My favorite B&W movies.
This is a list of movies in B&W that I love watching over and over again. They don't necessarily need to be old (or that highly-praised) But they must be fun and entertaining. I know most of these are horror or suspense movies, but the B&W look really sets the mood for me.
And being that I've always been a huge fan of classic pin-up girls, most of these movies have that sort of cheesecake! Oh-boy!
Something that really works for me is the clarity of a well lit B&W movie. Bad lighting makes for to many shadows and I like the details to stick out! Like a pretty face, crazy eyes, or something stalking around in the background. When a picture is too dark, you lose too many good details.
And being that I've always been a huge fan of classic pin-up girls, most of these movies have that sort of cheesecake! Oh-boy!
Something that really works for me is the clarity of a well lit B&W movie. Bad lighting makes for to many shadows and I like the details to stick out! Like a pretty face, crazy eyes, or something stalking around in the background. When a picture is too dark, you lose too many good details.
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- DirectorHoward HawksStarsHumphrey BogartLauren BacallJohn RidgelyPrivate detective Philip Marlowe is hired by a wealthy family. Before the complex case is over, he's seen murder, blackmail--and what might be love.Right off the bat I have to say I love the movie sets. The backgrounds are in such detail.
- DirectorJohn Llewellyn MoxeyStarsPatricia JesselDennis LotisChristopher LeeA young college student arrives in a sleepy Massachusetts town to research witchcraft; during her stay at an eerie inn, she discovers a startling secret about the town and its inhabitants.One of the best witch movies ever! Venetia Stevenson is a competent actress, but she is really sexy to watch! I enjoy this movie, the actors are great and memorable. The jazz score is good too.
What this movie has for me is great atmosphere! The shadows and fog add a feeling of eerie dread.
The gas station outside of town is amusing, as it never seems busy. There just an old man who seems to live there giving directions (and warnings) to the town.
The only thing I don't like about this movie is the weird boyfriend. He seems so stiff and out of place. - DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA secretary on the run for embezzlement takes refuge at a secluded California motel owned by a repressed man and his overbearing mother.Compared to "City of the Dead" this movie is far superior. But there are similarities, like the lead actress being killed halfway through the movie!
All the actors are top notch! There is real suspense here, and awesome camera work. - DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.The characters in this movie are so fun to watch. The use of Nazi fear mongering amidst a city full of crime is brilliant!
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsHumphrey BogartMary AstorGladys GeorgeSan Francisco private detective Sam Spade takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a gorgeous liar and their quest for a priceless statuette, with the stakes rising after his partner is murdered.Such great characters and the city sets in the background are awesome. There is so much great mood and dialog, I would almost call this a perfect movie.
- DirectorRoger CormanStarsPamela DuncanRichard GarlandAllison HayesA beautiful woman is sent back in time via hypnosis to the Middle Ages where she finds she is suspected of being a witch, and subject to being executed.The lead actress walking into focus out of the fog at the beginning of this movie had my attention!
The concept of this story is really unique, And intriguing! Time travel through past life regression, and Satan too! - DirectorGeorge A. RomeroStarsDuane JonesJudith O'DeaKarl HardmanA ragtag group of Pennsylvanians barricade themselves in an old farmhouse to remain safe from a horde of flesh-eating ghouls that are ravaging the Northeast of the United States.A classic I remember from my childhood. This may have been the first horror movie I ever saw! Way back in 1975 when I was 6 years old.
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsMichael RenniePatricia NealHugh MarloweAn alien lands in Washington, D.C. and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets.
- DirectorWilliam CastleStarsVincent PriceCarol OhmartRichard LongA millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.The verbal battle between Vincent Price and his wife is very cool.
- DirectorJack HillStarsLon Chaney Jr.Carol OhmartQuinn K. RedekerA caretaker devotes himself to three demented siblings after their father's death.A great movie from Jack Hill, and lots of crazy fun!
- DirectorMel BrooksStarsGene WilderMadeline KahnMarty FeldmanAn American grandson of the infamous scientist, struggling to prove that his grandfather was not as insane as people believe, is invited to Transylvania, where he discovers the process that reanimates a dead body.
- DirectorRuss MeyerStarsTura SatanaHajiLori WilliamsThree thrill-seeking go-go dancers kidnap a young girl and attempt to swindle an old rancher and his two sons out of their small fortune, but their scheme does not play out as they intended.Tura Santana! That name means so much to me. I wish this tough beauty was in more movies.
- DirectorGeorge PollockStarsHugh O'BrianShirley EatonFabianTen people are invited to a luxury mountaintop mansion, only to find that an unseen person is killing them one by one. Could one of them be the killer?A classic! Now I've seen a couple of different versions of this movie, but this is the only one I like.
I remember seeing this movie in the 70's, and there was a countdown clock for suspense! It can be seen in the special features. - DirectorWolf RillaStarsGeorge SandersBarbara ShelleyMartin StephensIn the English village of Midwich, the blonde-haired, glowing-eyed children of uncertain paternity prove to have frightening powers.When I was a child, I really related to the alien kids in this movie. Still do.
- DirectorJerald IntratorStarsMeg MylesGrayson HallMike KeeneA carnival burlesque dancer robs her junkie ex-husband, goes to New York, gets a job at a high-class club where she becomes the mistress of the wealthy owner. She seduces his son and causes a murder.Sexy women, provocative songs and costumes, and lots of smoking!
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsWilliam CampbellLuana AndersBart PattonA scheming widow hatches a bold plan to acquire her late husband's inheritance, unaware that she is being targeted by an ax murderer who lurks in the family's estate.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJohnny DeppMartin LandauSarah Jessica ParkerAmbitious but troubled movie director Edward D. Wood Jr. tries his best to fulfill his dreams despite his lack of talent.One of Tim Burton's best in my opinion.
- DirectorMario CaianoStarsBarbara SteelePaul MullerHelga LinéA woman and her lover are tortured and killed by her sadistic husband. The pair return from the grave to seek vengeance.Barbara Steele really works those big beautiful eyes of hers in this movie.
- DirectorMario BavaStarsBarbara SteeleJohn RichardsonAndrea ChecchiDecades after being executed for witchcraft, vengeful Princess Asa Vajda and her fiendish servant are resurrected and begin a bloody campaign to possess the body of Asa Vajda's beautiful look-alike descendant Princess Katia.
- DirectorJoseph LoseyStarsVan HeflinEvelyn KeyesJohn MaxwellAfter Susan Gilvray reports a prowler outside her house, police officer Webb Garwood investigates and sparks fly. If only her husband wasn't in the way.
- DirectorTay GarnettStarsLana TurnerJohn GarfieldCecil KellawayA married woman and a drifter fall in love and then plot to murder her husband.
- DirectorSidney HayersStarsPeter WyngardeJanet BlairMargaret JohnstonA woman who may be a witch defends her husband from forces attempting to harm him.I would have given this movie a higher rating, because the acting is top notch, but that damn wire holding the bird is way too clear! It spoils a great scene.
- DirectorJesús FrancoStarsEstella BlainMabel KarrHoward VernonWoman seeks to avenge her father's death by using a local dancer, with long poisonous fingernails, to do her bidding.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsRichard BurtonAva GardnerDeborah KerrAn ostracized Episcopal clergyman leads a busload of middle-aged Baptist women on a tour of the Mexican coast and comes to terms with the failure haunting his life.Such great acting and what an interesting story. Ava Gardner really shines. I love her robust laugh.
- DirectorGakuryû IshiiStarsYoshiki ArizonoTadanobu AsanoMasakatsu FunakiA violent, guitar-playing, electrically charged boxer faces off against an electronic wizard half-merged with a metallic Buddha.This movie is so insane and fun!
