"Vertigo" released 1958

Vertigo, released May 9, 1958, is considered to be one of Alfred Hitchcock's classic movies.  It stars James Stewart as a former police detective, who is forced into early retirement after he develops vertigo, a fear of heights.  He is hired by an acquaintance to investigate the acquaintance's wife, played by Kim Novak.  

The movie co-starred Barbara Bel Geddes (of Dallas fame).  Edith Head was the costume designer.

It is based on a 1954 French novel From Among the Dead.  It was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Art Direction and Best Sound.  In 1989, it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. 

"Rear Window" released 1954

Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece Rear Window, starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly and Raymond Burr, was released across the US September 1, 1954.  It premiered in Los Angeles, New York City and Atlantic City in August.  It is considered by many people to be Hitchcock's best movie.

It was nominated for four Academy Awards.  The National Film Registry of the Library of Congress was selected for preservation as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The American Film Institute has included Rear Window as #42 in its 100 Years...100 Movies; #14 in AFI's 100 years...100 Thrills; and #3 in AFI's Top 10 Mysteries.

"It's A Wonderful Life" premieres 1946

Another perennial favorite, It's a Wonderful Life premiered December 20, 1946 in New York City.  It premiered in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve and Minneapolis December 27.  The rest of the country had to wait until January 7, 1947 to see it.

It follows the story of George Bailey (played by James Stewart) who loses a load of money and is facing jail time and bankruptcy.  Considering suicide, he is about to jump off a bridge when an angel Clarence (Henry Travers) intervenes and shows George what the town would be like if he hadn't existed.  It has a really happily ever after ending, bordering almost on nonsensical but it's a favorite!

Initially, It's a Wonderful Life fared poorly at the box office, and did not win any of the 5 Oscars it was nominated for.  But now it's considered one of the best movies in every genre possible according to the American Film Institute.