Rachael Albert, Senior, Assistant Editor
The only reason I like old films may be because of my dad, who forced my brother and me to watch them, even though I’m sure we would’ve preferred Toy Story or Aladdin. As an 8-year-old, all the jokes went over my head, except for the physical comedy, but I am now able to watch these films and laugh even harder because I understand the more sophisticated humor. I am an avid enjoyer of black and white comedies, and they have become some of my favorite movies. Here are my top five old-school films (in no particular order), whose casts are made up of some of the most famous actors and actresses of their times, from Jack Benny and Carole Lombard to Joe E. Brown and Marilyn Monroe.
The Marx Brothers: Duck Soup
Renowned as the best Marx Brothers’ movie of all time, Duck Soup is set in Freedonia, a fictional country that runs into financial troubles. Their neighboring country tactfully sends spies to Freedonia to scope out the situation, and chaos follows as tensions grow. Full of slapstick comedy, this film is the first Marx Brothers movie I fell in love with. Each of the brothers’ personalities and
shticts shine through. It’s a great introduction to black and white film if you are unsure where to start. And, if you don’t know who the Marx Brothers are, you may want to Google it, because they are one of the most famous comedy groups of their time, first as a Vaudeville act, and then expanding onto Broadway and beyond.
To Be or Not To Be
Shakespeare in comedy, perfect! Well, not quite. This film stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny, and it has about as much to do with Hamlet as Star Wars does with Disney. To Be or Not Be is a family favorite of ours, but it has a self-deprecating humor that may not appeal to everyone. The premise is that some Polish Jews are putting on a play about Hitler in 1939, but then the war breaks out. Devastated that they can no longer put on a play about Hitler, they use their acting skills to become spies for Poland and attempt to thwart the Gestapo. This movie always has me laughing from start to finish, and, similar to the Marx Brothers, has a great mix of slapstick and sophisticated comedy. It also has an element of thrill, for the whole movie is a great chase. I cannot recommend this movie enough, especially if you like to laugh.
The Marx Brothers: A Night at the Opera
My personal favorite Marx Brothers film is A Night at the Opera. I could watch it until I memorized the entire script and still not get bored. You might guess that a story about a famous opera singer, a stowaway, and an agent who is terrible at his job all on a boat together would end badly, and you’d be right. A Night at the Opera has that chaotic charm that I wish more modern films had. The first line in the movie is a joke and so is the last, a standard that every Marx Brothers film meets. In addition to the comedy act itself, the movie also stars Kitty Carlisle and Allen Jones, who both give amazing performances.
My Man Godfrey
Starring William Powell and Carole Lombard, My Man Godfrey shows the romance of old cinema, which I love. This movie definitely has less physical humor than the others on this list, but it is just as ridiculous. It follows Mr. Godfrey, a homeless man who was found by a young woman in order to win a scavenger hunt. Godfrey ends up butlering for the rich family and begins to work his way up in the world. The story is cliché but heartwarming, and it reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Again, it’s romantic, and if you were to watch an old movie just for the sake of watching an old movie, I would recommend this one, though I hope you get more out of it than a title to check off on a list.
Some Like it Hot
The most famous of this list, Some Like it Hot’s main cast is Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Joe E. Brown, and Marilyn Monroe. I bet I had you at Marilyn Monroe. Disregarding the significance this movie had on the film industry, of which there is a lot, it is simply a joy to watch. It follows two musicians from New York who, after their old band breaks up because of a run-in with the police, need to find new work. They find a band that is traveling to a gig in Florida, which is perfect because they are also running from the Italian mafia. The one problem is: it’s an all-female band. Dressing in drag, they make their way to Florida, all the while trying to hide their true identities. Some Like it Hot explores taboo themes through comedy, which is one of the best ways to introduce people to new ideas. Saying uncomfortable things through jokes tells the audience, “I know this is awkward to watch, but it’s funny when we all feel awkward together.”