Wuthering Heights (1967)

Year: 1967

Rated: NR (PG)

Run Time: 3 hours, 20 minutes 

First Viewing - Fall, 2009 on DVD.

Adaptation Accuracy/Dialogue - At 3 hours and 20 minutes, how could it not be accurate? Well, certainly compared to WH '39 and other versions, it is. This version is a BBC miniseries split into four 50 minute episodes. The story covers both generations, spending the first two sections on the exploits of Heathcliff, Cathy, Edgar, Isabella, and Hindley, and the last two sections on Hareton, Catherine, and Linton.

Interestingly, WH '67 goes in chronological order, beginning not with Lockwood's arrival, but with Mr. Earnshaw bringing Heathcliff to Wuthering Heights. Several versions cut Lockwood out, so I was surprised to see him pop up in the fourth episode, near the end of everything. I rather liked it. His appearance was as shocking to me as it was to the inhabitants at the Heights.

Finally, a lot of the dialogue is word for word, with the natural exceptions here and there, so that's appreciated. The "I am Heathcliff" scene could have been longer, as could any scenes involving Hindley and Frances. 

Heathcliff -(Ian McShane, age 25) Ian McShane is a fairly rough Heathcliff. As a stable boy, he is too quiet and passive and as a gentleman, there's just something not quite right. He really shines in the second half while being the puppet master of Linton and Hareton. As the movie goes on, his characterization gets stronger and stronger. I can't decide if it's because by the end of filming McShane had a real handle for the character, or if he better understood Heathcliff in that stage of life. 

Cathy Earnshaw - (Angela Scoular, age 22) This is probably my favorite Cathy...or at the very least, the most accurate Cathy. Age has a lot to do with it, methinks. But I also want to believe that Angela Scoular knew that Cathy should be played as a bratty, immature teenager rather than a passionate and dramatic lover. She understood that Cathy isn't a likable character but managed to play her with such passion and accuracy. 

Edgar Linton - (Drewe Henley, age 27) Edgar...meh. There isn't enough Edgar in this one. He's just kind of there as a plot device to keep Cathy and Heathcliff apart and then to produce Catherine. In fact, Edgar doesn't become remotely sympathetic until he is a father and attempting to protect his daughter from Heathcliff's evil plans.  

Isabella Linton - (Angela Douglas, age 27) Isabella, like her brother, is equally forgettable and doesn't have the opportunity to strengthen her character in the second half. Again, she is a means of torturing Cathy and baring Linton. 

Hindley Earnshaw - (William Marlowe, age 35) In comparison to WH '39's Hindley, this one has far more development and motive. Bringing in Frances creates sympathy for him. He's also much more active and involved in the story.  

Frances Earnshaw - (Maureen Beck, age 33) I believe Frances appears in just one scene of this movie, right after Mr. Earnshaw has died and Hindley has returned. Even though she appears in just one scene, her very presence is still better than none. In that one scene, she is perky, yet likable, making us believe that Hindley didn't marry a bitch. 

Nelly Dean - (Anne Stallybrass, age 29) Although Anne Stallybrass is the youngest actress to portray Nelly, she doesn't do much with it. She is introduced as a child, along with Hindley and Cathy (a rarity!) but once everyone is grown, Nelly seems to have aged ten years older than her charges. A personality is never developed. She is a little more feisty when it concerns Cathy's tantrums, but she perpetually suffers from "nursemaid syndrome." 

Hareton Earnshaw - (Keith Buckley, age 26) Hareton is one of my very favorite characters of Wuthering Heights and until this version I had been pleased with every portrayal of him. He is supposed to be rough, temperamental, and uneducated, but never...um, for lack of a better word, retarded. Behind his shy exterior, Hareton is supposed to be intelligent and kind, but this version of him makes him out to be exactly what Catherine thinks he is: a lowly, dumbass stable boy. 

Catherine Linton -(Angela Scoular, age 22) I had always thought WH '92 was the only version to have the same actress play Cathy and Catherine, but I was delighted to see that this version does the same. It also furthers my theory that Angela Scoular knew her characters, as Catherine is played with a refined, yet naive calm that her mother always lacks. 

Linton Heathcliff - (Michael Wennink, age unknown) The actor does a good job of portraying Linton as a simpering, spoiled weakling, but he looks too old to make it believable. He's too masculine as well. Linton should be effeminate.  

Joseph - (John Garrie) This is perhaps the creepiest looking Joseph, and the most menacing. He seems to enjoy carrying out Heathcliff's evil bidding despite being devoutly religious. Therefore, he's probably the most memorable. 

Lockwood - (Jeremy Longhurst) Lockwood appears in voice over at the beginning of each episode to sum up what happened in the previous episode. In fact, I wouldn't know if the narrator was Lockwood if the end credits didn't have Jeremy Longhurst listed as "Lockwood's voice". It's a simple, straight forward recitation with no characteristics of Lockwood. However, in the fourth episode, Lockwood shows up suddenly and plays his part as confused visitor. Since he is usually introduced at the beginning with more important characters, his personality is never developed. In WH '67, Lockwood is Lockwood and not a confused observer. 

Costumes/Character Appearances - Because this is an accurate adaptation, the costumes are from the right era. However, they are quite simplistic but that is to be expected because of the sparse TV production. Heathcliff is dark and not handsome, so thumbs up. One of the issues of having the same actress play Cathy and Catherine is that they are not suppose to resemble one another. Catherine is supposed to be fair haired (which she is in this version) and look more like the Lintons instead of the Earnshaws. Again, ages are an issue, but this film is more forgivable. Both Edgar and Linton are too old and sturdy. 

Sets/Filming Locations - As a TV production, the sets are small and cramped, kind of like a play. In fact, I don't think we ever see and exterior of Thrushcross Grange and for Wuthering Heights, we get only a fuzzy shot.

Music -Interestingly, there is no music. The wind acts entirely as the soundtrack. I wonder if this was simply a cost thing or if the director wanted realism or a constant reminder that we are out on the wild and windy Moors. I like music though and I think it would have helped more than hindered. 

Overall Likes - Dual generations; Angela Scoular's Cathy; Nelly as a little girl; Heathcliff demanding Hindley's horse; Nelly's surprise at Frances; Hindley crying over his wife's death; Nelly not putting up with Cathy's shit; Heathcliff's abuse of Isabella; Heathcliff taunting Hindley while he's dead; Heathcliff in the second half; Lockwood showing up suddenly. 

Overall Dislikes - Black and white; Too simplistic camera shots and production values; Nelly's lack of personality; Too little Frances, Edgar, and Isabella; Hindley demanding to kiss Hareton while he's bathing; Hareton too stupid; Linton too old/strong; Too sudden ending. 

Final Thoughts - Wuthering Heights (1967) has a lot of good qualities and yet several bad ones that are too huge to be ignored, particularly the characterization of Hareton and Linton. Like I said before, Angela Scoular's performance as Cathy is my favorite and by far the strongest part of this movie. 

Since it was originally a miniseries meant to be viewed over the course of a month, and not in one sitting, it does feel a little long and a little slow at times. And it's dated of course. I'm really glad it's been released on DVD though, because I do enjoy having it on in the background while I'm doing my homework. But it's not that entertaining. It's not a good movie...but a good movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights. I wouldn't recommend it for any slumber parties, but for someone who would rather watch a film version than read the actual book for English class.

As you may have noticed, many of the character pictures are not from WH '67 but I still wanted to give a basic idea of the actors' appearances.

Wuthering Heights (1939)

Year: 1939
Rated: NR (Probably PG by today)
Run Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

Tagline: I am torn by Desire... tortured by hate!

First Viewing: 2005, Junior year of high school on TCM.

Adaptation Accuracy/Dialogue - The 1939 version of Wuthering Heights is the most famous and considered to be the best. I beg to differ. In fact, I demand to differ. First of all, it only covers the first generation of characters. Hindley never marries Frances (more on that later) therefore, Hareton is never born. Cathy dies of "lack of will to live" and not from complications during childbirth, so no Catherine. Although we see that Heathcliff and Isabella are still together at the beginning of the movie, they appear to have not created Linton.

Since most of the versions fill up two hours of screen time with both generations, this one has to stretch a little, therefore creating fictitious scenes like a ball at Thrushcross Grange. Besides that, for reasons unbeknown to me, a lot of the dialogue is changed instead of being cleaned up for modern audiences. Because Wuthering Heights is in the public domain, there is no reason for this!

Finally, there are a lot of character innacuracies, which I will review individually, but the biggest thing that effects all of them is the ages. Every actor is far older than the character they are playing. This will be a very common complaint in all these reviews because it's an issue in every adaption of WH, but the '39 version is particularly guilty.

Heathcliff (Laurence Olivier, age 32) - Despite being too old, Laurence Olivier is one of my favorite Heathcliffs...and one of the handsomest. Being a classically trained Shakespearean  actor, I think he does better as "refined Heathcliff" after he returns as a wealthy gentleman. Physically, Heathcliff is supposed to be dark skinned and "unattractive" and in my opinion, stable boy Heathcliff is still too attractive...and old...and calm. It would be interesting to see Olivier as Heathcliff in the second generation of events, since he already has the age and refinement going for him.

Cathy Earnshaw (Merle Oberon, age 28) - It's rumored that Vivien Leigh (Laurence Olivier's wife) was up to play Cathy, but she was already cast in another little MGM film called Gone With the Wind. I feel that the chemistry and Vivien Leigh's Englishness would only help this version, but looking back, she probably made the right choice to be in the other movie. Merle Oberon is okay as Cathy. She definitely has the bitchiness down, but with it comes an uptight prissiness that doesn't fit a girl who is supposed to be "half savage and hardy and free." I find her unsympathetic.

Edgar Linton (David Niven, age 29) - This is one of the gentlest Edgars. Gentle without being too big of a pussy, otherwise all sympathy is lost for him. As with all Edgars, you should believe that he truly loves Cathy and Niven does a very convincing job of this.

Isabella Linton (Geraldine Fitzgerald, age 26) - Although she is supposed to be a weak, timid, and naive character, Isabella is often portrayed tougher than she really is in film adaptations. This is one of them, but Geraldine Fitzgerald does it without being too strong. She is more daring, and even travels to Wuthering Heights unchaperoned to see Heathcliff. I also love her transition after a few months of marriage to Heathcliff. Costuming has a lot to do with it, but her vivacity and beauty is gone even though she continues to love Heathcliff despite his underplayed abuse. I love her last scene where she contemplates how if Cathy dies, Heathcliff would be free to love her.

Hindley Earnshaw (Hugh Williams, age 35) - The reason Hindley becomes a drunkard is because his wife Frances dies shortly after childbirth. For some reason, this version cuts this out entirely, and Hindley has no motivation for his descent into alcoholism. Is it supposed to be because his father didn't love him? Not good enough, if you ask me. Hugh Williams does the best he can with this Hindley, but his character seems oddly detached from the rest of the story.

Nelly Dean (Flora Robson, age 37) - Too old. Nelly is always too old. She's supposed to be the narrator and a character that interacts with all the other characters, but in most versions (including this one) she acts as a nursemaid to Cathy's Juliet, if you get my analogy. It's obvious that William Wyler wanted Nelly to be an all knowing, outside observer instead of an active part of the story, so I'm blaming the director rather than Robson herself. She's simply too old and boring.

Joseph (Leo G. Carroll) - You can't get Joseph wrong. Mix a thick Yorkshire brogue, piousness, and over all uselessness  and you've got him down pat.

Lockwood (Miles Mander) - Lockwood is Lockwood. You can't really say  much about him. No complaints about this portrayal.
 


Costumes/Character Appearances - Wuthering Heights was published in 1847. It takes place from 1771 to 1801 and for some reason, the film makers decided to set the movie in the 1840's, instead of when it was supposed to be. Why? I can only assume it was to have dresses similar to those in Gone With the Wind. But even that's a stretch. I know most people don't care (and probably couldn't tell the difference) but I notice and it bothers the fuck out of me.

Age issues aside, both Edgar and Isabella should be blonde to set them apart from the brunette Earnshaws. Heathcliff should have darker skin and hair and is supposed to be less attractive than Edgar Linton. However, at the time the book is set, more effeminate and gentle looking men were considered handsome. Rugged gypsy stable boys would not be hot, but disturbing and scary.



Sets/Filming Locations - WH '39 was filmed in southern California instead of on the real Moors of Northern Yorkshire England. Luckily, the black and white cinematography hides it pretty well. As for the houses, I have no great complaints.

Music - Generally, I don't like scores from old movies. They are far too melodramatic and WH '39 has one of the most stereotypical examples of this. I blame the era for this mishap. The music is more "romantic" than "haunting."

Overall Likes - Accurate framing of Nelly telling the story to Lockwood; The scenes with young Heathcliff and Cathy playing at Penistow Crag; Geraldine Fitzgerald's entire performance; Cathy chasing after Heathcliff in the rain; Edgar's gentility; Dr. Kenneth; The coldness of Heathcliff's return scene; Isabella's final scene with Dr. Kenneth wishing for Cathy's death, refusing to go to the Grange with Nelly, and begging for Heathcliff to love her; Cathy dying while standing with Heathcliff admiring the Moors from an open window; Nelly still being married to Heathcliff, 30 years later.

Overall Dislikes - The ages of all the actors; Unnecessary dialogue changes; Nelly's inactivity; The melodramatic music; No Frances; 1840's costumes; That woman playing the harpsichord at the ball (seriously, why was that so long?); Cathy dying from...nothing; No second generation.

Final Thoughts - As a movie, Wuthering Heights (1939) is okay. Maybe even as a tragic romance movie, it's good. But as a faithful adaptation of the book, it's not good at all. There are just too many unnecessary changes. However, despite the edits, the screenwriter does manage to add in some good stuff that wasn't in the book.

But it doesn't age well. It wreaks of the 30's and not in a good way. I can't help but compare it to Gone With the Wind. Both are epic tragic romances, but one seemed to get bigger stars, bigger sets, a bigger budget and much, much more attention. Why? I attribute it to the books' publication dates. GWTW was fresher in everyone's mind and a recent Pulitzer winner. WH was nearly a century old and an English standard. It's kind of like Twilight being made into a movie now, and, well, if GWTW was going to be remade.

Still WH is considered one of the classics of 1939 and it does it with a relatively small cast and minimal locations. It's definitely a more intimate film, a calmer film when it comes to epic romances. I feel that Wuthering Heights '39 is considered the best just because it's old and Oscar nominated. That's a shame, because there are better versions but this one is necessary for any WH fan to watch.

Videography: Britney Spears (Part I - ...Baby One More Time)

Since I got an overwhelming response to my Videography of Reba McEntire miniseries (one comment...yes!) I decided to do another one. This time, I've chosen a pop music artist who owes a lot of her fame to music videos...Britney Spears. Yes, I suppose I'm still in this mini phase but maybe "artistically" reviewing her music videos will get me out of it. I'm excited to do this one because we're dealing with pop music instead of country...and a teenager/20something instead of a 20something to 50something...and all of these videos were made over a period of 11 years versus 23.

Instead of splitting this videography into "time periods" (i.e. the early 2000's, the mid-early 2000's...), I've done it by Britney's persona, which also kind of correlates with album releases...so bare with me. In the beginning, a mere 11 years ago, Britney was a 17 year old singer with aspirations of fame a fortune. Her earliest videos walk the fine line of virgin and Lolita, but if you ask me, they lean more towards virgin. Okay, so she bares her midriff and sometimes she opens her legs and twists around while dancing...they hadn't seen anything yet.

Order: 1

Title: "...Baby One More Time"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A girl wants one last fling with a guy she regrets breaking up with.

Video Premise: Britney is a bored Catholic school girl, but as soon as the bell rings, she is up in the hallways dancing with her other Catholic school girlfriends all sporting perfectly toned, tan abs exposed by their tied up white shirts. Later, the dancing is moved outside the school where Britney has changed outfits and is now wearing a pink sports bra and baggy white 90's pants. Finally, more dancing occurs in the gym with Britney occasionally morosely twirling a basketball. However, the bell rings and the whole video turns out to be a daydream.

Comments: This is a classic video, there's no doubt about that. After its debut, girls aged 11 to 17 started doing 500 crunches every night before bed so they too could wear crop tops...that were ordered to be replaced as soon as they walked into their school. (Remember when shirts were too short? Now shirts can pass for dresses!) I digress... All right, let's just get it out now. I was in the 5th grade when Britney Spears became popular, the very age America feared would be corrupted by her high tempo pop hits and bellybutton. But I wasn't. Trust me. As a ten year old, I didn't get the sexualized Catholic school girl thing, so maybe it was a tongue and cheek jab at all the pedophiles. Her dance moves aren't sexual, except that one shimmy. The only people who understood the implied sexuality where those old enough to make such claims.

Order: 2

Title: "Sometimes"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A commitmentphobic young woman asks her guy to take it slow.

Video Premise: Dressed in pristine, virgin white, Britney switches from peering at a guy through one of those telescope thingies you have to pay a quarter to look through and dancing on the boardwalk with others dressed in white.

Comments: I get what they're doing here. Since she received so much criticism for her "sexy" image in "...Baby One More Time", they decided to show Britney as a sweet and innocent teenage girl who is terrified of relationships and therefore, will remain intact. I'm really surprised they didn't show her with a halo or a habit for that matter.

Order: 3

Title: "(You Drive Me) Crazy [Stop Remix]"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A girl is driven crazy by her new infatuation.

Video Premise: Britney is a waitress at a dance club. After her shift is over, she changes into a metallic green top and parties with Adrian Grenier and Melissa Joan Hart and dances with other waitresses/waiters.

Comments: This video is the love child of Britney Spears' handlers and the producers of the underwhelming teen flick Drive Me Crazy, which was specifically named for this goddamn song. The song is good, the movie is not. If you're from my generation you might remember it. Trust me when I say, it wasn't no 10 Things I Hate About You. I like this video for the most part, despite the dated, WTF cameos.

Order: 4

Title: "Born to Make You Happy"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: Your basic “poor me, I’m hopelessly devoted to you” song.

Video Premise: Britney is sleeping peacefully and then enters a dream where she sings in a silver room. Next she dances on top of a wooden structure. Finally, an open-shirted hunk strides into her bedroom and the two playfully pillow-fight.

Comments: This is an odd one. Half of it channels "Sometimes" and the other half channels

"...Baby One More Time." So, Britney is half innocent and half attitude. They were fucking with us...which I find interesting. Also, Britney's a bit pissed in this video. Of course, she should be if her entire existence is based around making someone else happy. Again, I don't think any of the dance moves are blatantly sexual. P.S. Her boobs look HUGE.

Order: 5

Title: "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart"

Album: Baby One More Time (1998)

Song Premise: A young girl deals with her first heartbreak.

Video Premise: A bitter breakup leads Britney to pack up her Laura Ashley doll and other essentials, say farewell to her mom and little sister and catch a bus out of her small, rural town. Britney sings on a tire swing and porch wearing a Blossom hat, while she reminisces about days gone by with her ex-boyfriend. Just after she leaves, the boyfriend returns too late.

Comments: So I hadn't seen this video until just now. (And I call myself a Britney fan...tsk, tsk). Anyway, from the sickly sweet promotional pictures, I figured I'd hate it. But I didn't. This is the first one with an actual plot...well, it's more like the shadow of a plot, but it's there, damn it! It has flashback scenes, which is enough to satisfy me for a break up song. Dare I say, a few of the scenes feel a little country. They make out on a water tower! Plus, I loved the ironic ending with the boyfriend returning not in time. Serves him right.

Videography: Reba McEntire (Part V - The 2000's)

Reba released only 9 videos in the 2000's. This was mostly due to the fact that she released only 3 albums and 2 greatest hits compilations. Her sitcom also probably added to it. Still, videos of this era went back to her mini movie formula with stories when there was no specific story in the song.

Order: 32

Title: "Sweet Music Man"

Album: Greatest Hits Vol. III: I'm a Survivor (2001)

Song Premise: A woman sings to her ex, a famed musician who people have grown tired of.

Video Premise: Reba wanders through an abandoned mansion.

Comments: "Sweet Music Man" is kind of a country standard and an odd choice to release as a single with a video. So if it's been done, why not put a goddamn story to the video!? Reba wandering through a house is only slightly better than her singing on a stage.

Order: 33

Title: "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain"

Album: Room to Breathe (2003)

Song Premise: A stubborn woman vows to make the most of life and relish in it.

Video Premise: Reba sings and dances with others while a woman bronco rider impresses male viewers and talented ropers show us their stuff.

Comments: I don't really like this song. For someone who loves country, this one's just a little too country for me. However, the video is equally country with its rodeo riders and ropers so I'd say they evenly matched.

Order: 34

Title: "Somebody"

Album: Room to Breathe (2003)

Song Premise: A man realizes a waitress at his diner is the one for him.

Video Premise: A man flirts with a waitress at a diner but is unaware of her attraction to him. Later, he flirts with the idea of asking out a blonde in his elevator. And finally, the waitress runs into him at working, covering them with food when he realizes that he's got a thing for her. Reba witnesses all of this as she sings.

Comments: This video is cute. It's like a rom-com in under four minutes. Which is perfect because the song is also a rom-com in under four minutes. I loved this video when it came out. After all, I was knee deep in my "Hopeful Romantic" stage, how could I not? Even now, in my Age of Cynicism, I found myself smiling during the damn thing.

Order: 35

Title: "He Gets That From Me"

Album: Room to Breathe (2003)

Song Premise: A woman is thankful for the characteristics of her deceased husband in their son.

Video Premise: Reba and her son drive to the cemetery to bring flowers to his father's grave. On the way, they see a father and son happily cross the street.

Comments: Oh wow, more sad subject matter. I'm not a huge fan of "family love" songs, but again, this video made me tear up. The thing I love most about this video is that the kid is at least eleven years old. It would be way to much if the kid was six and tripping over his untied shoes (which, oh no, Daddy isn't there to teach him how to tie!) as he puts the flowers on his grave.

Order: 36

Title: "You're Gonna Be (Always Loved By Me)"

Album: Reba #1's (2005)

Song Premise: A mother vows to always love her daughter despite the mistakes she may make.

Video Premise: A young pregnant girl in labor wanders into a hospital. We flash back to the girl meeting a guy on a college campus, flirting with him at a party, and then taking a pregnancy test. When she breaks the news to him, he wants nothing to do with her and leaves. The girls writes a letter to Mama Reba who comes to the hospital after the baby is born.

Comments: Reba the Mom, Part III. So maybe they're cashing in on the Reba show, where Reba plays the mother to a pregnant teen. This video, however, is a little more depressing, since the baby daddy doesn't choose to marry the woman he knocked up and participate in wacky newlywed antics under the same roof as grandma. I must be PMSing, because this one made me tear up too. Son of a bitch.

Order: 37

Title: "Love Needs a Holiday"

Album: Reba #1's (2005)

Song Premise: A man and woman take a break from their family and stay at a hotel for a weekend.

Video Premise: The couple from the "Somebody" video go to a hotel and have a romantic weekend alone while their three kids are taken care of by their grandmother.

Comments: Ugh. Yes, I know this video is supposed to be cute and to any other woman, it probably is. But right now, there is nothing more terrifying to me than the family life portrayed in this video. Family life like this is most certainly what would follow for the happy "Somebody" couple, right? Because all people who meet and get together in a rom-com fashion would want to live out the suburban American dream, right? ARG!!!

Order: 38

Title: "Because of You" (with Kelly Clarkson)

Album: Reba: Duets (2007)

Song Premise: Not really a duet with two stories, but rather a normal song split into two vocal parts. Two women discuss how a person has effected their ability to love and trust.

Video Premise: At a 20's/30's/40's era night club, Reba and Kelly are a singing act. Kelly has a possessive, abusive boyfriend who flirts with other women while she is singing. Later, Reba helps Kelly cover up a black eye. In the end, Kelly stays with her jerkoff boyfriend, much to Reba's dismay.

Comments: Okay, this one looks cool, but it doesn't make much sense. If I were directing it, Reba and Kelly would be a mother/daughter act. And Reba would be the abused one, and Kelly would be unable to have successful relationships because of all the childhood trauma she's witnessed. Wouldn't that make much sense? Why would a forty-something woman let a twenty-something's relationship affect her that much?...unless they really are mother/daughter and it that case, HOW THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT?

Order: 39

Title: "Every Other Weekend" (with Kenny Chesney)

Album: Reba: Duets (2007)

Song Premise: A divorced couple with joint custody only see each other every other weekend when they trade children and refuse to tell one another they’re still in love.

Video Premise: Reba sits on a park bench and sings. She watches a young mother give her kids to her ex husband. They accidentally touch and have flashes of the future with them trading their kids as they're preteens and teenagers. Their hands hold a little too long and they part ways.

Comments: First off, where is Kenny Chesney? If they couldn't get him, then I don't think Reba should be in the video either. It just looks weird. Other than that, I love the concepts. I also think its cool how they have the actors who play Reba's daughter and her husband on the Reba show play the couple. That's just cool, even if they do look a little young, especially when their kids are supposed to be teenagers. Sure, this video is a little depressing (no tears though!!!), but you're left wondering if this vision of their possible future will change the couple's future actions.

Order: 40

Title: "Strange"

Album: Keep On Loving You (2009)

Song Premise: A woman thinks it's strange how quickly she gets over her break up.

Video Premise: Reba alternates between lying in a bed of Kleenex, eating chocolates on the phone and singing in front of a band and/or psychedelic kaleidoscope backgrounds.

Comments: So, this is kind of a nothing video. Don't get me wrong, it's not boring like her stage videos. This one has enough interesting cuts and visuals to keep you watching for three minutes, but other than that it's not really memorable.

Order: 41

Title: "Consider Me Gone"

Album: Keep On Loving You (2009)

Song Premise: A woman gives her man an ultimatum on his feelings for her.

Video Premise: A young woman gets dressed up for a night on a town to find her man sitting on the couch watching TV. We have flashbacks to a happier time when the couple was moving into their apartment. The woman drives off angrily to her friend/mentor Reba's apartment (who's a fashion designer for some reason). Slowly, the boyfriend realizes his stuff is disappearing from the apartment. Reba talks her friend down as the boyfriend shows up in a suit to take out the girl.

Comments: So, it's kind of funny (but not surprising) how Reba no longer plays the main character in her own videos. She's either a unconnected narrator, matchmaker, or mother. Is this her choice? Or is it the video director that's pitching Reba as some kind of fairy godmother who holds all the answers...and yet sings about not knowing them. Although she is the main character in "Strange," I wonder if the music video industry is trying to tell us that once you reach a certain age, problems like despondent husbands only occur to young, pretty people. Hmmmm...something's not right here.

Well, there you go. The 41 music videos of Reba McEntire. I hope my opinions didn't wear on you too much. I can't help the way I feel. I rather enjoyed this. Next up will either be Britney or Taylor Swift. Any requests?

Videography: Reba McEntire (Part IV - The Late 90's)

By the late 90's, Reba started cranking out less videos. But when she did, she went back to the more literal lyric translations from her earlier videos mixed with the epicness of the ones she was famous for.

Order: 25

Title: "I'd Rather Ride Around With You"

Album: What If It's You (1996)

Song Premise: A woman is supposed to be a bridesmaid in her cousin's wedding but would rather spend time with her boyfriend.

Video Premise: Reba is a bridesmaid in her cousin's wedding. She is then "kidnapped" by her boyfriend. While her cousin gets married, Reba and her man drive around and play in an airplane. However, he cousin doesn't seem to mind and her wedding and reception goes by fine.

Comments: So, that's kind of a bitchy move to abandon someone on their wedding day. In these days of Bridezillas, I doubt this could by as smoothly. Still, the video is fun, upbeat, and back to the literal translation era.

Order: 26

Title: "What If It's You"

Album: What If It's You (1996)

Song Premise: A woman wonders if her ex is her soul mate.

Video Premise: Reba sings in a room and writes in a diary. She flashes back to happier times with her ex and envisions him with his new girlfriend riding horses on the beach. She then goes into the beach house where they spent time together. It flashes to the wedding of the man to his new woman. Before they depart on their honeymoon, he hands Reba a box with a picture of him inside.

Comments: This is actually a sequel to the "I'd Rather Ride Around With You" video. It uses the same actor and also begins with Reba writing in a diary. I don't think sequel videos are very common and I love this concept. It's actually kind of sad to watch. I thought to myself "Oh no, that's the guy from the other video. They were so happy and now look." When we hear a happy song or see a happy couple, we never think that they will be the subjects of a future sad song. I love that we're knocked off our happy horse.

Order: 27

Title: "What If"

Album: Single released in 1997

Song Premise: Reba's answer to "We Are the World".

Video Premise: Reba sings, surrounded by racially diverse people and a choir and is intercut with footage from third world countries and the like.

Comments: Sigh. Bad song. Corny video. Didn't we out grow this shit in the 80's? Please go back to heartache and cheating husbands, Reba.

Order: 28

Title: "If You See Him/If You See Her" (with Brooks & Dunn)

Album: If You Seem Him (1998)

Song Premise: A married couple tell a go between that they both still love one another but refuse to confront the other.

Video Premise: Reba is finishing lunch with her girlfriends when she runs into a friend (played by Kix Brooks) and they begin chatting. After that, she then sees her ex (played by Ronnie Dunn) enter the bar and play pool with his friend. Ronnie and Kix begin talking, and as Ronnie goes to get another beer he sees Reba leaving. At the end of the video, Reba and Ronnie both request that Kix not tell anyone about their discussions.

Comments: This video is not particularly creative, but it does just about everything you can do, given the lyrics. At least it's not the three of them singing on a stage the whole time.

Order: 29

Title: "Forever Love"

Album: If You Seem Him (1998)

Song Premise: A woman pledges her love to a man.

Video Premise: Reba leaves her husband in the middle of the night, reminisces about him on her travels and ultimately returns home.

Comments: All right, although this video is far from perfect, it takes a song about relatively nothing (I'll love you forever) and gives us one of many possible plots in the video. Why don't more videos do this? Choose a plot! This is better than Reba standing on a stage.

Order: 30

Title: "What Do You Say"

Album: So Good Together (1999)

Song Premise: A song that sends the message to listen to your heart.

Video Premise: A man and his son are stopped a red light, and the son asks why there are so many "X's" on the storefront. They drive quickly home, where the man's teenage daughter is dressed like a skank and wanting to leave with her friends. Her mother reprimands her, but still lets her go. Later that night, the daughter calls drunk from a party and her mom goes to pick her up. It's later revealed that the mother has cancer and later dies. The mourning family passes by Reba with her family in the waiting room.

Comments: This is the stuff Lifetime movies are made of and it plays out just like one would. It's a sappy song with a sappy video. What do you expect? P.S. I cried.

Order: 31

Title: "I'll Be"

Album: So Good Together (1999)

Song Premise: A mother promises to be there for her daughter.

Video Premise: A mother watches her daughter walk down the stairs in a wedding dress. It immediately flashes back to the mother nursing her daughter's hurt knee. We then flash forward to the girl growing into a teenager and being comforted about her braces. Then the girl is dumped by her boyfriend and runs into the house where her mother comforts her. Finally, the girl leaves for college. Through a montage we are shown several occurrences on the stairs until we see Reba as movers take boxes out of the house that's for sale. Reba and her own daughter then bring her sick mother dinner.

Comments: Okay, another Lifetime movie. This one didn't make me cry, thankfully. Um, yeah...it's good. Definitely schmaltzy, but good.

Videography: Reba McEntire (Part III - The Mid 90's)

In the mid 90's, Reba was exhausted with her grand, epic mini movie style music videos. Therefore, most of the videos from this era featured simple sets and concepts...okay, basically no concepts.

Order: 18

Title: "Why Haven't I Heard From You"

Album: Read My Mind (1994)

Song Premise: A woman is frustrated that a man won't call her on the phone.

Video Premise: Reba sings and dances around a beauty salon.

Comments: I think this one is supposed to be "fun" like "Take it Back" is supposed to be "fun". But, you know, it's just kind of lame and silly. Still, she and her dancers seem really into the idea.

Order: 19

Title: "She Thinks His Name Was John"

Album: Read My Mind (1994)

Song Premise: The story of a woman who contracts AIDS from a one night stand.

Video Premise: Reba on stage...with track lighting...with a slideshow of happy couples behind her.

Comments: Fail!!! This is an awesome story song, and yet all we have is Reba singing on a stage. Grrr. There is nothing more frustrating then a story song with a video like this. Why? WHY!?

Order: 20

Title: "Till You Love Me"

Album: Read My Mind (1994)

Song Premise: Your basic “hopelessly devoted” song.

Video Premise: Reba on stage...with track lighting.

Comments: Zzzzzzzzzzz....

Order: 21

Title: "And Still"

Album: Read My Mind (1994)

Song Premise: After running into a former flame and meeting his wife, a woman realizes that she is still in love with him.

Video Premise: It begins "somewhere in central America" with Reba riding on a bus with a bunch of children. She then has flashbacks of a man building a house. Reba plays piano for the children and sings when one of them announces "the doctor is coming!" And, ta dah, it's the guy from Reba's flashbacks. Reba and the doctor have a lovely dinner while the flashbacks continue. But low and behold, the doctor's wife and son show up. The doctor leaves with his family and Reba remains doing missionary work.

Comments:Okay, this is much better. This one is beautifully shot and catches the mood of the song. However, I can't help but wonder, why central America? To me it gives off this creepy Angelina Jolie vibe. But maybe the foreign setting adds to the melodrama.

Order: 22

Title: "On My Own" (With Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, and Linda Davis)

Album: Starting Over Again (1995)

Song Premise: A woman discusses her break up with her friends.

Video Premise: Reba, Trisha, Martina, and Linda play poker, then prepare for a concert, then sing on stage.

Comments: This song sucks. I especially hate the Kenny G intro. Still, the funnest thing about this video is seeing how the four singers interact with one another. If the song were better, I might like the video more.

Order: 23

Title: Starting Over Again

Album: Starting Over Again (1995)

Song Premise: A woman observes her parents' divorce and how

Video Premise: Reba on stage with an orchestra.

Comments: Wow, this is really is the era of sparse production isn't it?

Order: 24

Title: "The Fear of Being Alone"

Album: What If It's You (1996)

Song Premise: A woman assures a man he doesn't love her, that it's only a one night stand.

Video Premise: Reba sings in a recording studio.

Comments: Zzzzzzzzzz... 2.0.