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I blame the fact that I recorded Test Pilot last night for the fact that I got to pondering what the Harry Potter movies might have been like if they'd been made in the days of classic Hollywood. Who would've been cast? I've been mildly obsessing about it ever since.

Since it's my pet obsession I'm freely casting from both sides of the pond and hand waving off studio politics and the ages of the actors and actresses at the mythical time that my film series would be set.

Here's who I'd cast in each of the main roles:

Albus Dumbledore- There's only one actor to play this role, IMHO, and that's Lionel Barrymore. He could be the dotty old sweetheart of Grand Hotel or the growly curmudgeon of Captains Courageous, he was better known for playing the slightly crazy, kind grandfather figure but he could be a hardass when the role demanded it.

Harry Potter- This is a tough one, but I guess I'd go with Freddie Bartholomew, the star of Little Lord Fauntleroy and Captains Courageous. The one thing this kid could do was cry, and that is a rather important element in playing HP, so I'm sticking with this casting.

Hermione Granger- A little tougher as I'm not as familiar with the younger actresses of the period, but I'd have to go with Virginia Weidler, best known for her role as Dinah Lord in The Philadelphia Story. The girl had spunk, a sharp wit and could convey a whole range of emotions with a simple raised eyebrow.

Ron Weasley- Ok just hear me out on this one, I'm going with Mickey Rooney which might seem a bit bizarre at first blush, but he excelled at playing the wisecracking sidekick type, a kid with more street smarts than book smarts and a mouth that often got the better of him. He also works well with Freddie Bartholomew (hey he costarred in both Captains Courageous and Little Lord Fauntleroy with him), which doesn't hurt.

Severus Snape- I can't believe you even have to ask, but ok, obviously it's Basil Rathbone. As if there could be anyone else. The original Sherlock Holmes and Sir Guy of Gisbourne had the body and voice, not to mention the cape/robe skillz required, to pull off the role in style. Just imagine the dueling scene from the second movie done by the man who gave Errol Flynn a run for his money in The Adventures of Robin Hood. Oh yeah, baby.

Minerva McGonagal- The actress who pops immediately to mind is Mildred Natwick, who's probably best known for her "vessel with the pestle" routine from The Court Jester, or as Ivy Gravely in The Trouble with Harry.

Hagrid- All right, I admit, this one's got me stumped.

Professor Trelawney- Could it be anybody but Billie Burke? I don't think so.

Gilderoy Lockhart- It'd be a total waste for just the one movie, but oh how I'd love to see Cary friggin' Grant in the role. Not only was he just drop dead gorgeous, but an amazing comedian as well. Again, take a moment to imagine Cary Grant dueling Basil Rathbone in Chamber of Secrets. Oh yeah, baby. Though as a back up I'd be awfully tempted to go with Laurence Olivier, not as talented a comedian but oh would he add the pretty and conceited to the role.

Remus Lupin- When you think tall, sweet natured, and humble who else springs to mind but Jimmy Stewart? Sure he wouldn't get nearly enough screentime, but that's going to be a recurring problem with the casting I'm afraid.

Sirius Black- Right, this time we need suave, handsome in a rugged way, a real ladies man who's down on his luck. I gotta' go with Clark Gable. Sirius always kind of reminded me of Gable's role in Test Pilot, thoughtless and devil may care until the world catches up with him. Later on he could be something of a broken down Rhett Butler.

Lucius Malfoy- Oh have I got the perfect actor for this role, none other than George Sanders, effete snarkmaster supreme. I need only point to his role as Addison DeWitt in All About Eve. Watch him. Seriously, just watch him in that film. As I recall he even uses a cane in that one.

Voldemort- Well I hate to typecast, but if you're going with ye olde classic movie monster type you really have to go with Boris Karloff. He's got the build, a great creepy voice, and he's used to uncomfortable makeup. It's a total gimme.

Bellatrix Lestrange- If you need a black-haired beauty you can't go wrong with Elizabeth Taylor, not only was she exquisitely gorgeous, but she could, when necessary, bring the crazy. Doubt me? Watch Raintree County or Suddenly, Last Summer.

Arthur and Molly Weasley- Ok it might seem like overkill, but I am compelled to cast the great on and offscreen couple, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. They certainly had the chemistry to pull it off, and I would actually consider parting with a limb to hear her utter the word "Mollywobbles".

All right, I'm spent for the moment. I'll undoubtedly think of more as soon as I post this, but in the meantime who would you cast? Remember, this is classic film stars, feel free to re-cast or cast some of the roles I didn't.