I'm compiling a classic movie list from Hollywood's Golden Age....

[ZebsRoomofHerOwn]

...for a couple of my woefully ignorant colleagues. Would anyone like to include some recommendations?

I'm thinking primarily 30s and 40s as they seem to have discovered Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, but nothing previous to this, like James Stewart, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis etc....

My personal favourites include things like the Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, Now Voyager and Casablanca.

[BitOfFun]

Its A Wonderful Life, Brief Encounter, Rebecca?

[saadia]

Bringing Up Baby is one of the best films ever made.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Gone with the Wind

[charitygirl]

Clicked on this to say 'Now Voyager'! Also 'Jezebel' for more Bette Davis.

It Happened One Night is great.

[Molesworth]

Agree on Now Voyager and Bringing Up Baby. I'd add Mildred Pierce, Citizen Kane and Double Indemnity. Wizard of Oz, of course. And I suppose some classic westerns should go in - Stagecoach?

[BitOfFun]

The Spiral Staircase, Letter To Three Wives, White Heat, Arsenic And Old Lace?

[sassy]

Casablanca, African Queen, The Searchers

[Tillyscoutsmum]

How about some Hitchcock ? or is that a bit too late ?

Breakfast at Tiffany's

[sassy]

39 steps (british,but y'know; Top Hat

[Tillyscoutsmum]

For whom the bell tolls

A Streetcar named Desire

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Easter Parade

[Waspie]

Why just Hollywood? We had some crackers of our own in that period which shouldn't be ignored: Brief Encounter, The Third Man, The Lady Vanishes and The Thirty Nine Steps (already mentioned I know) and Rebecca.

I love Hitchcock (you may have guessed ;) ) so how about other early Hollywood Hitchcock like Notorious, Spellbound and Lifeboat.

And (later) the Ealing comedies: Passport to Pimlico, Kind Hearts and Coronets and The Ladykillers amongst others.

Aren't old movies great

[Tillyscoutsmum]

This thread has made me go on to Amazon and spend money I don't have

[Molesworth]

Shadow of a Doubt is one of my favourite Hitchcocks. Love Joseph Cotten!

[Iklboo]

To Kill a Mockingbird is really good too

[slayerette]

Definitely Streetcar - absolutely wonderful, although a bit later than the dates you're looking at.

[TsarChasm]

I like all the old musicals like Calamity Jane, Oklahoma, Gipsy, seven Brides for seven brothers, Carousel etc

[Molesworth]

Random Harvest is a good un

[ZebsRoomofHerOwn]

Some blardy brilliant suggestions here. Some of them have got me going, 'oh yesss!' like To Kill a Mocking Bird.

I think I'm going to avoid the Ealing Comedies on the first round - but I'm definitely including early Hitchcock. Let's not forget Destry Rides Again and High Noon! Not to mention A Star is Born and Only Angels Have Wings.

Oh yes, they've seen Breakfast at Tiffany's which don't surprise me.

I don't think I'll get any work done this afternoon now!

[ZebsRoomofHerOwn]

Thanks very much. I now have a lovely long list. If that doesn't scare them off, I'll move them on to the Ealing Comedies, War Films, Musicals etc next.

Out of a quick 'off the top of our heads without even breaking a sweat' list of 51, I've seen all but 1 (The Spiral Staircase).

It's sad, but the youth of today didn't grow up watching all the old movies on BBC2 on rainy Saturday afternoons, as I did, because now they're valuable as DVDs. Back then, they were worthless.

Shout if you want the list posted up.

[midnightexpress]

I clicked to suggest the Philadelphia Story which is one of my favourite films of all time. Love it love it love it. Also On the Waterfront, which is a bit later but very brilliant.

[sis]

what about Arsenic and Old Lace and Bringing up baby? I suppose Fiddler on the roof is too recent?

[saadia]

Washington Square is also very good. I'm getting all nostalgic now reading this thread.

[cocolepew]

All Doris Day
The Imitation Of Life with Lana Turner

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Kind Hearts and Coronets

Some Like It Hot

Then there are some classic war movies.