1. Stalag 17 - 1953 (William Holden/Otto Preminger)
The subject is a group of American POW's in a German camp. In Barracks 4, there is a stool pigeon (and no one knows who it is). The movie is fantastic and highly recommended to everyone. The same premise was used for a hit '60's TV series (Hogan's Heroes) and an Academy Award winning movie (La Vita e' Bella/Life is Beautiful). Even if you can't stand B&W movies, try sitting through this one. You will love it. But be warned. While it is a wonderful movie, it is not a cheerful movie.
2. His Girl Friday - 1940 (Cary Grant/Rosalind Russell)
This was a remake of the movie The Front Page/1931. It is a rare time where a remake is better than the original. Cary Grant stands out with his screwball antics and Rosalind Russell is a "doll" (to use a politically incorrect euphemism) and a terrific actress. It has also dated well and can still be enjoyed by anyone. Again, ignore the B&W. You will be treated to some true artists who created a wonderful piece of work.
3. City Lights/Modern Times/The Great Dictator (Charlie Chaplin)
I wouldn't recommend jumping into a silent movie cold turkey. Try any one of these three movies. A lot of the work Charlie Chaplin did is still being imitated today. Both City Lights and Modern Times are silent movies that aren't silent movies (they have synchronized music with minimal sound effects). I challenge anyone to watch these movies and not have a desire to see more Chaplin.
4. Casablanca - 1942 (Humphrey Bogart/Ingrid Bergman)
Roger Ebert once said that Casablanca is a movie that even people who don't like old B&W movies will enjoy. Try it once. Snuggle up with a date or your beloved and watch it. You can't go wrong.
5. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington - 1939 (Jimmy Stewart/Jean Arthur)
Any movie with Jimmy Stewart is good, but this would be the best one to start with. With all of the shenanigans going on in Washington today, this movie stands as true today as it did in 1939. Frank Capra (the director) had a keen eye for things like that. His movies were known (oft-times) as Capra-corn, because they always ended up cheerful. The ending may seem corny now, but watch this movie and then pick up a newspaper or go online and read the news out of D.C. You might find the same thing going on 66 years later.
Try any of these out and let me know what you think. I hope that you will be pleasantly surprised.
