The 20 Greatest Black-and-White Films Ever Made

blogcritics ^ | Chris Kent

[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

[wintertime]

Ping

[AFret.]

“The Gallant Hours”....James Cagney as Admiral Halsey...Outstanding.

[FlJoePa]

Where's The Hustler?

[Jack Deth]

Hi, wbarmy:

If you liked the chase in The Third Man. Check out He Walked By Night with Richard Basehart and Jack Webb.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040427/combined

A great B&W procedural that laid the groundwork for Webb's later Dragnet

Also, good catch on The Bedford Incident. Even though James Harris directed it. I still see Sam Fuller's fingerprints all over this gem!


Jack.

[sjmjax]

I think "Forbidden Planet" was a great milestone picture especially for the SciFi genre.

But, that movie was in color. Although, many promotional stills were in B&W.

[dfwgator]

The best thing about "The Longest Day"

Who knew French Resistance Chicks were so hot.

[Nepeta]

Laura

Freaks

Nightmare Alley

[King Moonracer]

I think I’ve only seen it on a black and white TV...LOL.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Carl Dreyer's "Passion of Joan of Arc" (1928).

[Past Your Eyes]

Oui, oui!!

[Finny]

I read that the producers of Sunset Boulevard had wanted Montgomery Clift to play the part that ended up being taken by William Holden. I think that was a lucky break for all of us -- Clift would have ruined the movie and made it too heavy. He was so serious, so dark, and so moody. Holden, on the other hand, was PERFECTAMUNDO! He adds just the right light touch of irony to it in his narration. Only William Holden could have pulled that off.

I have watched "The Big Sleep" probably more than 200 mes in my 53 years ... but I'd have put "The Maltese Falcon" on this list instead. I think the chemistry between Bogart and Mary Astor was delicious, and Astor was just TOPS as a very convincing liar gambling that she can take advantage of the sappy side of a man's heart -- and almost doing it. Bogart to Astor when she's begging him for his help, using her feminine wiles. He says: "You won't need anyone's help. You're good."

Not that The Big Sleep doesn't have some great Bogie lines, too! While tipping the lady cab driver: "Here you go, sugar. Buy yourself a cigar." When Carmen asks Bogie, "Is he as cute as you?" Bogie answers: "Nobody is." And when the villainess gets knocked to the floor in a scuffle, he says: "Get up, Agnes. You look like a pekingese."

On the other hand, the Maltese Falcon has a bunch, too. When Miss O'Shaughnessy (Astor) slaps the effeminate Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre) and Cairo starts to hit back, Bogie throttles him and snarls, "When you get slapped, you'll take it and like it." When Miss O'Shaughnessy laments the murder of Sam Spade's partner, Miles, and asks if Miles was a good man, Bogie answers sardonically: "Yeah, with six thousand in insurance, no kids, and a wife that didn't like him."

It's even got Ward Bond, Sydney Greenstreet, and Elisha Cook in it. Can't beat those odds!

[JoeProBono]

Paths of Glory Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas).

[Cincinatus]

Stalag 17

[BufordP]

In Cold Blood (1967)

[Radagast the Fool]

Michael Curtiz directed Casablanca.

Last night I watched “Song of Bernadette”. Brilliant film, excellent performances including an Oscar for Jennifer Jones in her film debut.

“Passion of Joan of Arc” by Carl Dreyer is also a masterpiece.

[Past Your Eyes]

A Patch of Blue

[stormer]

Hearty agreement!

[Cincinatus]

Witness for the Prosecution

[mojitojoe]

Their opinion, not mine. Where is Casablanca, Key Largo, Rebecca?

[Past Your Eyes]

Definitely.