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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu to ask what your favourite old film is?

229 replies

Funkyslippers · 04/04/2021 11:11

Just saw Easter Parade is on today. Would love to try watching some old films but not sure I'd like them. Which ones are good for novices like me?

OP posts:
YouLando · 04/04/2021 16:49

Night of the Demon is a fantastic 1950s supernatural horror. Not remotely scary by modern standards, but a great story, with a clever ending (even with the very cheesy special effects).

A Man for all Seasons has already been mentioned. The acting and script are just sublime, even if Thomas More was probably not as saintly as he's portrayed in the film.

If you like cheesy melodramas, Blanche Fury is very entertaining, with Stewart Granger and, I think, Valarie Hobson.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 04/04/2021 16:52

Has anyone mentioned 'In the heat of the night '?
Just fabulous.

VettiyaIruken · 04/04/2021 16:52

Father Goose is one of my favourites.

Poshjock · 04/04/2021 16:53

So many of my favorites on here too.

Just want to add my love for the Ghost & Mrs Muir - my friend introduced me to it only last month!

Harvey is my top favorite. Wonderful life; Bishop's Wife; Ice Cold in Alex; 39 Steps (all versions).

I'd like to add to the list: Four Feathers.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 04/04/2021 16:56

@kavalkada I don't know if it's just films you are into?
I'm a big fan of biographies and have just bought the autobiographies of Errol Flynn, George Sanders and Basil Rathbone.
I just love the stars of yesteryear.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 04/04/2021 16:57

The 39 Steps with Robert Donat. I love a lot of old films, but that one is my forever favourite.

FixItUpChappie · 04/04/2021 17:05

I think these are good for classic newbies....

-Charade (thriller)
-Father Goose (comedy)
-Singing in the Rain (musical)
-The List of Adrien Messenger (mystery)
-The Time Machine (science fiction)
-The Magnificent Seven (western)
-The Great Escape (war)
-North by Northwest (Hitchcock)

FixItUpChappie · 04/04/2021 17:08

Oh and yes to echo someone above....The Red Shoes (drama)

slashlover · 04/04/2021 17:12

I love Doris Day films - Calamity Jane and Pillow Talk are my favourites. Rock Hudson Grin

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 04/04/2021 17:14

I met Howard Keel many years ago Grin

VeganVeal · 04/04/2021 17:23

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, 1932,
Dated now but at the time audiences in the United States who saw the film began to question the legitimacy of the United States legal system and a number of chain gang prisoners nationwide in the United States, were able to appeal their sentence and were released

Pieceofpurplesky · 04/04/2021 17:24

Many of the above but Calamity Jane and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers are my favourite musicals.

A Taste of Honey, Look Back in Anger (Richard Burton in that is beautiful) and Breakfast at Tiffany's

Elderflower14 · 04/04/2021 17:32

Just remembered another.
To Sir With Love.

kavalkada · 04/04/2021 18:07

[quote Ihopeyourcakeisshit]@kavalkada I don't know if it's just films you are into?
I'm a big fan of biographies and have just bought the autobiographies of Errol Flynn, George Sanders and Basil Rathbone.
I just love the stars of yesteryear.[/quote]
No, not just films. I love biographies too. Just recently I have read "Cary Grant: A Class Apart" by Graham McCann (wonderful) and "Clark Gable: A Tormented Star" by David Bret (awful). I have just started reading "The Little Girl Who Fought the Great Depression - Shirley Temple and 1930s America" - and it is great so far and combines my two loves - history and film.

I haven't read Errol Flynn's autobiography, but I have read it is just great - interesting and superbly written.

Have you seen Flynn's Captain Blood? It is one of my all time favorites. And young Olivia de Havilland is beautiful in it.

I see somebody has mentioned Random Harvest. I must say I envy anybody who has yet to see that film - I remember biting my fingers all through the film. And the book is also amazing.

nancywhisky · 04/04/2021 18:12

The Shop Around the Corner
The Maggie

are my faves.

OhWhyNot · 04/04/2021 18:37

Psycho
Rear Window
Dial M for Murder
The Birds (most of Hitchcock films)
The Ladykillers
Some Like it Hot
The Night of the Hunter

DarkDarkNight · 04/04/2021 18:53

I love Easter Parade, Meet Me In St Louis is a good one if you like Judy Garland.

Some Like it Hot is a delight, I really like Jack Lemmon and love The Odd Couple with him and Walter Matthau.The Apartment is great too, but not as lighthearted.

I always enjoy High Society, Marnie, Paris When it Sizzles, Barefoot in the Park and Rosemary’s Baby

DarkDarkNight · 04/04/2021 18:56

@slashlover

I love Doris Day films - Calamity Jane and Pillow Talk are my favourites. Rock Hudson Grin
Yes, I love Pillow Talk.

Imitation of Life is a good film too.

HildegardNightingale · 04/04/2021 19:04

I really enjoy Night of the Demon too. Enjoy Green for Danger as well.

GordonsAlive85 · 04/04/2021 19:08

So excited to watch some of these 😁 this is such a lovely thread

tsmainsqueeze · 04/04/2021 19:40

@maddiemookins16mum

Oh and The Amazing Mr Blunden, if you consider the early 70s old.
I love this film so much !
GillBungalow · 04/04/2021 19:55

Love Genevieve (hawling like brooligans!)

Scrumbleton · 04/04/2021 20:06

Goodbye Mr Chips
Now voyager
To kill a mockingbird
Greyfriars Bobby

XmasSnow20 · 04/04/2021 20:11

Goodbye Mr Chips

Original and Martin Clunes version

FastnetLundyRockall · 04/04/2021 20:24

Yes agree with 39 steps Robert Donat version, best old film ever.
Laurel and Hardy! Especially Way out West.
Shop around the corner.
Rear window and Psycho.
As to pp who suggested Cool Runnings - I can remember this coming out so in no way counts as an old film! (Although agree it is great)

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