Retro is back in style, and we’re not just talking about fashion and music, but also movies. Gorgeous women, handsome, well-dressed men, interesting stories based on classic books, with amazing special effects and decorations out of this world — in short, the old-school Hollywood movies are a pure joy to watch.
Here are eight classic Hollywood movies you can only adore.
1. Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca is one of those old-school movies where every bit of dialogue has become a part of our cultural inheritance, as people of all ages are using the incredibly memorable quotes from it. For example, the classic “I stick my neck out for nobody,” and, of course, “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” Casablanca is probably the best love triangle movie of all time.
2. Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)
Day after day, early in the morning, an elegantly-dressed lady hails a taxi across from Tiffany’s, eats a breakfast sandwich admiring the tiaras, and drives home to sleep. That’s adorable! Breakfast At Tiffany’s is a film adaptation of the book by Truman Capote filled with good vibes and smart satire. Over the past forty years, hundreds of women have been swooning over Audrey Hepburn’s cute character. Why stop at that?
3. West Side Story (1961)
The premise of West Side Story is based on the classic but modernized tale of Romeo and Juliet. Two warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, are trying to divide the streets of New York among themselves, but everything changes when Tony and Maria fall in love at first sight. To this day, West Side Story is one of the most touching musicals ever made.
4. Wizard of Oz (1939)
Click your heels and say the magic phrase: There’s no place like home! – and maybe you’ll be transported to the mysterious place called Oz. Either that or Kansas, if you have a travel visa. Everyone probably knows about Dorothy’s fantabulous adventures featuring witches, tinmen, flying monkeys, and cowardly lions. So you know very well how delightful this old-school classic is.
5. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is a creepy thriller about two sisters separated by fame and tragedy. Two aging Hollywood divas – Betty Davis and Joan Crawford – play sisters: one being confined to a wheelchair, and the other an alcoholic. The first sister begs for mercy, while the abuser wallows in hatred and envy. They really want to get rid of each other but is either of the sisters capable of murder?
6. Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Singing in the Rain is a cute, light-hearted comedy about Hollywood transitioning from silent movies to blasting songs for everyone to hear. It’s thanks to this movie that we have smash hits like the eponymous “Singing in the Rain” and “Good Mornin’,” which you may have heard in Friends. And that’s to say nothing of the fantastic plot and the acting! Singing in the Rain is easily one of the best American musicals.
7. The Sound Of Music (1965)
By today’s standards, a three-hour musical looks heavy on its own, but if you throw in a slow plot and post-WWII themes and you got yourself a real doozy. You need to be ready to go all-in on the Sound of Music to be able to appreciate the charming Julie Andrews and her beautiful voice. Only then will you understand why the Oscar committee showered this movie with multiple awards, including the “musical” nomination, best film, and best director.
