--Surath Giri
I was inspired to write this post when for a 100th time I was asked how could I manage to watch slow and or black & white movies. And what classic movies should one watch so that he/she doesn't fall asleep during the movie and develop a distaste for the oldies . I have compiled here a list of my most favorite classic movies made before 1960 along a short synopsis and reason why I loved the movie. I am sure if you are able to find these movies and finish them, you'll start loving the classics. A warning though: Once you get used to watching the classics, it hard to get you out of their world. Proceed with caution!
I was inspired to write this post when for a 100th time I was asked how could I manage to watch slow and or black & white movies. And what classic movies should one watch so that he/she doesn't fall asleep during the movie and develop a distaste for the oldies . I have compiled here a list of my most favorite classic movies made before 1960 along a short synopsis and reason why I loved the movie. I am sure if you are able to find these movies and finish them, you'll start loving the classics. A warning though: Once you get used to watching the classics, it hard to get you out of their world. Proceed with caution!
Adapted
from a teleplay of the same
name by Reginald Rose, this court room drama has inspired countless
remakes in countless other languages. 12 Angry Men, tells the story of a
jury made up of 12 men as they deliberate the guilt or innocence of a
defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt.Except for the opening titles
and a few other scenes, the whole movie is set inside a room in a
court. The viewers are always engaged and on the edge of their seats as
the 12 men discuss and debate the innocence or guiltyness of the
defendant. I really loved the way the movie keeps the viewers interested
and glued to their seats even though all it consists is 12 people
discussing and debating, nothing else.
2. Casablanca (1942,Michael Curtiz,102 minutes)
Of
the 1100+ movies I have watched so far, Casablanca is the ultimate
romantic drama for me. Set during World War II, it's a triangular love
story. During the world war, Rick Blaine, exiled American and former
freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in Casablanca which is
under German occupation and is a transit point for refugees escaping to
United States.Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters
of transit. When a Nazi Major arrives in Casablanca, the local police
Captain Renault does what he can to please him, including detaining
Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo. Much to Rick's surprise, Lazslo
arrives at Casablanca with Ilsa, Rick's one time love. Rick is very
bitter towards Ilsa, who ran out on him in Paris, but when he learns she
had good reason to, they plan to run off together again using the
letters of transit. But fate holds different plans for them...
3. Some Like It Hot (1959, Billy Wilder, 120 minutes)
Some
like it hot is the ultimate comedy from one of the greatest film
director ever- Billy Wilder. Two struggling musicians witness a massacre
and
try to find a way out of the city before they are found and killed by
the mob. The only job that will pay their way is an all girl band so the
two dress up as women. In addition to hiding, each has his own
problems; One falls for another band member but can't tell her his
gender, and the other has a rich suitor who will not take "No," for an
answer. American Film Institute has named it the greatest comedy of all
time. Thirty minutes into the movie and you'll be laughing till your
stomach hurts. Need I say more?
4. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951, Elia Kazan, 122 minutes)
"I've
Always Depended On The Kindness Of Strangers." I found this famous
quote from the movie very hard to get out of my mind. Based on a
immensely famous play of the same name by Tenessesse Williams, this was
the movie that launched Maron Brando career into stardom. Blanche Dubois
goes to visit her pregnant sister and husband Stanley in
New Orleans. Stanley doesn't like her, and starts pushing her for
information on some property he knows was left to the sisters. He
discovers she has mortgaged the place and spent all the money, and wants
to find out all he can about her. Even more friction develops between
the two while they are in the apartment together... A simple story but
legendary acting by every actor in the story is what makes this movie
unforgettable for me.
5. Witness For The Prosecution (1957, Billy Wilder, 116 minutes)
This
Agatha Christie's story is so full of one surprise after another that
you get used to them and don't see the largest twist come and blow away
your mind in the end. Even today, the movie feels fresh and new. At
previews of the movie, audience members received, and were asked to
sign, cards
that read, "I solemnly swear I will not reveal the ending of Witness for
the Prosecution." Have I enticed you enough to watch the movie? If not
here's a short plot summary (except the ending of course):
When Leonard Vole is arrested for the sensational murder of a rich,
middle-aged widow, the famous Sir Wilfrid Robarts agrees to appear on
his behalf. The case is so difficult: Vole's only alibi witness is his wife, the
calm and coldly calculating Christine Vole. Sir Wilfrid's task becomes
even more impossible when Christine agrees to be a witness not for the
defence but for the prosecution...
6. Sunset Blvd. (1950, Billy Wilder, 110 minutes)
As
I list the third Billy Wilder movie in my list, I am realizing how
brilliant and versatile Mr. Wilder was. He surely is one of the greatest
directors of all time. This movie of his made me fall in love with the
"film-noir" genre of movies. This is such a great film on so many levels
I can't really settle on where
to begin. Let's begin with a plot summary. An unsuccessful screenwriter
is drawn into the fantasy world of a silent-era movie star (played by
Gloria Swanson) who refuses to believe that her days in the silver
screen are over and dreams of making a triumphant return to the screen.
She lives with only her butler, Max who was once her director and
husband in an old mansion at Sunset Blvd. After meeting the
screenwriter, she begins a relationship with him which results in
various complications. Gloria Swanson's acting in the movie is
considered one of the greatest performance in the screen ever. I totally
agree with that!
7. The General (1926, Buster Keaton, 107 minutes)
If
Charlie Chaplin is the only image that conjures up in your mind when
you hear the term "silent comedies", then you are in for a treat with
Buster Keaton's The General. Not only will this silent comedy keep you
laughing uncontollably till the end, it will provide a refreshing look
at silent comedies. Buster Keaton who not only directed the movie but
also plays the main character in the movie is absolutely amazing. While
funny, Keaton is much more than just
a clownish figure – he manages to evoke a lot of sympathy as well, and
he
genuinely becomes what can only be described as an action hero as well.
His
timing, whether for a joke or for a tender moment, is absolutely
impeccable. You can be sure of one thing after watching the movie, it's
not possible to make movies such as this anymore and there is more to
silent comedies than Charlie Chaplin.
Plot Summary: Johnnie loves his train ("The General") and Annabelle Lee. When the
Civil War begins he is turned down for service because he's more
valuable as an engineer. Annabelle thinks it's because he's a coward.
Union spies capture The General with Annabelle on board. Johnny must
rescue both of his loves.
8. The Wages Of Fear (1953, Henri-Georges Clouzot, 131 minutes)
Very
few thrillers have glued me to the seat as much as this Freach thriller
by Henri-Georges Clouzot. Four European adventurers who are stuck
nearly penniless in a festering town in
an unnamed South American country agree to drive a load of highly
dangerous and explosive nitroglycerin to be delivered to a remote well
fire 300 miles away burning out of control. The route is through
jungles and over crude and treacherous mountains and those men are
desperate enough to take the chance. None of these men is heroic or
generous, they are in for the money. Their long, harrowing ride over bad
roads with their cargo ready to
explode at every jolt and jar; the drivers are gambling with their very
lives against the opportunity to escape from their steaming, sordid
environment.Every possible jolt brings the viewers' hearts to their
throats. I am sure these four characters will remain etched in your mind
for a long time after the movie.
9. Singin' In The Rain (1952, Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 103 minutes)
Until
I watched Singin' In The Rain, I had never thought a musical would be
so fun to watch.I didn't like musicals. They never made any sense to me.
This movie changed my perceptions totally. "Singin' in the Rain" is one
of the best musicals of all times. Even today it's so fun to watch.
Although it was not a big hit when first released, it was accorded its
legendary status by contemporary critics.
Plot Summary: In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic
pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don
has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo.
When Don and Lina's latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has
the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina - well, even with the best
efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice.
Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she is
working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. Will Kathy continue to
"aspire", or will she get the break she deserves ?
10. North By Northwest (1959, Alfred Hitchcock, 131 minutes)
Of
course, any list of best classic movies would be incomplete without at
least one movie by the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock. I have
watched and loved almost every one of his movies but none surpasses the
perfectness of this 1959 thriller about a New York advertising executive
who is mistaken for a government
agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country
while he looks for a way to survive and figure out the mystery. North By
Northwest never lets you leave your seat even when you are dying to
answer nature's call. I watched this movie twice. Both of the times, it
reminded me what a perfect movie should be like and how it takes a
legend to make a movie this unforgettable.A feast for a spy-thriller
lovers like me!
Some honorable mentions (Movies I would have surely included had I not been concerned about the length of the post and had I had enough time) :
1. On The Waterfront (1954)
2. All About Eve (1950)
3. Nights of Cabiria (1957)
4. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
5. It Happened One Night (1934)
6. Double Indemnity (1944)
7. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)
8. M (1931)
9. Brief Encounter (1945)
10. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
So what do you think about this list? What are your favorite classic movies?
Originally published at: http://www.surathgiri.com .Author is one of the co-founders of Onion Films.
Originally published at: http://www.surathgiri.com .Author is one of the co-founders of Onion Films.
