Black and white movies recommended for a family movie night
67Family Movies and Hollywood?
There have been some good movies made by Hollywood. In the years before Technicolor and loose morals, the film industry made movies that families could watch together. My list consists of films that my family and I would enjoy. Like any list of films, you will want to make adjustments that fit your own values, style and the maturity of your family. Some families have no problems with guns while other families have no problems with immodesty. Some families are also concerned with the portrayal of smoking and drinking in movies. When looking for a family movies, these are items that need to be considered.
Duck Soup Routine
Casablanca Scene
Audie Murphy Movie
Roy Rogers-"King of the Cowboys" Trailer
My family movie selections
1. Movies by the Marx Brothers. My own personal favorites are Duck Soup, Animal Crackers, and a Night at the Opera. These movies have singing, comedy, and drama. Since the action is often fast, children find the comedy routines funny. There are some adult type puns,, but these are often over the heads of children. Their use of word play is also an item that children enjoy.
2. Casablanca. This is a slower moving movie, yet the drama remains entertaining. Some claim it is one of the best movies that Hollywood ever made. It continues to be a timeless classic to movie fans. It does show some drinking, which may be of concern to some families.
3. To Hell and Back and other Audie Murphy movies. These are westerns or war movies. The values presented are traditional conservative ones. Movies made during this time continued have a moral message within them.
4. Roy Rodgers movies. Roy Rogers was popular for a good reason. His films were moral and entertaining. The good guys were good and the bad guys were bad. There were no anti-heroes or other strange modernistic concepts. The ideas of right and wrong were straight-forward. They present a set of values that Hollywood forgot along the way.
5. The Maltese Falcon. I am a Humphrey Bogart fan. I enjoyed this movie. It has action and intrigue which makes a movie entertaining. It may be better suited to families with older children which can understand and follow the plot.
6. Three Stooges Movies. One can not go wrong with the three Stooges. Their brand of slapstick humor is a hit with children of all ages. Even as an adult, I still enjoy watching the Stooges. Yes I am a fan of the original stooges, Larry, Curly and Moe.
Three Stooges Routine
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Comments
Constant Walker,
Arsenis and Old Lace is another good one. There are also some good Hitchcok flicks, but I had to think what would be good for family viewing. It is my hope that there will be other suggestions in order to 'beef up ' the list.
The old Hitchcock movies WERE family viewing when I was growing up - and I turned out fine!
The old Hitchcock movies WERE family viewing when I was growing up - and I turned out fine!
...What?
Thank you for the list. My dad and I were thinking of how cool it'd be to have a black and white movie night and I wanted to have some say in a few of the movies at least. There aren't any children in the house (we're all grown up ^^) but usually the more family-accepted the movie is, themore likely that all 4 of us will somewhat enjoy it, so they're a safer pick. I absolutely love that you included some directors in that list - it gives more choices for those who are into the genre.
Squimleton,
I was curious about what led to the request. It now makes perfect sense. With the adults, you have th efull range of Hitchcock, Greta Garbo, and Bogart movies. A lot depends on whether you like adventure, romance, etc. Another old time goodie that I enjoyed as a child were the Errol Flynn movies.
Constant Walker,
Your comment made me realize how much the horror genre has changed over the generations. Previously, the monster/horror flicks like Boris Karloff movies were not the blood and gore fest of today. The old Hitchcock movies were acceptable viewing in their day. In those days, the story had to hold someone's attention rather than the special effects.
Very true. I think the most graphically disturbing movie I saw as a kid was Ghost Story. And I remember when "Night of the Living Dead" was released. Us kids weren't allowed to go see it, even though we were by that time horror movie veterans, but I listened, captivated, as my uncle described it, scene by gory scene to my mother... as only he could... laughing at the horrific outrageousness of it. I couldn't wait to be old enough to go see it.
Did I mention I turned out fine!!
I love all of Hitchcock's work too. Path's of Glory and Dr. Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick are must sees too. The original King Kong would be great for the whole family.
Constant Walker,
I am glad that you and many others turned out fine.I didn't want my oldest to see Saw, he did and he is fine. Movies do have a way of bringing out th eprotectiveness fo parents.
Jim 10,
I forgot about Dr. Strangelove. That was quite a movie as was the original King Kong. I thought about putting musicals in my list like Singing in the Rain, and the Bob Hope travel movies, but not all families like musicals, or even song and dance numbers.
The original King Kong was wonderful in terms of movie making.
Thanks for stopping by.
A laetcomer to the party but can I add Key Largo to the list - a classic theatre perfromance captured on film. It relies solely on acting, script and direction. It wold be a bit slow for younger kids but older ones are usually captivated if they can "get into it".
The Lavendar Hill Mob is wonderful!
In the UK, some of the "Carry On " films would be regarded as family viewing although some are probablya little too risque for younger children.
Audie Murph and similar European war films I think are bad for children simply because they glorify war and give them entirely the wrong idea of what it's about and what it's like..
Dave,
Welcome to Hubpages and thanks for the suggestions. Key Largo is a good movie, althoug a little slow for people to get into. Since I last posted I realize that many of the Danny Kaye movies and early musicals would hold a chold's attention and be good for the familiy. The Lavender Hill mob sounds good.
I understand your concerns about the Audie Murphy. Being from Texas, such movies are common family fare. I also like th eold Grey Ghost series (about John Mosby). The list will need to be modified depending on the region and nation one is from.
If you are into the early black and white,Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Laurel& Hardy are often entertaining as well.
JD,
Thanks for the welcome!
Those war films were common fare even here - not so much now. But yes, the list would be very culture dependent :) Danny Kaye films are still good as are the silent comics. There's also the Keystone Cops, the Three Stooges and the Marx Brothers, all of whom really made me laugh when I was a kid :)
This hub is right up my alley. Love those old black and white films, especially the Marx Brothers! I just got a hubnuggets win for one on Groucho. Thanks for adding all those great clips, JD
Green Lotus,
Thank you for the encouraging words. It is always great finding someone else who appreciates the Marx Brothers and their humor. Many of their routines are timeless.
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Constant Walker says:
17 months ago
Fun stuff, JD. I love any Marx Bros movie.
One of my all-time favorite black & whites is "Arsenic and Old Lace." Hilarious!