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Classic films appreciation thread - come and join us!

996 replies

PrivateParkin · 06/05/2018 08:45

Following on from the recent thread about favourite actors from old films, @FatBallsAndSunflowerSeeds had the fab idea of an old movies appreciation thread... So here it is! If you like old films and actors of any kind, come and join us.

old thread

We thought we'd look out for any classic films being shown on TV, post them on this thread and then discuss them afterwards... But if you want to post about any of your favourite old films and actors at any time, that would also be fab. Basically, this is just a place to chat about old films - please come and join us!

I'm off to check the TV schedules for any potential gems coming up - I will post again with anything that looks good.

Meantime, here's James Cagney tap dancing down the stairs in Yankee Doodle Dandy - happy bank holiday everyone Smile
m.youtube.com/watch?v=xlvB4xk4LNQ

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dontcallmelen · 14/05/2018 10:06

Not strictly about films but am off to see, Brief Encounter at the haymarket on Saturday, am looking forward to it will be interesting to see how it compares to the film.

ppeatfruit · 14/05/2018 10:22

Oh who are the stars in it dontcall ? Was it good?

CremeBrulee · 14/05/2018 14:37

If anyone has Sky, the Retro Movies Channel is showing Penny Serenade (1941, starring Irene Dunne & Cary Grant) at 8pm tonight.

Be warned, you will need a box of tissues.

ppeatfruit · 14/05/2018 14:44

Thanks Creme Everything decent on telly seems to start at 8pm !!! Why????

dontcallmelen · 14/05/2018 16:01

@ppeatfruit never heard of any of the cast😳not saying they aren’t known probably just me, going on the 19th I will report back if it’s any good.

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PrivateParkin · 14/05/2018 17:32

Although I'm enjoying my little recent foray I do wish that I could see them as intended rather than just on my telly.

Same here. I don't think it would work as a business idea, because it probably wouldn't make any money, but if I won the lottery I'd love to open a small cinema (with cocktail bar attached of course) that showed old/classic films only For a reasonable entry fee! You could show a cartoon at the start/have someone playing the organ Grin for an authentic experience.

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MoreCheerfulMonica · 14/05/2018 19:00

If you'd won the lottery, you could run your cinema as a paying hobby so making a profit might be less important! I'd come. In fact you could employ me as the usherette with a tray of choc ices hanging from her shoulders.

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PrivateParkin · 14/05/2018 19:28

That would be great Monica - and you could have a little torch!

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MoreCheerfulMonica · 14/05/2018 19:51

Oh yes! And I'm assuming that one of the perks of the job would be sitting at the back all day, watching the films.

CremeBrulee · 14/05/2018 19:56

I'd book tickets, or better still buy a monthly membership so I could see as many films as I wanted.,.

HaroldsSocalledBluetits · 14/05/2018 20:11

I would love to go to your cinema! It sounds perfect.

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PrivateParkin · 14/05/2018 20:39

Musing over possible career change..

Back in the real world, I'm recording Penny Serenade tonight - thanks for the tip Creme . I seem to have watched a lot of Cary Grant recently, not that there's anything wrong with that of course.

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MoreCheerfulMonica · 14/05/2018 20:43

Sounds good. Meanwhile, I'm back on Talking Pictures, watching a crime drama starring John Gregson of Genevieve fame.

Ventress · 14/05/2018 22:09

I would buy a membership to your cinema Private Smile

Penny Serenade is sad. I can't cope with sad movies anymore. I used to be able to sit through anything without blubbing (I was the only person in the cinema not blubbing at Bambi aged 4!) but since having DS I just can't do it. Having a child flipped my emotion switch.

DP is out and DS in bed so I'm watching The Birds on DVD. Haven't seen it for many years so it's an indulgence.

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PrivateParkin · 15/05/2018 08:23

Omg Penny Serenade Sad I can't even say you didn't warn me!

Having said that, The Birds is my worst nightmare Ventress . I've read the book and that was bad enough, but I could never watch the film unless it was to torture myself in some way!! Shudder!

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tortelliniforever · 15/05/2018 10:46

Harold Lloyd used to be on A LOT on BBC2 when I was little. I think my brother and I saw a lot of films that way. I like your business plan! As I mentioned, our local cinema (which is also a centre for film studies) has lots of classic films on - but they are sadly lacking in a bar! In fact, I complain about it almost everytime I go!!

Halsall · 15/05/2018 11:37

We’re really lucky - our local cinema is a restored Art Deco gem which has two bars, one in the auditorium that stays open throughout the film, serving alcoholic drinks and coffee. You can order plates of cheese and biscuits which are delivered to your seat when the lights go down Smile And although they do put on mainly new films, there are lots of arthouse offerings and, yes, old films too (some even B & W!).

dontcallmelen · 15/05/2018 14:07

Ooh am jealous of these lovely sounding cinemas, we have one in a nice Art Deco building, but it’s a bit lean on the refreshments front.
Yy Harold Lloyd, I have vague memories of his films being shown on tv when I was little also Charlie Chaplin/Laurel &Hardy, my DF loved Buster Keaton especially the one where the house fell on him & he emerged unscathed through the gap in the window.
My DF used to ring me & tell me what great cowboy film was on, on a Sunday afternoon, he loved the old black & white films.
This thread has brought back many happy memories & made me realise what a film buff he was(having a little sniffle now still miss him so much)

84CharingCrossRoad · 15/05/2018 14:07

@Halsall Is it a Picturedome cinema? Wilf has one near him.

Halsall · 15/05/2018 15:23

@84CharingCrossRoad No, it isn’t part of a chain. It’s owned by a bloody-minded free-thinking individualist Grin

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PrivateParkin · 15/05/2018 16:21

Ah what lovely memories dontcallmelen Flowers I agree about old films, they're very evocative. I'm always crying at them and not just because of the content, because they remind me of various things - Christmas films and musicals especially.

I too am jealous of these fab independent cinemas, especially ones with wine and snacks brought to your seat!

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HaroldsSocalledBluetits · 15/05/2018 16:37

The Everyman chain brings you things to your armchairs. I told my mum this, wanting to impress her with my cosmopolitan ways, and she just laughed and said that her local fleapit used to do that back in the 50s and 60s. They really did know how to provide a cinema experience then - none of this radioactive cheese on a tray business that you get now. Also: intervals.

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PrivateParkin · 15/05/2018 16:38

Happy birthday James Mason born otd in 1909! I was doing some googling of him the other day when I watched Odd Man Out and as well as being a great actor he was a great animal lover, and wrote a book The Cats In Our Lives with his wife. I love that fact!

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PrivateParkin · 15/05/2018 16:41

And happy birthday Joseph Cotten born otd in 1905 - I suppose he's most famous for Citizen Kane (which have to admit I've never seen...). I think some of his other films were mentioned on the last thread...

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CremeBrulee · 15/05/2018 16:53

I think Penn Serenade is one of the saddest films I ever saw. I recorded it last night but couldn't face it- it's the little shoes empty on the stage that get me every time.