The 10 Most Rewatchable Old Hollywood Movies That Still Hold Up

Old Hollywood is associated with glamor and romance, and many of the era's great classics are still worth watching in the 21st century. Also known as the Golden Age of Hollywood, Old Hollywood was pigeonholed by the studio system, which signed multi-picture deals to major movie stars and directors. There is some debate about when exactly it ended, but New Hollywood emerged sometime during the 1960s.

Since Old Hollywood's heyday occurred between the 1930s and 1950s, it's natural that some of the era's biggest films don't perform as well today. Modern audiences have different tastes, but there are still plenty of classics that are just as fun. Films like Casablanca, raising the baby and North by Northwest They have stood the test of time and are still watched by people all over the world.

10

Casablanca (1942)

Bogart and Bergman are irresistible together

Casablanca It has stood the test of time and is now considered one of the best romance films ever made. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were two of Hollywood's biggest stars at the time and they are both in top form Casablanca. Their chemistry is part of what makes the novel so realistic and ultimately moving, but they also benefit from an excellent script and a great supporting cast.

Casablanca is one of the most quoted films of all time, and it's always a joy to go back and watch Bogart's tired, weary expressions as he grasps each line. The tearjerker of an ending is the final cherry on top which cements Casablancaiconic status. Even without the context of the Second World War, Casablanca is a timeless story about the cost of love and freedom that still rings true.

9

North by Northwest (1959)

Hitchcock's thriller influenced countless spy dramas

Three years before Dr. No kicked off James Bond franchise, Alfred Hitchcock delivered one of the best spy thrillers ever made. The style of Connection and many other spy films owe a great debt to North by Northwest. The helicopter scene in From Russia with love may be the franchise's most obvious reference to North by Northwest, but the tone and characterization of Bond on the big screen also seems to take inspiration from Hitchcock.

Many of Alfred Hitchcock's best films are still equally entertaining many decades later. Psychosis, Vertigo, Rear Window and Dial M for murder to name just a few – it still packs a punch. There aren't many directors from the Golden Age who still have such a large audience in the 21st century. North by Northwest It's one of his funniest filmsmoving from one action scene to another while also offering a few moments to allow Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint's chemistry to blossom.

8

12 Angry Men (1957)

12 Angry Men Still Sets The Standard For Legal Dramas

12 angry men It looks like a play, but it was developed as a film based on a teleplay. The limits close to 12 angry menThe unique location of never feels too restrictive. In fact, the deliberation room is the perfect environment for a pressure cooker, as a dozen men from different walks of life engage in a battle of wills. Sidney Lumet constantly finds new and inventive ways to frame his characters.

12 angry men is a masterpiece of conflict and dialogue, with a very limited concept that reduces all external distractions. It's the type of film that can and should be studied in detail, which is why each rewatch reveals new details about the characters. Also, 12 angry menThe ending of does not resolve the mystery at hand. It only offers a verdict on the trial, but there are many unanswered questions and possible errors in the jury process.

7

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is Humphrey Bogart's best western, and one of the best westerns of all time. Bogart stars alongside Tim Holt and Walter Huston – the director's father – as a trio of prospectors who find their fortune in a gold mine in Mexico, but it turns out to be a false dawn. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a brilliantly written and acted exploration of greed and paranoia.

Bogart was deprived of an Oscar nomination for The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. It's one of his most captivating performances and his character inspired Breaking Badby Walter White and There will be bloodIt's Daniel Plainview. It creates a potent mix of greed and jealousy that heightens the impact of the script. It's a tense exploration of human nature, but it can also be seen as an allegory for America's westward expansion.

6

Singing in the Rain (1952)

Singing in the Rain is a musical milestone

Singing in the rain epitomizes the lavish style of old Hollywood musical films. It's a feast for the eyes, from the set design to the choreography, and has only gotten better with time as its particular musical style has become increasingly rare. The 1950s and 1960s produced several Best Picture-winning musicals. Singing in the rain wasn't one of them, but it's just as fun The Sound of Music, West Side Story or Gene Kelly's 1951 winner An American in Paris.

Gene Kelly is a delight throughout Singing in the rain, and many of his co-stars have their own shining moments – like Donald O'Connor's unforgettable solo number, “Make 'Em Laugh.” Singing in the rain is all about Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies, and its period setting means it has aged brilliantly. It's a love letter to the medium of cinema itself, with a wonderful exuberance and commitment to entertainment.

5

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

The Wizard of Oz remains a defining work of the fantasy genre

In 1939, The Wizard of Oz was praised for its wonderful Technicolor art. It's remarkable that it still has the power to immobilize and captivate audiences so many decades later. The transition from the dark sepia of Dorothy's house to the rainbow wonderland of Oz sums up the allure of The Wizard of Oz. In a way, it also sums up the magic of the entire fantasy genre.

Thanks to the success of Evil, The Wizard of Oz is once again back in the cultural zeitgeist, with audiences discovering and rediscovering its charms. It looks more inviting and exciting than most films made todaybut it also tells a captivating story of friendship and family. The main character archetypes of The Wizard of Oz have been copied and reinterpreted in countless ways, but the original film still has its power.

4

Roman Holiday (1953)

A lasting romance with cheerful charms

Roman Holiday is one of Audrey Hepburn's best films, and This earned her the Oscar for Best Actress. It has lost none of its appeal over the years, thanks to the infectious charisma of Hepburn and her co-star Gregory Peck. Roman Holiday It feels like the kind of heavy romance that studios rarely make these days. There are lots of laughs, but it's also a harrowing story of insurmountable odds and missed chances.

Roman Holiday is lighthearted, as the two main characters explore a beautiful city together with a natural flow to their conversations and every stolen glance. It's a film worth engaging with, and there's catharsis in the moving ending. Not everyone can relate to the story of a princess who escapes her entourage, but anyone can relate to the joy and agony of her adventure.

3

Raising the Baby (1938)

Arguably the funniest screwball comedy of all time

It's hard to believe this Raising the baby was Katharine Hepburn's first comedy film, as she is a force of nature as the fast-talking, mercurial socialite Susan Vance. She and Cary Grant are the perfect odd couple, with him as the awkward, nervous paleontologist who is dragged across the country with a leopard in the backseat of the car. It's a ridiculous comedy that hits all the right notes and makes the most of its wild premise.

Cary Grant's David is the only character who listens or thinks more than he speaks. All over Raising the baby, characters use language to deceive, to fill time, and to cause a scene, but they rarely use it to communicate any useful information. The comedy is built around a series of loud misunderstandings and outright lies, as well as a healthy dose of slapstick. It's so insightful and dense that it always has something to offer in a new viewing.

2

Citizen Kane (1941)

Orson Welles' masterpiece deserves its reputation

Over the years, the name Citizen Kane has been synonymous with imposing and imposing works of art. For example, when actors and filmmakers want to be modest about a particular project, they may say that they are not trying to make it. Citizen Kane. This makes the film seem much less accessible than it actually is. In truth, Citizen Kane it's endlessly fun, easy to get into, and even surprisingly funny in places.

Orson Welles' directorial debut follows the life of a newspaper magnate through his triumphs and failures. The story begins with the investigation of his enigmatic final words, but soon becomes an in-depth character study that connects to the empty promise of the American dream. Citizen Kane mixes its clever thematic explorations with pure entertainment value. The public should not be intimidated by his intellectual reputation.

1

The Killing (1956)

Stanley Kubrick's Classic Heist Is Short But Sweet

Stanley Kubrick eventually became an icon of New Hollywood, but his earlier films show glimpses of his genius while he was still working within the confines of the Old Hollywood studio system. The killing It's a thrilling ride that lasts less than 90 minutes but still offers a lot to love. Sterling Hayden plays the leader of a group of thieves who intend to destroy a race track and divide the loot.

Together with Jules Dassin Rififi, The killing helped establish the conventions of the heist genreand its influence can still be seen in the 21st century. As with many great heist films, there is a gulf between the plan and the execution in The killing. With a dash of humor and some frantic action, The killing Holds multiple watches. It may not be as ambitious as Kubrick's later works, but it's worth watching.