To be fair, I came to this post via an odd route. Yesterday's post over at A Continuous Lean wrote quite a bit about Steve McQueen and his personal style. It was a cool post, and be sure to check out the photos at the bottom. Of course, I can't think about Steve McQueen and not think about his roles in The Thomas Crown Affair and Bullitt.
Bullitt is like all three of the films I'll talk about today - I came to them later, after I shed my notions of movies as a teenager and young adult. I used to think older films were corny, but many of them have a great deal of merit - these three just happen to be my favorites. Bullitt stars Steve McQueen and is set in 1960's San Francisco. It's a classic crime drama, with plenty of action, but McQueen's acting turns it into something a bit deeper. It's very cool, even after 40 years, and still has a great story. Here's the trailer:
Bullitt also has what is widely considered to be the "best" car chase scene, ever. If you'd rather wait to see it, skip this clip. If not, check this clip of the scene out (and listen to that Mustang)!
Charade is the second film I want to recommend to you. It stars Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn (as well as James Coburn). I think this is the progenitor of the romantic comedy, but it has a good plot and enough action to keep it compelling. This is my favorite role Cary Grant ever played, he is both oh so cool and oh so funny in this movie. Also, the title sequence is a really cool mid-century design piece. Without further ado, here's the trailer:
The Third Man is the oldest movie on the list I am sharing today. It's a wonderful example of film noir, and set in postwar Vienna. Joseph Cotten is the leading man, supported by a young Orson Welles. It's a great film with a terrible trailer:
What are your favorite old movies? Jen and I would like to know!!!
Oh, let's watch old movies this weekend! We must not ever get rid of Bullitt, The Third Man, or Charade, as I love them all. The title sequence for Charade is so fabulous and the theme from The Third Man is both delightful and haunting.
ReplyDeleteI have a special soft spot for Cary Grant movies as, one summer in my youth, we watched almost all of his movies along with all of Doris Day's films. "Operation Petticoat" was one of my favorites as a child. "That Touch of Mink", "To Catch a Thief", and "North by Northwest" - all so good. Steve McQueen was a favorite of mine during my early teen years as I have seen "The Great Escape" more times than I care to admit.
Fun post!
See, I've never really gotten into the Great Escape. I am glad you liked the post, though! I didn't know what I was going to write, but then it hit me!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the recommendations! I love old movies and love the idea of combining them with fall even more. :) I haven't seen any of your three recommendations so its a great start.
ReplyDeleteWith Halloween on its way, I've been thinking a lot about Hitchcock films, naturally. I also love anything with Katherine Hepburn.
Charade is one of my all time favorites. I love the shower scene. I haven't seen the other two, but will add them to my list.
ReplyDeleteCharade is one of the best movies ever . . . good choice. My favorite is a movie from the Great Depression era starring William Powell and Carole Lombard - Powell is a 'forgotten man' that teaches a wealthy family that caring for others is more important than just having wealth: http://free-classic-movies.com/movies/1936-My-Man-Godfrey/
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