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
Also left out the movie, “M”
another notable mention...Double Indemnity
I'm sure he just forgot.
Twelve Angry Men
It’s a Wonderful Life.
The epic Andrei Rublev
Just watched Laura (again) last month. It’s a good one.
Fascinating! Cool post, cool info!
There is a fascinating movie I saw a few years ago called, “It Happened Here”, made in 1966, which was a fictional portrayal of what life in Britain under Nazi occupation would have been like, through the eyes of one woman. It was made on a shoestring budget, but I really liked how it captured the dilemma of either trying to go along and try to make the best of things, or to resist.
Hi, Past Your Eyes:
I still love the scene where Bobby Blake talks about his past just before he is to be hanged. The reflected raindrops on Blake’s cheeks were a happy accident the cinematographer really didn’t catch onto until the next day’s rushes.
Glad they kept it in.
Jack.
The Maltese Falcon
It is impossible to make such a list. It is an entirely subjective matter; as is evinced by the fact that so many truly great films were left off of the list! How could one ever leave Casablanca off of the list?
BTW, "Casablanca" still sux.
Classic - and about the first movies I can think of shot in a documentary style.
Inherit the Wind
The Manchurian Candidate
Fail-Safe
The Last Picture Show
It's a Wonderful Life
Casablanca
A Streetcar named Desire
_____________________
Wth?? Why are these films unlisted?
This is a good list.
Another one I just remembered...”The Homecoming”..Clark Gable and Lana Turner...
I like to watch it every so often when I feel like crying.
I'd watch it on mute.
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