Posted on 02/12/2011 9:19:45 AM PST by JoeProBono
"There's been a recent debate as to the validity of black-and-white films. Many of the youngsters say, "I just don't get it." Well, don't feel like the Lone Ranger young children. Ted Turner has similar thoughts on the supposed curse of black and white.
Whether one would like to admit it or not, the greatest films in history, to include horror, science fiction, suspense and drama, have been made in the breathtaking anti-color of black and white. According to film director John Carpenter in his inventive opus They Live, the reason films are now in color is because of an invasion of aliens during the 1950s. Nice going John, for you are not far from the truth.
I have compiled an unquestionable list made up of the 20 greatest black and white films in the history of mankind. And mind you, I have added a bonus of five Honorable Mentions. For those of you unacquainted, this list is as good a place to start as any. Enjoy some of the greatest films ever made, and they are all in glorious black and white."
Orson Welles and Charlton Heston in Touch of Evil, 1958
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Rebel Without a Cause
You betcha! The Duke just doesn’t get enough respect!
Jimmy Stewart and a very hot Lee Remick.
I bet “On Borrowed Time” is the one about Death caught up in a tree. That’s Lionel Barrymore on the cover of the dvd.
Thanks, now I will be able to sleep tonight!!
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Anatomy of a Murder
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Dead of Night
THAT’S IT, THAT’S IT!!! Plot: An aging, wheelchair bound man named Julian and his wife, Nellie, have custody of grandson named “Pud”. Nellie dies (in a wonderful scene finishing some knitting). Julian must now fight for custody of Pud. Mr. Brink (aka. the Angel of Death) comes for Julian but he manages to trap Death in the apple tree. So, now no one can die unless they touch the tree. The town doctor tries to convince Julian that Death is needed. There are people suffering waiting for him to relieve them of their pain. Pud climbs the tree to talk to Mr. Brink and falls. He is crippled and in severe pain. Julian releases Death and you see Julian and Pud walking toward clouds and light and hear Nellie calling them. ** not a horror movie but one that has a wonderful message.
The 39 Steps (1935): Hitchcock
The Thing.
ANY list of top black and whites should start out with
Casablanca and It’s a Wonderful Life.
Edward G had a great part in that one.
I’d have to go with the African Queen and Key Largo.
Key Largo
How about a list of the most overrated in your Top 25?
1) Schindler’s List — If you say you’re sat through this overlong, overwrought chest-beater with the movie-for-television epilogue tacked on at the end more than once, um... I don’t believe you.
2) Dr. Strangelove — Problem with this “black comedy” is there’s no comedy. It’s not enough to be bold for its time. Do you want to sit through this two hour Saturday Night Live sketch in the here and now? I don’t.
3) Manhattan — If you can even remember one character, one line, one theme you took away from this snoozer (besides the cinematography), I’ll stand down. But I can’t. So I suspect it I thought it blew and still does.
4) The Bicycle Thief — Oh, stop it. One of those films everyone thinks is good because everyone says it’s good. Guy finally gets a job, so he steals a bike to get there and gets caught. Huh? Ever hear of a beginning, middle, and end? What you’ve got there is a beginning. It. Is. So. Boring.
And P.S. only Americans can make good movies.
Westward the Women
The Uninvited
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