tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post2841147979559733766..comments2024-03-28T22:21:46.973-07:00Comments on Tossing It Out: It don't matter if it's black and white: Guest Hijacker Ed HallArlee Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-22805738780125198272012-07-10T11:51:46.641-07:002012-07-10T11:51:46.641-07:00What a great subject! I love The General very, ver...What a great subject! I love <i>The General</i> very, very much. It's one of my all-time favorites. Another black and white movie that I adore is Charlie Chaplin's <i>The Great Dictator</i>.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15292139796803739003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-6834174339901928092012-07-08T18:02:50.160-07:002012-07-08T18:02:50.160-07:00Love older and classic movies Lee. I remember the ...Love older and classic movies Lee. I remember the days before color tv when I was a lass, so maybe that's why black and white movies seem so much more natural to me and quite enjoyable. Not a lot of fluff and much more substance.<br /><br />My parents had a love for them so maybe that's where my liking for them was born. <br /><br />It's funny Lee and slightly off topic, just this week we were watching a relatively current movie The Kings Speech and my granddaughter walked in and said to me "Grandma why are all those people watching the radio?<br /><br />I think that's a pretty interesting observation for an 11 year old. Entertainment radio/news and movies meant something completely different back then to the masses then it does now.<br /><br />Great post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10204165708189660644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-82607486615369796592012-07-08T07:31:57.860-07:002012-07-08T07:31:57.860-07:00I don't watch classic films because I don'...I don't watch classic films because I don't know how. The use of shadow means nothing to me. You can draw a parallel with people who don't GET poetry or art or a classic novel. If you don't understand how they work, or what is innovative (as if you'd care), then you won't enjoy it. My point is not to argue against watching B&W but to say appreciation won't come by osmosis.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17863357756727783017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-54836714062044114802012-07-08T07:04:45.212-07:002012-07-08T07:04:45.212-07:00I've only seen a handful of B&W movies, bu...I've only seen a handful of B&W movies, but I've really enjoyed them. I love the Ors,on Welles movies I've seen, and I think that the more 'simplistic' style of the times make the storytelling more provocative.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02548680159204361401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-16612925319576675012012-07-07T19:32:06.565-07:002012-07-07T19:32:06.565-07:00I love black and white movies... They have a diffe...I love black and white movies... They have a different feel to them, like I've stepped into another world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-59212230475828517432012-07-07T11:17:19.770-07:002012-07-07T11:17:19.770-07:00my 17 year old daughter loves the old classics--i ...my 17 year old daughter loves the old classics--i must admit i am not much of an over-all fan--but might just give it a new try :)Lynn Proctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16349867270815243053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-2840182396593279502012-07-07T11:04:15.635-07:002012-07-07T11:04:15.635-07:00Great post! I've never heard of Buster Keaton...Great post! I've never heard of Buster Keaton until Jackie Chan mentioned him as an inspiration. Need to catch your clip. It's a shame, I saw a black and white recently, From Here to Eternity, and it was terrific. Guess entertainment companies want the sure bet. The current generation might just turn their nose up thinking, "I don't want to watch grandpa's movies!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-21489942380415296452012-07-07T09:40:08.118-07:002012-07-07T09:40:08.118-07:00I like the old black and white movies. I've ev...I like the old black and white movies. I've even watched silent film but it takes some getting used to. We have become spoiled by not needing the movie broken up to add dialogue in text.Laura Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06774385463320319572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-64761374808680557002012-07-07T09:38:15.719-07:002012-07-07T09:38:15.719-07:00Sounds like a good source of info. when it comes t...Sounds like a good source of info. when it comes to American Classics I am such a blank face. I did not know that there was a movie called Dead on Arrival about a guy who wanted to find out who poisoned him, before the poison killed him.MunirGhiasuddinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05232362559666320301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-41744211971209953072012-07-06T22:37:05.766-07:002012-07-06T22:37:05.766-07:00I would say that I do really enjoy pre-1940 films,...I would say that I do really enjoy pre-1940 films, and yet I rarely make the effort. If I stumble upon one I'll sit and watch, but I don't seek them out. You have me thinking that's a shame. Good reminder, so thank you! DebraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-64394351602076322482012-07-06T16:59:51.488-07:002012-07-06T16:59:51.488-07:00I want to step in here and thank my guest today. ...I want to step in here and thank my guest today. Ed, this is a great topic that is dear to me. I may even come back to visit this one day.<br /><br />Thanks to those who commented so far. I think if more film fans would take the time to watch the B & W classics they'd start to appreciate the true art of black and white film making. Starting with some of the more contemporary works like <i>The Artist</i> can get you adapted to watching this medium so you are more comfortable with the older stuff. <br /><br /> By the way <i>The Artist</i> was #71 in the top grossing films last year and probably only achieved that stature because of the Oscar consideration. If not for that I don't think the film would have done very well at all. It opened to about $200,000 on it's first week and probably only that because it had already attained a good critical buzz. <br /><br />Generally I think film goers shun black and white due to the preconception that it is old fashioned and not appealing to look at. I say go back and look at the use of shadow and light, filming angles, and visual composition. There is much to be appreciated in black and white movies.<br /><br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-81029709387045303752012-07-06T16:27:08.857-07:002012-07-06T16:27:08.857-07:00Andrew - I absolutely agree. When changing the cha...Andrew - I absolutely agree. When changing the channel if there is a programme in black and white it is immediately far less appealing.<br /><br />LD - I agree that gore, sex, nudity, profanity and special effects are not the be all and end all of films. But, equally all of those items can enhance a film if used in the correct manner.<br /><br />DEZMOND - I've only seen one Garbo film, <a href="http://empire500.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/082-camille-1936.html" rel="nofollow">Camille</a>. Another pre-1940's film that I gave 5 stars. I swear I only noticed this trend once I'd started writing this post!<br /><br />Carol - Yes, The Artist did. I have to say though going back to Andrew's point, if you were flicking through the channels and happened to notice it, I doubt it would stay on for very long.<br /><br />Stephen - Thank you for the praise. I'm 22, so yes, out of my teens now! I'll have to check out On Borrowed Time, and I look forward to your input on film.<br /><br />Nigel - Yessir.Edward Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09637587378401967338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-76252227107647187092012-07-06T15:24:57.094-07:002012-07-06T15:24:57.094-07:00Films are about more than just technology...trueFilms are about more than just technology...trueNigel G Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01587936933402372050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-37609653154730582352012-07-06T15:03:09.990-07:002012-07-06T15:03:09.990-07:00ED ~
Great guest post! I love, Love, LOVE so many ...ED ~<br />Great guest post! I love, Love, LOVE so many of the old movies, and overall, I do prefer them to this modern rubbish that keeps getting "remade". <br /><br />Ed, do you mind me asking you your age? You mentioned a 14-year-old brother, but you don't write like anyone even remotely close to being a teenager. Your writing is excellent.<br /><br />I will have to start "Following" your blog, because I imagine we could have some fine conversations about the movies "In Glorious Black And White" (as some of the VHS boxes used to advertise).<br /><br />For now, I will recommend one to everyone:<br /><br />'ON BORROWED TIME' (1939) Starring Lionel Barrymore, Cedric Hardwicke, Bobs Watson, and Henry Travers (Barrymore played "Potter" in 'It's A Wonderful Life', and Travers played "Clarence, the wingless angel" in the same classic). <br /><br />I can't imagine that anyone could dislike 'On Borrowed Time'.<br /><br />Thanks for the interesting blog bit, Ed.<br /><br />~ D-FensDogg<br />'Loyal American Underground'Stephen T. McCarthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00249125637725791567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-62484469131630204272012-07-06T13:58:16.185-07:002012-07-06T13:58:16.185-07:00Well...didn't The Artist win the Oscar this ye...Well...didn't The Artist win the Oscar this year?<br /><br />I like some of these old classic films, but I don't have much spare time to watch them.<br /><br />Happy Weekend!Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03745686632918324803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-7614430711636876642012-07-06T13:45:24.055-07:002012-07-06T13:45:24.055-07:00I didn't have the chance to see too many black...I didn't have the chance to see too many black and white movies, but I did see and loved "Battleship Potemkin", "The Black Pirate" and "Alexander Nevski" and I also loved a number of Greta Garbo films.<br />Never seen "Casablanca" though :)DEZMONDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127166104359407763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-35841851242358999922012-07-06T11:13:09.166-07:002012-07-06T11:13:09.166-07:00A month or two ago, my thirteen year old grandson ...A month or two ago, my thirteen year old grandson wanted to watch something with gladiators. Although I know he watches lots of blood and gore, I didn't care to watch any of the modern gladiator movies/tv series with him, so I Netflixed the 1960 movie Spartacus starring Kirk Douglas. No gore, no sex, no nudity, no profanity, no special effects. Okay, it was in color. He loved it. Since then I've been introducing him to older B&W classics. WWII movies. Hitchcock thrillers. Great old comedies like Some Like It Hot. (He was definitely impressed with Marilyn Monroe.) A new generation discovering the old classics. I'm loving it.LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-3353139419881654392012-07-06T09:20:06.005-07:002012-07-06T09:20:06.005-07:00I'll have to take a look at that list, althoug...I'll have to take a look at that list, although I'm sure I've already seen a good number of them. I continue to watch old, good movies when I can make the time for it.<br /><br />Mostly, people don't watch those movies because they don't give them a chance. It takes making a decision ahead of watching that you're going to do that, so, if a person is flipping through the TV channels and sees something in black&white, especially if it's silent, they immediately dismiss it.<br />It's too bad.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-78754581470378649402012-07-06T04:50:50.058-07:002012-07-06T04:50:50.058-07:00Thanks for the comments guys - and thanks once aga...Thanks for the comments guys - and thanks once again Lee for letting me hijack.<br /><br />Yvonne - In the UK we don't get many showing of older films unless you subscribe to those film channels. It's disappointing, I find.<br /><br />Alex - Cabinet of Caligari is one of the films I've already reviewed (<a href="http://empire500.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/081-cabinet-of-dr-caligari-1920.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>). I loved it because it opened my eyes to how unoriginal Shutter Island's ending was.<br /><br />Michael - Metropolis is on the list, so I hope it's not tedious! Thanks for reminding me though; I need to watch The Artist.<br /><br />Yeamie - Thanks. I have a page on my blog which sorts my reviews by year. Feel free to <a href="http://empire500.blogspot.co.uk/p/all-reviews.html" rel="nofollow">check it out</a> if you would like some ideas.Edward Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09637587378401967338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-55085783328950621192012-07-06T04:32:11.348-07:002012-07-06T04:32:11.348-07:00Great post Ed. I haven't really watched many o...Great post Ed. I haven't really watched many older films but it's cool to hear that there's a lot of beauty in them, this post has sorely tempted me to check them out at some point, I love movies and reviewers so your stuff seems interesting to me to say the very least.Outcasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03400755239612162157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-40285848983236554662012-07-06T04:22:07.439-07:002012-07-06T04:22:07.439-07:00The only pre-1940s movie I saw recently was Metrop...The only pre-1940s movie I saw recently was Metropolis, which was quite tedious to watch due to its length and pacing. That said, I've found myself toying with the idea of revisiting some of the classics, especially after seeing recent movies like The Artist and Hugo pay homage to the films of that bygone era. At least now I have some good recommendations. Thanks, Ed. And you too Mr. Lee, for hosting this. :)Michael Abayomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07276804685807238328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-38084849453899559182012-07-06T03:27:44.268-07:002012-07-06T03:27:44.268-07:00I do know who Keaton and many of the silent movie ...I do know who Keaton and many of the silent movie actors were. Not a big fan of the silent black and whites, but Cabinet of Caligari and Nosferatu are both masterpieces.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-63530089539940031152012-07-06T02:22:07.821-07:002012-07-06T02:22:07.821-07:00Great post Lee, I do like the old films whether bl...Great post Lee, I do like the old films whether black and white or coloured. We get many showings on TV of pre 1940 films many are excellent.<br /><br />Yvonne.RHYTHM AND RHYMEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11386975261804630799noreply@blogger.com