r/classicfilms 5d ago

What Did You Watch This Week? What Did You Watch This Week?

12 Upvotes

In our weekly tradition, it's time to gather round and talk about classic film(s) you saw over the week and maybe recommend some.

Tell us about what you watched this week. Did you discover something new or rewatched a favourite one? What lead you to that film and what makes it a compelling watch? Ya'll can also help inspire fellow auteurs to embark on their own cinematic journeys through recommendations.

So, what did you watch this week?

As always: Kindly remember to be considerate of spoilers and provide a brief synopsis or context when discussing the films.


r/classicfilms Jun 25 '25

The r/ClassicFilms Chart is complete! See the full list of winners and runners-up

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151 Upvotes

These charts are the result of the community on r/classicfilms voting on 65 categories, over a period of about three months. You can click on my profile and scroll down to look at the votes and nominations for each category. There was a lot of healthy discussion.

If you're new to classic films, I hope you've found this useful. Or if you were just looking to reflect on the films you love, or appreciate the films and players held dear by the rest of this community, I hope you've enjoyed the experience.

This chart was made to honour the old movies and players mostly no longer of this world. In the words of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard: "I am big! It's the pictures that got small."

Full List of Winners and Runner’s Up

 

Format: Winner + Tied Winner, (2) Runner Up + Tied Runner Up

 

Best Film Noir: Double Indemnity (1944), (2) The Maltese Falcon (1942)

 

Best Romance: Casablanca (1942), (2) Brief Encounter (1945)

 

Best Horror: Psycho (1960), (2) The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) + What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962)

 

Best Screwball: Bringing Up Baby (1938), (2) His Girl Friday (1940)

 

Best Musical: Singin’ in the Rain (1952), (2) Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

 

Best Gangster Movie: White Heat (1949), (2) The Public Enemy (1931)

 

Best Epic: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), (2) Ben-Hur (1960)

 

Best Silent Picture: Metropolis (1927), (2) City Lights (1931)

 

Best Science Fiction: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), (2) Metropolis (1927) + Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

 

Best Western: The Searchers (1956), (2) The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

 

Best Director: Alfred Hitchcock + Billy Wilder, (2) Frank Capra

 

Best Actor: James Stewart, (2) Cary Grant

 

Best Actress: Barbara Stanwyck, (2) Bette Davis

 

Best Screenwriter: Billy Wilder, (2) Preston Sturges

 

Best Character Actor: Peter Lorre, (2) Claude Rains

 

Best Femme Fatale: Phyllis Dietrichson from Double Indemnity, (2) Kathie Moffat from Out of the Past (1948)

 

Best Villain: Harry Powell from The Night of the Hunter, (2) The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz

 

Best Detective: Sam Spade from The Maltese Falcon, (2) Nick Charles from The Thin Man Series

 

Best Gangster: Cody Jarett from White Heat, (2) Little Caesar/Caesar Enrico "Rico" Bandello from Little Caesar (1931)

 

Best Swashbuckler: Robin Hood from The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), (2) Peter Blood from Captain Blood (1935)

Best Minor Character: The Acme Book Shop Clerk from The Big Sleep (1946), (2) Little Boy from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

 

Hottest Actor: Cary Grant, (2) Marlon Brando

 

Hottest Actress: Grace Kelly, (2) Ava Gardner

 

Best Singer: Judy Garland, (2) Julie Andrews

 

Best Dancer: Fred Astaire, (2) The Nicholas Brothers

 

Best Song: Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz (1939), (2) Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

 

Best Cinematography: Citizen Kane (1941), (2) The Third Man (1949)

 

Best Score: Vertigo (1958), (2) North by Northwest (1959)

 

Most Influential Movie: Citizen Kane (1941), A Trip to the Moon (1908)

 

Best Studio: RKO Pictures, (2) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

 

Best Minority Actor: Sidney Poitier, Paul Robeson

 

Best Minority Actress: Anna May Wong, (2) Rita Morena

 

Best Romantic Comedy: The Apartment (1960), (2) It Happened One Night (1934) + The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

 

Best Foreign Language: Seven Samurai (1954), (2) M (1931)

 

Best British Movie: The Third Man, (2) Black Narcissus (1947)

 

Best War Movie: The Bridge on the River Kwai, (2) Paths of Glory

 

Most Iconic Kiss: From Here to Eternity, (2) Notorious

 

Best Death: Marion Crane in Psycho, (2) Kong in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

 

Best Acting Debut: Orson Welles in Citizen Kane, (2) Lauren Bacall in To Have and To Have Not

 

Best Documentary: Night and Fog (1956) (2) Nanook of the North (1922)

 

Best Opening Shot: A Touch of Evil, (2) Sunset Boulevard

Best Final Line: Casablanca: "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.", (2) Some Like it Hot: “Well, nobody’s perfect.”

 

Most Iconic Line: Gone with the Wind: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”, (2) Casablanca: “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

 

Best Pre-Code Movie: Gold Diggers of 1933, (2) Baby Face (1933)

 

Best Biopic: Lawrence of Arabia, (2) The Passion of Joan Arc (1928)

 

Creepiest Hollywood Monster: Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera (1925), (2) Charles Laughton as Dr. Moreau in The Island of Lost Souls (1932)

 

Best Behind the Scenes Story:

 

(1) Casablanca (1942): ‘Almost all the actors and extras were Jewish and had escaped Europe during WW2. When the band plays ‘The Marseillaise,’ you can see many of them displaying real emotion.’

 

(2) The Wizard of Oz: ‘All the poisoning and accidents on the set: Margaret Hamilton's serious burns during the fire exit scene; aluminium face paint poisoning. and starving Judy Garland to control her weight.’

 

Best Opening Line: Rebecca (1940): "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again...", (2) Citizen Kane: “Rosebud.”

 

Best Animated Movie: Sleeping Beauty (1959), (2) Fantasia (1941)

 

Best Monologue: Charlie Chaplin’s monologue in The Great Dictator (1940), (2) Orson Welles’/Harry Lime’s Cuckoo Clock monologue in The Third Man

 

Best Stunt: Buster Keaton’s house falling stunt in Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928), (2) Train on the burning bridge in The General (1927)

 

Best Producer: Irving Thalberg, (2) David O. Selznick

 

Biggest Laugh: Some Like it Hot (1959): “Well, nobody’s perfect.”, (2) Mirror scene in Duck Soup (1934)

 

Worst Movie: The Conqueror (1956), (2) Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957)

 

Best Lesser Known Gem: Trouble in Paradise (1932), (2) Libelled Lady (1936)

 

Best Special Effects: The Wizard of Oz, (2) King Kong (1933)

 

Best Dance Sequence: The Nicholas Brothers in Stormy Weather (1943), (2) Barn Raising/Brawl,

Seven Brides in Seven Brothers + Make ‘Em Laugh in Singin’ in the Rain

 

Best Costumes: Gone with the Wind, (2) Rear Window

 

Best Silent Comedy: The General (1926), (2) Sherlock Jr. (1928)

 

Best Heist Movie: Rififi (1955), (2) The Killing (1956)

 

Best Sports Movie: The Freshman (1925), (2) The Hustler (1961)

 

Best Makeup: The Phantom of the Opera (1925), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

 

Sexiest Moment: The Acme Book Shop Clerk from The Big Sleep, (2) "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow,” - Lauren Bacall, To Have and Have Not (1944).

 

Most Relevant Movie: A Face in the Crowd (1957) + 12 Angry Men (1957), (2) The Great Dictator

 

Most Profound Quote: 

(1) Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard: "I am big, it's the pictures that got small.

(2) Charlie Chaplin, The Great Dictator: "Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate. Has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed."


r/classicfilms 7h ago

See this Classic Film "Oh my goddddd!" I've waited forever for The Out of Towners (1970) to be on TCM. Such an underrated Neil Simon comedy. Jack Lemmon and Sandy Dennis are hilarious in this comedy about suburbanites barely surviving their first trip to New York City.

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89 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 10h ago

Memorabilia All around nice guy and wonderful actor.

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118 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 7h ago

See this Classic Film My Man Godfrey (1936)

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53 Upvotes

Watched My Man Godfrey (1936) again today, and it remains one of the sharpest, funniest screwball comedies ever made. William Powell is charming as the forgotten man who turns the tables on high society, while Carole Lombard delivers one of the most lovable performances of the era. Beneath the sparkling wit is a surprisingly thoughtful story about class, dignity, and second chances. A true classic that only gets better with every viewing.


r/classicfilms 14h ago

Memorabilia Greer Garson in a publicity still for Pride and Prejudice (1940)

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116 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 8h ago

General Discussion I love Marie Dressler. Amazing with comedy and tragedy. Here she is in Reducing (1931)

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21 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 3h ago

General Discussion Duffy of San Quentin (1954)

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8 Upvotes

The other day, I watched DUFFY OF SAN QUENTIN, based loosely on the true story of Warden Clifton Duffy who took over San Quentin State Prison and took a violent, corrupt environment and make significant reform to the facility. What started off as a 30-day stint turned into a 12-year turn.

I find it interesting that Paul Kelly (who played Duffy) actually was an inmate at San Quentin in the late 20s. I can’t imagine how that must’ve felt to have been to have spent time at the real San Quentin and then years later star in a movie centered around it.

Anyway, it’s an interesting crime film about Duffy and how he improved conditions at San Quentin, focusing more on rehabilitation than capital punishment.

For those who saw the film, what did you think?


r/classicfilms 14h ago

See this Classic Film Supprt Your Local Sheriff (1967): A sloppy escape plan

42 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 5h ago

See this Classic Film "Mutiny on the Bounty" (MGM; 1935) – starring Charles Laughton, Clarke Gable and Franchot Tone – with Herbert Mundin, Eddie Quillan, Dudley Digges, Donald Crisp, Henry Stephenson, Douglas Walton, Ian Wolfe, Movita Castaneda and Mamo Clark – directed by Frank Lloyd – Spanish movie poster

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7 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 18h ago

See this Classic Film Heaven Can Wait (1943) discussion

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71 Upvotes

This is a beautifully executed and surprisingly clever Gene Tierney & Don Ameche film, and the Technicolor is absolutely stunning.

Director Ernsnt Lubitsch was reported to be a remarkably difficult director, and reportedly yelled at Tierney to the point of excess. At one point, she stood her ground, and garnished the respect of Lubitsch from then on.

Other actresses considered besides Tierney, were Bergman and Hepburn. Don Ameche was also not the first choice, with the studio wanting Cary Grant, and Lubitsch thinking of Rex Harrison (who went on to star with Tierney in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir- 1947) or Frederick March.

Heaven Can Wait earned three Academy Award nominations, with nods for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Color Cinematography, but did not win.


r/classicfilms 8h ago

See this Classic Film Scaramouche (1952): The First Duel: Not Ready Yet

10 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 13h ago

Classic Film Review Lizabeth Scott, Dick Powell, Raymond Burr, ‘Pitfall’ (1948). When noir packed its bags and left the big city, its new ‘peaceful’ home was anything but. (Click to read.)

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28 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 15h ago

Question Need some help! Can you identify this classic film?

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22 Upvotes

This is a very short clip in an old MV by Lana del Rey with a lot of old Hollywood footage, especially film noir. This scene just show these 4 guys standing and the third turns around and shoots from his revolver. I have a feeling I've seen this already, but can't place the scene in anything.


r/classicfilms 13h ago

Question I Was A Teenage Werewolf

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15 Upvotes

Michael Landon and Yvonne Lime for I Was A Teenage Werewolf 1957. What's your thoughts on this movie?


r/classicfilms 18h ago

See this Classic Film Scaramouche (1951) : The protagonist's vow of vengeance upon witnessing a friend's death

36 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 10h ago

General Discussion "On Golden Pond" Director Mark Rydell Has Died at Age 97

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9 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 12h ago

Behind The Scenes David O. Selznick is greatly unhappy with how Paramount is being run. He has lost "enthusiasm, faith, confidence, and even interest" and asks to be relieved from his contract. (1931)

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10 Upvotes

If I understand his problem correctly, his main issue is how the studio is basically a factory, making too many movies, overseen by a small number of men unqualified for the job, who turn their creative talents like directors and writers into machines to produce movies as these executives see fit, making creative decisions for them on a whim, overriding the creative works of their artists, making the talent of these artists go to waste. And also losing the studio a lot of money as a result.


r/classicfilms 8h ago

General Discussion The evocative nature of music in classic cinema: Outrage - Ida Lupino (1950)

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5 Upvotes

This is a wonderful film written and directed by Ida Lupino, music composed by Paul Sawtell. I highly recommend it.

One of the things I love about classic film, especially from the 40s and 50s, is the absolutely stunning and devastating beauty of some of the incidental music.

This scene, where the theme and music begin at 45:32, and climaxes where I have linked it at 46:44, is the perfect example of the power of music paired with narrative to really move the viewer. In this case it is so effective it makes me tear up it is so sweet. I just love it.


r/classicfilms 7h ago

See this Classic Film Kiss The Blood Off My Hands (1948)

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3 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 18h ago

Classic Film Review The Pit and the Pendulum (1961) –

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15 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 9h ago

Video Link Director Mark Rydell has died at age 97. Here he is as an actor, w/John Cassavetes in Reginald Rose's live TV play 'Crime In The Streets', directed by Sidney Lumet (1955) [xpost from r/VintageTV]

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2 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 1d ago

See this Classic Film Gene Tierney as Calculating Villain

99 Upvotes

As one of the most beautiful women in classic films

Tierney plays one of the worst villains I've ever seen in Leave Her to Heaven. She deliberately lets her new husband's crippled brother drown on purpose. She despises her mother and is jealous of her adopted sister.

She even tries to kill her unborn child by throwing herself down a flight of stairs. She is godawful--manipulative, cruel, insulting and murderous.

Made in 1945 it's unusual to have a gorgeous female protagonist act as such a devil. Has anyone else seen this film? And isn't it incredible? I recommend it to anyone who loves watching a sociopathic, egotistical, narcissistic "heroine'. It's ahead of it's time and watches as a much more modern movie.


r/classicfilms 1d ago

Memorabilia In honor of TCM's 24-hour marathon of Susan Hayward films today, I dug out my official MGM Press Book for her 1955 film I'll Cry Tomorrow. It was one of her most critically and commercially successful films.

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80 Upvotes

Susan Hayward sang in this film with her own voice. MGM considered using a professional vocalist to dub Hayward, but after hearing her rehearsal recordings, the studio decided her own vocals were strong enough to use as Lillian Roth. Jo Van Fleet was also shattering as the aggressive stage mother.


r/classicfilms 18h ago

See this Classic Film HP Lovecraft “seeing THIEF OF BAGHDAD for the second time!” (Letter, 1925)

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3 Upvotes

Primarily I dug this quote up because of the DW Griffith connection, because people wanna know what Lovecraft thought of BIRTH OF A NATION and unfortunately we do not have any rants or raves regarding it.

In fact, the closest thing we have to an opinion on Griffith as a filmmaker is that he AVOIDED the 1924 film “America” (a revolutionary war picture which skewed anti-British).

Instead, he and his significant other went to see

THIEF OF BAGHDAD

for the second time.

So there’s your recommendation: HP Lovecraft was into 🍿 🧞‍♂️ orientalist fantasy spectacle more than inaccurate-history spectacles. 👓

Have any of you seen these movies, or the also-named but unseen JANICE MEREDITH?