The Classic Film Thread

[I Am A Swede]

I saw this being suggested in another thread, so I thought why not....

Let's talk about classic films! Which ones do you like? Which ones don't you like? Which movies do you consider classics?

Favourite actors and actresses?

Let's start with the perhaps most classic of all the classics.... It might not be the best movie ever made, but if any movie can be labeled a true classic this is it:

Please register in order to view this content

[quartermainefan]

GWTW gets a bum rap for many reasons. There almost seems to be a need in film critique for it to be not so good to deserve it's status as the biggest, most popular movie ever made. But it's great, and technically beautiful. I can't think of many bad things to say about it, and it's use of music to ratchet up the melodrama is a thing of beauty.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RBAmLm_jYyY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The unrelenting plot just never quits too, and the acting was great too. I can only imagine what a spectacle it was to see this in a super large screen in all its lavish technicolor. This scene is a work of art you could just grab any frame and hang it on a wall:

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yNvuIuWY3Sw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[DAMfan]

1938 Academy Award winner "You Can't Take It with You" is on TCM tonight 8/10 with Lionel Barrymore (Drew's uncle), Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Edward Arnold, Spring Byington, Ann Miller, Donald Meek, Dub Taylor, and Mary Forbes. I also love GWTW.

[quartermainefan]

Has anyone beside me ever seen The Adventures Of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn? I think it is one of the greatest movies ever made.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Evof-iVDOwQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f4c_pbp8Hvw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Bright Eyes]

I have not, but I did just recently watch the Robin Hood silent film starring Douglas Fairbanks, who I just adore.

Edited August 10, 2012 by Bright Eyes

[quartermainefan]

rent it at amazon asap. It truly is the greatest swashbuckling movie ever. Errol Flynn in his prime I think was the greatest hero ever, and Basil Rathbone gets my vote for best character actor for villain. Claude Raines (who we see in both clips as evil Prince John) is just perfect too with a perfect accent for villainy. I think rottentomatoes gives it a 100% rating.

Edited August 10, 2012 by quartermainefan

[AllMyDaysatGH]

As an aspiring filmmaker, I am always watching movies & trying to find "classic" ones to watch as well. I don't feel like I've seen enough so does anyone have any suggestions? I have alist of movies that people have suggested to me, I'm going to start watching them in the winter after I graduate from my editing school in December. I am open to watching ANY film so please suggest away if you can

quartermainfan I'll definitely check out The Adventures Of Robin Hood!

[Paul Raven]

Adventures of Robin Hood is the definitive swashbuckler.In a similar vein,check out The Black Swan with Tyrone Power - a great pirate movie in beautiful technicolor.

[quartermainefan]

Speaking of Tyrone Power, someone uploaded an entire classic, The Mark Of Zorro. Basil Rathbone is once again the baddie. It's a lot of fun and it is easy to see how a kid in 1940s could go for this.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lMcTKNDB2TM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Bright Eyes]

Ha! I also watched the The Mark of Zorro, but again, it was the silent version starring Douglas Fairbanks! LoL

[DAMfan]

The Anarchy of "You Can't Take It with You"

1938 Academy Award winner "You Can't Take It with You" Grandfather (Lionel Barrymore (Drew's uncle) takes on the government.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2PNsiI5eGk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Becki]

I'm a huge Cary Grant fan and To Catch A Thief was one of my favorite movies he did.

Please register in order to view this content

I also LOVED North by Northwest

[Bright Eyes]

If you enjoy silent films like I do, my favourite silent film will always be Broken Blossoms, starring Lillian Gish and my favourite male actor of all time, Richard Barthelmess. Lillian Gish gives one of the best performances in cinema history.

[I Am A Swede]

Of course! Another true classic, with the, perhaps, greatest swashbuckling hero ever in Errol Flynn. He made so many fantastic movies during the 30s and early 40s. "Captain Blood", "The Charge of the Light Brigade", The Sea Hawk", "They Died with Their Boots On" and many more.

[quartermainefan]

I would like to recommend another classic, this from England. "Dead of Night", a horror anthology from 1945 that is at times brilliant.

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BRtlEEL4sp8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The story with the mirror and with the puppet are well worth watching.