Classic Films Recommended by Classic Film Fans: Take I
During this quarantine, I’ve found myself catching up on all the classic films on my must-see list! One of the appeals of classic movies for me has always been the escape into a simpler time...and movies made during Hollywood’s Golden Age always bring a touch of glamour to the beautiful cinematography, nuanced acting, and strong storylines that have made these films stand the test of time.
If you are new to classic cinema, this is the perfect time to explore the genre. When was the last time we were all ordered to stay inside as much as possible? If you are a classic film junkie, maybe you’ll find something new on this list you haven’t seen before. Here are 10 classic movies to watch or re-watch now! And many thanks to all my Instagram followers and fellow Classic Hollywood junkies that helped me compile this list!
Sabrina (1954)
Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden
Audrey Hepburn shines as Sabrina Fairchild, the shy and slightly awkward daughter of the household chauffeur of the wealthy Larrabee family. Linus (Bogart) and David Larrabee (Holden) are brothers who are very different - Linus is all work, and David is devil-may-care playboy. When Sabrina goes away to Paris for two years and returns an elegant, sophisticated, beautiful woman, she catches the eye of both brothers and a complicated love triangle ensues.
To Catch a Thief (1955)
Cary Grant, Grace Kelly
A retired jewel thief (Grant) living on the French Riviera, becomes a suspect in a string of robberies and must prove his innocence by finding the culprit of the copycat crimes. Grace Kelly stars as his love interest in her final film with Alfred Hitchcock.
Now Voyager (1942)
Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
A frumpy spinster who has lived her life controlled by her mother, blossoms under therapy and becomes an elegant, independent woman. Her transformation has both positive and negative consequences as she develops new relationships.
The Awful Truth (1937)
Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Ralph Bellamy
Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings. Before their divorce becomes final, Jerry (Grant) and Lucy Warriner (Dunne) both do their best to undermine each other's subsequent romances. Their methods to prevent each other from pursuing romance make for a classic romp through 1930s comedy.
Singin’ In the Rain (1952)
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds
This classic set in 1927 follows a silent film company making a rocky transition into the talkies. The movie also offers an entertaining take on the Hollywood publicity machine. This is a must-watch film for classic movie cinephiles, so if you haven’t seen it, watch it immediately!
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich von Stroheim
Fate leads struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis (Holden) to the home of Norma Desmond (Swanson), a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return. Norma proposes that Joe move into her dilapidated mansion while writing a screenplay for her big comeback, and a complicated, dangerous relationship develops between the two. Gloria Swanson is magnificent as the aging film star, and William Holden’s career took off after his turn as Joe Gillis.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter
Blanche DuBois (Leigh) arrives to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Stella (Hunter) and Stanley Kowalski (Brando), in New Orleans after creditors take over the family property, Belle Reve. Blanche’s delicate mental state and Stanley's hyper-masculinity clash to create an antagonistic relationship, with devastating consequences.
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor
Private detective Sam Spade (Bogart) takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful con-artist (Astor), all of them searching for the mysterious Maltese Falcon. This has so many plot twists that it’s hard to summarize, but trust me - you shold see this one!
Trouble in Paradise (1932)
Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis, Herbert Marshall
Sophisticated European thief Gaston Monescu (Marshall) joins up with Lily (Hopkins), a pickpocket masquerading as a countess. The two find work with Mme. Colet (Francis), the beautiful owner of the Colet perfume company. Gaston works as Mme. Colet's personal secretary under an alias. When his true identity catches up to him, Gaston is caught in a love triangle with the two women.
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant
This is a classic 1930s screwball comedy. While trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist (Grant) is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress (Hepburn) and her pet leopard, Baby. Honestly, this one had me at “pet leopard.”
Let me know what you think of these films in the comments below, and let me know if I’ve missed any you think are essential! Part II of this blog is coming soon!
