I've been watching movies (old and new alike) for as long as I can remember. I'm a movie buff and it's tough when I make a reference to an actor/actress and I'm the only one who knows who they are. So, for all of you that like movies or want to get into older movies, here's the perfect top 10 list for you!
1. White Christmas (1954)
Yes, there are three months until Christmas, but this movie is definitely one of my all-time favorites. If you've never seen/heard of this movie, basically it's about two WWII vets that team up after 1945 and hit it big as a show-biz duo. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye (the male leads) eventually team up with Vera-Ellen and Rosemary Clooney (aka George's aunt) at a down-on-its-luck Vermont inn, run by Bing and Danny's old general. Needless to say, there's a ton of great songs and numbers in this movie, as well as a great story and an ending that makes me cry every Christmas.
2. The Godfather (1972)
Very different from White Christmas, but equally awesome, The Godfather focuses on a family in the mafia through trials and tribulations. With stars like Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Diane Keaton, and more, The Godfather is a cinematic beauty and has a great soundtrack to boast. Though this 1972 film was followed by two more parts, the first is, in my opinion, the best. This film focuses on the dynamic of families and immigrants, both core aspects of the American story.Plus, this movie provided endless quotes- 'I'll make him an offer he can't refuse', 'It's not personal, it's only business', 'Leave the gun, take the cannoli', and so on.
(PSA: AMC shows all three movies every Thanksgiving, so be sure to tune in!)
3. Charade (1963)
What could be better than Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant together? In this stylish, Alfred Hitchcock-like thriller, Audrey and Cary go on a chase for missing money after Audrey's husband is found dead. Set against the ever-stylish backdrop of Paris with music by Henry Mancini, it's hard to find anything wrong with this movie. You'll be guessing until the very end!
4. The Way We Were (1973)
Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford together-- need I say more? Not gonna lie, I cried at the end of this movie the first time I saw it- ok, every time. The story follows two very different individuals from their college years, marriage, and beyond- and not to give anything away, but the title song (sung by Babs herself) gets me every time. (Plus, what's not to love about Robert Redford?)
5. An American in Paris (1951)
Perhaps one of - if not the number one- best movie-musicals of all time. I'm not even kidding. The music is all Gershwin, the setting is Paris, throw in Gene Kelly and some amazing song and dance, and you've got movie magic. Let's not even get into how amazing the final ballet sequence is- I know, it sounds sort of weird, but it's one of the most impressive and beautiful sequences in film history. It's a love story that focuses on an American in Paris (lol, duh) post-WWII; he meets a beautiful French girl (Leslie Caron) and falls in love- not without complications, of course. Definitely a must-see before you die!
6. The Great Race (1965)
This movie is equally charming, romantic, funny, and beautiful to watch- I know, it's impressive. Starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Natalie Wood (three of my faves), the plot centers around two competitors- one, a dashing hero (Curtis), and the other a goofy villain (Lemmon)- racing around the world in the early 20th century. Along the way, a suffragette journalist (Wood) tags along and romance and comedy ensue. The cinematography, costumes, and pretty much everything about this movie is amazing.
7. Singin' In the Rain (1952)
At a tie with An American in Paris for best movie-musical ever made, Singin' In the Rain tells the story of a silent-movie star (Gene Kelly) transitioning to the talkies in the 1920s with his best friend (Donald O'Connor). The duo, alongside a young singer, dancer, and actress (Debbie Reynolds), work on making a silent movie into a major movie musical- all the while dealing with some crazy costars. Another all-time favorite of mine, I highly recommend this movie to everyone!
8. Gone With the Wind (1939)
Prior to seeing the movie, I'd read the novel- and fell in love. Gone With the Wind tells the story of the Civil War through Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh). Despite the many hardships Scarlett faces, she pulls through and remains strong- all the while pining for a man that may or may not love her and dealing with a man that could be the perfect match- Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). This film won a total of eight academy awards, including Best Picture of 1939, so that'll just tell you that this is one heck of an impressive movie, disregarding how awesome the story is. Definitely read the book first, and then watch the movie (of course)!
9. Oklahoma! (1955)
Definitely at the top of my fave movie-musical list, Oklahoma! centers on the romance between a cowboy and a farm girl (Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones) to the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Throw in some other lovable characters- like Ado Annie, torn between cowboy Will and wanderer Ali Hakim- and you've got an upbeat, romantic movie.
10. Casablanca (1942)
Where to begin with Casablanca.... Regarded as one of the best movies of all time to many movie lovers and critics, Casablanca is a masterpiece on many levels. From cinematography, casting, costumes, sets- everything is a hit. Casablanca tells about Rick (Humphrey Bogart), a nightclub owner in Casablanca, Morocco, whose life gets turned around when an old love (Ingrid Bergman) and husband (Paul Henreid) walk into his club one night. Set during WWII, two men vie for Ingrid's heart all the while trying to escape Morocco as the Nazis close in. To top the whole thing off, the movie's hit song 'As Time Goes By' is as beautiful as it is melancholic and gets me to cry every time.
Definitely, definitely, definitely a movie you should see before you die!
Note:
There are a ton of great movies that aren't listed, like Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Sting, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Hello, Dolly!, North By Northwest, etc. If you're curious about more old movies, hit up Google. You'll be glad you did :D
