There are times when you just need to relax. You're thinking of renting a video, but are so emotionally spent that you don't even want to experience any real conflict in the story. You just want something very low key.

Here are two recommendations from yesteryear, that are still popular enough to be available at your local video store.

First up is Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm (1938). This film, starring Shirley Temple, has almost nothing to do with Kate Douglas Wiggins' well-loved 1903 novel, except that there is a character named Rebecca, and she spends some time at Sunnybrook Farm, in the care of a spinster aunt.

In this version, Rebecca Winstead (Shirley Temple) auditions as a radio performer for Orville Smithers (Jack Haley), a somewhat less than brilliant assistant to producer Tony Kent (Randolph Scott). Kent likes what he hears only through an intercom system, but never meets Rebecca, who is mistakenly given the brush-off by Smithers.

Henry Kipper (William Demarest) hoped that Rebecca would be his meal ticket, but now, since the audition has apparently failed, drops her off at the farm of her aunt, Miranda Wilkins (Helen Westley). Also living on the farm is Gwen Warren (Gloria Stuart--the old Rose from 1997's Titanic).

Tony is desperate to find Rebecca, especially after listening to so many no-talent candidates, and knowing that he could lose a key sponsor. After telling Orville to locate Rebecca or else, he takes a few days off at HIS farm, situated right next to Sunnybrook.

Of course, everything works out, and watching the extremely talented Shirley Temple sing and dance is a delight.

Our second low key charmer is State Fair (1945). This pic represents Rodgers and Hammerstein's only film score, and includes "Grand Night For Singing," "That's For Me," and the Oscar-winning "It Might As Well Be Spring."

The Frakes are an Iowa family heading off to the state fair. Twenty- something daughter Margy (Jeanne Crain) is "vaguely discontented" with her life, including dull as dishwater boyfriend Harry (Phil Brown). Her brother Wayne (Dick Haymes) had hoped to bring his girlfriend Eleanor (Jane Nigh) along, but finds out that she can't come.

Meanwhile, their parents, Abel (Charles Winninger) and Melissa (Fay Bainter) are hoping to win big with their hog, pickles, and mince meat.

At the fair, Margy meets cool guy reporter Pat Gilbert (Dana Andrews), while Wayne takes up with glamorous chanteuse Emily Edwards (Vivian Blaine). Both of these romances are pretty fast track, and appear doomed, but have some unexpected twists and turns.

As for the parents, their separate roads to blue ribbondom are far less convoluted.

Naturally, the ending is happy for everyone, except, perhaps poor Harry (who at least impressed Melissa). The music is pure Americana, and is just great.

In an interesting case of life imitating art, Jeanne Crain married in 1946 (against her mother's wishes), at age 21, and contrary to all Hollywood odds, is STILL married to the same man today. The late Dick Haymes more than exemplified the oddly incongruous "love the one you're with" characterization of Wayne Frake, having many stormy relationships throughout his lifetime.

Make some popcorn, and enjoy these oldies!!