You know, its been a while since I sat down and bunch of classic movies one after the other like I did last year (which is when "Filmstrip Memories" was born). I'm itching to watch old movies again, so I need your help.
Can you guys recommend me good classic movies for me to watch? You can recommend as many as you want. If I have seen them I will let you know. My favorite genres are romance, musical, comedy and drama. But I'll watch anything that has a great story, is well made and is entertaining.
To me, classic movies start at the 1920s and end in 1980, since there's a huge chance I have missed many of them.
Classic Film Recommendations
-
dvdjunkie
- Signature Collection
- Posts: 5613
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2004 10:05 am
- Location: Wichita, Kansas
Here are some of my favorites, some are readily available from Netflix, and some are carried On Demand if your Cable or Satellite company has that feature.
The Hitch-hiker (1953) - 50's film noir directed by Ida Lupino starring William Tallman, Edmund O'Brian and Frank Lovejoy.
Three Little Words (1950) - great musical-comedy from the 50s starring Fred Astaire, Arlene Dahl, Red Skelton and Vera-Ellen.
-30- (1959) - Great film starring William Conrad, Jack Webb, and David Nelson. A day in the life of a Managing Editor of a large metropolitan city newspaper. A wonderful film that you will watch more than once.
The D. I. (1957) - A gritty, well-told story about life in the Marine Corps boot camp at Paris Island. Stars Jack Webb and Don Dubbins. Very good story about a rich kid who joins the Marines only to find out what kind of a man he really is. Another film highly recommended.
Those four will get you started and I will post some more when I see where others are taking you in your journey to watch some very good, classic films.
The Hitch-hiker (1953) - 50's film noir directed by Ida Lupino starring William Tallman, Edmund O'Brian and Frank Lovejoy.
Three Little Words (1950) - great musical-comedy from the 50s starring Fred Astaire, Arlene Dahl, Red Skelton and Vera-Ellen.
-30- (1959) - Great film starring William Conrad, Jack Webb, and David Nelson. A day in the life of a Managing Editor of a large metropolitan city newspaper. A wonderful film that you will watch more than once.
The D. I. (1957) - A gritty, well-told story about life in the Marine Corps boot camp at Paris Island. Stars Jack Webb and Don Dubbins. Very good story about a rich kid who joins the Marines only to find out what kind of a man he really is. Another film highly recommended.
Those four will get you started and I will post some more when I see where others are taking you in your journey to watch some very good, classic films.
The only way to watch movies - Original Aspect Ratio!!!!
I LOVE my Blu-Ray Disc Player!
I LOVE my Blu-Ray Disc Player!
-
DonMickGoof
- Member
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:15 am
1979 - Baby Snakes - A Film About People Who Do Stuff That´s Not Normal (Zappa)
- Information is not Knowledge,
Knowledge is not Wisdom,
Wisdom is not Beauty,
Beauty is not Love
Love is not Music
Music is the Best!
Frank Zappa "1940-1993"
------------------------------
- Jazz isn´t dead it just smells funny!
Knowledge is not Wisdom,
Wisdom is not Beauty,
Beauty is not Love
Love is not Music
Music is the Best!
Frank Zappa "1940-1993"
------------------------------
- Jazz isn´t dead it just smells funny!
-
avonleastories95
- Gold Classic Collection
- Posts: 324
- Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:53 am
- Location: The Ninth Floor, looking for a gold thimble
Holiday Inn (1942)- A movie about an inn that's open 15 days a year.
Singing in the Rain (1952)- A movie well, about movies!
The Wizard of Oz (1939)- This well known classic about a girl named Dorothy and her trip "Off to see the Wizard."
Belle et la Bete (1946)- The story of Beauty and the Beast.
Godspell (1973)- The stories of St. Matthew's gospel retold in NYC with humor and song.
Singing in the Rain (1952)- A movie well, about movies!
The Wizard of Oz (1939)- This well known classic about a girl named Dorothy and her trip "Off to see the Wizard."
Belle et la Bete (1946)- The story of Beauty and the Beast.
Godspell (1973)- The stories of St. Matthew's gospel retold in NYC with humor and song.
-
Escapay
- Ultimate Collector's Edition
- Posts: 12562
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:02 pm
- Location: Somewhere in Time and Space
- Contact:
I generally have my "classic" cut-off at 1975, as that really started the blockbuster era thanks to Jaws, so all my choices are before that date. I also didn't include any movies you reviewed on Filmstrip Memories. Also, the 1960s only has one entry mainly because my other recommendations were movies you already watched (The Sound of Music, The Graduate, etc.). I've also included if the DVD (or Blu-Ray, when applicable) is available in R1 or not, and by which studio.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) - an illusory movie that blurs the line between reality and fantasy, based around a carnival and a dangerous hypnotist. It's a mindwarp that I still don't quite understand. On DVD by Kino Video & Image Entertainment, Kino's is a better transfer.
Sunrise, A Song of Two Humans (1927) - an excellent silent film by F.W. Murnau (also check out The Last Laugh) about a man (George O'Brien) and his wife (Janet Gaynor), and the woman from the city (Margaret Livingston) who comes between them. On DVD by 20th Century Fox, but limited to the box sets "Studio Classics Best Picture collection" and "Murnau, Borzage, and Fox".
Morocco (1930) - one of Marlene Dietrich and director Joseph von Sternberg's best collaborations. She plays singer Amy Jolly who comes to Morocco and falls in love with soldier Tom Brown (Gary Cooper). On DVD by Universal in "Marlene Dietrich: The Glamour Collection".
Footlight Parade (1933) - an early musical with the standard "let's put on a show!" storyline featuring James Cagney, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, and Joan Blondell. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single and in "The Busby Berkeley Collection".
Swing Time (1936) - my favorite of the Astaire/Rogers movies, especially for the finale number that combines a few of the songs in the movie together. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single and in "The Astaire Rogers Collection" (Volume 1, Ultimate Collector's Edition, or 10-Film Collection)
Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) - as Errol Morris famously said, "the most depressing movie ever made, providing reassurance that everything will definitely end badly". Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi co-star as Pa & Ma Cooper, an elderly couple whose children seem to do their best to avoid keeping them in their own homes long-term. On DVD by Criterion Collection.
Golden Boy (1939) - William Holden plays violinist Joe Bonaparte, who takes up boxing (a dangerous decision for a violinist) in order to earn money. He keeps promising his father (Lee J. Cobb) that he'll give up boxing and return to the violin, but gets swept into the boxing culture and lifestyle, falling in love with Lorna Moon (Barbara Stanwyck) in the process. On DVD by Sony.
Now, Voyager (1942) - my favorite Bette Davis movie, which tells a great contemporary Cinderella story for its time (dowdly Charlotte Vale becomes beautiful Camille Beauchamps). Very much part of the "women's picture" genre before it got the horrid new name "chick flick", with high melodrama and strong female lead. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single, in "The Bette Davis Collection, Volume One", and in "TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection - Romance"
Random Harvest (1942) - another in the "women's picture", although it can be classified as a war movie as well (the end of WWI is the backdrop). Ronald Colman stars as Smithy, an amnesiac who meets falls in love with Paula Ridgeway (Greer Garson), but completely forgets about her when he regains his memory as Charles Rainier. On DVD by Warner Bros.
Laura (1944) - my favorite Gene Tierney film, she stars as Laura Hunt, who is found dead in the beginning of the film. Detective Mark MacPherson (Dana Andrews) is investigating her murder and the suspects include her mentor Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), fiancee Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), and her aunt Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson). In the process of investigating Laura's life, MacPherson also falls in love with the woman...who may not be dead after all. On DVD by 20th Century Fox, as a single and in "Classic Quad Set 08".
Brief Encounter (1945) - an early David Lean film, with a closely-intimate portrayal of an affair between a wife/mother (Celia Johnson) and a doctor (Trevor Howard) who meet one day at the refreshment room of a train station. They have a very strained relationship, one they're never sure they will consummate, before it ultimately ends. On DVD by Criterion Collection.
Gilda (1946) - my favorite Rita Hayworth movie, and probably the movie I've watched the most times in 2010. Read my review of the 5-film "Films of Rita Hayworth" DVD set to read about Gilda and the four movies in the set: Cover Girl, Tonight and Every Night, Salome, and Miss Sadie Thompson. Of those four, the latter two could be skipped if you don't have time. On DVD by Columbia (2000 DVD) and Sony (2010 DVD box set).
A Matter of Life and Death (1946) - a Powell & Pressburger war drama regarding British man Peter Carter (David Niven), who falls in love with American woman June (Kim Hunter), based simply on the sound of her voice. I won't say more, it's best to watch the movie just knowing that much. On DVD by Sony.
The Red Shoes (1948) - the most well-known of the Powell & Pressburger films, it is a behind-the-curtain story about a prestigious ballet company and its new prima ballerina, Victoria Page (Moira Shearer). On DVD & Blu-Ray by Criterion Collection.
The Heiress (1949) - Montgomery Clift is a strangely-likeable Morris Townsend, who woos the plain Catherine Sloper (Olivia de Havilland), but bails upon the prospect of her not inheriting the wealth of her father (Ralph Richardson). When he eventually returns to her life, has she learned from the past? On DVD by Universal.
A Place in the Sun (1951) - another Monty Clift, and my favorite from his filmography. Based on a true story and the earlier 1931 film An American Tragedy, Clift plays George Eastman, a young man who has a dalliance with Alice (Shelley Winters) before rising in status and dating Angela (Elizabeth Taylor). But a pregnant Alice then threatens to reveal their relationship. On DVD by Paramount, but it is out of print.
From Here to Eternity (1953) - the third Monty Clift movie listed here, mainly because the guy is an AMAZING actor (even on a bad day, like in The Misfits). I would have included this under Romance, but it's more of a Drama. It's an ensemble picture (in addition to Clift, we've got Burt Lancaster, Donna Reed, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra, etc.) about the lives of soldiers stationed in Pearl Harbor before and during the attack. I've always loved the Clift/Reed scenes, especially when she's telling him why she could never marry him. On DVD by Columbia (single) and Sony (box set "Columbia Best Pictures Collection").
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) - a fun romp in western Oregon, as Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel) marries Milly (Jane Powell). She then teaches his six brothers (Jeff Richards, Matt Mattox, Marc Platt, Tommy Rall, Jacques d'Amboise, and Russ Tamblyn) how to court the other girls in the town. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a two-disc set and in "TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection - Broadway Musicals".
The Ten Commandments (1956) - my favorite film of all time. 'nuff said. On DVD & Blu-Ray by Paramount.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957) - excellent courtroom drama with Charles Laughton as Wilfred Robarts, a lawyer who takes on Leonard Vole's (Tyrone Power, his last completed film) case. He's accused of murder, and Vole's wife (Marlene Dietrich) is rather uncooperative, as well as a witness for the prosecution. But the extent of her devotion to him is amazing. On DVD by MGM, but it is out of print.
I Want to Live! (1958) - highly fictionalized tale about Barbara Graham (Susan Hayward), a woman who keeps trying to avoid the crime life but ultimately ends up in prison for a murder that she continually claims she didn't do. On DVD by MGM.
Splendor in the Grass (1961) - a heartbreaking story about young love. Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood star as Bud and Deanie, high school sweethearts who eventually drift apart as a result of their sexual restraint. Set also against the crash of 1929, we see how their respective families also struggle in the aftermath of the end of their relationship and the economic situation. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single and in "The Natalie Wood Collection", "TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection - Romance", and "The Elia Kazan Collection".
Ryan's Daughter (1970) - an epic romance set in Ireland, with Rosy Ryan (Sarah Miles) who marries the older Charles Shaughnessy (Robert Mitchum) but then finds herself in love with British soldier Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones). Their affair continues and she ends up ostracized by the townspeople because of it. On DVD by Warner Bros.
The Exorcist (1972) - if you can handle it. I made the mistake of watching it by myself and late one October night in 2005. Gave me nightmares and I've never watched it in its entirely after that, I always have to watch it in portions so that I don't get too freaked out. On DVD & Blu-Ray by Warner Bros.
What's Up, Doc? (1972) - an excellent homage to the screwball comedies of yore, with Ryan O'Neal as the helpless Howard Bannister, who falls into the eyeline of Judy Maxwell (Barbra Streisand, in perhaps her only role that I've 100% enjoyed), despite his engagement to uptight Eunice Burns (Madeline Kahn). Thrown into the mix are several overnight bags and people trying to steal them for various reasons. On DVD & Blu-Ray by Warner Bros.
Somewhere in Time (1980) - I know it's after 1975, but I just have to include it. Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) receives a pocket watch from an elderly woman (Susan French), who simply tells him "Come back to me." He then heads to Mackinac Island, where he sees a portrait of 1912 actress Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour) and falls in love with her. He then learns how to travel back in time in order to be with her. On DVD by Universal.
In addition, if you ever want lists of Hollywood movies worth watching (though YMMV), there's always the AFI 100 Years, 100... series. For a look at the history of cinema on a more critical scale, you can check out "Sight and Sound" Critics Top Ten Poll, which is voted every ten years.
albert
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) - an illusory movie that blurs the line between reality and fantasy, based around a carnival and a dangerous hypnotist. It's a mindwarp that I still don't quite understand. On DVD by Kino Video & Image Entertainment, Kino's is a better transfer.
Sunrise, A Song of Two Humans (1927) - an excellent silent film by F.W. Murnau (also check out The Last Laugh) about a man (George O'Brien) and his wife (Janet Gaynor), and the woman from the city (Margaret Livingston) who comes between them. On DVD by 20th Century Fox, but limited to the box sets "Studio Classics Best Picture collection" and "Murnau, Borzage, and Fox".
Morocco (1930) - one of Marlene Dietrich and director Joseph von Sternberg's best collaborations. She plays singer Amy Jolly who comes to Morocco and falls in love with soldier Tom Brown (Gary Cooper). On DVD by Universal in "Marlene Dietrich: The Glamour Collection".
Footlight Parade (1933) - an early musical with the standard "let's put on a show!" storyline featuring James Cagney, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, and Joan Blondell. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single and in "The Busby Berkeley Collection".
Swing Time (1936) - my favorite of the Astaire/Rogers movies, especially for the finale number that combines a few of the songs in the movie together. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single and in "The Astaire Rogers Collection" (Volume 1, Ultimate Collector's Edition, or 10-Film Collection)
Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) - as Errol Morris famously said, "the most depressing movie ever made, providing reassurance that everything will definitely end badly". Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi co-star as Pa & Ma Cooper, an elderly couple whose children seem to do their best to avoid keeping them in their own homes long-term. On DVD by Criterion Collection.
Golden Boy (1939) - William Holden plays violinist Joe Bonaparte, who takes up boxing (a dangerous decision for a violinist) in order to earn money. He keeps promising his father (Lee J. Cobb) that he'll give up boxing and return to the violin, but gets swept into the boxing culture and lifestyle, falling in love with Lorna Moon (Barbara Stanwyck) in the process. On DVD by Sony.
Now, Voyager (1942) - my favorite Bette Davis movie, which tells a great contemporary Cinderella story for its time (dowdly Charlotte Vale becomes beautiful Camille Beauchamps). Very much part of the "women's picture" genre before it got the horrid new name "chick flick", with high melodrama and strong female lead. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single, in "The Bette Davis Collection, Volume One", and in "TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection - Romance"
Random Harvest (1942) - another in the "women's picture", although it can be classified as a war movie as well (the end of WWI is the backdrop). Ronald Colman stars as Smithy, an amnesiac who meets falls in love with Paula Ridgeway (Greer Garson), but completely forgets about her when he regains his memory as Charles Rainier. On DVD by Warner Bros.
Laura (1944) - my favorite Gene Tierney film, she stars as Laura Hunt, who is found dead in the beginning of the film. Detective Mark MacPherson (Dana Andrews) is investigating her murder and the suspects include her mentor Waldo Lydecker (Clifton Webb), fiancee Shelby Carpenter (Vincent Price), and her aunt Ann Treadwell (Judith Anderson). In the process of investigating Laura's life, MacPherson also falls in love with the woman...who may not be dead after all. On DVD by 20th Century Fox, as a single and in "Classic Quad Set 08".
Brief Encounter (1945) - an early David Lean film, with a closely-intimate portrayal of an affair between a wife/mother (Celia Johnson) and a doctor (Trevor Howard) who meet one day at the refreshment room of a train station. They have a very strained relationship, one they're never sure they will consummate, before it ultimately ends. On DVD by Criterion Collection.
Gilda (1946) - my favorite Rita Hayworth movie, and probably the movie I've watched the most times in 2010. Read my review of the 5-film "Films of Rita Hayworth" DVD set to read about Gilda and the four movies in the set: Cover Girl, Tonight and Every Night, Salome, and Miss Sadie Thompson. Of those four, the latter two could be skipped if you don't have time. On DVD by Columbia (2000 DVD) and Sony (2010 DVD box set).
A Matter of Life and Death (1946) - a Powell & Pressburger war drama regarding British man Peter Carter (David Niven), who falls in love with American woman June (Kim Hunter), based simply on the sound of her voice. I won't say more, it's best to watch the movie just knowing that much. On DVD by Sony.
The Red Shoes (1948) - the most well-known of the Powell & Pressburger films, it is a behind-the-curtain story about a prestigious ballet company and its new prima ballerina, Victoria Page (Moira Shearer). On DVD & Blu-Ray by Criterion Collection.
The Heiress (1949) - Montgomery Clift is a strangely-likeable Morris Townsend, who woos the plain Catherine Sloper (Olivia de Havilland), but bails upon the prospect of her not inheriting the wealth of her father (Ralph Richardson). When he eventually returns to her life, has she learned from the past? On DVD by Universal.
A Place in the Sun (1951) - another Monty Clift, and my favorite from his filmography. Based on a true story and the earlier 1931 film An American Tragedy, Clift plays George Eastman, a young man who has a dalliance with Alice (Shelley Winters) before rising in status and dating Angela (Elizabeth Taylor). But a pregnant Alice then threatens to reveal their relationship. On DVD by Paramount, but it is out of print.
From Here to Eternity (1953) - the third Monty Clift movie listed here, mainly because the guy is an AMAZING actor (even on a bad day, like in The Misfits). I would have included this under Romance, but it's more of a Drama. It's an ensemble picture (in addition to Clift, we've got Burt Lancaster, Donna Reed, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra, etc.) about the lives of soldiers stationed in Pearl Harbor before and during the attack. I've always loved the Clift/Reed scenes, especially when she's telling him why she could never marry him. On DVD by Columbia (single) and Sony (box set "Columbia Best Pictures Collection").
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) - a fun romp in western Oregon, as Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel) marries Milly (Jane Powell). She then teaches his six brothers (Jeff Richards, Matt Mattox, Marc Platt, Tommy Rall, Jacques d'Amboise, and Russ Tamblyn) how to court the other girls in the town. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a two-disc set and in "TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection - Broadway Musicals".
The Ten Commandments (1956) - my favorite film of all time. 'nuff said. On DVD & Blu-Ray by Paramount.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957) - excellent courtroom drama with Charles Laughton as Wilfred Robarts, a lawyer who takes on Leonard Vole's (Tyrone Power, his last completed film) case. He's accused of murder, and Vole's wife (Marlene Dietrich) is rather uncooperative, as well as a witness for the prosecution. But the extent of her devotion to him is amazing. On DVD by MGM, but it is out of print.
I Want to Live! (1958) - highly fictionalized tale about Barbara Graham (Susan Hayward), a woman who keeps trying to avoid the crime life but ultimately ends up in prison for a murder that she continually claims she didn't do. On DVD by MGM.
Splendor in the Grass (1961) - a heartbreaking story about young love. Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood star as Bud and Deanie, high school sweethearts who eventually drift apart as a result of their sexual restraint. Set also against the crash of 1929, we see how their respective families also struggle in the aftermath of the end of their relationship and the economic situation. On DVD by Warner Bros., as a single and in "The Natalie Wood Collection", "TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection - Romance", and "The Elia Kazan Collection".
Ryan's Daughter (1970) - an epic romance set in Ireland, with Rosy Ryan (Sarah Miles) who marries the older Charles Shaughnessy (Robert Mitchum) but then finds herself in love with British soldier Randolph Doryan (Christopher Jones). Their affair continues and she ends up ostracized by the townspeople because of it. On DVD by Warner Bros.
The Exorcist (1972) - if you can handle it. I made the mistake of watching it by myself and late one October night in 2005. Gave me nightmares and I've never watched it in its entirely after that, I always have to watch it in portions so that I don't get too freaked out. On DVD & Blu-Ray by Warner Bros.
What's Up, Doc? (1972) - an excellent homage to the screwball comedies of yore, with Ryan O'Neal as the helpless Howard Bannister, who falls into the eyeline of Judy Maxwell (Barbra Streisand, in perhaps her only role that I've 100% enjoyed), despite his engagement to uptight Eunice Burns (Madeline Kahn). Thrown into the mix are several overnight bags and people trying to steal them for various reasons. On DVD & Blu-Ray by Warner Bros.
Somewhere in Time (1980) - I know it's after 1975, but I just have to include it. Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) receives a pocket watch from an elderly woman (Susan French), who simply tells him "Come back to me." He then heads to Mackinac Island, where he sees a portrait of 1912 actress Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour) and falls in love with her. He then learns how to travel back in time in order to be with her. On DVD by Universal.
In addition, if you ever want lists of Hollywood movies worth watching (though YMMV), there's always the AFI 100 Years, 100... series. For a look at the history of cinema on a more critical scale, you can check out "Sight and Sound" Critics Top Ten Poll, which is voted every ten years.
albert
WIST #60:
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?
WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?
WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?
-
Lazario
-
milojthatch
- Collector's Edition
- Posts: 2646
- Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:34 am
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) and The Court Jester (1956) are two favorites of mine, Danny Kaye is the best!
____________________________________________________________
All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
-Walt Disney
All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
-Walt Disney
Most of my favorite classic films (which for me is 1969 and previous) tend to fall between two categories: musicals and Biblical epics (well, and Disney, of course, but that one's obviously moot). I had to peruse through your blog to see what what you've already seen while some of my other recommendations I know you've seen via other conversations. These are films I enjoy that I haven't seen you mention:
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Maltese Falcon
Easter Parade
Summer Stock
All About Eve
Quo Vadis
The Glass Slipper
The African Queen
The Robe
North by Northwest
White Christmas
A Star is Born (1954)
Rear Window
Oklahoma!
The King and I
Ben-Hur
Gigi
Gypsy
King of Kings
The Music Man
Charade
Alice in Wonderland (1966)
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Sweet Charity
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Maltese Falcon
Easter Parade
Summer Stock
All About Eve
Quo Vadis
The Glass Slipper
The African Queen
The Robe
North by Northwest
White Christmas
A Star is Born (1954)
Rear Window
Oklahoma!
The King and I
Ben-Hur
Gigi
Gypsy
King of Kings
The Music Man
Charade
Alice in Wonderland (1966)
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Sweet Charity
Last edited by Disneykid on Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:55 pm, edited 3 times in total.
-
littlefuzzy
- Anniversary Edition
- Posts: 1700
- Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 6:36 pm
Here's a few you might like, although I'm not going to mess with writing a lot about most of them... Sorry (I'm tired, and am about to go to bed.)
Lili (1953) - My favorite not on DVD musical! A young orphan girl (Leslie Caron) meets some puppets, and the gruff puppeteer behind them, at a circus. This has the song Hi Lili Hi Lo, and is just a wonderful film.
Charlie Chaplin - I presume you are pretty familiar with a lot of his work, my favorites are The Gold Rush and Modern Times.
The Marx Bros. - Some more you are probably very familiar with, Duck Soup is a great classic.
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein - a great horror comedy from the duo.
A comedy team you might not know of - Wheeler & Woolsey - they made a few pre-code films that are full of racy bits, double entendres, and so on.
Hellzapoppin' - I haven't seen this yet my self, it stars the now-unknown comedy team of Olsen & Johnson.
Jacques Tati - I am ashamed to admit I haven't seen any of his work yet, although I have some. He has been compared to Chaplin, many of his films are almost dialogue free from what I understand.
Monkey Business (1952) - Giinger Rogers & Cary Grant star in this, I haven't seen it yet.
Fitzwilly - When an elderly & charitable heiress's money runs out, the butler (Dick van Dyke) resorts to running a gang of con-artists and thieves to keep her from suspecting.
Annie get Your Gun - a musical tale of Annie Oakley.
No Time for Sargeants - Andy Griffith stars in this as a yokel in the army.
To Be or Not To Be (1942) the original Ernst Lubitsch directed film with Jack Benny, as an actor in Poland during the German invasion.
The Thin Man series - these are great fun, with witty banter between William Powell and Myrna Loy
Doctor Dolittle (1967) - Rex Harrison was talking to the animals when Eddie Murphy was just a wee tot!
Don Knotts movies - The Ghost & Mr. Chicken, The Reluctant Astronaut, The Incredible Mr. Limpett, and so on.
The Music Man (1962) - Classic fun, forget the remake!
Fiddler on the Roof
Anchors Aweigh
Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
Flower Drum Song
The Great Escape
The Road movies with Bob Hope & Bing Crosby
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Mel Brooks - The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, more.
Singin' in the Rain
The Long Long Trailer (Luci & Desi)
Buster Keaton stuff
Harold Lloyd stuff
Charade
As you can tell by my lack of descriptions at this point, I'm petering out, and soon I shall be catching some Zs!
One more for you, I don't know how familiar you are with Jackie Chan, but I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Canton & Lady Rose (aka Miracles, the Canton Godfather, etc.) I recommend that you watch the Chinese language version with subtitles, but that's up to you. I also recommend the uncut version, if you buy the US DVD called Black Dragon, it has both cuts. This is a remake of Frank Capra's Pocketful of Miracles or Lady for a Day.
Dang it, after I posted, I saw Disneykid's list, I added Charade myself, but something on his list reminded me of another title somehow, but I lost it!
Lili (1953) - My favorite not on DVD musical! A young orphan girl (Leslie Caron) meets some puppets, and the gruff puppeteer behind them, at a circus. This has the song Hi Lili Hi Lo, and is just a wonderful film.
Charlie Chaplin - I presume you are pretty familiar with a lot of his work, my favorites are The Gold Rush and Modern Times.
The Marx Bros. - Some more you are probably very familiar with, Duck Soup is a great classic.
Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein - a great horror comedy from the duo.
A comedy team you might not know of - Wheeler & Woolsey - they made a few pre-code films that are full of racy bits, double entendres, and so on.
Hellzapoppin' - I haven't seen this yet my self, it stars the now-unknown comedy team of Olsen & Johnson.
Jacques Tati - I am ashamed to admit I haven't seen any of his work yet, although I have some. He has been compared to Chaplin, many of his films are almost dialogue free from what I understand.
Monkey Business (1952) - Giinger Rogers & Cary Grant star in this, I haven't seen it yet.
Fitzwilly - When an elderly & charitable heiress's money runs out, the butler (Dick van Dyke) resorts to running a gang of con-artists and thieves to keep her from suspecting.
Annie get Your Gun - a musical tale of Annie Oakley.
No Time for Sargeants - Andy Griffith stars in this as a yokel in the army.
To Be or Not To Be (1942) the original Ernst Lubitsch directed film with Jack Benny, as an actor in Poland during the German invasion.
The Thin Man series - these are great fun, with witty banter between William Powell and Myrna Loy
Doctor Dolittle (1967) - Rex Harrison was talking to the animals when Eddie Murphy was just a wee tot!
Don Knotts movies - The Ghost & Mr. Chicken, The Reluctant Astronaut, The Incredible Mr. Limpett, and so on.
The Music Man (1962) - Classic fun, forget the remake!
Fiddler on the Roof
Anchors Aweigh
Flight of the Phoenix (1965)
Flower Drum Song
The Great Escape
The Road movies with Bob Hope & Bing Crosby
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Mel Brooks - The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, more.
Singin' in the Rain
The Long Long Trailer (Luci & Desi)
Buster Keaton stuff
Harold Lloyd stuff
Charade
As you can tell by my lack of descriptions at this point, I'm petering out, and soon I shall be catching some Zs!
One more for you, I don't know how familiar you are with Jackie Chan, but I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Canton & Lady Rose (aka Miracles, the Canton Godfather, etc.) I recommend that you watch the Chinese language version with subtitles, but that's up to you. I also recommend the uncut version, if you buy the US DVD called Black Dragon, it has both cuts. This is a remake of Frank Capra's Pocketful of Miracles or Lady for a Day.
Dang it, after I posted, I saw Disneykid's list, I added Charade myself, but something on his list reminded me of another title somehow, but I lost it!
-
Barbossa
- Collector's Edition
- Posts: 2944
- Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:23 am
- Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Citizen Kane - You'll get more out of this movie if you've been to Hearst Castle down in San Simeon, California or know a little bit about William Randolph Hearst. I really enjoyed this one. No wonder Hearst was ticked off at Orson Welles. 
Rosebud...
Casablanca
The Maltese Falcon
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Lawrence of Arabia
Gunga Din
The Ten Commandments
These are all classics I watched recently or still have to watch from my library.
Rosebud...Casablanca
The Maltese Falcon
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Lawrence of Arabia
Gunga Din
The Ten Commandments
These are all classics I watched recently or still have to watch from my library.
I don't know what "Filmstrip Memories" is and I haven't read your blog (nor would I know where to find it), so I'm sorry if I mention some titles you've already seen:
It Happened One Night (1934): The best 'romantic comedy' of all time, which is still fresh and funny nowadays. Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable have just so much chemistry, which is surprising, as both didn't want to do this movie. Colbert plays a millionaire's daughter who runs away from home. Gable is the reporter she gets stuck with.
A Night at the Opera (1935): Everybody is always talking about Duck Soup, but to me, this is the best and funniest Marx Brothers film. Trying to describe the plot would be senseless; you just have to see it and hope you won't die laughing.
Top Hat (1935): One of the very few musicals I actually like. It stars Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and the story is not very important. It's their chemistry and the general atmosphere and most importantly the music by Irving Berlin that make it so good.
Modern Times (1936): Chaplin's humorous critique of Great Depression-era America.
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938): James Cagney stars in this great crime story about a priest who tries to stop a gangster from corrupting a group of street kids. The imagery and cinematography is beautiful and the ending is legendary.
Foreign Correspondent (1940): Often overlooked, underappreciated Hitchcock movie about a young American reporter who, on the eve of WWII, tries to expose enemy agents in London. The spectacular ending still holds up extremely well 70 years later.
The Philadelphia Story (1940): Classic 'screwball comedy' in which Katherine Hepburn has to choose between Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant, both playing some of the best roles in their careers.
His Girl Friday (1940): Fast and clever dialogue, an incredibly pace and a perfect comic performance by Cary Grant make this one, about a newspaper editor who uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying, a winner.
The Great Dictator (1940): Chaplin spoofs Hitler and Mussolini, at a time when the US was still officially neutral in WWII and didn't seem to pay much attention to Europe. Arguably his finest film.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948): Humphrey Bogart's best role in this gripping drama in which man's worst enemy turns out to be himself.
Sunset Blvd. (1950): Satirical look at Hollywood and at the same time an intense psychological drama about a forgotten star from the days of the silent film (played by silent film-star Gloria Swanson) who tries to convince herself her time in the spotlights is not yet over.
High Noon (1952): Exciting western about a small-town sheriff Gary Cooper who had planned to retire after marrying Grace Kelly, but who has to stand tall against a gang of bandits one last time. He desperately to get some assistance, but everybody is too cowardly to help him out.
Limelight (1952): Underappreciated Chaplin gem. It's a bit heavier than most of his pictures, but the melodrama works very well and is very sincere. A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find meaning and hope in their lives.
Rear Window (1954): Hitchcock's best thriller, about an average man (played brilliantly by James Stewart) who suspects his neighbour of having murdered his wife.
3:10 to Yuma (1957): Excellent Western. After outlaw leader Ben Wade is captured in a small town, his gang continue to threaten. Small-time rancher Dan Evans is persuaded to take Wade in secret to the nearest town with a railway station to await the train to the court at Yuma.
12 Angry Men (1957): Sidney Lumet's amazing directorial debut, in which he lets you feel the tensions between twelve jury members, including Henry Ford, who have to decide about life and death of a young Mexican-American defendant.
The Magnificent Seven (1960): One of the best overall films I've ever seen. An all-start cast, including Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson and Eli Wallach make this an unforgettable western, about an oppressed Mexican peasant village which assembles seven gunfighters to help defend their homes.
The Apartment (1960): My favorite comedy. A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue. Jack Lemmon impressed me very much.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966): Spaghetti Western by Sergio Leone, made legendary by Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef and Eli Wallach as the three main characters in their quest for a hidden treasure in Civil War-era America, and Ennio Morricone's iconic soundtrack.
The Graduate (1967): Comedy-drama about a college student (made memorable by Dustin Hoffman) who starts a complicated affair with an older, married women before falling in love with her daugher. Featuring a wonderful soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel, this is one of those movies that changed Hollywood in a significant way.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968): Charles Bronson takes the place of Clint Eastwood in Leone's magnum opus, and gets support from a beautiful Claudia Cardinale as one of cinema's most memorable femme fatales. Long drawn-out atmospheric scenes and beautful cinematography are again Leone's trademarks.
The Godfather (1972): I hope I don't have to explain this one. It's simply the best movie ever made, about a young war hero who reluctantly gets involved in the business of his mob family, after his father has been shot. He slowly grows to like his new role and becomes the new head of the family.
The Godfather- Part II (1974): One of the few sequels to live up to its original. It follows simultaneously the rise of the young Vito Corleone to power (brilliantly played by Robert De Niro who speaks almost only in a Sicilian accent) and the moral corruption of Michael.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Lumet makes the audience feel like they're really there, in the film's setting, about a couple of gangsters (perhaps Al Pacino's best role) who hold up a bank, drawing not only the attention of the police, but also the media and the public, who soon throw their sympathy behind the charistmatic bankrobber.
Apocalypse Now (1979): Based on Jospeh Conrad's novel 'Heart of Darkness', this is the one movie that truly captures the madness of war.
It Happened One Night (1934): The best 'romantic comedy' of all time, which is still fresh and funny nowadays. Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable have just so much chemistry, which is surprising, as both didn't want to do this movie. Colbert plays a millionaire's daughter who runs away from home. Gable is the reporter she gets stuck with.
A Night at the Opera (1935): Everybody is always talking about Duck Soup, but to me, this is the best and funniest Marx Brothers film. Trying to describe the plot would be senseless; you just have to see it and hope you won't die laughing.
Top Hat (1935): One of the very few musicals I actually like. It stars Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and the story is not very important. It's their chemistry and the general atmosphere and most importantly the music by Irving Berlin that make it so good.
Modern Times (1936): Chaplin's humorous critique of Great Depression-era America.
Angels With Dirty Faces (1938): James Cagney stars in this great crime story about a priest who tries to stop a gangster from corrupting a group of street kids. The imagery and cinematography is beautiful and the ending is legendary.
Foreign Correspondent (1940): Often overlooked, underappreciated Hitchcock movie about a young American reporter who, on the eve of WWII, tries to expose enemy agents in London. The spectacular ending still holds up extremely well 70 years later.
The Philadelphia Story (1940): Classic 'screwball comedy' in which Katherine Hepburn has to choose between Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant, both playing some of the best roles in their careers.
His Girl Friday (1940): Fast and clever dialogue, an incredibly pace and a perfect comic performance by Cary Grant make this one, about a newspaper editor who uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying, a winner.
The Great Dictator (1940): Chaplin spoofs Hitler and Mussolini, at a time when the US was still officially neutral in WWII and didn't seem to pay much attention to Europe. Arguably his finest film.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948): Humphrey Bogart's best role in this gripping drama in which man's worst enemy turns out to be himself.
Sunset Blvd. (1950): Satirical look at Hollywood and at the same time an intense psychological drama about a forgotten star from the days of the silent film (played by silent film-star Gloria Swanson) who tries to convince herself her time in the spotlights is not yet over.
High Noon (1952): Exciting western about a small-town sheriff Gary Cooper who had planned to retire after marrying Grace Kelly, but who has to stand tall against a gang of bandits one last time. He desperately to get some assistance, but everybody is too cowardly to help him out.
Limelight (1952): Underappreciated Chaplin gem. It's a bit heavier than most of his pictures, but the melodrama works very well and is very sincere. A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find meaning and hope in their lives.
Rear Window (1954): Hitchcock's best thriller, about an average man (played brilliantly by James Stewart) who suspects his neighbour of having murdered his wife.
3:10 to Yuma (1957): Excellent Western. After outlaw leader Ben Wade is captured in a small town, his gang continue to threaten. Small-time rancher Dan Evans is persuaded to take Wade in secret to the nearest town with a railway station to await the train to the court at Yuma.
12 Angry Men (1957): Sidney Lumet's amazing directorial debut, in which he lets you feel the tensions between twelve jury members, including Henry Ford, who have to decide about life and death of a young Mexican-American defendant.
The Magnificent Seven (1960): One of the best overall films I've ever seen. An all-start cast, including Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson and Eli Wallach make this an unforgettable western, about an oppressed Mexican peasant village which assembles seven gunfighters to help defend their homes.
The Apartment (1960): My favorite comedy. A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue. Jack Lemmon impressed me very much.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966): Spaghetti Western by Sergio Leone, made legendary by Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef and Eli Wallach as the three main characters in their quest for a hidden treasure in Civil War-era America, and Ennio Morricone's iconic soundtrack.
The Graduate (1967): Comedy-drama about a college student (made memorable by Dustin Hoffman) who starts a complicated affair with an older, married women before falling in love with her daugher. Featuring a wonderful soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel, this is one of those movies that changed Hollywood in a significant way.
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968): Charles Bronson takes the place of Clint Eastwood in Leone's magnum opus, and gets support from a beautiful Claudia Cardinale as one of cinema's most memorable femme fatales. Long drawn-out atmospheric scenes and beautful cinematography are again Leone's trademarks.
The Godfather (1972): I hope I don't have to explain this one. It's simply the best movie ever made, about a young war hero who reluctantly gets involved in the business of his mob family, after his father has been shot. He slowly grows to like his new role and becomes the new head of the family.
The Godfather- Part II (1974): One of the few sequels to live up to its original. It follows simultaneously the rise of the young Vito Corleone to power (brilliantly played by Robert De Niro who speaks almost only in a Sicilian accent) and the moral corruption of Michael.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975): Lumet makes the audience feel like they're really there, in the film's setting, about a couple of gangsters (perhaps Al Pacino's best role) who hold up a bank, drawing not only the attention of the police, but also the media and the public, who soon throw their sympathy behind the charistmatic bankrobber.
Apocalypse Now (1979): Based on Jospeh Conrad's novel 'Heart of Darkness', this is the one movie that truly captures the madness of war.
-
Flanger-Hanger
- Platinum Edition
- Posts: 3746
- Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2006 3:59 pm
- Location: S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters
Many Greats listed already, especially by Scaps and Goliath. I'll use the pre-1980 logic and try to list some not mentioned yet
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The Invisible Man (1933)
A Day at the Races (1936): Not as good as Night at the Opera, but still funny.
Rebecca (1940)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
On the Town (1949)
Silk Stockings (1957)
1776 (1972): Haven't recommened it to a person who didn't like it (yet).
House of Usher (1960)
House of Wax (1953)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
How the West Was Won (1963)
Westworld (1973)
Fantastic Voyage (1966)
Forbidden Planet (1956)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
The Time Machine (1960)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Adam's Rib (1949)
The African Queen (1951)
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
The Fly (1958)
Cabaret (1972)
Psycho (1960)
To Sir, With Love (1967)
Champagne for Ceasar (1953)
I'll probably post more later.
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The Invisible Man (1933)
A Day at the Races (1936): Not as good as Night at the Opera, but still funny.
Rebecca (1940)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
On the Town (1949)
Silk Stockings (1957)
1776 (1972): Haven't recommened it to a person who didn't like it (yet).
House of Usher (1960)
House of Wax (1953)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
How the West Was Won (1963)
Westworld (1973)
Fantastic Voyage (1966)
Forbidden Planet (1956)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
The Time Machine (1960)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Adam's Rib (1949)
The African Queen (1951)
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
The Fly (1958)
Cabaret (1972)
Psycho (1960)
To Sir, With Love (1967)
Champagne for Ceasar (1953)
I'll probably post more later.
Wow! Those are a lot of recommendations! Some of them I have already seen, but thanks for the offer.
Goliath, Filmstrip Memories was a blog I started last year. See, before the Oscars started last year, I realized that I had not seen a lot of the classic movies, that I always tend to stick with the movies from the 80s and 90s, unless it was Disney, then I had seen many of the older movies they had produced. Tired of not knowing what Citizen Kane was all about, I decided to do an experiment where I watched as many classic movies as possible and catch up on many classic actors, directors, stories and such.
Hence why I started Filmstrip Memories:
http://filmstripmemories.blogspot.com/
The goal was to review as many old movies as possible. Some were fairly new, but a great majority of them were old movies that I reviewed as a movie fan walking into them for the first time.
Unfortunately, with school, boredom and distraction I kind of shied away from it. It also hurt that I didn't have a big audience for it. I may revive it when I do this movie marathon again, but I may have to find a place with a bigger audience.
Goliath, Filmstrip Memories was a blog I started last year. See, before the Oscars started last year, I realized that I had not seen a lot of the classic movies, that I always tend to stick with the movies from the 80s and 90s, unless it was Disney, then I had seen many of the older movies they had produced. Tired of not knowing what Citizen Kane was all about, I decided to do an experiment where I watched as many classic movies as possible and catch up on many classic actors, directors, stories and such.
Hence why I started Filmstrip Memories:
http://filmstripmemories.blogspot.com/
The goal was to review as many old movies as possible. Some were fairly new, but a great majority of them were old movies that I reviewed as a movie fan walking into them for the first time.
Unfortunately, with school, boredom and distraction I kind of shied away from it. It also hurt that I didn't have a big audience for it. I may revive it when I do this movie marathon again, but I may have to find a place with a bigger audience.
