Favourite classic films?

[Ovation]

I've been on a bit of a classic film run lately (mostly early Hitchcock, but a few others) and while I have a reasonable number of such films on my shelf, I'm curious to know if there are any I should at least rent, if not add to my collection.

Basically, what are your favourite classic films (anything before, say, 1965--after that, the old Hayes code dropped off and films took on a different tone. I love many films since 1965 but, for this purpose, I think 1965 is a good cutoff).

This is an informal request--as few or as many titles as anyone would like to post.

Thanks.

[wkhanna]

Ok, just to get started here are a few.....more to come.......









sorry...this one is listed as 1966 but I could not resist....








Yet another from 1966.......sorry.....I just can not help it......

[Chris D]

Bill, all those links are showing broken for me..

[George Bellefontaine]

Here are a few from the 50s, and all from my collection:

Shane 1952
Giant 1956
Sunset Boulevard 1950
Rear Window 1954
Touch Of Evil 1958
High Noon 1952
From Here To Eternity 1953
East Of Eden 1955
Sweet Smell Of Success 1957
Stalag 17 1953
The Quiet Man 1952
Bad Day At Black Rock

The titles above I consider to be classics. I own many more but I would be here all day listing them

[wkhanna]

Bill, all those links are showing broken for me..

sorry....bad links.
Should be fixed now?????

[aud19]

A lot have already been mentioned but a couple off the top of my head would be The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, Vertigo, North by Northwest, (...really most of Hitch's work), A Hard Day's Night...

[George Bellefontaine]

Bill, all those McQueen films are definite classics to me, but I would also add BULLITT.

[wkhanna]

Bill, all those McQueen films are definite classics to me, but I would also add BULLITT.

I guess you can tell I am a bit partial to SM.
Unfortunately, Bullitt was released in 1968 & as such, does not qualify per the OP's requisite cut-off date.



BTW, need to add this one, too...

[Alaric]

Several of my favorites already listed above , so I'll add a comedy. One , Two , Three ! , A Billy Wilder film and Cagney's last (1961) until Ragtime (1981). I think it is Jimmy Cagney's best comedic work. Please Don't Eat The Daisies (Doris Day , David Niven , 1960) , and How To Murder Your Wife (Jack Lemmon and Virna Lisi , circa 1965) are a couple more comedies I have thoroughly enjoyed over the years.

[wkhanna]

Ha !!!

Anybody remember Ma & Pa ?



AFA comedies go, I will take any of the Marx Brothers films.

[Chris D]

I've been on a bit of a Charlie Chaplin kick the last year. He has some hilarious stuff. Just bought "Modern Times" and "The Great Dictator" in this last Criterion sale. Haven't seen the Great Dictator yet.

[Ovation]

Great suggestions. I have a lot of them, but many more I've not seen. The Great Dictator looks fantastic, by the way (was just watching it a couple of days ago). You should also get Gold Rush from Criterion.

[Chris D]

I just watch Fritz Lang's "M" last night. Supposed to be a classic masterpiece. But I didn't like it much. Wish I hadn't of made it a blind purchase with Criterion.

[Ovation]

If you're unhappy with it, I'd be interested in it (if it's not too much of a hassle).

[mjb]

One of my favorites:

[Ovation]

That one seems rather amusing.

[Chris D]

Just watched the Great Dictator last night - WOW! So profound in many ways. Super highly recommended.

Ovation, let me do another watch of "M" sometime. Since it's supposed to be such a classic, maybe I missed something.

[Ovation]

Some films do grow on you. I remember the first time I saw Blue Velvet--was not impressed. However, I gave it another chance and eventually came to appreciate it on many levels.

I've found with classic films, it sometimes helps (after an initial viewing) to read up on it. Insightful critiques can point to things that might not have stood out on first viewing. And with the Criterion edition, you've got a fair amount of material to work with. Maybe give some of the extras a try.