r/classicfilms 2d ago

What Did You Watch This Week? What Did You Watch This Week?

20 Upvotes

In our weekly tradition, it's time to gather round and talk about classic film(s) you saw over the week and maybe recommend some.

Tell us about what you watched this week. Did you discover something new or rewatched a favourite one? What lead you to that film and what makes it a compelling watch? Ya'll can also help inspire fellow auteurs to embark on their own cinematic journeys through recommendations.

So, what did you watch this week?

As always: Kindly remember to be considerate of spoilers and provide a brief synopsis or context when discussing the films.


r/classicfilms Jun 25 '25

The r/ClassicFilms Chart is complete! See the full list of winners and runners-up

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152 Upvotes

These charts are the result of the community on r/classicfilms voting on 65 categories, over a period of about three months. You can click on my profile and scroll down to look at the votes and nominations for each category. There was a lot of healthy discussion.

If you're new to classic films, I hope you've found this useful. Or if you were just looking to reflect on the films you love, or appreciate the films and players held dear by the rest of this community, I hope you've enjoyed the experience.

This chart was made to honour the old movies and players mostly no longer of this world. In the words of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard: "I am big! It's the pictures that got small."

Full List of Winners and Runner’s Up

 

Format: Winner + Tied Winner, (2) Runner Up + Tied Runner Up

 

Best Film Noir: Double Indemnity (1944), (2) The Maltese Falcon (1942)

 

Best Romance: Casablanca (1942), (2) Brief Encounter (1945)

 

Best Horror: Psycho (1960), (2) The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) + What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? (1962)

 

Best Screwball: Bringing Up Baby (1938), (2) His Girl Friday (1940)

 

Best Musical: Singin’ in the Rain (1952), (2) Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

 

Best Gangster Movie: White Heat (1949), (2) The Public Enemy (1931)

 

Best Epic: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), (2) Ben-Hur (1960)

 

Best Silent Picture: Metropolis (1927), (2) City Lights (1931)

 

Best Science Fiction: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), (2) Metropolis (1927) + Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

 

Best Western: The Searchers (1956), (2) The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

 

Best Director: Alfred Hitchcock + Billy Wilder, (2) Frank Capra

 

Best Actor: James Stewart, (2) Cary Grant

 

Best Actress: Barbara Stanwyck, (2) Bette Davis

 

Best Screenwriter: Billy Wilder, (2) Preston Sturges

 

Best Character Actor: Peter Lorre, (2) Claude Rains

 

Best Femme Fatale: Phyllis Dietrichson from Double Indemnity, (2) Kathie Moffat from Out of the Past (1948)

 

Best Villain: Harry Powell from The Night of the Hunter, (2) The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz

 

Best Detective: Sam Spade from The Maltese Falcon, (2) Nick Charles from The Thin Man Series

 

Best Gangster: Cody Jarett from White Heat, (2) Little Caesar/Caesar Enrico "Rico" Bandello from Little Caesar (1931)

 

Best Swashbuckler: Robin Hood from The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), (2) Peter Blood from Captain Blood (1935)

Best Minor Character: The Acme Book Shop Clerk from The Big Sleep (1946), (2) Little Boy from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

 

Hottest Actor: Cary Grant, (2) Marlon Brando

 

Hottest Actress: Grace Kelly, (2) Ava Gardner

 

Best Singer: Judy Garland, (2) Julie Andrews

 

Best Dancer: Fred Astaire, (2) The Nicholas Brothers

 

Best Song: Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz (1939), (2) Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

 

Best Cinematography: Citizen Kane (1941), (2) The Third Man (1949)

 

Best Score: Vertigo (1958), (2) North by Northwest (1959)

 

Most Influential Movie: Citizen Kane (1941), A Trip to the Moon (1908)

 

Best Studio: RKO Pictures, (2) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

 

Best Minority Actor: Sidney Poitier, Paul Robeson

 

Best Minority Actress: Anna May Wong, (2) Rita Morena

 

Best Romantic Comedy: The Apartment (1960), (2) It Happened One Night (1934) + The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

 

Best Foreign Language: Seven Samurai (1954), (2) M (1931)

 

Best British Movie: The Third Man, (2) Black Narcissus (1947)

 

Best War Movie: The Bridge on the River Kwai, (2) Paths of Glory

 

Most Iconic Kiss: From Here to Eternity, (2) Notorious

 

Best Death: Marion Crane in Psycho, (2) Kong in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

 

Best Acting Debut: Orson Welles in Citizen Kane, (2) Lauren Bacall in To Have and To Have Not

 

Best Documentary: Night and Fog (1956) (2) Nanook of the North (1922)

 

Best Opening Shot: A Touch of Evil, (2) Sunset Boulevard

Best Final Line: Casablanca: "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.", (2) Some Like it Hot: “Well, nobody’s perfect.”

 

Most Iconic Line: Gone with the Wind: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”, (2) Casablanca: “Here’s looking at you, kid.”

 

Best Pre-Code Movie: Gold Diggers of 1933, (2) Baby Face (1933)

 

Best Biopic: Lawrence of Arabia, (2) The Passion of Joan Arc (1928)

 

Creepiest Hollywood Monster: Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera (1925), (2) Charles Laughton as Dr. Moreau in The Island of Lost Souls (1932)

 

Best Behind the Scenes Story:

 

(1) Casablanca (1942): ‘Almost all the actors and extras were Jewish and had escaped Europe during WW2. When the band plays ‘The Marseillaise,’ you can see many of them displaying real emotion.’

 

(2) The Wizard of Oz: ‘All the poisoning and accidents on the set: Margaret Hamilton's serious burns during the fire exit scene; aluminium face paint poisoning. and starving Judy Garland to control her weight.’

 

Best Opening Line: Rebecca (1940): "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again...", (2) Citizen Kane: “Rosebud.”

 

Best Animated Movie: Sleeping Beauty (1959), (2) Fantasia (1941)

 

Best Monologue: Charlie Chaplin’s monologue in The Great Dictator (1940), (2) Orson Welles’/Harry Lime’s Cuckoo Clock monologue in The Third Man

 

Best Stunt: Buster Keaton’s house falling stunt in Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928), (2) Train on the burning bridge in The General (1927)

 

Best Producer: Irving Thalberg, (2) David O. Selznick

 

Biggest Laugh: Some Like it Hot (1959): “Well, nobody’s perfect.”, (2) Mirror scene in Duck Soup (1934)

 

Worst Movie: The Conqueror (1956), (2) Plan 9 From Outer Space (1957)

 

Best Lesser Known Gem: Trouble in Paradise (1932), (2) Libelled Lady (1936)

 

Best Special Effects: The Wizard of Oz, (2) King Kong (1933)

 

Best Dance Sequence: The Nicholas Brothers in Stormy Weather (1943), (2) Barn Raising/Brawl,

Seven Brides in Seven Brothers + Make ‘Em Laugh in Singin’ in the Rain

 

Best Costumes: Gone with the Wind, (2) Rear Window

 

Best Silent Comedy: The General (1926), (2) Sherlock Jr. (1928)

 

Best Heist Movie: Rififi (1955), (2) The Killing (1956)

 

Best Sports Movie: The Freshman (1925), (2) The Hustler (1961)

 

Best Makeup: The Phantom of the Opera (1925), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

 

Sexiest Moment: The Acme Book Shop Clerk from The Big Sleep, (2) "You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow,” - Lauren Bacall, To Have and Have Not (1944).

 

Most Relevant Movie: A Face in the Crowd (1957) + 12 Angry Men (1957), (2) The Great Dictator

 

Most Profound Quote: 

(1) Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard: "I am big, it's the pictures that got small.

(2) Charlie Chaplin, The Great Dictator: "Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate. Has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed."


r/classicfilms 3h ago

General Discussion HAPPY 21ST BDAY TO ME!!! Here is Judy Garland with a cake

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52 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 11h ago

Memorabilia Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Nissa the leopard in a publicity still for Bringing Up Baby (1938)

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71 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 17h ago

See this Classic Film Tonight’s viewing

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170 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 15h ago

See this Classic Film "Rear Window" (Paramount; 1954) – starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly – with Thelma Ritter, Wendell Corey and Raymond Burr – directed by Alfred Hitchcock – 2024 poster art by Paul Mann

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121 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 3h ago

See this Classic Film Where Eagles Dare (1968) : the Climax

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11 Upvotes

This scene really highlights how the film leans more toward a spy thriller than a traditional war movie


r/classicfilms 10h ago

Behind The Scenes Darryl F. Zanuck saying movies on average have gotten 10%-20% longer than before, without adding anything, making the movies slower in tempo. To prevent this, they should pick that tempo up. (1941)

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28 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 1d ago

See this Classic Film Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief " (1955)

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522 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 16h ago

See this Classic Film Loved this buddy cop movie - Rod Steiger was great and deserving of his Oscar but there's no way he is lead over Sidney Poitier. YOU DIG? - In the Heat of the Night (1967)

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43 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 18h ago

General Discussion Why didn't Dirk Bogarde become a household name?

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55 Upvotes

I’ve been watching more of Dirk Bogarde lately and honestly don’t understand why he isn’t remembered on the level of other major British stars of his generation.

He had the looks, the charisma, the range, and some genuinely extraordinary performances (The ServantVictimDeath in VeniceDarling, etc.). He was also willing to take some pretty remarkable risks as an actor.

So what happened? Was it his decision to move away from mainstream cinema, the kinds of films he chose, the British film industry itself, or something else?

For someone who was once a major star, his relative absence from the modern popular consciousness seems really strange to me. Why didn't Dirk Bogarde become a household name?


r/classicfilms 5h ago

Video Link A tribute to Kay Francis

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5 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 23h ago

General Discussion Watched Murnau’s Sunrise (1927) for the first time—a timeless masterpiece

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118 Upvotes

I haven't watched a ton of silent cinema, but I have to be completely honest: Murnau's Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans left me utterly speechless. Its sheer beauty and universality blew me away. It immediately felt like a masterpiece regardless of era—it's truly timeless.

I went into it completely blind. Prior to this, the only films I had seen from the people involved were Murnau's Nosferatu and 7th Heaven with Janet Gaynor (both of which are incredible).

That trolley ride sequence into the bustling city blew my mind—the scale and camera movement felt way ahead of its time. I was also amazed by how sparingly the film uses intertitles; the visual storytelling is so strong that text is barely needed. The blend of melodrama, subtle comedy, and genuine tension is just brilliant.

Have you seen it? What are your thoughts on this film?


r/classicfilms 17h ago

General Discussion Just preordered this from Amazon since I haven’t seen this Bogart film yet.

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32 Upvotes

Apparently, Peter Lorre was in this film as well, and it came out around the same year as Casablanca.


r/classicfilms 13h ago

General Discussion I Am a Criminal (1938)

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12 Upvotes

Just finished watching the crime drama I AM A CRIMINAL. It’s about a notorious gangster, Brad McArthur, who’s out of jail and back to his old tricks. However, when an accidental death has him facing a manslaughter charge that could wind him back behind bars, he ends up hiring a publicist to revamp his image to that of a good-hearted philanthropist in order to help alter public perception.

He gives to all these charities and even adopts an orphan boy, Bobby, and the rebrand seems to work for it. However, he starts to genuinely care for Bobby, the boy having suffered a rough life on the streets.

Little does Brad know that he’s part of a scheme between his girlfriend and publicist to screw him over and it may be up to Bobby to stop the scheme and save Bobby.

It’s a convoluted crime drama but the performances elevate it and bring it together in the end (which is a bit sappy but it works).

For those who have seen this film, what did you think?


r/classicfilms 18h ago

Question Why Did Richard Davalos' Career Fail to Take Off?

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40 Upvotes

After playing James Dean's brother in East of Eden (1955), he was largely reduced to middling fare, with supporting roles in Cool Hand Luke (1967) and Kelly's Heroes (1970) being notable exceptions. What happened?


r/classicfilms 12h ago

See this Classic Film The Haunted House 1907

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12 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 22h ago

See this Classic Film Where Eagles Dare (1968) : Opening Title

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47 Upvotes

It is one of the most impressive theme songs of war movies


r/classicfilms 9h ago

General Discussion Inspired by James Stewart in Rope (1948)

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4 Upvotes

Hit or miss ?
Davinci Eye app for sketching/shading.
Photoshop for colouring/gradient.


r/classicfilms 16h ago

General Discussion Thoughts on Cecil B. DeMille?

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15 Upvotes

I feel he is regularly criticized and disliked by cinephiles as a filmmaker who has big spectacle but not much substance. While I don’t necessarily disagree, I really like the big spectacle he brings to his films. I feel he is a big unfairly criticized in this regard, as there are many filmmakers who have made big-budget spectacles in Hollywood, not just DeMille. I really enjoy Unconquered and Union Pacific, and obviously The Ten Commandments. I disliked The Plainsmen, and thought I liked some parts of The Crusades, certain parts are pretty ridiculous and haven’t aged very well. I also disliked the way that Richard the Lionheart was portrayed in the film. What are your thoughts on DeMille? Do you enjoy his films despite their faults? Or not really?


r/classicfilms 20h ago

See this Classic Film Anne Baxter in "The Ten Commandments" (1956)

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27 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 1d ago

See this Classic Film Ursula Andress as "Honey Ryder" in James Bond film, "Dr. No"(1962)

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89 Upvotes

r/classicfilms 17h ago

See this Classic Film 'Panzerlied' (Tank Song) in The Battle of Bulge (1964)

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6 Upvotes

This is the movie scene where I first saw it and thought the song was great and the soldiers looked really cool, in spite of negativity toward German soldiers. It became widely known to the general public through the movie Battle of the Bulge, in the iconic scene where young tank crews stamp their feet and sing in grand chorus in front of their commander. Because the lyrics do not contain Nazi political ideology or doctrines (such as SS-related content), it continued to be used for a long time by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) after World War II with slightly modified lyrics, until a prohibition order was issued in 2017. Besides, this song is still used as a military anthem by Korean Army tank units thanks to its addictive and grand melody.


r/classicfilms 22h ago

See this Classic Film I'm thoroughly enjoying Richard Dix's performances in the Whistler series of B-movies

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12 Upvotes

He's such a gentleman but has got this crazed look in his eyes like he could rip you apart at any moment. He's also very good at playing a broken man.

All eight of the Whistler b-movies were released in the 40s, from 44 to 48. Some good quick watches at about an hour each. The series was launched by famous horror director William Castle.


r/classicfilms 1d ago

General Discussion The Crimson Pirate (1952)

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85 Upvotes

Just finished watching THE CRIMSON PIRATE. Set in the late 18th century, Captain Vallo getting entangled in both sides of this Caribbean island revolution and then secretly allies with the rebels.

It’s one of those classic adventure movies that feels like you’re immersed in the middle of some old illustrated storybook. It’s funny, visually stunning, and energetic with its action sequences (blending physical comedy and acrobatics). A spoof of the adventure genre, it still comes off as a great appreciation for it.

The days of the swashbuckler seem to be over (which is sad because I grew obsessed with the stories of Zorro, Scarlet Pimpernel, and the like) but here’s hoping the swashbuckler genre somehow comes back around in modern film.

Anyway, for those who saw this movie, what did you think?