Great films bring an involuntary smile to our faces. The old English movies had aesthetics and essence that are missing from films today. The enthralling journey of the characters through the motions of spectacularly created scenarios was a masterpiece on the big screen. Surely, like our list of black-and-white Bollywood movies, a handful of classic Hollywood movies have made it through time to become a timeless masterpiece.
Here, we list the best classic movies in Hollywood that everyone must watch at least once in their lifetime. For this list, we have included black-and-white Hollywood motion pictures that were initially released from the 1930s to 1960. This said classic black-and-white films like Schindler’s List and Bicycle Thieves are excluded.
-
City Lights (1931)
City Lights is perhaps Charlie Chaplin’s most famous work. It was released in 1931. The film was written and directed by Charlie Chaplin who also provided the musical score for this black-and-white motion picture. Although by 1931, films had introduced dialogues, Charlie Caplin refused to do so. Charlie Chaplin was one of the last-standing advocates of the ideology that Cinema is supposed to make audiences think. The film stars Charlie Chaplin in his signature role, The Tramp.
The plot revolves around The Tramp who courts a blond girl while developing a love-hate relationship with a millionaire. The story displays traditional values of innocence, hope, and loneliness. Through City Lights, Charlie Chaplin encourages the audience to reflect on their actions and the simplest human emotion, empathy.
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Where to Watch: City Lights is available for online streaming on YouTube.
Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights is often considered one of the greatest films ever. It holds significant historical value as this classic old English film is one the greatest pieces of cinematic genius.
-
It Happened One Night (1934)
It Happened One Night stars one of the greatest actors of the Golden Era, Clark Gable as the male lead. The female protagonist of the film was Claudette Colbert, one of the most versatile actresses of the 1930s. The film was released in the third week of February 1934.
The story is based on a short story published in the Cosmopolitan magazine, “Night Bus”. The plot of the film revolves around the blossoming romance of a young spoiled, brat – Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) and a struggling journalist – Peter Warne (Clark Gable). Despite a rocky start to their friendship, the two fellow bus passengers eventually start eyeing the softer side of each other and end up falling in love.
Director: Frank Capra
Where to Watch: It Happened One Night is not available for free or subscription streaming on any platform. However, the film can be rented or purchased on several popular OTT platforms like YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.
It Happened One Night is worth a watch as it holds significant cultural value. The common practice of females using their physical desirability to hitch a ride was showcased on the silver screen for the first time in this classic Hollywood motion picture.
Besides, this classic Hollywood film is so significant that It Happened One Night has been remade in Bollywood thrice – Chori Chori (1956), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), and Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi (1991); with minor changes for better resonance with the Indian audience.
-
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz is perhaps one of the most significant films in the film industry, globally. The film stars Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, Frank Morgan as The Wizard of Oz, and Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch of the West. The film’s music is credited as one of the highest-rated original motion picture soundtracks. The songs were composed by Harold Arlen and sung by the cast members themself.
The plot is based on the children’s novel – The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by author L. Frank Baum. The plot revolves around a teenager (Dorothy Gale) living on a farm in Kansas. However, Dorothy falls unconscious after a tornado hits her family’s farm in Kansas and she wakes up in Munchkinland, the Land of Oz. The film follows her experiences in the Land of Oz and her journey back home.
Director: Victor Fleming
Where to Watch: The Wizard of Oz is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
The Wizard of Oz is so popular because it is one of the classic Hollywood black-and-white films to adapt the concept of twin color schemes in motion pictures. When Dorothy is on a farm in Kansas, the film is black-and-white. However, as soon as she enters Munchkinland in Land of Oz, the film switches to Technicolor. Therefore, the film serves as a cinematic masterpiece while engaging the audience in the mesmerizing beauty of Technicolor.
-
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
The Philadelphia Story stars some of the biggest names of the golden age of black-and-white Hollywood cinema – Katherin Hepburn as Tracy Lord, Cary Grant as C. K. Dexter, and James Stewart as Mike Connor.
Although The Philadelphia Story is often considered a love triangle, it is, in fact, a quadrilateral where Tracy is set to marry George (John Howard) when Dexter and Mike fall for her whilst participating in the preparations for her forthcoming wedding. This classic Hollywood blockbuster film is set to have inspired several romantic comedies globally. Besides, one of the major reasons for The Philadelphia Story’s popularity is the fairytale ending. There are no spoilers here, you must watch the motion picture to know the fairytale ending.
Director: George Cukor
Where to Watch: The Philadelphia Story is available for rent and purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
One of the most prominent scenes from The Philadelphia Story is when Tracy Lord lifts her skirt to her knees to arouse the drivers of the passing cars for a lift. Since this classic English movie, the scene has been replicated numerous times in several films across the world.
-
Citizen Kane (1941)
Citizen Kane is a masterpiece in motion picture history. This classic black-and-white Hollywood movie is one of its kind. The direction of this film is impeccable, whereas the film’s narrative keeps the audience hooked on the screen. Alongside, the masterclass performance by the actor and director, Orson Welles makes this old motion picture a must-watch.
‘Rosebud’ – The film’s plot and progression are based on this one word. Nowadays, we know cinema is beautiful, but Orson Welles made beautiful cinema in 1941. In the film’s first scene, the title character, Charles Foster Kane, dies due to natural causes in his old age; yet the entire film’s plot revolves around Charles Kane. Cuts and jumps to the past, and rebounds to the present ensures a clean narrative while depicting every possible emotion flawlessly.
Director: Orson Welles
Where to Watch: Citizen Kane is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video with Prime Membership.
Some of the greatest filmmakers in Hollywood often cite Citizen Kane as one of their all-time favourites. Besides, Citizen Kane is a film everyone must watch at least once before they die.
-
Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca is one of the most famous chick flicks from the golden age of Hollywood cinema. This classic, old English movie stars Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in the lead roles as Ilsa Lund and Rick Blaine, respectively. Casablanca is perhaps the most famous film role of either performer’s illustrious career.
The plot of the movie is based on an unproduced American play, Everybody Comes to Rick’s. The plot revolves around Rick Blaine who reunites with his long-lost lover in Casablanca, Morocco during the Second World War. Though the story features Rick as a wealthy, stoic gentleman, even he loses his cool the moment he eyes Ilsa in his saloon. The narrative then shifts to Ilsa’s presence in Casablanca, Rick’s feelings towards Ilsa, and their past. Though painful to feel, Casablanca is a romantic movie everyone must watch at least once.
Director: Michael Curtiz
Where to Watch: Casablanca is available to rent and purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
The cultural prowess of Casablanca extends to such an extent that in another greatest chick flicks of all time – When Harry Met Sally, the lead characters discuss Casablanca in one of the sweetest scenes on the silver screen.
The film features exceptional acting and directing and some of the greatest dialogues in motion picture history. “Play it again, Sam”, “Here’s looking at you, kid”, “Round up the usual suspects”, “We’ll always have Paris”, “Louis, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship”, “Someday, you’ll regret not getting on that plane”, and my personal favourite – “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the worlds, she had to walk into mine!”; these are some of the most famous quotes from Casablanca.
-
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s a Wonderful Life is a magical black-and-white Christmas movie. The film stars James Stewart as the male lead, George Bailey, Donna Reed as the female lead, Mary Hatch, and Henry Travers as the angelic lead, Clarence.
It’s a Wonderful Life is based on the short story and booklet, ‘The Greatest Gift’ by Philip Van Doren Stern. The story of this classic Hollywood movie revolves around George Bailey who relives his life if he hadn’t been born. The story is a symbolic as well as literal message to everyone in the world who feels that their life is not going anywhere. It’s a Wonderful Life is relatable to every human in this world as it depicts that responsibility is always more important than personal ambitions.
Director: Frank Capra
Where to Watch: It’s a Wonderful Life is available for free online streaming on PLEX. The film is available for rent and purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
It’s a Wonderful Life is the preceding movie in a completely new genre of Christmas movies – supernatural Christmas movies. Several pieces of literature pre-date It’s a Wonderful Life, but this James Stewart classic English movies made the genre popular.
-
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
Miracle on 34th Street is a Christmas-themed black-and-white movie starring Maureen O’Hara, John Pyne, Edmund Gwenn, and Natalie Wood in the lead roles. The film’s timeline is set between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The film’s plot revolves around an old man, Krish Kringle who is playing Santa Claus at Macy’s New York City Store on 34th Street, Doris Walker, a hardworking single mother, Susan Walker, Doris’ daughter, and Attorney Fred Gailey, Doris’ friend and romantic interest. Miracle on 34th Street depicts themes of love, loss, recovery, identity crisis, and hope for a better tomorrow. All the while, ensuring that despite everything turning against you, hold onto a sliver of faith for a miracle.
Director: George Seaton
Where to Watch: Miracle on 34th Street is available for online streaming on Disney+ Hotstar with Premium Subscription.
Miracle on 34th Street was remade in 1994 by the same studio, 20th Century Fox starring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, and Mara Wilson in the lead roles. Miracle on 34th Street is a black-and-white movie everyone must watch at least once in their lifetime, especially with family.
-
On the Waterfront (1954)
On the Waterfront stars one of the greatest actors of all time, Marlon Brando. Alongside Marlon Brando, this classic black-and-white English movie stars Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, and Eva Marie Saint. Marlon Brando won his first Academy Award (Oscar) for On the Waterfront under the Best Actor in a Leading Role category.
This classic neo-noir film depicts the truth that several young Americans faced in the post-WWII era. The film revolves around Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando), a prize fighter turned criminal at the behest of the mob boss. The story develops into a thick plot when Terry’s brother and his love interest align against each other; this puts Terry in a dilemma to act for the family’s sake or follow his heart.
Director: Elia Kazan
Where to Watch: On the Waterfront is available for rent and purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
On the Waterfront is a cinematic masterpiece, often credited as one of the greatest films ever made. The storyline of this film serves as the base plot for several movies in Hollywood and Bollywood. Portrayal of Butch, the boxer in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is loosely based on Terry Malloy. Alongside, several films in the 80s Hindi Cinema feature similar stories – good guys forced by circumstances to do bad.
-
Psycho (1960)
Oh… what a brilliant way to end our list of classic black-and-white Hollywood movies than one of the greatest horror films of all time, Psycho. This cinematic masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock stars Anthony Perkins as one of the greatest villains of all time, Norman Bates. The film also features Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, and John Gavin in the lead roles. Despite giving one of the most memorable performances in cinematic history, Anthony Perkins wasn’t nominated at the Academy Awards.
Psycho’s plot revolves around Norman Bates, the owner of Bates Motel. The story begins with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) running away after stealing from her employer to start a life in California with her lover. However, within the first quarter of the film, we are introduced to Norman Bates, who steals the show. Thereafter the movie focuses majorly on Norman’s relationship with his mother, Mrs. Bates. The film’s gripping plot and mind-blowing performances make Psycho one of the greatest horror movies.
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Where to Watch: Psycho is currently available for rent and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Google Movies, and Apple TV.
Psycho is a cinematic marvel. Besides, the obsessive relationship between a son and his mother is joked about in Season 7 Episode 11. Additionally, The Modern Family’s The Last Halloween episode in season 11 features Phil Dunphy in Norman Bates’ get-up. Lastly, Norman Bates is still considered one of the best villains in cinematic history along with Hannibal Lector, Joker, and Voldemort.
With this, we finish our list of the top 10 old, classic English movies that everyone must watch. Do let us know in the comments about other black-and-white classic English movies we have missed.
Add comment