Another month, another movie blogathon! Marc over at Go, See, Talk came up with another great idea that is sure to start making its rounds in the film blogging community. The idea here is to “Cool Off With The Classics” — that is, to compile a list of black & white classics you would watch to “beat the heat.” Since I have been digging into more classics than usual lately, I thought this would be a fun event to participate in. So here we go… ten of my favorite B&W movies.
![12 Angry Men [1957]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/12-angry-men.jpg "12 Angry Men [1957]")
1) 12 Angry Men [1957]
Sidney Lumet’s early classic was one of my first experiences with a black & white film. I watched this for the first time in high school and could not believe that an “old movie” set in a courtroom could maintain my interest from beginning to end. An incredible film, and one that I absolutely must see again soon.
![The Third Man [1949]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/the-third-man.jpg "The Third Man [1949]")
2) The Third Man [1949]
I saw this for the first time earlier this year and fell in love with it. There is so much to like about this movie, and of course it has some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history (such as Orson Welles’ big reveal). The closing shot is one of the best I have ever seen.
![Crashout [1955]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/crashout-19551.jpg "Crashout [1955]")
3) Crashout [1955]
I caught this earlier this month at the Music Box Theatre’s awesome Noir City Festival. This rarely-seen prison break movie is a lot of fun, and surprisingly brutal for its time period.
![Among the Living [1941]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/among-the-living-19411.jpg "Among the Living [1941]")
4) Among the Living [1941]
Another rarely-screened movie that I caught at the Noir City Festival. This is a wonderful noir/horror hybrid with great performances from Albert Dekker and Susan Hayward.
![Citizen Kane [1941]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/citizen-kane.jpg "Citizen Kane [1941]")
5) Citizen Kane [1941]
This is the movie that made me excited to see more classics. We watched the entirety of the film in my university’s Music & Film class, and I was quite frankly amazed. One of the best of all time, obviously, and it felt great to finally understand the lyrics to the Kane-referencing White Stripes song, “The Union Forever“.
6) City Lights [1931]
My 50 Movies Project is already reaping dividends, as it provided the means for me to catch this Chaplin silent classic. Words are not needed for Chaplin’s dynamic Tramp character, and his endless pursuit of love is inspiring (with hilarious results).
![The Day The Earth Stood Still [1951]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/the-day-the-earth-stood-still.jpg "The Day The Earth Stood Still [1951]")
7) The Day The Earth Stood Still [1951]
I am not a big sci-fi fan, so I was a little skeptical about this movie. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. Intelligent, entertaining and backed by Bernard Herrmann’s incredible therimin-driven score, this is one of the better sci-fi films I have seen, regardless of age.
![The Killing [1956]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/the-killing-1956.jpg "The Killing [1956]")
8 ) The Killing [1956]
One of Kubrick’s earliest films is one of my favorites from him, and it has been heavily influential over the years (most notably for Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs). An exciting, well-crafted heist noir.
![Steamboat Bill, Jr. [1928]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/steamboat-bill-jr.jpg "Steamboat Bill, Jr. [1928]")
9) Steamboat Bill, Jr. [1928]
I have only seen two, maybe three, Buster Keaton movies, but this is the one I have enjoyed the most. Lots of laughs and some ridiculous physical stunts make this one of the more memorable silent films I have seen.
![Seven Samurai [1954]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/seven-samurai-1954.jpg "Seven Samurai [1954]")
10) Seven Samurai [1954]
It is a testament to the film’s brilliance that I am able to sit through the full three hours without ever once growing bored or impatient. I saw it for the first time last year and it just blew me away. The quintessential samurai film.
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Be sure to check out the rest of the participants in this blogathon, and feel free to join in on the fun as well.
ooo 7 samurai, good pick.
Thanks. I am a little surprised it didn’t show up on anyone else’s lists. Too obvious of a choice, I suppose.
I think perhaps it isn’t an onvious choice. It certainly didn’t cross my mind at all. As I mentioned on mine, rashomon is my ‘go to’ kurosawa movie.
I see you’ve been wondering about the lack of third man inclusions, for me I had a shortlist that included 3 graham greene’s and wanted to throw something slightly more obscure in so despite how awesome third man is. We review pepe le moko today which was apparently his inspiration when writing third man.
Another cool addition to this great blogathon.
Well done matey
Thanks, man!
Good call on The Day The Earth Stood Still, such an awesome flick. I’m surprised The Third Man hasn’t been mentioned more. And yes, 12 Angry Men defies all logic in being so incredible while taking place in one room. Great list.
Thanks, Kyle. Yeah, I don’t recall seeing The Third Man on any other lists either, which is very surprising.
Hi Eric, glad to see you participate in this. I’m still trying to catch up w/ the participants of this blogathon. I haven’t seen any of these, but I do have 12 Angry Men at home, it was part of a legal-movies box set given by my boss so I really should open it, ahah.
Oh wow, definitely check out 12 Angry Men when you get a chance. It’s a great, great film.
Not many films can live up to 12 Angry Men in my book – one of the finest films ever made. It is also nice to see one of the best British movies ever – The Third Man – appear here too. Excellent list – I’m going to have to check out a few I haven’t seen.
Thanks, Dan. Definitely agree about 12 Angry Men and The Third Man, both are more than worthy of their classic status.
Nice list Eric. Love The Killing, 12 Angry Men and Seven Samurai. Just don’t dig the 3rd Man like everyone else does but I have wanted to give it another go. Glad to see you like it:) I think I’ll start with City Lights but thanks for being part of this!
Thanks, Marc. Definitely check out City Lights when you get a chance — it more than lives up to its reputation of being a cinematic classic.