Favorite Black&White Movies.

These are not necessary the best Black&White movies, but they are most remembered when growing up. And not being color add a touch of nostalgic to these movie memories.

Not in any particular order:

Asphalt Jungle (1950): Directed by John Houston and starring Sterling Hayden, this film is crime drama show case a heist gone wrong. With Marilyn Monroe.
http://www.eskimo.com/~noir/ftitles/.../asphalt02.jpg

On the WaterFront (1954): Marlon Brando most accessible movie. And most memorable line, “I could have been a contender”.
http://static.flickr.com/73/168888915_7df34f29fe.jpg

A Raisin in the Sun (1961): Claudia McNeil put in an unforgettable performance as the mother.
http://www.moviediva.com/MD_root/MDi..._RaisinSun.jpg

[b]Psycho (1960): The last scene with the mother corpse is legendary.
http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_01_img0398.jpg

Winchester 73 (1950): The film that started western movie revolution.
http://western.oeiizk.waw.pl/biograf...nchester73.jpg

Marty (1955): The first U.S. movie to be shown in USSR since WWII.
http://www2.una.edu/library/borgnine/port26.jpg

The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951): A movie with a message that still hold up to this date, “those that troubleth their own house shall inherit the wind”.
http://www.rockymusic.org/sfdf/EarthStoodStill1.jpg

sorry no pics:
A Streetcar Named Desire
Dr. Strangelove
Ed Wood
8 1/2
Sunset Blvd.
Touch of Evil
The Big Sleep
Spider Baby
Baby Doll
Faster, Pussycat! Kill, Kill!
God's Little Acre
Night of the Living Dead

Second tier for late night viewing:
Plan 9 from Outer Space
Bride of the Monster
Attack of the Giant Leeches
The Brain That Wouldn't Die
The Thing (from Another Planet)
Earth Vs. The Flying Saucers

honorable mentions:
Dracula
Bride of Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Elephant Man
Black Sunday (1960)

CITIZEN KANE
8 1/2
YO SOY CUBA
LA GUERRE ESE FINIE
THE 400 BLOWS
WILD STRAWBERRIES
THE SEVENTH SEAL
THE SEVEN SAMURAI
RED BEARD
SUNSET BOULEVARD
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
SULLIVANS TRAVELS
CASABLANCA
DOUBLE INDEMNITY
LAURA
THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE
LOLA MONTES
NOSFERATU
THE GENERAL
CITY LIGHTS
ALPHAVILLE
PATHS OF GLORY
THE NAKED KISS
KISS ME DEADLY
THE 39 STEPS
REBECCA
NOTORIOUS
IVAN THE TERRIBLE PT. 1 & 2
BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
BILLY LIAR
FIEND WITHOUT A FACE
BOB LE FLAMBEUR
THE MALTESE FALCON
CHILDREN OF PARADISE
THE CIRCUS
LE CORBEAU
DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID
THE GOLD RUSH
THE LAST PICTURE SHOW
YOJIMBO
PSYCHO
DR. STRANGELOVE
FRANKENSTEIN
DRACULA
NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD
TOUCH OF EVIL
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
STALAG 17
GRAND ILLUSION
LE TROU
THE SHOP ON MAIN STREET
HIGH NOON
PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET
FORTY GUNS
HUD
THE ROSE TATTOO
THE LADY EVE
JUDEX
THE LAND OF SILENCE AND DARKNESS
L'ATALANTE
LES DAMES DU BOIS DE BOULOGNE
M. HULOTS HOLIDAY
MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS
MODERN TIMES
METROPOLIS
M
ON THE WATERFRONT
THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW
PERSONA
HAMET (Olivier version)
LE SAMOURAI
RULES OF THE GAME
SECONDS
12 ANGRY MEN
SUNRISE
SWORD OF DOOM
WINTER LIGHT
DOUBLE SUICIDE
THE THIRD MAN
THRONE OF BLOOD
TO BE OR NOT TO BE
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE
THE WAGES OF FEAR
BRINGING UP BABY
THE PHILADELPHIA STORY
SOME LIKE IT HOT

That's all I can think of for now...

Bonus points if you know what movie this still is from (hint it's also on my list)

I'm surprised Casablanca didn't make any of the lists.

I know this isn't an old one, but I have to say that as far as picture quality, cinematography, and storylines, both The Good German and Good Night, and Good Luck were very enjoyable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nightflier

I'm surprised Casablanca didn't make any of the lists.

I know this isn't an old one, but I have to say that as far as picture quality, cinematography, and storylines, both The Good German and Good Night, and Good Luck were very enjoyable.

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It made my list.

Your list is so long there's nothing left for anybody else!!!

WAR OF THE WORLDS was my favorite oldie, but I don't recall if it was B&W or color.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rich-n-Texas

Your list is so long there's nothing left for anybody else!!!

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Lets see if he can post pictures of his movie suggestions :ciappa:

Ok, I am not crazy enough to post pictures from ALL of the list, but here is the top 10 and this took long enough as it was because of this sites backwards image posting procedures.

CITIZEN KANE -downright masterpiece. No other explanation really needed.
http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/images/ci...tizen-kane.jpg

8 1/2 - director Fellin's greatest film IMO, and one of the best films about making a film.
http://www.italica.rai.it/cinema/fil...zo/otto_gr.jpg

YO SOY CUBA -insanely gorgeous B&W cinematography...it's dizzying. http://www.ica.org.uk/thumbnail.php?max=408&id=591

LA GUERRE EST FINIE - just a superb Alain Resnais film that I revisit at least once a year.
http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_02_img0821.jpg

THE 400 BLOWS Francois Truffaut's masterwork and one of the best films about coming-of-age. The title gets a laugh out of perverts worldwide.
http://www.tcf.ua.edu/classes/Jbutle...400coups01.jpg

WILD STRAWBERRIES - a gloriously emotional film from the late Ingmar Bergman.
http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_03_img1370.jpg

THE SEVENTH SEAL -easily one of the most iconic films of all time with some of the most memorable imagery, even if you haven't seen the film, you know it.
http://www.sfinternational.se/Upload...venth_Seal.jpg

THE SEVEN SAMURAI - Kurosawa's most epic and unforgettable films.
http://www.ica.org.uk/thumbnail.php?max=408&id=1407

RED BEARD - my personal favorite of all Kurosawa films.
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/asianla...d%20Beard1.jpg

SUNSET BOULEVARD - probably one of the greatest films about the movie industry, both silent and talkies.
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/enter....boulevard.jpg

TROUBLE IN PARADISE - one of the funniest movies ever made without a doubt! If only they made movies this good these days.
http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_01_img0506.jpg

SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS - also a top contender for one of the funniest movies ever made. Veronika Lake in a superb role here.
http://wesclark.com/ubn/veronica_lake.jpg

Here's my list:

1. "The Seven Samurai - Wow, what a master can do with simple Black and White.

2. "King Kong" - You really, really don't miss color one bit.

3. "The Thing (From Another World) - Great dialogue wonderful acting.

4. "Fort Apache" - Monument valley in all it's Black and White glory.

5. "All Quiet on the Western Front" - Mud you can see it, smell it, feel it.

6. "Red River" - It could've been filmed in color but for some reason they chose Black and White. Thank God they did. Masterful...

7. "The Third Man" - Whoa... Film Noir as it was meant to be, the shadows in the sewers...

8. "The Bride of Frankenstein" - Whale proves that lighting and angles can transport you to another world.

9. "The Shape of Things to Come" - What worlds... what fantastic worlds...

10. "Them" - Above and below ground, masterful use of light and shadow.

Da Worfster

Hmm, the only one I can see not on the list that I really, really, really liked was Schindler's List.

Worf - EXCELLENT call on "All Quiet on the Western Front"...one of my old man's and my personal favs...

can't keep up with Smoke & P-skies when it comes to pics, but these were handy:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by PeruvianSkies

It made my list.

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I concurr with Schindler's List. I wish more modern movies were done in B&W. There's something to be said for what it brings out from the storyline.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Worf101

Here's my list:

1. "The Seven Samurai - Wow, what a master can do with simple Black and White.

2. "King Kong" - You really, really don't miss color one bit.

3. "The Thing (From Another World) - Great dialogue wonderful acting.

4. "Fort Apache" - Monument valley in all it's Black and White glory.

5. "All Quiet on the Western Front" - Mud you can see it, smell it, feel it.

6. "Red River" - It could've been filmed in color but for some reason they chose Black and White. Thank God they did. Masterful...

7. "The Third Man" - Whoa... Film Noir as it was meant to be, the shadows in the sewers...

8. "The Bride of Frankenstein" - Whale proves that lighting and angles can transport you to another world.

9. "The Shape of Things to Come" - What worlds... what fantastic worlds...

10. "Them" - Above and below ground, masterful use of light and shadow.

Da Worfster

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This list is probably one of your better movie listings, wthout too many military films :cornut:

Great suggestion guys, and Raging Bull may have to be added to list also :)

My list only includes OLDER movies, roughly 30 years plus, but if I can include any movie than I forgot a few:

RAGING BULL
SCHINDLER'S LIST
THE ELEPHANT MAN
THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE
DEAD MAN
CLERKS

"The Night of the Hunter" - This is the best ever and I'm surprised no one else has it on their list. Great atmosphere, especially the scene wtih the Preacher on horseback in the moonlight.
"The Third Man" - Great film noir
"Red River" - Classic John Wayne
"Twelve Angry Men" - Shot in one room and it holds your attention all movie. THAT is what I call a great script and great acting
"Detective Story"- Again, almost all shot in one room.
"Maltese Falcon" - Classic Humph.
"To Kill A Mockingbird" - A classic by Harper Lee. Almost perfect fare.
"Some Like it Hot" - A classic B&W comedy
"Animal Crackers" - The Marx Brothers at their best with the wittiest dialogue of all of their movies.
"Laura" - Sucha great story
"Casablanca"- No list can be without it?
"The Thirty Nine Steps" - A classic Hitchcock with that certain atmosphere

Faces- one of a trilogy of flicks by John Cassavetes (liked the others, too) altho this was not exactly one I grew up on just think it deserves recognition at every turn
Flash Gordon
Laura
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Limelight

You guys came up with a bunch of gems! Think I'll start a thread about great lil movies. You know, low budget, off the wall little gems for whatever reason you think makes them special.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jim goulding

Faces- one of a trilogy of flicks by John Cassavetes (liked the others, too) altho this was not exactly one I grew up on just think it deserves recognition at every turn
Flash Gordon
Laura
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Limelight

You guys came up with a bunch of gems! Think I'll start a thread about great lil movies. You know, low budget, off the wall little gems for whatever reason you think makes them special.

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LAURA is probably one of my all-time favs from that era, along with LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN, which both films should be required viewing.

I am not a huge fan of BW films. Its not that I don't appreciate them (maybe a little) but I barely have enough time to watch new films, let alone older works.

I must say though, 12 Angry Men would be up there on the limited list of BW films that I have seen. I also thought the Cain Mutiny was good.

Schindlers List was also excellent although it was BW in lack of color only (as it was made recently and out of directors perogitive, not because color didn't exist) , and it did have the "red coat" scene so it really wasn't 100% BW.

Groundbeef has a point,how about films that B&W is a choice afterall 50 yaers ago films were B&W because thats all there was .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by musicman1999

Groundbeef has a point,how about films that B&W is a choice afterall 50 yaers ago films were B&W because thats all there was .

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Well, color was introduced in the late 30's so that time-span is even getting longer, it won't be too long before very few people remember when movies were ONLY in B&W, and I am not talking about TV, I am talking Film here.

B&W doesn't really have to do with age either, think about something like PLEASANTVILLE or SCHINDLER'S LIST....the fact that more people alive today have seen PLEASANTVILLE over CITIZEN KANE should be criminal, but people mostly assert B&W with 'old' and because of that they feel that the film won't speak to them, yet every Christmas millions of people have to watch IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, too bad they don't gather around and watch CASABLANCA instead.

But bear in mind that Casablanca and Citizen Kane are not great films because they are black and white it is because they are great films period.Some modern films,such as The Good German,Schindlers List,Good Night and Good Luck use black and white as an artistic choice and as such should be thought of a little different than older films that had no other option.

bill

[QUOTE=PeruvianSkiesB&W doesn't really have to do with age either, think about something like PLEASANTVILLE or SCHINDLER'S LIST....the fact that more people alive today have seen PLEASANTVILLE over CITIZEN KANE should be criminal, but people mostly assert B&W with 'old' and because of that they feel that the film won't speak to them, yet every Christmas millions of people have to watch IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, too bad they don't gather around and watch CASABLANCA instead.[/QUOTE]

Well, now your (oops, that you're) being a bit subjective.

While I certainly agree that most people think "old" when they hear BW, I also think its a bit foolish to assume that BW films are superior to films today simply because of the lack of color. There was crap then, and there is crap now. Color doesn't really affect/reflect the ability of the director to capture the minds of the viewers. Certainly it opens more avenues and directions, but for every good director there is a Hugh Boll (pretty sure he's the director that has ruined every Video Game/Movie Tie in) in the mix somewhere. It is unlikely that if he chose BW his films would be any less crappy.

I personally draw the family around the ol' plasma to watch "Christmas Vacation", that is way better than either Its a Wonderful Life, or Casablanca!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by musicman1999

But bear in mind that Casablanca and Citizen Kane are not great films because they are black and white it is because they are great films period.Some modern films,such as The Good German,Schindlers List,Good Night and Good Luck use black and white as an artistic choice and as such should be thought of a little different than older films that had no other option.

bill

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Color was introduced through prior to CASABLANCA and CITIZEN KANE, they did have the choice though it would have been insanely expensive at the time and was not the 'norm' but still a choice, though these films work so well in B&W it's hard to envision them otherwise.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Groundbeef

I personally draw the family around the ol' plasma to watch "Christmas Vacation", that is way better than either Its a Wonderful Life, or Casablanca!

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Yeah, waaaaay better. The fact that you make that statement truly sums things up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PeruvianSkies

Yeah, waaaaay better. The fact that you make that statement truly sums things up.

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Well, again, its subjective. Personally I think that "Its a Wonderful Life" is an OK film. I saw it a couple of times, but filled with Holiday spirit after it....not so much. Frankly, I haven't seen Casablanca so I really cant comment on its relative worth to the film world. I hear its a good film, but never made time for it.

But what really makes one film better than another? If I am in the mood for a Holiday comedy film, Christmas Vacation, or Elf would probably be a better choice than Casablanca no? As my kids are younger (10,8,7) I highly doubt the artistic beauty of Casablanca would be enjoyed. I would much rather listen to them laugh, then constantly complain about how boring Casablanca would be for them.

So depending upon where you are in your life, and where I am our film choices would be vastly different. Plus, you seem to be a rather knowledgeable film buff, and tend to look more at a film for camera angles, subtle sound, and other technical stuff. I just tend to watch, and enjoy the experience for what it is to ME. A movie.