Usually your local public library lets you check them out for free. CD, VHS, and I’ve even seen Beta.
Check you local public library, They often have a good selection of classics. See if they’re part of a regional coop that loans dvd’s between libraries. You might be able to check this online. Some sharge a small fee for check outs. Some are free to check out.
There are websites, like cinemanow, that have a ton of movies of all kinds.
I was very disappointed after joining Netflix for their lack quality 1930-1950’s movies. Not much on there IMO.
Arthur,
Do you have access to online video? There are lots of classic video sites for streaming.
Estate sales.
Check out
http://free-classic-movies.com/index.php
They’re pretty good if you don’t mind watching on your PC or can download to disc.
If you have Internet, why aren’t you streaming Netflix and other video services?
We had a similar problem with Netflix, only it was not Netflix fault.
1. We’d order a movie, knew it was shipped, never got it. But several days later Netflix said it was returned and mailed out the next on our list. (someone else got it, watched it, returned it)
2. We’d order a movie, and simply never got it. It was lost. (someone else got it, kept it)
3. The movies discs we ordered came cracked.
Only about a fourth our movies arrived on time and undamaged. We were also getting other peoples mail at the same time, so knew it was a mail carrier issue. Important bills were also delayed with notes written on them saying they were sent to wrong address.
We knew it had to be our mail carrier and went to the post office and filed a complaint.
The problem was solved. I suggest you do the same.
“But I think $7.99 for only two movies/month is a rip-off. “
It appears they changed their policy to being similar to Netflix.
Go to
http://classicflix.com/index.splash.php
and click on “How It Works”.
You keep the movies as long as you want, and when returned they ship one right away. So the faster you can turn them around, the more you can watch for that monthly price. Same as Netflix.
I think you need to solve your mail carrier issue first.
If you live close to the PO, try renting a PO Box in order to go around your mail carrier. It’s sad to have to do this, but let’s face it, there’s very little accountability in the federal government right now from the highest politician right down to the guy on the street.
Here is one: "Made for Each Other"
Young lawyer meets and marries girl after knowing her one day. Takes bride home to meet his mother who disapproves of the marriage. Lawyer thinks everything will be fine as he moves up the ...Â
Director: John Cromwell
Writers: Jo Swerling (screenplay), Rose Franken (suggested by a story by),
Stars: Carole Lombard, James Stewart, Charles Coburn
I didn’t realize there were still places that mailed physical media! Streaming is probably a better option. If you prefer to watch on your tv rather than computer, I’d consider a Roku device. Very simple to set up and there are lots of choices (many free) that would probably get you what you are interested in.
bkmk
Art, Have you searched the youtube channels for classic movies? They’re free and numerous.
Use search term “classic movies” “film noire” and whatever genre that interests you.
You can try Internet Archive: Digital Library (http://archive.org/), they have available for streaming a large library of public domain movies and clips. There is no charge and no log in required.
I don’t subscribe to ClassicFlix, but I regularly check their site about announcements of dvd-releases. They are the only outfit I know of that seems to offer the “manufacture-on-demand” items that Sony/Fox/WB produce, which would give them a huge leg up on vintage items, compared to the others. Shame their system apparently makes it not terribly cost-effective.
So many tons of old films still hard if not impossible to access. I could name hundreds that are unavailble. I’ve been wanting to see “State Trooper” (1933) starring Regis Toomey and Evelyn Knapp for decades.
I don’t have much experience with subscriptions other than Netflix. I determined early on that there weren’t enough decent new movies to make even a 2 per month rate worth it. So I have the streaming version on Netflix, which took some time to grow on me. As for access to new releases, I have several Red Box kiosks close by, and their $1.99 per day rate is hard to beat. Again, so much that is being produced is pure crap that we refuse to pay for what we won’t watch. The library option has also served us well, as long as we don’t insist on movies delivered to our mail box. Also, I have occasionally used iTunes and Amazon for movies I can’t find elsewhere. They’re a bit more expensive, but sometimes you just gotta pay! This whole mess continues to evolve, and I would not be surprised to see the number, variety, and quality of streaming options improve over time. Good luck!
For ‘classic’ movies, if you have a good internet connection, you should consider streaming and downloading.
There are numerous free and low priced streaming venues.
Netflix and Amazon Prime, Youtube, Archive.org, etc.
Many old movies are in the public domain, so they can be found on numerous websites.
The Paramount Vault has their old and not that old movies free on youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzMVH2jEyEwXPBvyht8xQNw/featured