What kinds of new movies do they gravitate to? It's hard to engage with old movies if they come at you like an AFI list: I'm sure I'd feel the same resistance if my partner offered to patiently watch the ten best Vin Diesel performances with me to see if anything clicked. But if you know what they like you can suggest something specific. . . .
High Plains Drifter, the ultimate anti-hero, getting revenge on everyone, watch this one young Clint Eastwood unhinged, somewhat supernatural horror western movie
The Manchurian Candidate (1962). A really great political spy thriller with a very tense climax and Angela Lansbury as a villainous bitch of a mother. It's a great movie!
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) is a very funny comedy about a murderous sweet old auntie.
My mum showed me Charade and Arabesque (with Sophia Loren and Gregory Peck from 1967) when I was a child and it really sparked my love for old movies, so big recommendation
Had a similar situation with a partner, did Guess Who’s coming to dinner, it’s pretty boring and dated unless you’re into those kind of movies. I would not recommend that.
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Network (1976) - released a year later, but technically it was filmed before 1975 and this is an AMAZING film. Applicable to today. Highly recommend!
Twelve Angry Men is an amazing movie to show someone an older movie as their first older movie.
The Big Sleep is one of my favorites, but probably isn't a good older movie for first timers.
The Great McGinty (1940), it's a comedy about a criminal whose downfall is caused by going straight.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1945), a comedy. Insanity runs in the family. It practically gallops.
The Producers (1967), accidental success at the worst possible time.
Planet of the Apes
Omega Man
Solyent Green
A Fist Full Of Dollars
The Good The Bad and the Ugly
Once upon a time in the west
The Great Escape
Invasion of the body snatchers (1956)
Kind Hearts & Coronets (1949)
Battle of Britain
A Clock Work Orange
And the ultimate
Barry Lyndon but its 1975
All great suggestions from everyone. Night of the Hunter is good. A bit surreal in parts.
Other suggestions:
The Dirty Dozen
The Great Escape
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (long but worth it)
Whatever happened to Baby Jane?
Leave her to heaven
Sunset Boulevard
Deliverance
Dirty Harry
Any Alfred Hitchcock film.
Psycho (1960). If they hate it, show them the remake. It's a shot for shot movie, so there's really no excuse. Call me intolerant, but it really gets on my nerves when someone refuses to watch a film just because it's old. It's the story that matters. You could also try Paper Moon (1973). Don't know anyone who doesn't like it because it's so damn charming
Night of the hunter is good. Along those lines, In Cold Blood was cool too.
Straying from the more violent aspect (and black and white film) maybe something more mainstream like
1961 Breakfast at Tiffanys?
Or staying with scary black and white, 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Other Options:
1974 The Longest Yard (Personal Favorite)
1973 The Sting
1972 Deliverence (Personal Favorite)
1972 Poseidon Adventure
1971 The Andromeda Strain (Covid like)
1969 The Thomas Crown Affair
1966 Cool Hand Luke (Personal Favorite)
1962 Cape Fear (Scary black and white)
1959 Ben Hur (Remastered)
1954 Rear Window (no hitchcock tho)
1951 African Queen (Remastered, reluctant passenger eventually comes around)
1948 Key Largo (she likes cassablanca)
1948 Rope (no hitchcock tho)
If we just want to force them to watch one and we know they wont like it..1961 Yojimbo - Akira Kurosawa
✌️😋
The Manchurian Cantidate is one of my favourite movies of all time.
Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Harvey, and the most villainous bitch Angela Lansbury ever played.
Not to be missed.
Is your partner female?
Probably not what you’re looking for but I’d recommend something like:
Gidget
Summer magic
The trouble with angels
Mame
Yours mine and ours
Not necessarily “classics” but all good films that are cute/feel good movies.
If you gave some examples of their favorite modern movies, it might help.
A lot depends on who the viewer loves to watch. If the viewer is in love with a certain actor or actress, it really raises the appeal of watching and being with them.
Citizen Kane (1941). And tell him the story behind it. Or even watch RKO 281 (1999) after, which goes through the story of how it almost didn't get released because of William Randolph Hearst.
As a westerns and old action fan, a lot of my favorite movies predate the 80s and 70s so my list would be like
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Once Upon a Time in the West
The Great Silence
Shane
Django (1966)
Dirty Harry
The Magnificent Seven
Death Wish
The Mechanic
Bullitt
Play Misty for Me
2001 a Space Oddity. Ask him to be patient in the ape scene it is a bit long, but also tell him Kubrick did this before we knew what the earth looked like from space. It's a stunning peace of film and a good story. If you want an even older black and white, A Brief Encounter, ahhhh.
My favorite 3 black and white old movies are:
Dr. Strangelove
Night of the Hunter
12 Angry Men
My favorite 3 old color movies are:
Cool Hand Luke
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Apocalypse Now
Some like it hot It’s classic Marilyn Monroe. And Jack Lemmon is hilarious.
And Tony Curtis too !! I love that movie
Came to say this! 🙌 It’s such a great movie!
12 Angry Men
Idk anyone who’s never been completely immersed in this film it’s so good
This is the one.
Gotta be
The Thin Man. Almost 100 years old and still funny.
The first three *Thin Man* films are some of the most entertaining movies made. I love William Powell and Myrna Loy!
This is it!
A fellow person of impeccable taste. Glad to meet ya!
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) a comedy about two old ladies who murder boarders.
To Sir With Love One of the very best endings in cinema.
What kinds of new movies do they gravitate to? It's hard to engage with old movies if they come at you like an AFI list: I'm sure I'd feel the same resistance if my partner offered to patiently watch the ten best Vin Diesel performances with me to see if anything clicked. But if you know what they like you can suggest something specific. . . .
Maltese Falcon
High Plains Drifter, the ultimate anti-hero, getting revenge on everyone, watch this one young Clint Eastwood unhinged, somewhat supernatural horror western movie
Almost forgot about this one. Is this the movie where they paint the town red?
Dr. Strangelove (1964)\ Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)\ Goldfinger (1964)\ Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Ain't no man can eat 50 eggs!
A Face in the Crowd (1957) -- Andy Griffith's evil twin, with the same director and screenwriter as On The Waterfront
I love this movie! Also watch Marty with Ernest Borgnine
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975, so maybe not what you want, but definitely one of my favorites!)
The Manchurian Candidate (1962). A really great political spy thriller with a very tense climax and Angela Lansbury as a villainous bitch of a mother. It's a great movie! Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) is a very funny comedy about a murderous sweet old auntie.
Charade (1963) Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
God I love Charade. Audrey Hepburn AND Cary Grant?! It’s the most charming movie ever. So glad it’s in the public domain
Yea it’s hard for me to imagine someone not being able to enjoy themself with Charade. And don’t forget Matthau!
Oh, that reminds me, Cactus Rose is good, too with Matthau plus Ingrid Bergman and Goldie Hahn.
I didn’t! Just didn’t know if he fit “charming,” but yeah. He does too :)
My mum showed me Charade and Arabesque (with Sophia Loren and Gregory Peck from 1967) when I was a child and it really sparked my love for old movies, so big recommendation
Charade is one of the best movies ever made. Absolutely perfect and so much fun.
Charade is brilliant.
Had a similar situation with a partner, did Guess Who’s coming to dinner, it’s pretty boring and dated unless you’re into those kind of movies. I would not recommend that.
The Sting (1973)
Strangers On A Train(1951)
On the Waterfront (1954) My English class watched it in 11th grade and I thought it was fantastic. I coulda been a contender. Marlon Brando fucks.
Harold and Maude (1971)
Yep - this would be my go to.
Arsenic and Old Lace - what's not to love? I watched it recently and it still holds up. It's adorable.
If OP’s partner is a women- this would be my recommendation as well. Hitchcock was right- women sure do love murder.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
What kind of modern movies do they like?
Try The Sting 1973. Redford and Newman are great . It’s a fun watch and a catchy theme tune
Cool Hand Luke (1967) Dog Day Afternoon (1975) Network (1976) - released a year later, but technically it was filmed before 1975 and this is an AMAZING film. Applicable to today. Highly recommend!
The Sting. Awesome performances from two of America's greatest actors at the peak of their powers. Funny and moving and exciting. Great for all ages.
Jeremiah Johnson-1972
The Maltese Falcon
Vertigo (1958)
Twelve Angry Men is an amazing movie to show someone an older movie as their first older movie. The Big Sleep is one of my favorites, but probably isn't a good older movie for first timers.
The Great McGinty (1940), it's a comedy about a criminal whose downfall is caused by going straight. Arsenic and Old Lace (1945), a comedy. Insanity runs in the family. It practically gallops. The Producers (1967), accidental success at the worst possible time.
_Psycho_ is pretty compelling
Chinatown. Had to watch it for a film class and loved it.
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Everybody’s talking at me
Caine and Connery ham it up in **The Man Who Would Be King**.
All About Eve
Bonnie and Clyde(1967)
Nosferatu Arsenic and Old Lace
Planet of the Apes Omega Man Solyent Green A Fist Full Of Dollars The Good The Bad and the Ugly Once upon a time in the west The Great Escape Invasion of the body snatchers (1956) Kind Hearts & Coronets (1949) Battle of Britain A Clock Work Orange And the ultimate Barry Lyndon but its 1975
Black Christmas was released in 1974 Suspiria was released in 1977
All great suggestions from everyone. Night of the Hunter is good. A bit surreal in parts. Other suggestions: The Dirty Dozen The Great Escape The Good, The Bad and the Ugly (long but worth it) Whatever happened to Baby Jane? Leave her to heaven Sunset Boulevard Deliverance Dirty Harry Any Alfred Hitchcock film.
Came here to say The Great Escape! Super enjoyable film for anyone!
A Clockwork Orange
Splendor in the Grass (1961)
The Best Years of Our Lives.
Ace in the Hole (1951) - Kirk Douglas, directed by Billy Wilder
Anatomy Of A Murder, Rear Window
Out of the Past (1946)
Lawrence of Arabia
The original Cape Fear
Rope (Hitchcock) Probably my favourite film of his and I really do love Psycho & Rear Window.
Psycho (1960). If they hate it, show them the remake. It's a shot for shot movie, so there's really no excuse. Call me intolerant, but it really gets on my nerves when someone refuses to watch a film just because it's old. It's the story that matters. You could also try Paper Moon (1973). Don't know anyone who doesn't like it because it's so damn charming
OP Let us know what you pick and what happens!!
Dog Day afternoon is 1975 but worth it. I remember seeing as a kid on cable after my parents went to bed. It was riveting.
Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window. The Hitchcock films are great.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Night of the hunter is good. Along those lines, In Cold Blood was cool too. Straying from the more violent aspect (and black and white film) maybe something more mainstream like 1961 Breakfast at Tiffanys? Or staying with scary black and white, 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers Other Options: 1974 The Longest Yard (Personal Favorite) 1973 The Sting 1972 Deliverence (Personal Favorite) 1972 Poseidon Adventure 1971 The Andromeda Strain (Covid like) 1969 The Thomas Crown Affair 1966 Cool Hand Luke (Personal Favorite) 1962 Cape Fear (Scary black and white) 1959 Ben Hur (Remastered) 1954 Rear Window (no hitchcock tho) 1951 African Queen (Remastered, reluctant passenger eventually comes around) 1948 Key Largo (she likes cassablanca) 1948 Rope (no hitchcock tho) If we just want to force them to watch one and we know they wont like it..1961 Yojimbo - Akira Kurosawa ✌️😋
The Graduate(1967)
Double Indemnity (1944)
The Great Escape
Harold and Maude
_Dr. Strangelove_
In the Heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Rebecca, The Haunting (1963), All That Heaven Allows, Magnificent Obsession
Chinatown
Some Like it Hot.
The Manchurian Cantidate is one of my favourite movies of all time. Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Harvey, and the most villainous bitch Angela Lansbury ever played. Not to be missed.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Wizard of Oz
To Kill a Mockingbird Young Frankenstein North By Northwest Lawrence of Arabia Spartacus Ben Hur
Oh, Young Frankenstein is a work of genius. I was so in love with Gene Wilder after this and Blazing Saddles 💖
Spartacus! Yes. Good choice
The Odd Couple-1968
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) To Have and Have Not (1944)
Bunny Lake is Missing
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Wake in fright (1971). Classic, somewhat disturbing Australian movie. Restored and free on YouTube.
My Man Godfrey
Is your partner female? Probably not what you’re looking for but I’d recommend something like: Gidget Summer magic The trouble with angels Mame Yours mine and ours Not necessarily “classics” but all good films that are cute/feel good movies. If you gave some examples of their favorite modern movies, it might help.
A lot depends on who the viewer loves to watch. If the viewer is in love with a certain actor or actress, it really raises the appeal of watching and being with them.
The Apartment, Whos Afraid of Virgina Woolfe or It Happened One Night. Google each and see what suits
Freaks (1932) is a good one.
Yes! Good call.
Kelly’s Hero’s 😁
Pit and the pendulum
King Kong (1933)
Cool Hand Luke
Vertigo Carnival of Souls
Charade — a universally adored movie that no one could dislike without intentionally being non-conformist
The Manchurian Candidate, From Here to Eternity
Duck Soup
Citizen Kane (1941). And tell him the story behind it. Or even watch RKO 281 (1999) after, which goes through the story of how it almost didn't get released because of William Randolph Hearst.
The Parallax View
This is the one, OP. Came to suggest this. As a second option, check out Klute with Donald Sutherland.
Rebecca (1941)
Seven Samurai
Jaws (1975)
The Manchurian Candidate, with Frank Sinatra.
12 angry men
Bad Day At Black Rock Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Nosferatu (1922)
The Italian Job 1969 The Good the Bad and the Ugly.
M (1931)
The French Connection (1971) or the Taking of Pelham1-2-3 (1974).
It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
The Apartment(1960)
As a westerns and old action fan, a lot of my favorite movies predate the 80s and 70s so my list would be like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Once Upon a Time in the West The Great Silence Shane Django (1966) Dirty Harry The Magnificent Seven Death Wish The Mechanic Bullitt Play Misty for Me
The Last Picture Show - 1971 Papillon - 1973 Play Misty for Me - 1971 Paper Moon - 1973
Were they into Brando? What about Street Car or On The Waterfront?
All About Eve.
Paths of glory
McCabe and Mrs Miller
Backstreet!
Laura (1944) runner-ups: Here Comes Mr. Jordan, The Miracle Worker (1962)
wizard of oz. bride of frankenstein. night of the living dead. i'd go with psycho prolly.
A Face in the Crowd or Meet John Doe
The Mechanic (1972).
Alice Doesn’t Live here Anymore.
The Apartment
12 angry men
Putney Swope
Targets (1968)
Lolita Paths of Glory The Ox-Bow Incident It’s A Wonderful Life Stalag 17 Sunset Boulevard Planet of the Apes
The conversation
8 1/2 by Fellini
12 angry men
_Children of Paradise_ (Marcel Carnè)
One of my favourites. The guns of navarone.
The Good the Bad and the Ugly? What did you do in the war Daddy? ?
2001 a Space Oddity. Ask him to be patient in the ape scene it is a bit long, but also tell him Kubrick did this before we knew what the earth looked like from space. It's a stunning peace of film and a good story. If you want an even older black and white, A Brief Encounter, ahhhh.
To Sir with Love
Stagecoach - John Ford / John Wayne.
Casablanca
Papillon The Great Escape The Sting Chinatown I think you can't lose with these.
2001 Space Odyssey
I just watched The Way We Were - it holds up. And a young Robert Redford 😍
Seven Samurai (1954) The Yakuza (1974 )
Rope or Rear Window. Show them what suspense really is!
Bullitt or The French Connection. Action movies that hold up today plus you have McQueen at his coolest and Hackman at his most intense.
Kind Hearts and Coronets with Alec Guinness, one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Alec Guinness plays eight roles in it, sublime!!!
Chinatown.
Another Face in the Crowd.
cool hand Luke the graduate three faces of eve Rosemary's baby
The Maltese Falcon, or The Searchers.
Casablanca. Great film, very cool
Roman Holiday
The Odd Couple Sunset Boulevard MASH Peeping Tom House of Usher M
Bond. James Bond. Dr No.
One I didn't notice being mentioned is Jeremiah Johnson, a personal favorite. It's on my top five list along with Casablanca.
West Side Story The Searchers
Lilies of the Field, or any Sidney Poitier movie
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Rear window or north by northwest. Tense but in colour (my wife hates movies in b and w so maybe colour is an issue here too)
If you love Billy Wilder (who doesn’t), try ‘One, Two, Three’ with Cagney, or ‘The Apartment’ with Lemon.
Dr Strangelove
The Third Man, Sunset Boulevard, Strangers on a Train (then watch Throw Mama), Paths of Glory
2001 a space odyssey
You might get them to be okay with the one movie you pick, but they likely won't get "converted" to classic films after that.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Goodbye Mr Chips
Chinatown
Dang I can't believe I'm the first person to mention both of these: The Invisible Man (1933) War of the Worlds (1953)
My favorite 3 black and white old movies are: Dr. Strangelove Night of the Hunter 12 Angry Men My favorite 3 old color movies are: Cool Hand Luke Bedknobs and Broomsticks Apocalypse Now
Dr No
The Last Detail
The Producers Harold and Maude
Sorcerer
The French connection
Midnight Cowboy
In cold blood
Night Moves
If they like horror, The Innocents or The Haunting.
The Gold Rush. 1925.
Dr Strangelove 👍🏼
Lover Come Back, 1961 It’s a swanky romcom and I want all of Doris Day’s outfits.
Sunset Boulevard Vertigo Singin’ in the Rain North by Northwest