Classic Films
There are films that are “classic” in that they become classics: over time they collect a following and become representative of a time period or a piece of culture (‘cult’ classics). There are also films that were made during Hollywood’s early heyday that, because of the unique cinematic history that was being made during those years, are ‘classics’.
Most of my favorite films come from the second ‘classic’ connotation: I really Really REALLY like Old Hollywood. Give me Cary Grant, William Powell, Katharine Hepburn, Myrna Loy; give me black and white film reels, plots that actually contain storylines, dialog that requires good listening skills, and humor that is not based in meanness. These are the kinds of movies that appeal to me.
Cary Grant
I don’t remember when I watched my first Cary Grant movie. I must have been about 12 years old. It was Notorious. And ever since, I am — notoriously — a fan.
Cary Grant *is* Classic Hollywood. The suave, self-deprecating demeanor he projects on-screen (no matter what role he is playing) combined with the straight-faced way he delivers one-line zingers and his cool, collected presentation just shout GLAMOR! and STAR! in a way that nobody else ever managed.
The downside of that, of course, became that no matter what role Cary Grant played, he was always playing Cary Grant. So he couldn’t be a “bad guy” (even though he could be a bit of a jerk — ever seen His Girl Friday?), but he could – especially in his older years – be… Questionable. (Charade, anyone?)
Now… Obviously, this (^) is my take on his on-screen persona. In actuality, he was quite human. Flawed. Insecure. A tightwad and a womanizer, he was likewise wealthy and bisexual; he was surrounded by sycophants and courted by schmoozers, which — after having been largely abandoned by his father (who, unbeknownst to Cary, had had his mother admitted to a mental institution and run off with his mistress) and surviving the mean streets of New York after fleeing England and before eloping to Hollywood — likely exacerbated his worst features.
But as an actor: to me, Cary Grant *is* Classic Hollywood.
Favorite Films
In the 1930s and 1940s, several amazing — now, ‘classic’ — films were made. The Maltese Falcon, the Thin Man series, and of course: Cary Grant movies.
Some of my favorites from that era are:
- The Amazing Adventure
- His Girl Friday
- Notorious
- The Philadelphia Story
- She Done Him Wrong
And later, when film changed from black-and-white to color, Cary Grant was still a classic. Some of his films I enjoy from the later years are:
- Charade
- Houseboat
- Indiscreet
- North By Northwest
- Operation Petticoat
All of which contain co-stars that I admire – and could write about – as well.
But for the sake of not-writing-six-thousand-words, I think I’ll end this post there. 😉
And now…
If you feel like sharing, please tell me:
Classic or otherwise, what are your favorite films?
I’d love to hear!
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For this year’s A-to-Z Blogging Challenge, I am asking (and answering) 26 get-to-know-you type questions. I look forward to reading what you have to say!
I’m with you about classic/vintage films ! and I agree – you can’t go wrong with Cary Grant.
Probably my favorite drama is The Best Years of Our Lives, 1946.. but I especially like a good film-noir – a good story and cinematography are a must.
Double Imdemnity, 1944 w/Barbara Stanwyck & Fred MacMurray is well known but some other good ones are Cry Danger, 1951 w/ Dick Powell and Woman on the Run, 1950 w/ Ann Sheridan, free on youtube
I have a Vintage Films page with links : https://lookhere3.wordpress.com/vintage-movies/
I forgot to say, a Cary Grant movie is on my favorites list – The Bishop’s Wife, 1947. (Dudley the Angel)
I love that movie!
I also really like Bringing Up Baby.
Somehow I knew you were of a similar mindset!
The Best Years of Our Lives is so SAD. But very good!
I like a good noir too. Have you ever seen Laura (1944)?
oooh yes, I love that film. Clifton Webb is delightfully snarly hahaha.. and a young Vincent Price too
I recognise some of those titles but I don’t really remember any of them in terms of plot. I must have watched them on the telly when I was quite young.
I shall see if i can stream any of those for mum. She might remember them.
I wonder if familiar film would have a similar effect as familiar music?
some, but not quite the same music. Apparently music is one of those things that the brain processes entirely differently from any other stimulus.
fondles recently posted…NOT A to Z – D is for Dementia
Different sensory input does different things to the brain, I’m sure.
Oh i love classics too. I love Audrey Hepburn and i love movies like breakfast at Tiffany’s, Casablanca, Roman Holiday, sound of music it’s a wonderful life etc. I watched some more but can’t remember names immediately. Even if am in India…thanks to digitaliZation …i watched some gems!
Technology has made so many things accessible — very cool that you’ve been able to watch so many classic gems!
I have seen all the movies you mention. Interesting that you bring up Sound of Music — one of the topics I considered covering during the Q&A A-to-Z was Musicals! 🙂
I love classic movies and reviewed a lot of them on my blog. Cary Grant is also one of my favorites. I always wish I could be so effortless in looking dapper and being charming.
“Dapper” is such a great descriptor! And I agree: if only it could be so effortless!
I’m a classics fan as well. During Covid sequestering, we watched a film a day and it was great fun. I like the Hitchcock films especially. We layered in a bunch of classic musicals as well. Some of them are quite strange, but you have to give props for production and costuming.
I have a boxed set of Hitchcock films, some of them rather obscure. They are all interesting though, and seeing actors and actresses in their YOUNG days (Maureen O’Hara’s film debut was a Hitchcock) is fascinating.
Musicals are a bit strange on principal, I think. But hey — I often randomly break out into song while doing un-musical things, so perhaps they aren’t so strange after all! 😉
I haven’t seen a ton of classic movies, but quite a few. They are my favorite kind to watch. The actors were all good, and the story was always interesting. 🙂
I feel like “story” is what seems to be missing from modern movies.
I *did* see a really good movie recently (Death On The Nile), but given the director/principal actor (Kenneth Branagh) and the storyline’s origin (Agatha Christie), it could hardly be anything else but fabulous!
My favourite classic movie is “Father Goose” which actually has Cary Grant! And my favourite Christmas movie is “White Christmas”, also a classic. Other than that, I’m not really too much into the classics, and the movies I like to watch over and over are like 90’s Disney-type movies. But I guess even those are “classics” now?
Giggling Fattie
http://www.noloveforfatties.com
I think you are right — they are classic animated films, for sure!
And I love the movie Father Goose! 🙂
I remember at high school we were studying ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ and it was on TV one night. Every girl arrived at school the next day madly in love with Ronald Colman even though the movie was made in 1935. I was also a great fan of Clark Gable and watched every movie of his I could when it came on TV.
Hahaha! That’s the thing about film — actors are captured young and stay tgat way for future generations to swoon over! 😉
Clark Gable — another CG — was definitely debonair. 🙂
My favorites are Steel Magnolias, Bridges of Madison County, Mannequin, The Last Starfighter and Dirty Dancing. Those are the ones that instantly come to mind.
~ Marie xox
I know most of those movies. 🙂 Dirty Dancing — when that came out on video, I must have watched it 20 times!
Great choice. Eternal classic!
I’m glad you agree. 🙂