Growing up, there wasn't a day that passed where I didn't hear Turner Classic Movies softly trailing though the living room. Sounds of beautifully composed music accompanying a speeding car or a whimsical dance scene. It all seemed so simple. Just like any other movie playing throughout the day. I wish more of my peers grew up appreciating movies that were – yes, in black and white. Many people shrug or groan at the idea of watching something that hasn't been made in the last 10-20 years. Well, my friends, there is much more waiting in the cinema world than what you've been told.
To me, the perfection of classic movies is the pure art of the story. From comedy to drama and everything in between, special effects weren't needed to get a point or an emotion across. They weren't used for filler and explosions and 25-minute car chases (except Steve McQueen's Bullit) were not only undeveloped but unnecessary. Nowadays, there is rarely a movie I find myself left thinking about the plot and how it made me feel. The pure creativity and delicious innovation of simple movie making are something that could make anyone question what has happened to modern entertainment.
Some say that black and white and most classic movies are "boring" or "dated". To be honest, I have learned some of my greatest lessons and traits from these movies. The elegance that women in these movies embodied was, and for the most part, still is unmatched. Not only from the jewels they were occasionally draped in, but they strength in how they held themselves and relationships with others. Ava Gardener, Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelley and Bette Davis just to name a few. These were the women that I grew up admiring. Even though most of them had long passed before I was even born or just shortly after, they were the essence of grace and strength to me. The sleek attitude of Cary Grant in 'How To Catch A Thief' is only something I wish I had when trying to escape a sticky situation. Down to the way he drove that getaway car, perfection was met. Seeing his handsome face, as well as many others, take on serious, some terrifying and even hilarious roles and execute them so well absolutely set the standard not only for acting but full of characterization. I will never forget watching 'White Heat' staring James Cagney. To this day, his outrage and loss of control in just one unforgettable scene left me more speechless and almost trembling more so than any horror movie has in the last 10 years. I think it was the feeling that he was almost there in the room with me. Like I could almost feel the spit spraying out of his mouth as he screamed in the middle of the jailhouse cafeteria. The madness became Cagney and he became the madness.
To me, John Wayne will always be mine and everyone's number one cowboy, Judy Garland will forever be the optimistic talent that brightened any classic and Jimmy Stewart's voice is something I hope my children hear often. So next time you have the opportunity to watch something that's maybe not in color...take advantage. They will make you laugh, cry and think harder than you thought you could. No, there won't be any transforming robots or zombie gore but just a good story with actors that could make you believe just about anything. Being exposed to these treasures, starting at such a young age was a bigger blessing than I could have imagined. Thank you mom and dad for keeping the house filled with vintage music and remarkable films. Trust me, you'll love what you find.
