Excellent acting, interesting camera angles, and some fun aerial views of New York City.   Color, 74 Minutes

Royal Wedding 1950   (Fred Astaire, Jane Powell)

Fred Astaire and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers star Jane Powell dance their way all the way from New York to London in this charming, but forgotten 50's musical. For once, Fred's character is paired with someone his own age. Stanley Donen directs.   Color, 93 Minutes

► ALSO try Old Time Radio.