An eclectic mix, these are fascinating tales to enjoy. The scenes aren't obscured by today’s special effects, monsters and digital eyestrain. Take one or more along on your next journey, to watch while high in the sky or trying to sleep in a noisy hotel. Here they are, in order of release years:

Mutiny On The Bounty (1935) Get the original, not the mumbling Marlon Brando remake of 1962. Clark Gable does a somewhat better job trying to speak with a British accent as mutineer Fletcher Christian. He also portrays the character as an authentic naval officer, not Brando’s unconvincing, mincing upper-class snob.

Charles Laughton as the cruel Captain Bligh gives a classic performance that can never be matched. Although both Laughton and Gable were nominated for Academy Awards, the only Oscar was for best picture. www.winthrop.dk/bounty/trivia

Cruises are great! You get to enjoy the luxury and all the amenities, plus some extras, of a luxury seaside hotel. Your resort at sea also transports you from port to port, for exciting new ocean and city sights every day.

When you plan a cruise, there are important things to do:

Official: Check early with your travel agent on updated passports and other documents you must have with you.

Senior Contributor Essay: Today’s family cars boast GPS, TV, computer games, portable DVDs, CD players, SmartPhones, iPods and all the other gizmos. They fill your car with laughter, music, confusion, noise and visuals.

Therefore, it may seem unnecessary now to come up with any of the old-fashioned ways to make the road journey more pleasant. Cruising the highways, you’ll hear: "do we have to leave now?" to "are we there yet?" to "stop before I wet myself" to "oh, goodie, we're here" to "why did you choose this dump?". To make the time pass more peacefully, there are hundreds of amusing and constructive choices available to your passengers.

Our kids grew up just before all the explosions of online electronics. On long road trips, they had portable radios, audio cassette players and counted cows. We always piled a bunch of books ... remember them? ... in the car before our journeys. We also took along crossword puzzles, coloring books, games, magazines and other printed materials.

Your elder editor and always-patient spouse have wandered the world frequently for more than 70 years, throughout America, Europe and Asia. Since retirement, travel happens at least once a month. After considerable experiences in the sky, at sea and on the road, here are some very basic tips that may help other seasoned citizens:

Go light. Unless you're sailing on a super-formal cruise or will attend a function at the White House or Buckingham Palace, pack just basic comfy clothing. Take only what you can carry and wheel yourself without checking.

Travel used to include a big suitcase, to lug around, check and, after flights, wait by the merry-go-round hoping they weren’t lost. Most airlines now charge for check-in bags from $15 to $25 each, and it can be avoided if you go light.