1. Terms of Endearment (1983)
2. Bambi (1942)
3. Sophie's Choice (1983)
4. An Affair to Remember (1957)
5. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
6. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
7. Brian's Song (1971)
8. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
9. Ghost (1990)
10. Field of Dreams (1989)
11. The Notebook (2004)
12. Old Yeller (1957)
13. Brief Encounter (1945)
14. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
15. Life is Beautiful (1998)
16. Titanic (1997)
17. Glory (1989)
18. Love Story (1970)
19. Ordinary People (1980)
20. Stella Dallas (1937)
21. Steel Magnolias (1989)
22. Longtime Companion (1990)
23. The Joy Luck Club (1993)
24. Charly (1968)
25. Goodbye, Mr Chips (1939)

What a list! I'm crying just looking at it. Excellent.

My father would add the remake of "The Champ." He lost it when Ricky Shroeder said, "Champ, Champ, wake up." It really got to him. I always lose it during "The Miracle Worker."

I saw this list in the paper. Must confess I've not seen most of the post- 1980 ones. In my opinion you can't beat the oldies. Definitely approve of BAMBI and STELLA DALLAS being included.

Hmmm.....quite the mixture of quality and crap, and about equal in that regard... :P Can't argue with the choices, really....

ED B)

My list would include Back Street and Penny Serenade.

Hmm, if I'd made this list A League of Their Own (1992) & Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) would be there somewhere. They always get me reaching for the Kleenex. Oh, who am I kidding, Star Wars gets me reaching for the Kleenex. :lol:

I havn't seen most of those titles, and probably never will. I'll stick with the classic films, thank you :)

I suspect when they mean 'tearjerkers,' they mean films that are consistently weepy and romantic or dark, rather than a film with a very weepy single sequence, or--and this is the best kind--the film with the one weepy part at the end, where it really hits hard...like SHANE, CITY LIGHTS, THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR, even THE GODFATHER PT. 2..even if the rest of the movie had a different tone entirely(though most do cast a little pall over even the lightest moments, don't they?)

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN is very underrated, IMO; seems almost forgotten today, despite its cast!

ED B)

The thing that struck me about this list its disappointing but probably not surprising no silent films made it.

Yes, I agree...its not surprising. I would've liked to see Sunrise or Broken Blossoms on the list but those titles probably weren't even in the running. One title I agree with though is 'An Affair to Remember'. Especially the last like 35 minutes or so. A classic film on the list 'Brief Encounter', though I think it's a fine film, didn't effect me in the same way. Maybe I just wasn't into the characters enough?

I'm surprised they didn't include the remake of Imitation of Life. I am an absolute wreck at the end of that one every time I watch it.

How about Random Harvest (1943)? That movie get me going... :cry:

Absolutely Midge. I especially love the ending of the Margaret Sullavan version of BACK STREET when we have a flash back of what would have happened if she had not missed the boat!


Not sure if that occurs in the Irene Dunne version as I have only seen the telephone scene towards the end (it's on Youtube).

Has everyone forgotten ONE WAY PASSAGE with William Powell and Kay Francis? If you don't get choked up or shed a tear in that one, you aren't human. A wonderful movie directed by Tay Garnett from 1932.

:tip:

I was thinking about I FOUND STELLA PARISH (1935) with Kay Francis yesterday, one of her most famous weepies, but yes, I did forget about ONE WAY PASSAGE (1932), one of the truly great romantic movies.

As far as I can remember, the Irene Dunne version does not have the flashback. You're right, Geoffies, it is a moving scene, and a perfect way to end the story.

Derek mentioned silent tearjerkers. I would like to nominate Broken Blossoms.

One silent movie that had my tears flowing freely was Lady of the Night (1924) with Norma Shearer, so beautiful. :cry:

As a cartoon fan, I have watched Cartoon Network for old favorites, whether it is Bugs Bunny, Flintstones or Yogi Bear, and it became all too apparent after a while that the network was promoting new cartoons (use whatever term you wish to describe the shows, but the new ones are all junk!) sandwiched in among the old, established ones, as tho they were all one and the same, nevermind that the 'new' cartoons are emulating the animation and style of older cartoons as well, so naive children will regard them as all the same as well.

Looking at this list, I can't help but think the same thing in regard to weepy movies.

Titanic? ET? Terms of Endearment?

I heard about Shirley MacLaine screaming for her daughter to get that shot for so long, when I finally saw the movie, I thought, if I was one of those nurses, I would have called security on her.

Bambi didn't do a thing for me. Anybody Bambi fans want to get another take on 'Bambi's Mother' check out the Rankin-Bass Christmas special "Nestor the Long Eared Donkey" with Brenda Vacarro as an angel. That one was a bit rough too, and a bit out of left field.

Old Yeller havent seen it in decades.

Brian's Song yea. The remake had Gale Sayers break down in the parking lot, which I don't think was in the original. Bit heavy and unexpected.

Ghost was seen it once, don't need to watch it again.

I thought LIfe Is Beautiful was rather funny. I guess it was a tear-jerker if they ever realized what became of his father, but he had won the contest. lol!

Longtime Companion? A weepie?

Glory, Charly, Kramer, Sophie's Choice.

Wow, that is one odd list.

Someone told me about people crying during Titanic and when I took my nephew to see it (again!), as Kate Winslett was about to enter the lifeboat, a la Mrs. Isidor Straus, and she stepped back out, my nephew said to me 'she looks like Peg Bundy from 'Married With Children' and we just sat there laughing thinking about Peg being on the Titanic.

"Bye, Al! Bud and Whatsername are staying on the ship with you!"

Lists like this always make me wonder: WHO is selecting the films, and WHO is compiling the list? Must be somebody with an agenda.

Limiting the list to films made after 1936 cheapens it, in my opinion. There's no mention of The Kid (1921), Sunrise (1927), or City Lights (1931). If these films are not tearjerkers, then there is no such thing as a tearjerker.

Cheers,
Dan

http://www.silentfilmguide.com

daneldorado,

:o I agree wholeheartedly that you have at least some Silent films on this list. Trouble is the vast majority of the people voting probably have never even seen one ?

:mellow: There are quite a few other Silent's besides just Chaplin's THE KID, CITY LIGHTS, and Murna's SUNRISE that would make my list. I have narrowed it down to 10 films from 1925 to 1928, but I could have easily listed as many as 25 or 30!

^_^ These are in no particular order other than the year of release. The simple fact is that by and large, many Silent films are much more moving than any sound films ever have been.

1. THE BIG PARADE (1925) A Masterpiece from Director King Vidor. John Gilbert, and Renee Adoree, in a film that should be much better known today than it is! No DVD release yet!

2. LITTLE ANNIE ROONEY (1925) The second half of this film is so emotion packed, you don't know weather to laugh or cry. When Annie (Mary Pickford), learns of her father slaying, you can't help but weep! I am still waiting for a definitive restored edition of this film from Milestone on DVD to be released. Lot's of other Pickford films might have been mentioned here. Especially, THROUGH THE BACK DOOR (1921), and TESS OF THE STORM COUNTRY (1922).

3. SEVENTH HEAVEN (1927) An extremely moving viewing experience. This film leaves a lasting impression. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell are unforgettable! Fox continues to sit on this picture probably their biggest money maker of the entire Silent era? Where is the DVD release?

4. THE PATENT LEATHER KID (1927) This is an incredibly powerful film, staring Richard Barthelmess. It simply must be fully restored! Kino, Image, or Milestone need to take a serious look at this one. Instead of releasing new versions of the same films over, and over again!

5. OLD HEIDELBERG (1927) Ernst Lubitsch best surviving. American Silent film (The Patriot is Lost), Great performances by Ramon Novarro, Norma Shearer, and Especially Jean Hersholt. One of the very best films that has not been released on DVD.

6. WINGS (1927) William Wellman's World War One Epic a Tearjerker? You bet it is, the sequence the dying scene with Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen is one of the most stunning sequences of it's kind ever filmed!

7. STREET ANGEL (1928) Frank Borzage's Masterpiece, even better than SEVENTH HEAVEN the previous year! A DVD release is an absolute must!

8. FOUR SONS (1928) Few films ever made are more moving than this one! Definitely among John Ford's finest works! DVD coming in December.

9. THE MAN WHO LAUGHS (1928) Fantastic drama from Paul Leni, about Victor Hugo's tortured "Laughing Man" Gwynnplaine.. Heartrending performances by Conrad Veidt in the lead, and the almost to beautiful Mary Philbin, as the Blind Waif Dea! On DVD from Kino.

10. THE CROWD (1928) Perhaps King Vidor's greatest film. James Murray, and Eleanor Boardman give astonishing performances running the full gauntlet of human emotions. This film has quite a reputation, but relatively few people have actually seen it. You can't buy it on DVD at this time.

I think I'd add Waterloo Bridge to that.

Many recent movies(like Notebook,which we love)are on this list. Thought there'd be more classic ones. I don't know much about the silent ones. Do know there are alot more classic ones that require a Kleenex.
Why didn't they make a list for classic and present Hollywood movies?
Don't believe they should all be rated the same category. The classic have more character in them. Most of today's movies is based on ***. No romance or devotion for each other. That's rare to find,today.


The Diary Of Anne Frank should be on that list. That's what I'm saying.

The only two films that I've seen that reduced me to tears were the climax of Chaplin's City Lights and a 1950's film called Miracle In The Rain starring Jane Wyman and Van Johnson.

I just would challenge anyone to watch "Umberto D" without
shedding a single tear. It is the most heartbreaking film.
It is Italian and is directed by Vittorio De Sica. It is about
an elderly man (I think he is played by the director's father)
who is trying hard just to survive in post war Italy, with his
little dog. The ending will have you blubbering like a baby.

Alas I can't watch anything with animals in it. I get too nervous unless I know ahead of time he'll be okay - in fact, even if I know, I'm a wreck. That's why I can't watch any of the Lassie movies. You can forget about Old Yeller. If you say Bambi to me I have a breakdown.

Bridges of Madison County - talk about blubbering. I saw it in Germany, and I was trying to stay under control and then the woman behind me started sobbing hysterically.

Okay...now I am somewhat of a 'gourmet' when it comes to tearjerkers....and my feeling? This list was probably written by a guy.

And specifically, a guy who thought he knew the right films to include, even though he'd not seen any of them. :P


My comments:


1. Terms of Endearment (1983) - should be on the list, but not at #1.

2. Bambi (1942) - Meh.

3. Sophie's Choice (1983) - should be MUCH further down the list.

4. An Affair to Remember (1957) - LOVE AFFAIR (1939) is much better, but of course, this writer prolly never heard of it.

5. It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - agreed

6. Brokeback Mountain (2005) - I've not seen this one

7. Brian's Song (1971) - agreed

8. E.T. - The Extra Terrestrial (1982) - :rolleyes: Yeah, it's sad in the end, but that is not the point of the film.

9. Ghost (1990) - was good at the time it came out, but hasn't aged well at all.

10. Field of Dreams (1989) - guy movie

11. The Notebook (2004) - okay to be on the list, but further down

12. Old Yeller (1957) - sadder than BAMBI

13. Brief Encounter (1945) - agreed

14. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) - good movie, but I'm not sure it belongs on this list.

15. Life is Beautiful (1998) - not seen it

16. Titanic (1997) - :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

17. Glory (1989) - not seen it

18. Love Story (1970) - agreed, I guess, although it's not aged so well. Was alot sadder in 1970.

19. Ordinary People (1980) - agreed

20. Stella Dallas (1937) - agreed

21. Steel Magnolias (1989) - agreed

22. Longtime Companion (1990) - not seen it

23. The Joy Luck Club (1993) - agreed

24. Charly (1968) - not seen it

25. Goodbye, Mr Chips (1939) - agreed, but it should be higher up the list.


Now, for the notable absences:

1. THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY - I watch this film at least once a year, and I cry *like a baby* each and every time for the entire last 20 minutes of this movie. An absolute TRAVESTY that it's not on this list. By far the best tear-jerker ever made.

2. THE ENGLISH PATIENT - I'm guessing this was left out because it is 'cool' these days to dis this movie. But the fact remains that this is one SAD movie.

3. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO - another travesty that they left this film off.

4. FOREST GUMP - boggles the mind that this did not make it when ET did.

5. PRIDE OF THE YANKEES - take out FIELD OF DREAMS and stick this one in it's place.

6. REMAINS OF THE DAY - elegantly made movie with top notch cast and WAY sad ending.


Other, lesser known films that are better tear-jerkers than some of the ones here:

-Untamed Heart (Christian Slater, Marissa Tomme)
-Message in a Bottle (Kevin Costner)
-Dying Young (Julia Roberts, Cambell Scott)
-Legends of the Fall (Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins)

A special mention must be made of ONLY YESTERDAY (1933) which made an instant star of Margaret Sullavan. A very sad and moving tale but with plenty of humour provided by Billie Burke and Edna May Oliver in supporting roles. The ending in particular is brilliant. John Boles gets one of his better parts and there are a host of well known faces in cameo roles.


I was just reading on IMDb that this was made just before The Code came into force and "screen queen" Franklin Pangborn has a boyfriend in it! I don't remember noticing this.

What about All Quiet on the Western front or The Crowd? those are very good heart rendering films.

Not only is THE CROWD a fine film(and yes, a fine example of a tearjerker), it's the spiritual big brother to De Sica's great THE BICYCLE THIEF in many ways, and we know that one's a tearjerker if ever there was!

But as filmgoers, we tend to think of 'women's films' as weepies(in Bollywood, the recent DEVDAS is a prime example-cum-culprit), as are modern Hollywood fare like KRAMER VS. KRAMER, ORDINARY PEOPLE, TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, even(I suppose)nonsense like DRIVING MISS DAISY. The Ross Hunter crap from the '50s are probably the worst examples, but these do have their ardent admirers(so does Jerry Lewis, just goes to show ya... :o :lol: )

Personally, in spite of myself, I like WATERLOO BRIDGE with Vivien Leigh, mostly because I always loved her, and her tragic Blanche in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is just as good.

ED B)

I would definitely classify those four movies as "Only Watch Them Once" films.

I think I have sat thru Ordinary People a couple of times because we had just gotten the vcr and I would watch everything over and over.

But I don't think I even made it thru Kramer v. Kramer, or else I didn't even try. Don't recall what made me give up there.

Driving Miss Daisy was the biggest WTF movie I think I ever saw, after all the ballyhooing at the Oscars, when I would watch it years later on tv.

I get the impression movies like these are done or made so this actor or that actress (In these cases, MTM, Tandy, even MacLaine) can pick up a 'much-deserved Oscar or nomination for recognition of their work.'

By the time I sat thru Terms of Endearment, I was pretty well braced for scenery chewing, and that was the results.

I had heard about MacLaine's 'performance' in the hospital about wanting her daughter to get the shot. Had I been those nurses I would have called security on her. It was the most pretentious behavior I had ever seen, and that it was 'brilliant' in its idea was equally pretentious.

These films probably would have had me to tears had they been any longer.

In terms of classic movies- one that makes my cry everytime I watch it is The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. There are very few movies that make me cry- but this is one of them. I agree with It's A Wonderful Life being on that list. It doesn't matter how many times I watch that movie, the ending always gets me.

I always manage to get a good laugh near the ending of Wonderful Life.

Jimmy Stewart has returned, met the kids on the stairs, enter Donna Reed.

She is literally another movie at this time all by herself (what Mary Bailey was doing while George was on that bridge.) and she enters and tells George that a "wonderful" thing has happened.

She goes downstairs, he follows with the kids, she rounds that table and with one fell swoop, clears everything that was on the table onto the floor, smiling the entire time.

I have never been able to see where the basket came from (I think it was carried in with money already in it, wasn't it?) and then the others flow in with their donations, but it was her clearing off that table that just makes me laugh and think "she's as bad as he is."

I too would like to know who's list this is - Classic Movie Man, can you tell us?
I imagine Golden Age fans would have a completely different list.
I too weep copiously at the end of Lana Turner's Imitation of Life, and Bette Davis's Dark Victory.

Maybe, but that's hardly relevant to the list itself, since he did pick tearjerkers, even if they're not all what any of us might prefer.

Nah, guys love tormenting themselves, and I can't imagine a worse cinematic torment than sitting through an afternoon of 'women's films'....

So is CITY LIGHTS, which has as much comedy as E.T. has a sense of wonder. I'm not sure a film has to be relentlessly depressing to be a 'weepie'(though it sure don't hurt!)

Yeah, but as a tearjerker, it's very effective IF you're a baseball fan with a sense of the past.

Going by the crowd at the theater the night I saw it(with an ex-GF), it must have been very effective. Can't imagine a lot of guys sitting through the whole thing just to watch the ship sink...:D

Pop garbage that struck a chord in its time, though no one really knows why.

Manipulative but effective. But it's more depressing and disturbing than sad, IMO.

I'm not sure it's the best, but it's better than it's been given credit for.

Definitive woman's film dressed in furs and epic grandeur: totally fraudulent and overblown to absurd extremes, but it must be admitted that only David Lean could have made me sit through three+ hours of it(with Jarre's cloying, sweeping score keeping pace).

So many of these films are almost interchangable in emotional depth that yes, one could easily make that switch, though this film was controversial for reasons beyond its story.

It would work, and it's a classic subject: the noble, dying person. That it's true makes it all the more poignant and effective.

ED B)

Roman Holiday and Twelve O' Clock High always make me cry. :(