View Full Version : The best BLACK AND WHITES
82ndtrooper
08-26-2007, 17:33
Movies that is ! Let's have some more fun. Since SDIVERS thread and the threads on "Best 80's music and "Best Underground movies" had such a success and became HOT I thought I'd start another fun thread.
Simple rules: Just your favorite black and white movies. Include the actors and or actresses, any awards such as Oscars or any other film critic type awards. Any trivia that you know about the movie/s etc.
My first three to get us started.
1. The Longest Day.Possibly the best war film ever made. Story of D-DAY..................need I say anything else ??
Starring John Wayne, Red Button, Richard Burton, Eddie Albert, Paul Anka and a young Sean Connery as Pvt Flanagan.
Won 2 Oscars in 1962.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird. Based on the novel by Harper Lee told through the narration of the adult child of her summer with her brother and father. A rape of a young white woman takes place with a black man being accused. We see the movie through the narration of Gregory Pecks young daughter.
Famous line: "Daddy, if we told on Mr. Boo it would be like killing a Mockingbird"
Possibly the first court room drama played out on the screen, other than 12 Angry Men.
Starring Gregory Peck and a very young Robert Duval as Mr. Arthur "Boo"
Gregory Peck won the Oscar for leading male role.
3. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.
Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston and Tim Holt are on a quest for gold after a chance meeting in Tampico Mexico. This movie shows greed in it's ugliest form. The dangers of trust and mistrust, and what the final outcome can mean. Their are suttle cues all along this movie that will become evident when the final scene is viewed.
Walter Huston won the Oscar as best supporting actor in a male role. It was the first and only time in Oscar history that a son directed his father and won an Oscar. The son was director John Huston. Walter Huston wore false teeth and his son talked him into taking them out for the movie.
Trivia: During the filming of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" Humphrey Bogart kept asking John Huston to be released to go sailing in California and was denied. Finally Humghrey Bogart ask once more and John Huston reached across the desk and grabbed Bogart by the nose twising it and telling him "NO"
They would later bury the hatchet and do more movies together.
Famous line: "Badges? We dont need no stinking badges"
The Reaper
08-26-2007, 17:44
I am watching The Longest Day right now. Best cast ever in a movie together.
Many years ago, I was lucky enough to meet the character Red Buttons portrayed in the film. He was the father of a shooting buddy of mine. I was floored to met him. What a story he told about hanging from the steeple!
Great selection!
TR
"Raging Bull" and "The Last Picture Show".
Pat
82ndtrooper
08-26-2007, 18:50
"Raging Bull" and "The Last Picture Show".
Pat
Raging Bull. Robert DeNiro in possibly his best role to date. Although many would later revert back to "Taxi Driver" as his best role. I cant argue for or against, but both are utterly great movies.
Although this movie was shot in 1980, it was never the less released as a black and white film by Marty Scorcese. A good choice in my opinion.
Robert DeNiro gained SIXTY pounds after they shot they boxing scenes. They took a six month break and then filmed the later part of the film with DeNiro and his extra SIXTY pounds. Marty Scorcese would later say that this was the most excellent "METHOD ACTOR" he would probably ever work with. I cannot disagree.
Anything with Audrey Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.
The Longest Day
Psycho
For cheap thrills...The Birds. :eek:
Rumblyguts
08-26-2007, 19:20
Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant
A great movie with some good whit. Not to mention...CHARGE!!!!
Also, a good Naval flick, In Harm's Way was on today. Another bang-up cast in that one.
Monsoon65
08-26-2007, 19:23
For cheap thrills...The Birds. :eek:
For cheap thrills, try "Ed Wood"!
82ndtrooper
08-26-2007, 19:27
Anything with Audrey Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.
The Longest Day
Psycho
For cheap thrills...The Birds. :eek:
I have every single movie of Hithcocks on DVD. :o
Guess who's mother (Tipi Hedren) play's the female lead role in the "The Birds" ??
Hint: She's married to Zorro.
Rumblyguts: "In Harms Way" is an excellent film as well. Another of John Waynes better movies.
In addition to some already mentioned: "The Dam Busters".
On a lighter note....Topper (1937) and Topper Returns (1941) were pleasant.
From Netflix:
Roland Young offers a wonderful portrayal (he was nominated for an Academy Award for his work) of stuffy bank president Cosmo Topper in this double feature based on a book by Thorne Smith. In the first film, Cary Grant and Constance Bennett co-star as ghosts trying to control Topper; and in Topper Returns, the spirit of a young woman murdered on her 21st birthday pleads with Topper to investigate her death.
Also, The Bishop's Wife (1947)
From Netflix:
This Christmastime angelic intervention sparkles with good humor. Dudley the angel (Cary Grant) is sent to help a bishop (David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young) survive their attempt to finance a new cathedral and the strain it's putting on their marriage. The Bishop's Wife includes complex undercurrents, especially when the bishop sees Dudley as a rival for his job and his wife.
All three entirely frivolous - but amusing.
82ndtrooper
08-26-2007, 21:37
On a lighter note....Topper (1937) and Topper Returns (1941) were pleasant.
From Netflix:
Roland Young offers a wonderful portrayal (he was nominated for an Academy Award for his work) of stuffy bank president Cosmo Topper in this double feature based on a book by Thorne Smith. In the first film, Cary Grant and Constance Bennett co-star as ghosts trying to control Topper; and in Topper Returns, the spirit of a young woman murdered on her 21st birthday pleads with Topper to investigate her death.
Also, The Bishop's Wife (1947)
From Netflix:
This Christmastime angelic intervention sparkles with good humor. Dudley the angel (Cary Grant) is sent to help a bishop (David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young) survive their attempt to finance a new cathedral and the strain it's putting on their marriage. The Bishop's Wife includes complex undercurrents, especially when the bishop sees Dudley as a rival for his job and his wife.
All three entirely frivolous - but amusing.
All three are good movies. I do like The Bishops Wife around Christmas. Good, clean, fun and the children can watch and learn as well.
The Bishops Wife was of course remade with Dezel Washington playing the role of "Dudley" and a crack head as the preachers wife. :munchin
For cheap thrills, try "Ed Wood"!
I'll have to put it on my list, thanks!
Guess who's mother (Tipi Hedren) play's the female lead role in the "The Birds" ??
Hint: She's married to Zorro.
Melanie Griffith. The Zorro clue gave that one away. :D
Airbornelawyer
08-26-2007, 22:11
The Longest Day
It's A Wonderful Life
Casablanca
Stalag 17
Airbornelawyer
08-26-2007, 22:12
The Longest Day
It's A Wonderful Life
Casablanca
Stalag 17
Oh yeah, and "Clerks"
shadowwalker
08-26-2007, 22:19
I realize that it is a relativity newer movie but Shingler's (spelling uncertain) list was a black and white.
82ndtrooper
08-26-2007, 23:01
The Longest Day
It's A Wonderful Life
Casablanca
Stalag 17
Casablanco is one of my favorites also. Humphrey Bogart was nominated for an Oscar, however did not win. The director was nominated and he did in fact take home that night for the "Best Director in a Major motion picture" His name was Michael Curtiz. Ingrid Bergman is still one of the most beautiful women to have ever stepped foot on the big screen. Even to this day.
It's a wonderful life. Personally no matter how many times I watch this movie, I will still watch it every single Christmas eve along with "White Christmas" Starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kay and Rosemarry Clooney.
If your in Augusta, Kentucky do not miss the Rosemary Clooney house and museum. They have the red and white fur cuffed dress along with Bings military uniform from the movie in the bottom room off to the left. It's only $5 to tour the house on Riverside Drive.
"Young Frankenstein". Mostly because, in my opinion, of the "great knockers". ;)
Pat
Ret10Echo
08-27-2007, 04:38
"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" 1947
Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039420/
82ndtrooper
08-27-2007, 04:59
"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" 1947
Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039420/
Without looking at the link to imdb I believe the ghost that Ms. Muir was in love with was named Captain Daniel Craig ? (Rex Harrison)
Dr. Strangelove
On the Waterfront
Schidler's List
The Longest Day
Ret10Echo
08-27-2007, 05:54
Without looking at the link to imdb I believe the ghost that Ms. Muir was in love with was named Captain Daniel Craig ? (Rex Harrison)
Daniel Gregg
"The Thing" With James Arnes as the "Thing"
"Fail Safe" With a good cast which escapes memory?
"The Bedford Incident" With Richard Winmark and Sidney Portier
Just off the top of my head.:munchin
82ndtrooper
08-27-2007, 16:52
"The Thing" With James Arnes as the "Thing"
"Fail Safe" With a good cast which escapes memory?
"The Bedford Incident" With Richard Winmark and Sidney Portier
Just off the top of my head.:munchin
Heck, even the remake of "The Thing" is already considered a classic.:eek: Kurt Russel and a few others that escape me at the moment .
I saw the Kurt Russel version I believe in the Army at Ft. Bragg. Guess I'm not as young as I'd like to think.
since we are still on the subject. let's include:
Universals Classic Monster series.
1. Frankenstein
2. The Wolfman
3. The Mummy
4. Dracula
5. Creature from the Black Lagoon
I'm sure someone can think of the others.
Always liked "The Thing" with James Arnes better than the one with Kurt Russell, which I saw in College. The original doesn't insult your intelligence like all of the other Sci-Fi movies of today.
Here is some more classic Sci-Fi:"
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" with Michael Remy.
"Them" Again with James Arnes
War:
"Battleground" with Van Heflin(?)
"Pork Chop Ridge"
"Battle Cry"
"None But The Brave" Can't remember if this was color or B&W?
Go For Broke
08-27-2007, 19:38
Classic B&W is The Manchurian Candidate
Made all the more famous so by ADM Stockdale
V/R,
Fort Apache John Wayne Henry Fonda
Rio Bravo John Wayne Maureen O'Hara
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon John Wayne
Great Calvary movies!!!!!!!
Are you looking for films that could have been made in color but were not? Some great films were B&W out of necessity, not choice.
Pat
aricbcool
08-27-2007, 22:00
For cheap thrills...The Birds. :eek:
I can't believe nobody called you on this one. The Birds ain't black and white. :D :p
youtube.com/watch?v=-xIV8_x_V48&mode=related&search=
For my part, I'm going to nominate "Night of the Living Dead".
You can see the full movie here: youtube.com/watch?v=XhgVHTVi_h4
--Aric
Go For Broke
08-27-2007, 23:21
Forgot to add Gidllo Pontecorvo'sThe Battle of Algiers (Remembered it because I am reading Devil's Guard right now)
I believe that movie is becoming more popular everyday...funny thing is that the initial place I saw it was SWC in the summer of 2000. It is even on the schedule out here is KS...:D
82ndtrooper
08-27-2007, 23:27
Are you looking for films that could have been made in color but were not? Some great films were B&W out of necessity, not choice.
Pat
I suppose when I started the thread I was concentrating on pre 1965 or there abouts. Nostalgic in nature, but then you mentioned "Raging Bull" which was shot in 1980. Marty Scorcese released it in B&W. Your right, certain movies, regardless of their date of origin, are better left colorless for effect. "Raging Bull" and "Shindlers List" were two of those movies.
"Sin City" was one of the neatest semi color black and whites that I've ever seen. Then came "300" with the same effect.
Gypsy: I believe "The Birds" was one of the first color movies. However, the color was added post production not a direct effect of color imaging camera development. Watch it again somtime and you'll notice the same look as Ted Turners debotchery. Great movie though and "Bodega Bay" is now still visited by "The Birds" fanatics.
Trivia question for Gypsy: What was Tipi Hedrens charachter known for with disdain by Mitches mother while she was visiting Pari's, France ?
ERICBCOOL: "Night of the living dead" is one of my all time favorites also. I have it on both VHS and DVD in B&W. George A. Romero was on to something then. I believe it was about 1965 and the first time people actually left the theatre due to stomach sickness. How many sequels have been made from that darn thing ? I just watched "Dawn of the Dead" last night which was his too. It was 2006 and even though stupid and campy, it is good cheap thrills.
GOFORBROKE: I also have "Battle of Algiers" in my DVD collection. Great movie all around. Bataglia De Algeri, La 1966
I can't believe nobody called you on this one. The Birds ain't black and white. :D :p
--Aric
It was when I watched it on an old black and white tv. :p Heh. It's obviously been a while...I swore it was B&W.
Some of my favorite B & W movies:
Dodsworth - made in 1936. Won two ocars. Directed by William Wyler.
The Best Years of our lives - Made in 1947 - Also directed by William Wyler. The government wanted Hollywood to make a movie to handle the various problems which would be faced by returning veterans after WWII. Won 7 oscars. Greg Toland was the Cinematographer. Also shot Citizen Cane.
Stagecoach - made in 1939. Directed by John Ford. John Wayne.
The Man who shot liberty valence - made in 1962 - directed by John Ford . John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Lee Marvin.
My Darling Clementine - 1946 - directed by John Ford. Henry Fonda, Ward Bond
Jack Moroney (RIP)
08-28-2007, 19:29
Triumph des Willens
TMC was running a series of Kirk Douglas's movies:
Q. What was the only movie he took 2nd billing in?
A. In Harm's Way
Another of his shows I liked was 7 Days in May with Burt Lancaster. US military leaders plot to overthrow the President because he supports a nuclear disarmament treaty and they fear a Soviet sneak attack.
aricbcool
08-28-2007, 21:07
Gypsy: I believe "The Birds" was one of the first color movies. However, the color was added post production not a direct effect of color imaging camera development. Watch it again somtime and you'll notice the same look as Ted Turners debotchery. Great movie though and "Bodega Bay" is now still visited by "The Birds" fanatics.
ERICBCOOL: "Night of the living dead" is one of my all time favorites also. I have it on both VHS and DVD in B&W. George A. Romero was on to something then. I believe it was about 1965 and the first time people actually left the theatre due to stomach sickness. How many sequels have been made from that darn thing ? I just watched "Dawn of the Dead" last night which was his too. It was 2006 and even though stupid and campy, it is good cheap thrills.
Romero recreated the genre when he made that film. Did some reading on it and while zombies (and zombie movies) were around before then, he completely redefined the rules and behaviors of zombies into what we now know today. After that, zombie movies have pretty much followed the expectations set by that film.
I'm a big fan of zombie movies as a whole. Looking forward to Resident Evil: Extinction this fall. Even been thinking about making a zombie plan...
youtube.com/watch?v=BkaxjymbfS0
Slight hijack... re: the birds
Claims of post production color being used on "The Birds" sent me searching for evidence of the filming process used for said film and in lieu of finding any specific information, I found some fascinating stuff on the history of color filming techniques. I feel confident in standing by my claim due to the article referenced below and its claim that the last film shot with the "three strip process" was Foxfire (1955). After that, color movies were filmed using Eastman Kodak's new color film which needed no special dye imbibition process. I know this is borderline eccentric, but I figured that I needn't let my wild goose chase go to waste. That said, if you're interested in the history of technicolor and the processes they used, check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technicolor
It was when I watched it on an old black and white tv. Heh. It's obviously been a while...I swore it was B&W.
lol. I'd say that it counts then. :D
--Aric
The Reaper
08-28-2007, 21:11
Dr. Strangelove would have to be high on my list as well.
TR
Dr. Strangelove would have to be high on my list as well.
TR
I also liked the alternate title:
How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb
Well, if we are climbing into the WABAC machine, I offer Buster Keaton's "The General". The stunts he did with that moving mass of iron are hair-raising.
Pat
edit to add: It's available on-line.
82ndtrooper
08-31-2007, 22:54
King Kong
Great choice !
We've come a long way since then with two remakes. Personally, I thought both remakes were decent. The latest, Peter Jacksons remake, was outstanding special effects and kept to the time period of the original.
Monsoon65
08-31-2007, 23:30
Stalag 17.
William Holden, Otto Preminger, and a very young Peter Graves.
Dr. Strangelove would have to be high on my list as well.
TR
We must protect our precious bodily fluids, TR.
The Reaper
09-01-2007, 08:41
We must protect our precious bodily fluids, TR.
Nothing but pure distilled water and grain alcohol for me, thanks.
TR
"Twelve O'clock High" - Gregory Peck and Dean Jagger - one of the truly GREAT portrayals of what it's like to bear the weight of the "mantle of command." Henry King got it right with his directing of this film.
"Mr Smith Goes To Washington" - Jimmy Stewart - Washington needs about 535 Jefferson Smith's about now.
82ndtrooper
09-01-2007, 10:39
"Twelve O'clock High" - Gregory Peck and Dean Jagger - one of the truly GREAT portrayals of what it's like to bear the weight of the "mantle of command." Henry King got it right with his directing of this film.
"Mr Smith Goes To Washington" - Jimmy Stewart - Washington needs about 535 Jefferson Smith's about now.
That's an understatement, the part about more Mr. Smiths that is.
We've come a long way since then with two remakes. Personally, I thought both remakes were decent. The latest, Peter Jacksons remake, was outstanding special effects and kept to the time period of the original.
I agree. Jackson's remake was good, even though it didn't scare me like the original. Maybe I was too distracted with wishing Kong would devour Jack Black. Fay Wray - hotter than Naomi Watts.
Fellas I just found this one through a book I am currently reading. The movie is entitled "Surrender--Hell!". This movie was made in the 1950's and is about the exploits of Blackburn's Headhunters in the philippines during WWII. I am going to have to find this little gem. Now where is a good place to start for these oldies?
Just FYI, this is the same Blackburn of SOG fame.
82ndtrooper
09-08-2007, 12:48
I agree. Jackson's remake was good, even though it didn't scare me like the original. Maybe I was too distracted with wishing Kong would devour Jack Black. Fay Wray - hotter than Naomi Watts.
But not Jessica Lange. At least in her young day's of King Kong. :cool: I believe that was Jessica's first movie. "Introducing Jessica Lange" was the billing.
MAB: If Amazon does not have it, I'd be surprised.
Yep my friend that was the very first place I checked. They have a book about it but no movie. Neither does "E-Bay/Half.com".