valentine's day on tcm

Without a doubt, millions of American males are busy taking their significant other to the movies this night to see some film that passes for romantic comedy. Ultimately the romantic comedies today skew towards the female demographic, making this trip a real act of love. Admit it guys, you sit and smile and nod at your sweetie, all the while you can hear faint explosions and bad guys being dispatched wafting from the tiny "plex" next to yours in the multiplex. You twitch for a moment and she looks at you and asks if you are enjoying yourself. You lie, of course. I mean how many male actors can they shoehorn in a flick with Kate Hudson before they realize something went off the track sometime around Almost Famous?

In the interest in bridging the cinematic gap between the sexes, I would like to offer a solution. How about a romantic meal at home with a delicious chocolate desert and then escort your lady over to the couch and flip on Turner Classic Movies? Trust me, she will be impressed and you will actually enjoy the films! Tonight romance is in the air with romantic comedies and musicals starring actresses and actors who brought vim, vigor and passion to the screen.

How about the beautiful Doris Day and erstewhile partner Rock Hudson with the funny Tony Randall in the romantic comedy Lover Come Back (2:15 pm est) ? Or June Allyson and Van Johnson in Too Young to Kiss (4:15 pm est)? My pick for the evening would be one of my favorite musicals: Kiss Me Kate with incredible man's man singer Howard Keel, leggy Ann Miller and devestatingly gorgeous Kathryn Grayson (6 pm est).

If you are busy eating... or, er... otherwise engaged you can turn on TCM later to catch Barbara Streisand (before her in your face political stuff) and Walter Matthau in the Gene Kelly directed showstopper: Hello Dolly! Solid bonus- Louis Armstrong (8 pm est). I actually liked Babs better in the next film, Funny Girl, with Omar Sharif (10:30 pm est). What if you are up late... for one reason or another? Well, then you can't go wrong with a musical everyone can love: Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady (1:15am est).

Not a dog in the bunch I say. And the added bonus is no PC, brain dead, emasculating, claptrap. Just good old fashioned romance from Hollywood at it's best. Take it from ol' Uncle Loophole - I wouldn't steer you wrong. Romance is serious business, and I am but a humble proprietor.
Happy Valentine's Day to one and all.



A kiss? What does that prove? It's like finding out you can light a stove. It doesn't make you a cook.

old school croonin' for valentine's day

Take my advice, pal. If you are trying to really create the romantic atmosphere for the evening, you can't go wrong with a little mood music. And fellas, that means you need to break out the old school crooners. You need to put down that heavy metal, even though it has that wicked cool love ballad about hearts of steel and fire or something. And forget about John Mayer. Just...forget about it. Save the Red Hot Chili Peppers for tomorrow. Tonight is about heart, it's about soul, it's about romance. Show the love of your life that not only do you have class, and a romantic soul, but you also have depth. Break out the old school crooners. The ones who sang the standards. The hip, the cool and the smooth. These were (are) guys who didn't take any crap, could romance the ladies and didn't worry about that "sensitive 90s guy" stuff. These are some of the guys who sing with heart and who sing with soul. No namby, pamby whiney types here. Real men. Real singers. Real music.
So we present to you, in no particular older, the top ten of our favorite singers for creating the romantic mood for your lady on Valentine's Day. We also offer just a suggested song or two, but you can certainly consider many more according to your taste. And guys? Don't forget the flowers and to tell what she means to you. I dedicate this post and these songs to my own valentine: Mrs. Loophole.

As always let us know what you think? Do you have any favorites? Ladies- if you have any other suggestions, please help us out in the comments section.

Let's start with: the Chairman of the Board.

Frank Sinatra:
Any number of songs, really. But you can't go wrong with
The Very Thought of You or The Way You Look Tonight.

Marvin Gaye:
Ahem. Let's Get it On. Do I need to say more?
Ok, how about Sexual Healing?

Lou Rawls
Lady Love and one of the greatest soul ballads:
You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.

Al Green
Here I Am and Let's Stay Together

The gentleman swinger Tony Bennett
The Shadow Of Your Smile and This Can't Be Love

The incomparable (and personal favorite) Dean Martin
I'll Always Love You and, just for fun:
Ain't That a Kick in the Head

Barry White
Wanna bet how many guys are going to do the lowest voice
they can muster and greet their girl with a "Hey, Baby..."?
I'm Gonna Love You, Just A Little More Baby
Uh huh. Out of sight.
And a couple of guys keeping the tradition alive:


Harry Connick, Jr.
I Only Have Eyes For You and Charade

Michael Buble
For Once In My Life and How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

And for two of the best Valentine's Day Songs, you have to go with:

Another one of my favorites, Nat King Cole.
My favorite Valentine's Day songs of all time?
Stardust and When I Fall in Love.
All time best romantic songs. Ever. Period.

Gotta comment? Did we miss your favorite? Who sets the mood for you? Let us know by sounding off in the comments section.



Though I dream in vain, in my heart you will remain/My stardust melody/The memory of loves refrain.