It’s a magic addiction. I also love the ancient jazz of the early 20th century, though that takes more time to adjust to. I’m married to a wonderful woman who does not share our immersion in these movies, and I realize even good people will never get it. Why doesn’t everybody long to travel in time in the only possible vessel we’ll ever have, these movies? I will never stop enjoying becoming a more innocent person in a more innocent time, soaking in the security of knowing you are in a world where truth is common sense, where trying to be good is more important than trying to be cool.
older gens can't just enjoy anime, they have to feel it's from a sexist, patriarchal culture. Younger gens can't enjoy b&w because they see that same sexist, patriarchal culture and think you're excusing it in hollywood cause it's american wasp
I am also a member of the "sucking in my breath" club and I need to do better. I'm an old movie obsessive and it's disheartening to me that I hear people (mostly Millennials and Gen Z) who say they are "uncomfortable" with black & white movies. I don't understand this discomfort, and since they can't pinpoint it either I can only guess it's to do with: formality/a slack of slang in the scripts, mid-Atlantic accents, problematic tropes and casting(which can be understood if given some patience to learn the context), problematic sexism (yes, but again, understand the eras), or a lack of suspension of disbelief. I suppose these worlds of yesteryear are too foreign to them? I grew up watching Shirley Temple movies every Sunday morning, plus whatever the PBS movie of the week was on Saturday nights, and they all felt much gentler and more inviting to me than the contemporary offerings. To each their own, but I do need to stop trying to convert people... ;-)
Loved this! My favorite movies are from the 1950s and 1960s. But there's nothing like a black and white film noir, mystery or drama preferably at night!
Thank you so much for reading, Tony. As a fellow jazz lover, I completely understand. And the classic movies are where I learned about jazz -- think the stunning score to Anatomy of a Murder.
It’s a magic addiction. I also love the ancient jazz of the early 20th century, though that takes more time to adjust to. I’m married to a wonderful woman who does not share our immersion in these movies, and I realize even good people will never get it. Why doesn’t everybody long to travel in time in the only possible vessel we’ll ever have, these movies? I will never stop enjoying becoming a more innocent person in a more innocent time, soaking in the security of knowing you are in a world where truth is common sense, where trying to be good is more important than trying to be cool.
I don't suppose that list of 50 must-sees is available somewhere? I'd be very interested!
Just sucked in my breath to say the same thing...where are they?!
Herewith; the list:
The Gay Divorce
Top Hat
Swing Time
It Happened One Night
The Thin Man
My Man Godfrey
Casablanca
The Maltese Falcon
To Have and Have Not
All About Eve
Night and the City
The Third Man
Bringing Up Baby
The Philadelphia Story
This Gun for Hire
Laura
Phantom Lady
The Dark Corner
Naked City
The Red Shoes
It’s a Wonderful Life
His Girl Friday
Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House
The Big Clock
To Catch a Thief
Gilda
Brief Encounter
High Noon
Some Like It Hot
Roman Holiday
Desk Set
Butterfield 8
Notorious
Rebecca
Great Expectations
Double Indemnity
Funny Face
Anatomy of a Murder
Adam’s Rib
Rear Window
Odd Man Out
Out of the Past
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Hustler
North by Northwest
The Apartment
Charade
Vertigo
Sunset Boulevard
Call Northside 777
Yes…I could happily watch those…
From 1937 to 1940, Cary Grant starred in these movies (among others):
The Awful Truth
Bringing Up Baby
Holiday (a special favorite of mine but apparently not shared)
Gunga Din
Only Angels Have Wings
His Girl Friday
Philadelphia Story
Wow. There may be one or two movies made in last 10 years anywhere that give me as much pleasure as any of these.
older gens can't just enjoy anime, they have to feel it's from a sexist, patriarchal culture. Younger gens can't enjoy b&w because they see that same sexist, patriarchal culture and think you're excusing it in hollywood cause it's american wasp
I am also a member of the "sucking in my breath" club and I need to do better. I'm an old movie obsessive and it's disheartening to me that I hear people (mostly Millennials and Gen Z) who say they are "uncomfortable" with black & white movies. I don't understand this discomfort, and since they can't pinpoint it either I can only guess it's to do with: formality/a slack of slang in the scripts, mid-Atlantic accents, problematic tropes and casting(which can be understood if given some patience to learn the context), problematic sexism (yes, but again, understand the eras), or a lack of suspension of disbelief. I suppose these worlds of yesteryear are too foreign to them? I grew up watching Shirley Temple movies every Sunday morning, plus whatever the PBS movie of the week was on Saturday nights, and they all felt much gentler and more inviting to me than the contemporary offerings. To each their own, but I do need to stop trying to convert people... ;-)
Wonderful, Anita! Please do share your must-see list.
Thought this was about the Michael Jackson song "Black or White":
I'm not gonna spend my life being a color
Loved this! My favorite movies are from the 1950s and 1960s. But there's nothing like a black and white film noir, mystery or drama preferably at night!
Million dollar movie! Whoa
Herewith, my friend; the list:
The Gay Divorce
Top Hat
Swing Time
It Happened One Night
The Thin Man
My Man Godfrey
Casablanca
The Maltese Falcon
To Have and Have Not
All About Eve
Night and the City
The Third Man
Bringing Up Baby
The Philadelphia Story
This Gun for Hire
Laura
Phantom Lady
The Dark Corner
Naked City
The Red Shoes
It’s a Wonderful Life
His Girl Friday
Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House
The Big Clock
To Catch a Thief
Gilda
Brief Encounter
High Noon
Some Like It Hot
Roman Holiday
Desk Set
Butterfield 8
Notorious
Rebecca
Great Expectations
Double Indemnity
Funny Face
Anatomy of a Murder
Adam’s Rib
Rear Window
Odd Man Out
Out of the Past
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Hustler
North by Northwest
The Apartment
Charade
Vertigo
Sunset Boulevard
Call Northside 777
Herewith; the list:
The Gay Divorce
Top Hat
Swing Time
It Happened One Night
The Thin Man
My Man Godfrey
Casablanca
The Maltese Falcon
To Have and Have Not
All About Eve
Night and the City
The Third Man
Bringing Up Baby
The Philadelphia Story
This Gun for Hire
Laura
Phantom Lady
The Dark Corner
Naked City
The Red Shoes
It’s a Wonderful Life
His Girl Friday
Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House
The Big Clock
To Catch a Thief
Gilda
Brief Encounter
High Noon
Some Like It Hot
Roman Holiday
Desk Set
Butterfield 8
Notorious
Rebecca
Great Expectations
Double Indemnity
Funny Face
Anatomy of a Murder
Adam’s Rib
Rear Window
Odd Man Out
Out of the Past
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Hustler
North by Northwest
The Apartment
Charade
Vertigo
Sunset Boulevard
Call Northside 777
Thank you so much, dear David!
LIst to come...
And I didn't even go down the film noir rabbit hole!
That's ANOTHER essay...
Right?! The theme song...
Stay tuned...sharing soon!
Thank you so much for reading, Tony. As a fellow jazz lover, I completely understand. And the classic movies are where I learned about jazz -- think the stunning score to Anatomy of a Murder.