1. Singin' in the Rain
This movie is pretty much perfection. It's clever and funny. It's not only a musical (I love musicals!), but it's an uncommonly excellent one. All of the songs are wonderful and catchy, and they actually fit in with the plot. And speaking of the plot, I'm really interested in film history and the switch from silent films to talkies, so how convenient that this super-amazing movie happens to be about that era! :) Gene Kelly is his usual awesome self, and I still get chills every single time I watch his famous dance number. Donald O'Conner is fine (he's not one of my favorites), and I think this is one of Debbie Reynolds' best roles. The clothes are gorgeous 20s styles, dropped waists and fringe and such. And who could forget Lina Lamont? Anyway, watching Singin' in the Rain always makes me smile.
2. Casablanca
Maybe it's a cliché for me to pick them, but Casablanca (and Singin' in the Rain) really do deserve all of the hype they get. In my opinion, of course. :) Casablanca was the first classic movie I consciously chose to watch, back years ago when I first started getting into old movies. Before that, my experience was limited to watching the first half of The Sound of Music whenever it came on TV (but never seeing the second half, because it was on past my bedtime! :). So I guess Casablanca is what started all this...what got me hooked. It's a love story, of course, but it's also a war story and a story of morals. Will the guy do the right thing, or will he be selfish (in the best sort of way) to stay with the girl he loves? Casablanca is intriguing and suspenseful and heartbreaking and humorous. It's rough and elegant. It's what classic movies are all about. What else can I say?
3. It Happened One Night
It Happened One Night is like the original romantic comedy. And of course, it's still the best. :) There's a newspaper man (practically a necessity for a good classic movie, right?) and a runaway heiress who desperately want to dislike each other but can't help falling in love. The romance is swoon-worthy, and this movie is hilarious. I laugh just thinking about Peter Warne's method of getting rid of Shapeley on the bus and his talk with Ellie's dad towards the end. If you haven't seen this, you are missing out on a seriously charming movie.
4. How to Steal a Million
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5. Charade
Is Cary Grant good, or is he bad? That's the infuriating question you'll be pondering until the last five minutes or so of this film. Charade has been called the best Hitchcock film that Hitchcock didn't actually make. And it does very much feel like one of his films- the mystery and the humor and all of it. I absolutely love this movie. I've only seen it twice so far, but it's made a pretty big impression on me to make my top five list. :) {I finally received it on DVD for my birthday.}
What are your favorite classic movies ever? You don't have to narrow it down to five, but go ahead if you like a challenge. :)
Until next time,
I've never seen any of these. It may be said that I am not a classic movie watcher. The only black and white movie I've really seen is...To Kill a Mockingbird...(and then that other movie that I can't remember about the Prince of some country...)
ReplyDeleteBut you have peeked my interest.
Hello, Dolly! is my absolute favorite classic movie/musical. And it's sad because not many people seem to know about it or have watched it. I also love Singin' in the Rain and Bells are Ringing.
ReplyDeleteCharade, Singin' in the Rain, It Happened One Night, Sound of Music, Bright Eyes, any Shirley Temple movie, Old Buster Keaton silents.
ReplyDeleteAll of these are on my "absolute favorite films ever" list!! So, so good...just looking at the titles and pictures makes me feel happy:) And I want Ingrid Bergman's hat. A lot. Every time I watch Casablanca, I wish I had that hat.
ReplyDeleteI am going to have a really, really hard time narrowing down my list of favorite classics. I don't know if I'll be able to limit myself to five, but I'm sure going to try! ;D
I really like "How to marry a millionare" and "It" with Clara Bow. :) Singin' in the Rain has to be my absolute favourite, but the rest? Who can choose?
ReplyDeletexox,
bonita of Depict This!
I love all of those too (especially How to Steal a Million)! I'd also add The Shop Around the Corner, Roman Holiday, The Sound of Music, and Yours, Mine and Ours.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, out of all of these, I've only seen Singing in the Rain (which is a huge favorite:). I remember my parents watching Casablanca several years ago, but I was too young to really get into it and ended up wandering off somewhere, so I don't remember much. How To Steal A Million came on TCM once, but I only caught the last half- but I really liked what I saw, and would like to see the whole thing! I'll have to check all these movies out sometime- they all sound good :)
ReplyDelete