If you want to take a trip to the glory days of old Hollywood, use this list as your roadmap
By NATALIE SALTER—arts@theaggie.org
It’s not hard to fall in love with the world of cinema. Films combine visual, auditory and emotional spectacles to create a dynamic and moving experience in every reel. A full appreciation for the art form, however, is best enhanced by an understanding of where it all began. Travelling back to the black, white and Technicolor images of the mid-20th century cinema is a wonderful idea for anyone enamored with the fantastic universe of film. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a handful of choices that will set you on the right path.
“Roman Holiday” (1953) dir. William Wyler
Set against the extraordinarily beautiful backdrop of Rome, the film follows Hepburn’s character of Princess Ann, who grows frustrated with the stiflingly rigid life of a royal and sneaks out into Rome one night for a taste of freedom. Through a series of humorous circumstances, her path crosses with Peck’s character of the American journalist Joe Bradley. Bradley surreptitiously tries to interview the princess for a hit news story while Ann seeks to experience all the sights and excitements of the city, and they consequently tumble into an adventure full of discovery and unexpected love.
After performing opposite her for the duration of filming, the male lead of “Roman Holiday,” Gregory Peck, insisted that the film’s producers put Audrey Hepburn’s name alongside his above the film’s title, predicting that she was on her way to become a big star. They obliged, and in line with Peck’s prediction, Hepburn took home the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 1953 Academy Awards. Hepburn’s career would go on to span numerous successful films and a foray into humanitarianism, all of which would elevate her to the status of global icon. But if there is a single point to be named as the launching pad for her success, it would have to be “Roman Holiday.”
“Roman Holiday” is everything a classic old Hollywood love story ought to be — swooningly romantic, touchingly sentimental and wrapped up with heart-aching moments of devotion and yearning. Hepburn and Peck’s infectious chemistry as a pairing and the comforting blend of love and comedy throughout the film’s duration make it timeless and utterly unforgettable.
“Singin’ In The Rain” (1952) dir. Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
The recent success of vibrant movie musicals such as 2024’s “Wicked” has turned audience attention back in time to one of the most famous and beautiful films of the genre, 1952’s “Singin’ In The Rain.” Backdropped with astoundingly gorgeous Technicolor sets and extravagant costumes, the movie is a phenomenal blend of infectious music and charming characters that will make you want to sing and dance next time it’s pouring outside.
Following the transition of a group of film actors from silent films to ones with sound, “Singin’ In The Rain” makes unlikely companions out of famous actor Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and stage performer Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). From a hostile first encounter to an unexpected romance, Don and Kathy’s story intertwines with the drama of the former’s failing movie and the bold idea they believe will salvage it and bring it to life. It’s a tribute to the art of making movies and the creativity and passion that makes cinema incredible. “Singin’ In The Rain” is pure, unadulterated movie magic, awash with captivating color and irresistibly bright energy that will make you laugh, blush and want to sing along at the top of your lungs.
“Some Like It Hot” (1959) dir. Billy Wilder
One of the finest classic Hollywood comedies, “Some Like It Hot” is the hilarious tale of two musicians and the lengths they’ll go to in order to save their own necks. When struggling artists Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) witness and narrowly escape a mob hit, they stumble upon an opportunity to escape their pursuers and land themselves a job at the same time: They’ll transform themselves into women and join an all-female band. Alongside the charming singer Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), the two men — now Josephine and Daphne — experience a series of hilarious mishaps and high-stakes encounters.
The effortlessly funny comedy of “Some Like It Hot” is unbeatable years later, using simple yet unusual circumstances and a memorable cast of characters to induce side-splitting laughter in audiences everywhere. Slapstick humor, witty dialogue and brilliant situational irony work together to create one of the most iconic comedies. It’s hard to keep a smile off your face when watching Wilder’s film, and it’s impossible to forget once the screen fades to black.
“All About Eve” (1950) dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz
The line between admiration and obsession has been tested and explored by filmmakers for decades. “All About Eve” is a shining gem of this subgenre, winning countless accolades, including “Best Picture” at the 1951 Academy Awards. Chronicling the career of aging stage performer Margo Channing and her unexpected mentorship of theater devotee Eve Harrington, portrayed by Bette Davis and Anne Baxter, respectively. The film follows an initially enlightening relationship between a jaded celebrity and a deeply earnest student of her works, which quickly alchemizes into something more sinister as Eve’s past is called into question. It functions excellently as a criticism of fan culture and explores the cutthroat, predatory environment women in fame are subject to.
There are many qualities to “All About Eve” that elevate it above its competitors. A suspensefully winding plot is one and a slew of excellent acting performances another. Perhaps most phenomenal of all, however, is its razor-sharp masterpiece of a script, the clever and insightful dialogue making it a verifiable masterpiece of film writing, with insightful commentary on the lives of women in the spotlight.
“Rear Window” (1954) dir. Alfred Hitchcock
All of Alfred Hitchcock’s films are a study in masterfully executed suspense stories, but perhaps the most exceptional among them is 1954’s “Rear Window.” James Stewart and Grace Kelly are the stars of a nail-biting tale of murder and deception. When photographer L.B. Jeffries (Stewart) finds himself stuck in a wheelchair facing his apartment’s rear window after a broken leg, he endures his otherwise dull days by observing the comings and goings of his eclectic neighbors. After witnessing a series of strange behaviors exhibited by one man and noticing the sudden disappearance of his wife, Jeffries quickly suspects murder but must find a way to prove it while trapped looking down from his window.
Except for a few carefully chosen shots, the entire film is shot from within Jeffries’ apartment, capturing the movements of his neighbors solely through his window. The film’s ability to build suspense within such a tiny, contained space is phenomenal, the film’s camerawork brilliant and a masterclass in direction. As the sinister mystery unfolds, you’ll find yourself on the edge of your seat, anxiously anticipating what horrors will be unearthed by the makeshift detective. And it’s a wild ride — the last 30 minutes of the film are guaranteed to make your heart race with fear and excitement like nothing else.
Written by: Natalie Salter—arts@theaggie.org