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Your favourite Old Hollywood films?

232 replies

Darkling1 · 12/07/2025 22:24

I’m just getting into Old Hollywood films. I’ve only watched a handful so far, but right now my favourite is Bringing Up Baby (staring Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant)

What’s your favourites?

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Darkling1 · 13/07/2025 21:25

There are several films I’ve wanted to watch, but they aren’t on any streaming services. Particularly Rear Window, Laura and The Philadelphia Story.

I think we’ll be watching Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner tomorrow as it’s on Prime (I’m rather partial to Katharine Hepburn, so that’s a bonus ☺️)

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3luckystars · 13/07/2025 21:06

This thread has inspired me, and am giving Singin in the Rain another go now, it’s fabulous!!!

I am going to make a list of films that have been mentioned (more than once) on this thread and watch them all. Thanks so much I’m having a lovely evening 💕

Illegally18 · 13/07/2025 19:46

smurfmonkey · 12/07/2025 22:40

Rear Window, absolute classic and completely gripped me when I first saw it

Edited

yes! I saw it on a big screen, and it was fantastic!

Hephzibah64 · 13/07/2025 19:13

Sampson and Delilah made in 1947. One of my favourite films. It always makes me cry twice.

Purplebunnie · 13/07/2025 19:08

I'm making notes of what and where to watch, Loads of wonderful films I had forgotten but my favourites are

This Happy Bree - dmy absolute favourite
The Titchfield Thunderbolt
Passport to Pimlico
Mrs Miniver
Tawny Pipit

Passport to Pimlico was on the TV today

From Hollywood
Gone with the Wind
Sabrina - the original

L3nita · 13/07/2025 16:16

The woman In the window with Edward G Robinson. Fantastic twist At the End!

The full movie is on YouTube

Cattery · 13/07/2025 16:09

@Sausagesonlegs The film is The Greatest Show On Earth

Cattery · 13/07/2025 16:06

White Christmas

YankSplaining · 13/07/2025 16:06

Haven’t RTFT, but here’s a “British not Hollywood” one -

One I love and a lot of people haven’t heard of is Victim (1961), starring Dirk Bogarde. (The Servant is another good movie of his.) Bogarde’s character, Melville Farr, is a well-regarded barrister who’s soon to become a QC. However, he’s also a married, closeted gay man, albeit one who’s always “managed to resist his impulses,” and when a young man he was in love with kills himself because he was being blackmailed, Farr decided he’s going to take down the ring of blackmailers, regardless of the personal cost.

Fantastic performances all across the board. The part that’s stuck the hardest in my memory is when Farr finally loses his cool facade and tells his wife, “I stopped seeing him because I wanted him. Do you understand, because I WANTED him!”

Cattery · 13/07/2025 16:03

Sausagesonlegs · 12/07/2025 23:15

Trying to remember the name of the film with Jimmy Stewart as the clown who was
arrested at the end. It was a fabulous circus movie, full of big Hollywood stars . Think there was a train crash and the animals escaped too.

Trapeze?

Davros · 13/07/2025 15:57

I hope you’re all tuned in to TalkingPicsTV

BMW6 · 13/07/2025 15:52

ticktockclocked · 13/07/2025 00:39

Arsenic and old lace
12 angry men
23 paces to Baker Street

How could I have forgotten 12 Angry Men?

Arguably the best film ever made, with the very very best acting (especially Lee J Cobb)

TheEndlessNight · 13/07/2025 15:42

Sorry not read the thread yet.

Raffles with David Niven is really good.

powershowerforanhour · 13/07/2025 15:36

British not Hollywood but I liked Genevieve, especially where Rosalind gets drunk and shows them how to play the plumpet.

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Darkling1 · 13/07/2025 15:24

Couldn't find Rear Window on Netflix, Prime, BBC iPlayer or YouTube, so we’re watching Gone with the Wind instead.

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JenniferandJuniper · 13/07/2025 14:52

Lots already mentioned and
Mrs Miniver, Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon

Offcom · 13/07/2025 13:36

Darkling1 · 13/07/2025 13:34

Thank you for your suggestions! Please do keep them coming!

I think we’re opting for Rear Window for next time.

If you get into Alfred Hitchcock remember to look out for him appearing in the background at some point in all his films!

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Darkling1 · 13/07/2025 13:34

Thank you for your suggestions! Please do keep them coming!

I think we’re opting for Rear Window for next time.

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IthasYes · 13/07/2025 12:32

Great ones here glad to see to have and have not get a few mentions and room at the top.
Old Julie Christie film ,darling is also v good.

The lady killers is superb

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 13/07/2025 12:04

The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant.

sashh · 13/07/2025 12:02

I'm not sure if it is Hollywood but A matter of life and death.
Whatever Happened To Baby Jane

A couple already mentioned, Harvey and Rebecca

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Darkling1 · 13/07/2025 11:58

We’re watching Some Like it Hot now 😊

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cariadlet · 13/07/2025 09:36

ChristmasFluff · 13/07/2025 09:31

Anything Hitchcock. Anything with Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor or Joan Crawford. Anything with Dirk Bogarde.

You've reminded me of another British film that I missed off my original list - The Servant with Dirk Bogarde and James Fox.

ChristmasFluff · 13/07/2025 09:31

Anything Hitchcock. Anything with Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor or Joan Crawford. Anything with Dirk Bogarde.

JoanChitty · 13/07/2025 08:14

Following on from @cariadlet fabulous list of British films I’d like to add;
This Happy Breed,
Two way stretch,
Up the junction
Smashing time
The Italian Job
The blue lamp
Pygmalion
The scarlet Pimpernal
The happiest days of your life.
Waterloo Rd
Im sure there are more I’ve forgotten but I love an old film. Talking Pictures is a great channel and I came across a new one called classic British films. I think it’s 450 on virgin.