Top 10 Movies to Watch If You Love Classic Hollywood
#10: “The Day of the Locust” (1975)
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“The Day of the Locust” was an underseen and underrated film about the pitfalls of Hollywood life. Instead of embracing the romantic view of the town, the movie dealt with the many people who fail to attain true success there. This adaptation of Nathanael West's novel followed wannabe stars that never got their break in entertainment. Actors such as Karen Black and Donald Sutherland played tragic figures in an impressive ensemble. Much of the movie tackled darker subjects as it built towards a violent and riotous finale. Despite the grueling places it goes, "The Day of the Locust" was a nuanced portrait for classic film lovers.
#9: “Hail, Caesar!” (2016)
The Coen brothers packed their Hollywood satire “Hail, Caesar!” full of details for cinephiles. It concerned a studio fixer Eddie Mannix and his attempts to keep various film productions and stars in check. Viewers got to watch filmmaking happen from every angle. There’s elaborate dance numbers and even a water ballet reminiscent of Esther Williams. Joel and Ethan Coen dealt with the various controversies that shook up 1950s Hollywood including communism and backstage affairs. Even more casual fans of the movie business found some quality jokes about dealing with unruly actors. While they also directed the stellar satire “Barton Fink,” the filmmakers gave "Hail, Caesar!" a broader and more inviting view of the business.
#8: “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019)
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Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino delved into Tinseltown's last classic decade with this award-winning film. Leonardo DiCaprio starred as a washed-up actor dealing with the end of the Golden Age in the late 1960s. He received help from his friend and stuntman, all while the Manson family lurked in the background of Southern California life. It served as an important time capsule for Tarantino’s childhood, as well as the drastic changes that affected the town at the time. Viewers got to watch characters interact with depictions of Bruce Lee and Sharon Tate in a behind-the-scenes look at show business. The director succeeded in creating a passionate look at the final moments of Hollywood's most radical years.
#7: “The Artist” (2011)
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French director Michel Hazanavicius channeled the excitement of the silent era in "The Artist." He created a vision of early Hollywood in pristine black and white. It featured a narrative about an aspiring actress that eclipsed a movie idol in a story as old as time. Along with being a (mostly) silent film, the enjoyable experience included throwback costumes and designs that would thrill any movie fan. The commendable period details gave the behind-the-scenes look at moviemaking an added flair. Everyone involved showed off their passion for the classic era of filmmaking. There was even room for a dance number that saluted great performers from years gone by. Hazanavicius' movie won Best Picture for this love letter to American cinema.
#6: “Ed Wood” (1994)
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“Ed Wood” celebrated the B-movie genre through the eyes of one of Hollywood’s worst directors. It’s especially effective that Johnny Depp played the man as a passionate and misunderstood underdog. Tim Burton’s loving comedy pulled together a group of misfits chasing their dreams. It's especially fun to watch the movie business from the eyes of an outsider. Patricia Arquette, Bill Murray, and an Oscar-winning Martin Landau rounded out the fantastic cast. Even a clever scene featured Wood meeting Orson Welles for the real movie geeks out there. This ode to Hollywood outcasts was a hilarious and touching film worth revisiting.
#5: “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988)
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"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" mixed live-action and animation in a groundbreaking movie. It was also a loving tribute to film noir. Director Robert Zemeckis made a hilarious homage to Hollywood’s Golden Age with references to Warner Brothers and Disney cartoons. Bob Hoskins served up an underrated lead role as the private eye that teamed up with the titular rabbit. It also made the most of its Los Angeles setting along with amazing special effects and animated segments. Much of the technology used for the movie influenced productions for years after. The film contained enough exciting and funny sequences to appease classic Hollywood fans young and old.
#4: “A Star Is Born” (1954)
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"A Star Is Born" was remade several times throughout history. This version from 1954 featured the talents of Judy Garland as the aspiring title character. In a tragic tale about success and failure, this epic exploration of Hollywood featured her finest performance. It also featured the great James Mason as the alcoholic husband that was unable to handle her success. The iconic narrative explored the entertainment industry from a 1950s perspective, with some arguing it was the definitive version. Others said that Garland was robbed of the Best Actress Oscar. In any case, it elevated one of the greatest stories about fame ever.
#3: “All About Eve” (1950)
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There have been many stories about people like Eve Harrington. “All About Eve” followed one such ingenue that stole the spotlight from veteran actors. The always wonderful Bette Davis played one of the many performers scorned by the title character. Harrington's diabolical methods highlighted the cutthroat nature of Hollywood and the acting profession. "All About Eve" featured one of the best casts ever, along with a biting script that spoke to even the most jaded entertainment figures. It also shed a light on the notion of celebrity during the heyday for classic filmmaking. The Oscar-winning project didn’t pull any punches in its depiction of ego-driven artists chasing celebrity status.
#2: “Sunset Boulevard” (1950)
One of Billy Wilder’s greatest achievements recounted an unlikely friendship between a screenwriter and a fading movie star. Gloria Swanson turned in a tour-de-force performance as a delusional, silent-era actress. The movie featured dark humor and a nuanced examination of movie stardom. Its place in Hollywood history was further cemented with appearances from several legendary performers. Only Wilder could have mustered up the courage to critique his own medium in this way. Swanson's egomaniac Norma Desmond represented a generation that couldn't contend with changing norms. The dramatic finale sold Desmond as one of the great metaphors for old Hollywood. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “In a Lonely Place” (1950) Bogart Played a Screenwriter & a Murder Suspect in This Classic Noir “The Aviator” (2004) Leonardo DiCaprio Disappeared into the Role of OCD Producer & Aviator, Howard Hughes
#1: “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
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“Singin’ in the Rain” represented the peak of full-scale studio filmmaking. It also paid tribute to the important time period between the silent era and the sound era. The movie's history lessons about early Hollywood were as effective as its entertaining musical sequences. Directors Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly mixed comedy, dance, and romance all into one film. Kelly's routines, including his iconic title number, reflected the highest peak of the movie musical. Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor's contributions gave the lead actor a run for his money. Simply put, “Singin’ in the Rain” was made for classic Hollywood lovers.
