The Golden Age of Hollywood is credited as the height of cinema and a pivotal period when classics such asCasablanca,The Searchers, andRear Windowpaved the way for the future of filmmaking. Throughout Hollywood’s Golden Age, an abundance of memorable and groundbreaking movies graced the silver screen, with many leaving a lasting impression on audiences around the world.
Although there is an extensive list of exceptional classics from Hollywood’s Golden Age, some, such asOn the Waterfront,Singin' in the Rain, andAll About Eve, rank as movies that are close to cinematic perfection. Out of an array of iconic titles, includingRebel Without a Cause,My Man Godfrey, andSome Like It Hot, these are ten classic movies that are bangers from start to finish.
11’Rebel Without a Cause' (1955)
Directed by Nicholas Ray
James Deanstars in the classic coming-of-age melodrama,Rebel Without a Cause, as a troubled teen, Jim Stark, who, after moving to a new town, befriends a loner classmate, Plato (Sal Mineo) and falls for a local girl, Judy (Natalie Wood). Unfortunately, being the new kid in town comes with its problems and, as Jim tries to establish and maintain some stability in his life, his efforts make it difficult to keep a clean slate.
Rebel Without a Causewasa culturally significant film of its time and one of the first major films to create a social commentary surrounding the relationship between parents and teenagers.While the overall cast is spectacular, Dean delivers a sensationally profound performance which earned him immense praise from both audiences and critics.Rebel Without a Causeearned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for Mineo, Best Supporting Actress for Wood, and Best Story for director,Nicholas Ray.
Rebel Without a Cause
10’The Searchers' (1956)
Directed by John Ford
John Ford’sThe Searchersis the epitome of a classic Western starringJohn Wayneas a Civil War veteran, Ethan Edwards, who, after his family is brutally murdered by Native Americans, learns that his nieces were taken by their attackers and might still be alive. As Ethan sets out into the dangerous wilderness, his rescue mission slowly turns into a toxic obsession fueled by anger and vengeance.
The Searchersstands to be one of the most influential classic films of all time and has gone on to inspire modern award-winning filmmakers such asMartin Scorsese,Steven Spielberg, andGeorge Lucas. While Ford’s mastery of the Western genre is perfectly showcased inThe Searchers, Wayne’s performance as Ethan Edwards isone of the Duke’s most profound and is riddled with emotional honesty and an unwavering raw passion that keeps audiences engaged in the character’s journey from start to finish.
The Searchers
9’Rear Window' (1954)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
James Stewartstars as a photojournalist, Jeff Jefferies, who, while recovering from a broken leg, passes the time by watching his neighbors, becoming familiar with their everyday lives. After witnessing a heated argument between a married couple one night, Jefferies becomes suspicious of the husband (Raymond Burr) when the wife suddenly disappears.
No classic movie list is complete without a contribution from the infamous director,Alfred Hitchcock, and his 1954 psychological thriller,Rear Window, is a thrilling mystery full of unsettling suspense.Rear Windowis recognized for its exceptional cast, includingHitchcock blonde,Grace Kelly, andThelma Ritter, and its riveting plot, butthe beauty of this Hitchcock classic is the immersive point-of-view shots, which give audiences a whole new kind of movie-going experience.
Rear Window
8’Singin' in the Rain' (1952)
Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen
When silent film star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) is faced with movies transitioning into the Talkies, the film star convinces the studio to make their upcoming movie into a musical. The only problem is Lockwood’s diva co-star, Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), who not only has an unappealing voice but also an unbearable singing voice, but when Lockwood meets an aspiring actress, Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), he asks her to dub Lamont’s voice in exhange for her own studio contract.
Singin' in the Rainis a signature movie musical and romantic comedy that is an all-time favorite among many classic film fans. The movie features some of the most well-known musical numbers in history, notably’Good Morning’and Kelly’s iconic number to the titular song, which has become a cornerstone of classic musical cinema.Singin' in the Raincapitalizes on the qualities that established the genre’s popularity while still incorporating enough slapstick comedy, physical humor and a subtle romance that makes this banger of a classic appeal to even those who aren’t big fans of movie musicals.
Singin in the Rain
7’On the Waterfront' (1954)
Directed by Elia Kazan
Marlon Brandostars in his Oscar-winning role as a former up-and-coming boxer turned dockworker, Terry Malloy, who works on the Hoboken, New Jersey waterfront, which is controlled and operated by a local ruthless gangster, Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb). When a longshoreman who is scheduled to testify against Friendly winds up murdered, Malloy bravely decides to work with the dead man’s sister (Eva Marie Saint) and a priest (Karl Malden) to help put Friendly behind bars for once and for all.
On the Waterfrontis a gritty criminal melodrama that not only earned Brando his first Academy Award for Best Actor but introduced method acting to a mainstream audience, deemingOn the Waterfrontto beone of Brando’s most essential films.Brando’s performance is simply spellbinding, never once losing his grip on the audiences' undivided attention and luring them into a poetic tale of tragedy and redemption that earns this crime classic a spot on the list.On the Waterfrontearned a grand total of ten Oscar nominations, and went on to win eight, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress.
On The Waterfront
6’All About Eve' (1950)
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Joseph L. Mankiewicz’sAll About Evestars Golden Age icon,Bette Davis, as an aging stage star, Margo Channing, who takes a young aspiring actress, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter), under her wing after being won over by Harrington’s unfortunate past and losses. As Harrington infiltrates Channing’s social and professional circles, Channing begins to suspect there’s more to her angelic protégé than she initially thought and slowly begins to see Harrington’s true colors emerge.
All About Eveis a must-see classic dramedy, which also features an all-star supporting cast includingGeorge Sanders,Gary Merrill, andMarilyn Monroein one of her earliest film roles.The movie’s authentic depiction of the cutthroat world of show business wins its spot on the list, demonstrating the tragic but very true concept of a woman’s shelf life and the cruel lengths many are willing to go to for universal fame. Out of fourteen Oscar nominations,All About Evewent on to win six of its nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Sanders.
All About Eve
5’Citizen Kane' (1941)
Directed by Orson Welles
Orson Wellesdirects and stars in his feature film debut,Citizen Kane, as a media tycoon, Charles Foster Kane, who, while on his deathbed, uses his last breath to say one final word, “rosebud,” leaving the world with a cryptic mystery behind its meaning. When one reporter is assigned to try and decipher Kane’s final words, he speaks to the man’s friends and colleagues and slowly begins to see a portrait of a vulnerable and complicated man who lived an empty and unfilled life.
Welles’Citizen Kaneinfinitely altered the artistic landscape of cinema and today is regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time.Citizen Kaneis generally recognized for its innovative cinematography and filming techniques, its hauntingly beautiful musical score byBernard Herrmann,and a unique narrative structure that places it in a category of its own brilliance.Citizen Kaneearned nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture, and went on to win for Best Original Screenplay for Welles andHerman J. Mankiewicz.
Citizen Kane
3’My Man Godfrey' (1936)
Directed by Gregory La Cava
My Man Godfreyis an essential screwball comedy starringWilliam Powellas a forgotten man, Godfrey, who accepts a job as a butler for the family of a young socialite, Irene Bullock (Carole Lombard), after helping her win a scavenger hunt. While Godfrey has no problem taking on his new job, he’s not sure how well he’ll hold up against his new employers, who are a rowdy and dysfunctional bunch, and as Irene starts to fall for the new butler, Godfrey realizes he may be in over his head.
My Man Godfreyis considered to beone of the best screwball comedies of all timeand is known for its cheeky and quick-witted humor and its satirical take on high society, which made it a pivotal film of its time. Powell and Lombard, who were briefly married prior to the film, are comedy gold together. The former husband and wife have an undeniable chemistry that is both endearing and humorous, making them the perfect duo to carry this classic screwball comedy. Between the well-constructed comedy and the authentic dynamic of Lombard and Powell,My Man Godfreyis a banger of a classic movie that will have audiences in stitches from start to finish.
My Man Godfrey
2’Casablanca' (1942)
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Humphrey Bogartstars as a cynical American, Rick Blaine, who owns and operates a popular nightclub in Morracco and has successfully carved out a life for himself, but his peaceful existence is shattered after his former flame, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), arrives in town with her husband and war rebel, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henried). When Nazi troops begin to close in on Laszlo, Lund asks Blaine to help them escape before her husband is caught, forcing Blaine to choose between his heart and his conscience.
Casablancawas an unexpected success that elevated the careers of the overall cast, but none as significant as Bogart, whose performance solidified him as both an effective leading man and a major box-office draw. The movie followsa torrid and captivating love story which is set against a turbulent backdrop of war, adding an element of thrills that will make any heart leap with anticipation and excitement.Casablancawas both a commercial and critical success and went on to earn eight Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning three of its nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
