Although a lot of people view black and white films as old-fashioned and therefore not worth watching, there are many that still have much to offer to contemporary viewers. Clearly some directors agree with me, because they have made contemporary films in black and white - think the Coen Brothers (The Man Who Wasn't There), George Clooney (Good Night and Good Luck) and Frank Miller/Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino (Sin City). Here are some of my favourite original black and white movies, listed in no particular order.
Mrs Miniver (Director: William Wyler)
Starring Greer Garson in the title role, this film was made in 1942 and was intended to awake the sympathy of the American public, who, at that time, did not fully understand the situation that the British were facing. Mrs Miniver is a typical British woman, forced to try to keep her family together while her menfolk are away. This is an incredibly moving film that reminds the modern viewer just how lucky the majority of us are, and also gives a poignant reminder that some are still facing wartime conditions.The Maltese Falcon (Director: John Huston)
Based on the book of the same name by Dashiell Hammett, this film was made in in 1941 and stars Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade. Spade is a private investigator and is hired to find a missing sister, but he soon discovers that all is not what it seems - the only thing missing is a valuable statuette called the Missing Falcon. This is classed as film noir and is very black in tone from start to finish, just like the book. However, excellent performances from Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre more than make up for this.The Bishop's Wife (Director: Henry Coster)
The Whitney Houston film, The Preacher's Wife, is based on this film, made in 1947. This is the story of a bishop, played by David Niven, who needs divine intervention to save his relationship with his wife (Loretta Young), and this comes in the form of an angel called Dudley (Cary Grant). It is cheesy, but it is also heart-warming, and perfect for watching around Christmas-time. I prefer David Niven's performance because it is so understated, but Cary Grant is also great as the boisterous angel who isn't always very angelic.The Ghost and Mrs Muir (Director: Joseph L Mankiewicz)
Another 1947 film about other-worldy goings on, this stars Rex Harrison as a ghost who comes into the life of a lonely widow played by Gene Tierney. George Sanders, one of my favourite actors, appears as a love interest. Visually, Tierney is the highlight of the film - she has amazing eyes and high cheekbones. The story is slightly formal and moralistic, but it is nevertheless a beautiful love story that is bound to surprise.An Inspector Calls (Director: Guy Hamilton)
Based on the play of the same name by J B Priestley, this film was made in 1954 and is about a wealthy family who are responsible, in one way or another, for the suicide of a young girl. Hard-hitting, the film has a very strong moral - don't judge before you know the circumstances and don't presume that the life of someone from a lower social echelon is less important than your own. Starring Alastair Sim as the Inspector who tries to persuade the family to see the error of their ways, this is a first-class film that I doubt will ever be bettered.Suddenly (Director: Lewis Allen)
A 1954 thriller, this film is about a plan to assassinate the President of the United States of America and stars Frank Sinatra as the man in charge of the assassination attempt. The pacing of this film is great, particularly when Sinatra's character holds a family hostage because their home directly overlooks the President's place of arrival. This is a sadly underestimated film that is well worth a watch, particularly for Sinatra's performance, which proves just how well he can act.Strangers on a Train (Director: Alfred Hitchcock)
It is enormously hard to choose a favourite film from amongst the Hitchcock selection, but this is definitely one of them. A 1951 thriller, based on the book by Patricia Highsmith, this tells the story of two men who meet on a train and a pact to swap murders. Robert Walker is excellent as the more evil of the two men, but Farley Granger is also good as the less than willing accomplice. The highligh of the film for me is the scene of a murder shown in the reflection of a pair of glasses - for its time, this is outstanding cinematography.Rebecca (Director: Alfred Hitchcock)
Rebecca, Hitchcock's first Hollywood film made in 1940, is based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. Starring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier, this is a superbly atmospheric film about a young woman who marries a man still deeply affected by his first wife's death. Fontaine is slightly rocky towards the beginning of the film, but soon picks up the pace and by the end is truly outstanding. Best of all, the film is based quite closely on the original novel.A Place in the Sun (Director: George Stevens)
If you enjoy thrillers, then you will love this 1951 film about a young man who plans the death of his girlfriend so that he can marry a wealthy woman. Montgomery Clift is excellent as the main character; all the more so because the case is not as cut and dried as it first seems. Elizabeth Taylor plays the wealthy woman and looks fantastic, even if she doesn't have much of a chance to show off her acting skills. However, it is the excellent storyline and beautiful cinematography that make this film stand out from the rest.The Postman Always Rings Twice (Director: Tay Garnett)
Made in 1946, this film noir is based on the book by James M Cain, and should not be confused with the Jack Nicholson version made nearly forty years later, which, in my opinion, is nowhere near as good. The story follows a layabout who falls in love with a married woman and their plan to kill the woman's husband. Starring Lana Turner and John Garfield, the quality of the acting is flawless and portrays the rawness of the book brilliantly.
I hope this inspires some of you to give black and white films a second glance!
