Rarely, there's a movie that meets three objectives: to be good, to be profitable and to be important. One such movie deserves recognition on the basis that it meets and exceeds each of these criteria. That movie is Chaplin's The Great Dictator.
The Big Sleep Key Largo Mildred Pierce Sunset Boulevard The Bad & The Beautiful
Damn! I can't believe I forgot:
Rear Window
The first "old movie" I fell in love with.
Also, another, less heard of film:
Dead Of Night (1945)
For those unfamiliar, it is a British, anthology horror film, made by Ealing Studios (a rare foray from their comedy fare), starring Michael Redgrave, amongst others.
A precursor for the likes of Dr Terrors House Of Horror, & Creepshow.
Well worth hunting down if you like that sort of film.
All these old movies like The Third Man, On The Waterfront, M, etc etc are so great partly because they are not in colour. One of my top films, Invasion of The Body Snatchers was remade in the 70s in colour and it is much less haunting. Black & White rules - so much more atmospheric. Fabulous lighting possibilities. Colour is often too 'real' and movies lose that dream-like quality. Though the change from B &W to colour in The Wizard of Oz is magnificent.
This a subject that could be broken down into favourite musicals of the 30s, favourite gangster film of the 30s, favourite thriller of the 30’s, etc. Now that would be some interesting lists!
Looking at my IMDB ratings, I have two 10/10s I've not seen mentioned here yet.
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) was truly ahead of its time and suitably melancholy, at a time when Hollywood only had happy endings - then came film noir.
Sullivan's Travels is a 1941 screwball comedy I can't remember all that well TBH, but I know it's well worth another 90 minutes of my time and a £2.50 stream. So I'd recommend that for a fun and easy watch.
All these old movies like The Third Man, On The Waterfront, M, etc etc are so great partly because they are not in colour. One of my top films, Invasion of The Body Snatchers was remade in the 70s in colour and it is much less haunting. Black & White rules - so much more atmospheric. Fabulous lighting possibilities. Colour is often too 'real' and movies lose that dream-like quality. Though the change from B &W to colour in The Wizard of Oz is magnificent.
Talking of black and white, a great film made well into the modern era is The Elephant Man. very atmospheric, and with brilliant sound too. And a phenomenal cast.
The Big Sleep Key Largo Mildred Pierce Sunset Boulevard The Bad & The Beautiful
Damn! I can't believe I forgot:
Rear Window
The first "old movie" I fell in love with.
Also, another, less heard of film:
Dead Of Night (1945)
For those unfamiliar, it is a British, anthology horror film, made by Ealing Studios (a rare foray from their comedy fare), starring Michael Redgrave, amongst others.
A precursor for the likes of Dr Terrors House Of Horror, & Creepshow.
Well worth hunting down if you like that sort of film.
Is 'Dead of Night' the one which includes a film about a man trapped within an art gallery painting? I saw it as a teenager and would love to see it again.
Did anyone else used to stay up late on summer nights watching BBC2's seasons of horror films back in the early 1980s? Each double-bill would start with a b/w classic like 'Bride of Frankenstein' or 'Night of the Demon' followed by a more modern horror like the little-known 'Race with the Devil'.
Comments
One of my favourite ealing films bar the usual ones is The Captive Heart. Great POW film.
Ben-Hur
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Cruel Sea
The Searchers
Mrs Minniver was a favourite of my mother in law. So too Woman in a Dressing Gown.
The War Of The Worlds
The Wizard Of Oz
The Postman Always Rings Twice
The Maltese Falcon
The Big Sleep
Double Indemnity
Key Largo
no contest!!!
Top Hat
Destry Rides Again
South Pacific
Around the World in 80 days.
Rear Window
The first "old movie" I fell in love with.
Also, another, less heard of film:
Dead Of Night (1945)
For those unfamiliar, it is a British, anthology horror film, made by Ealing Studios (a rare foray from their comedy fare), starring Michael Redgrave, amongst others.
A precursor for the likes of Dr Terrors House Of Horror, & Creepshow.
Well worth hunting down if you like that sort of film.
1930s It Happened One Night, Lucky Night, Angels with Dirty Faces
1940s This Happy Breed, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, Its a Wonderful Life
1950s Bad Day at Black Rock, Rififi, La Strada
Now that would be some interesting lists!
Modern Times - Charlie Chaplin
Way Out west - Laurel and Hardy
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) was truly ahead of its time and suitably melancholy, at a time when Hollywood only had happy endings - then came film noir.
Sullivan's Travels is a 1941 screwball comedy I can't remember all that well TBH, but I know it's well worth another 90 minutes of my time and a £2.50 stream. So I'd recommend that for a fun and easy watch.
And a phenomenal cast.
The Music Box - Laurel and Hardy...🤦♂️
Did anyone else used to stay up late on summer nights watching BBC2's seasons of horror films back in the early 1980s? Each double-bill would start with a b/w classic like 'Bride of Frankenstein' or 'Night of the Demon' followed by a more modern horror like the little-known 'Race with the Devil'.
A Night at the Opera
12 Angry Men
Casablanca
The Third Man