Where are the fast-talking dames and pals with charm?
Cats: movies|I’m throwing out a request here for some good old-movie suggestions. This is one of my favourite Christmas traditions but I’m running a little low ideas.
I don’t necessarily mean Christmas movies, although I’m always a sucker for It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart which isn’t just a schmaltzy holiday movie but a dark commentary on the perils capitalism, individualism and greed.
Hmm. Timely material, no? (It does end with a feel-good factor so no need to run out and slit your wrists.)
I particularly enjoy those comedic fast-talking flicks with witty, stylish gals and trench-coated, fedora-topped guys. Remember Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell?
Today’s comedies are so chock-a-block with stick-limbed, whiney and witless women. Why can they “sock it to ‘em” like Bette Davis used to do in All About Eve.
And the men of modern comedy aren’t much better, either. They are either dysfunctional adolescents who refuse to grow up, or muscle-headed Tarsans who look as though they’ve overdosed on Rx supplements.
Where’s charm gone? The smarts? The good lines?
I’ve DVR-ed a Billy Wilder flick called Love in the Afternoon with Audrey Hepburn and George Cooper. I also have What’s up Doc with Streisand on the queue.
But I’m not a “buff” when it comes to old flicks. So help me out.
Given what I’ve just said here, what should I watch this Christmas? Give me a good laugh, a bit of style, some wit and charm.
Send your suggestions to me here in the comments section. I’ll compile a list and post in a week or so.
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Yeah, movies where hard-boiled newspaper editors used to say, “Why I oughta pound you!”
Movies like that.
Let me think on it & I’ll get back to you.
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Cube, exactly, that sort of thing.
Yes, please do come back with your suggestion(s)
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
“It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable. “Double Indemnity” and “To Have And Have Not”, any Kathrine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy movie, “Philidephia Story”, “Arsenic & Old Lace”. “Kelly’s Heroes” is more of a caper movie, but the lines still have a lot of punch and an all-star cast. “Diamonds And Rust” is a great Polish movie if you don’t mind subtitles. Try some of Cary Grant’s screwball comedies, as you can’t go wrong there. Lots of laughs and easy on the eyes. If you are really looking for laughs and want to see the funniest man ever, get some Buster Keaton, especially some of his short films. Keno Video has them all. Try Woody Allen’s “Love & Death” or Zero Mostel in “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum”. You will enjoy “What’s Up Doc”. I’m sure there are many more I could recommend but that’s all I can think of for now. I’ll check back later if I think of something.
Doc
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Get the “Bogart Collection.” You get “To Have And Have Not,” “The Big Sleep,” “Dark Pasage,” and “Key Largo.” Not to mention a hilarious Buggs Bunny short featuring “Bogart” and “Baby.”
December 2nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Someone already beat me to my go-to, The Bogart Collection. Classic.
I also have the Billy Wilder collection, and I’m a sucker for all thing Hepburn (Katherine and Audrey).
As for classic holiday films…Christmas Vacation tops all.
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Aren’t the men of today’s comedies modeled after ‘Laurel and Hardy’ and ‘Charlie Chaplin’?
I enjoy the dialogue from the old movies. It sounds so completely different from anything you would hear today (with exception to the retro segment from “This Hour has 22 Minutes”).
When I was a young gaffer we only had 1.5 TV channels, and only 1 by midnight. At midnight the old B&W movies were aired on CBC. I’ve seen them all, but I can’t remember any of them to recommend. Sorry.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I know nothing of old-timey movies. At Christmas I like to watch A Christmas Story, as well as Christmas Vacation (Hi Allison!).
I also like to watch Love, Actually, except for the bits with Lantern Jaw, I mean, Kiera Knightly…I’m sure she’s lovely as a friend or whatever, but please, go eat a sandwich before you take my eye out.
December 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I was going to suggest “Arsenic and Old Lace” also any Marx Brothers movies – Duck Soup, A Day at the Races, etc., Singin’ in the Rain, Brigadoon (I’m a sucker for Gene Kelly) and anything with Jack Lemmon from Some like it Hot to Grumpy Old Men. Since I think you like Brit humour you might enjoy the old “Carry On Gang” movies
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I hate Christmas, so I suggest “Arrested Development” reruns. Much better.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Ooh, I’m with Megan. Bring on the Arrested Development. And when you’re tired of laughing you can go gritty with The Wire. Now that’s wholesome family programming.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Jack Lemmon in “The Apartment”. Also a Bogart film called “Across the Pacific” where he delivers on of my favorite lines, “Well that’s a Canadian for you. They’re not happy until they have all their clothes off!”
Doc
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:32 am
Doc, Cormac, Allison, these are great ideas. I’m copying them down
Dick, yup I recall those 1.5 channel days in Alma. And the late-night CBC bw movies. Ah, memories
Espanya, I love Alan Rickman. I will marry him someday. But he was a bit of a love rat in Love actually.
HnP, yes, I’m a bit Brit flick fan, but Carry on is so effen sexist and adolescent, it gets on my nerves. The others sound good.
Megan, I feel your pain. I’ve suspended my Christmas for a number of years while the children are young, but in time, I shall return to my Scroogeyness.
Lori, I haven’t watched that show but understand it’s a hoot, George from Seinfeld, more or less.
Doc, loved The Apartment. Starts off as a sort of screw ball but gets quite dark. That’s a great line. THanks
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 am
These are great any time of the year:
Pulp Fiction
Fargo
Please, anything but the Sound of Music!
December 4th, 2008 at 7:52 am
YAM, love love love fargo.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Speaking of Brit humor, “Keeping Up Appearances” and “Chef!” (the exclamtion point is part of the title).
December 5th, 2008 at 12:57 am
I don’t know old movies at all. But I can go back as far as A Christmas Story or Local Hero, both of which I would highly recommend.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Don’t forget the timeless bitch classic All About Eve.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
The first movie that popped into my mind was Shadow of a Doubt – excellent Hitchcock film that doesn’t get as much attention. I also like Strangers on a Train and Vertigo.
More recent “old” flicks that I will watch repeatedly: Michael, The Full Monty, That Thing You Do!, Almost Famous, The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Grease, Coming to America, Ocean’s 11-12-13. That’s the short list of films I can remember off the top of my head, too.
I am also partial to James Bond flicks so a marathon of some of the more goofy Bond films might be fun if you’re up for that. I would recommend Moonraker, The Man with the Golden Gun, and Diamonds Are Forever.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
[...] The beer- and word-loving Doc of Social Zymurgy went over and above the call of duty last week in response to my request for recommendations for good old movies. [...]
February 15th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
There is a recent movie that nails this exactly: Brick. It has so many turns of phrase that your head will be spinning too fast to realize you just saw a complete murder mystery film-noir taking place in a high school!