Less Realism, Please
Like most people, I enjoy watching movies. Unlike some, I especially enjoy films from the studio era of Hollywood. I definitely appreciate modern films as well, but there is something about the movies made in Hollywood prior to the mid-1960s or so that I find appealing. Part of the appeal lies in the black & white film, for it adds an additional layer of separation from reality to the film, but even the color films of that era are marvelous. They seem to have been purposely made to be less than realistic, in much the same way that reading a novel, while engrossing and enjoyable, is in no way mistakable for real-life. I appreciate that; the fades, the cuts, the edits, the dialogue, the cinematography– it all mixes into a larger-than-life, if not true-to-life, whole, and it draws me in as deeply as a modern film, can, albeit in an entirely different manner.
More than even realism, mainstream films today are built around the bottom line. Not that they weren’t always created to generate profit, but never to the exclusion of all else until recently. Since “Jaws,” it seems that with each passing year studios are concerned only with churning out films that will generate a massive opening weekend take at the box office, and then fade from sight in time for the next weekend’s offering. It’s not as important that a film be enjoyable as it is that it can be promoted in a manner that will attract large crowds to its premiere. Big stars, ample action, and a catchy soundtrack are more important than plot or dialogue. I have even noticed that in recent years coming attractions for films invariably include a list of the artists featured on the soundtrack– information unnecessary other than to generate extra revenue from a film.
I’ve been uninspired to write lately, as well as busy with family matters, but in some upcoming posts I’ll throw out some movies that I think are particularly wonderful. Some of them may not be available on DVD, but many are out in the VHS format and available for rental to any luddites still sporting a VCR. Hopefully some of my regular readers (if any are still with me after such an extended period of virtual inactivity) will be inspired to go out and rent a film you’d otherwise never have heard about, and possibly even enjoy it.
Today’s Question: Is there a pre-1950 film you particularly love?
*peek in*…(dead silence, except the buzzing sound of a lonely fly)…
Me, first to comment.. [comment] [comment] [comment] […ment]…(the room echoed)
I absolutely adore early films; they seem so much more vulnerable. I’m a big Cary Grant fan, so my pick for pre-1950 would go to Penny Serenade. It’s pretty awesome. Also, The Philadelphia Story and Casablanca (of course) are up there. It struck a cord with me to read your post because just the other day my Shakespeare prof was lamenting the fact that today’s entertainment has to be so over the top. I guess that’s why really good plays are virtually non-existent in this day and age, with the exception of maybe Copenhagen and Proof. Sorry this is so ramble-y; I guess I was just inspired!
I’m a pretty big cinephile, so there are lots of pre-1950 movies I like. My favorite is Ox-Bow Incident, with Henry Fonda. He’s probably my all time favorite actor, and the movie is easily my favorite western. I also like early Bogart movies (Casa, Treasuse of Sierra Madre, Maltese Falcon, etc.). And even though it came out in 1950, I still feel I gotta mention Cyrano de Bergerac, the version with Jose Ferrer as the lead.
I have not idea about pre-1950 movies. I love movies in general. They just help me escape. Sometimes it’s important to escape…
@Suzie Q. O.S.U., You had me at Cary Grant. He is hands down my all-time favorite actor. I grew up hoping to become him, to the extent that when adults would ask me “what do you want to be when you grow up?” my answer was “Cary Grant.”
I am at work and am probably going to get fired for extensive internet use, but…
I know you don’t have cable, but one of the channels I am going to miss tremendously (the big snip is happening this weekend) is TCM. I was able to catch up on so many old movies with it.
I love Leslie Howard, so anything by him (Petrified Forest, and my favorite, Gone with the Wind), Joan Crawford (Mildred Pierce, The Women, Autumn Leaves)
Audrey Hepburn, Doris Day are so cute and fun…okay, I am done now. Oh, and Alfred Hitchcock always.
@Idle Beth, Are you a fan of Preston Sturges at all? He’s my favorite director of all time. I must have watched every movie he ever made at least ten or more times each.
@Peasprout, Now you tell me as my cable is soon to be cut. I had to Google his name as I don’t really take notice of directors. I have seen one of his movies – Palm Beach Story.
@Idle Beth, I mean, they are all fantastic, but I would not say that is his best. Watch The Lady Eve, Sullivan’s Travels, Christmas in July, Hail the Conquering Hero, and The Sin of Harold Diddlebock and then you may also think he is the bestest evers. Then watch other stuff he did on account of it is also hella good.
@Peasprout, thanks for tip. Actually, I don’t think I finished watching it! I will check out the others with netflix. Don’t know about that last one though. “Diddlebock” is a little disturbing.
@Idle Beth, Diddlebock was also released under the title “Mad Wednesday,” in case that is more pleasing to your ear. It has the best Jimmy Conlin parts of any Sturges film.
@Peasprout, Yes, I like “Mad Wednesday” much better.
I enjoy watching Rebbecca, Ninotchka, The Shop Around the Corner, Meet Me In St. Louis, Out of the Past, Notorious, The Maltese Falcon…I think that’s all my 1940 movies at the moment. They’re all pretty entertaining & fascinating to watch.
@Lucy, You should add This Gun for Hire to your list.
@Peasprout, Oh I will! I’ve been meaning to since Veronica Lake comes out there.