Top 10 Underrated Classic Hollywood Movies
#10: “In a Lonely Place” (1950)
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Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame were staples of the noir genre throughout the 1940s and 50s. But this movie starring them both is one you might have forgotten about. “In a Lonely Place” puts both Bogart and Grahame neatly into usual roles. He’s a beleaguered screenwriter accused of murder, and she’s the mysterious woman next door who he falls in love with. However, the movie slightly turns the noir archetypes on their heads. Grahame’s Laurel Gray has the femme fatale look, but the audience is more wary of Bogart’s Dixon Steele. The film keeps you guessing as to Steele’s innocence or guilt right up until the very end, delivering a deeply effective story in the process.
#9: “Out of the Past” (1947)
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“Double Indemnity,” “The Maltese Falcon,” “Laura.” These are all titles that are counted as some of the best film noirs of all time. These are movies you’ve probably heard of. But you might not be familiar with “Out of the Past.” Though considered one of the very best of the genre, Jacques Tourneur’s masterpiece is not often mentioned in the same breath as some of those other movies. But it deserves to be. Starring Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas, and Jane Greer, the movie was critically acclaimed at the time of its release. The cinematography in particular projects a dark, sinister feel that makes “Out of the Past” a must-watch.
#8: “Key Largo” (1948)
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Over the course of the 1940s, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart made a number of unforgettable films together. The last of these – and perhaps, the most overlooked – is 1948’s “Key Largo.” The film noir is about a gangster, played by the late great Edward G. Robinson, and his crew, as they clash with Bogart’s Frank McCloud. All of the performances in the film are stellar, and the chemistry between Bogie and Bacall is as electric as ever. But one person arguably steals the show. As Gaye Dawn, a struggling singer, Claire Trevor delivers one of the most vulnerable and committed performances of the decade. The proof is in the fact that she won an Oscar for her efforts!
#7: “Humoresque” (1946)
On their own, Joan Crawford and John Garfield were some of the most famous Hollywood actors of their day. Together, they were nearly invincible. In 1946’s “Humoresque,” Garfield plays Paul, a young violinist who falls in love with his older patroness, Crawford’s Helen. It’s a good old-fashioned melodrama, with both actors delivering stirring performances. Crawford in particular received rave reviews at the time. It’s easy to see why, given her ability to provide depth and feeling to a character that had the ability to come off quite cartoonish. We’d also be remiss not to mention the lovely score from Oscar-nominated Franz Waxman. In other words, this movie has a lot going for it – we’re not sure why folks seem to overlook it these days.
#6: “Make Way for Tomorrow (1937)
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There were two important Leo McCarey films released in 1937. One, “The Awful Truth,” won him the Academy Award for Best Director. But it was the more overlooked “Make Way for Tomorrow,’ that McCarey deemed his masterpiece. The film follows an older couple, played by Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi (bYOOluh BAWN-dee), who lose their home and must figure out new living arrangements. It earned fine reviews at the time of its release, but has risen in the popular estimation since. Funnily enough, when McCarey won his Best Director statue, he thanked the Academy before saying that they had awarded him for the wrong film. So we know where his loyalty lay – clearly even he thought “Make Way for Tomorrow” was underrated!
#5: “Fail Safe” (1964)
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Sidney Lumet (loo-MET) is one of the most celebrated filmmakers in American history. “Fail Safe” was made toward the beginning of his career, but the director still had plenty of experience under his belt when it was released in 1964. It was regarded well by critics and is an excellent film. So why did it perform poorly at the box office? Many attribute that failure to the success of Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove.” Much like “Dr. Strangelove,” “Fail Safe” centers on the threat of nuclear war, but in a dramatic fashion instead of satirical. But, “Dr. Strangelove” came out first, and the rest was history. Still, we think Lumet’s picture deserves more love.
#4: “The Bigamist” (1953)
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There’s a plethora of female filmmakers from Hollywood’s Golden Age who were breaking barriers long before we might think. One of those women was the multi-talented Ida Lupino (EYE-duh looPEEnoh), who notably starred in and directed “The Bigamist.” This was rather historic in the context of US sound films, reportedly marking a first for a woman directing herself in her own film. Lupino received stellar reviews for her efforts, and “The Bigamist” has only grown in cultural and critical acclaim since its 1953 release. It’s easy to see why, given the thoughtful filmmaking that clearly went into bringing the sordid story of Harry, Eve, and Phyllis to life. Given all that, we’d say the movie deserves a more consistent place in the modern mainstream conversation.
#3: “The Scarlet Empress” (1934)
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If you like historical dramas and Marlene Dietrich, you might want to check this one out. The film follows the life of Catherine the Great as portrayed by the equally boundary-challenging actress. It was directed by the Austrian-American filmmaker Josef von Sternberg (YOH-seff vawn shTANbairg), who is perhaps best remembered today for his work with Dietrich. However, this project in particular is well-remembered for its unique style of lighting and the stunning, elaborate pieces that were designed. The result is ornate and stylistic, a true feast for the eyes no matter how you slice it. We’ll forgive anyone who isn’t familiar with the film, but we will say it’s worth getting acquainted with!
#2: “The Women” (1939)
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Some of the funniest gals in town came through all the way back in 1939, though we don’t hear people mentioning them very often! George Cukor’s comedy masterpiece has a stacked cast, featuring the likes of Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, and Rosalind Russell, just to name a few. It offers a bitingly funny look at the trials and tribulations of the rich wives of New York City’s elite. Each woman delivers a uniquely humorous take on their character, from Crawford’s social climbing counter girl to Shearer’s cheerful, initially oblivious housewife. But Russell might just steal the show with her impeccable comedic timing and slapstick smarts. Were this film released today, we bet it would blow up, so it’s time to revisit the oft-forgotten gem.
#1: “Indiscreet” (1958)
You’ve heard of “Notorious,” the sexy, spy thriller from famed director Alfred Hitchcock. But have you heard of the second film that Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant made together years later? If you haven’t, we highly recommend you add it to your movie list, because it’s wonderful. The acting pair’s undeniable chemistry aside, “Indiscreet” couldn’t be more different from “Notorious.” A sorely underrated romantic comedy, it stars Grant and Bergman as Philip and Anna, an unlikely duo who come together and apart through a series of events. Both the actors and the film itself radiate an old school, classic charm that rises to unparalleled heights, making “Indiscreet” one to watch out for.
