Top 10 Classic Hollywood Movies That Properly Handled Serious Topics
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Missinyellow
I feel like the bit on Wonderful Life misses an important part of the film's message: George has the opportunity to get ahead multiple times, but the catch is he'd have to take it at the expense of his community. And every time, he can't do it, because at his core he wants to help people - so he keeps putting his own dreams and ambitions on hold to keep pulling the community back from the edge of collapse, until he finally can't take it anymore and has a breakdown. THAT'S when he goes to jump off a bridge. And the community repays him for all the sacrifices he's made at the end of the film by coming together for HIM this time. It's not that he's stymied by fate despite his best efforts. He CAN have the things he wants, he just can't have them without stepping on other people to get there, and that's what he keeps steadfastly refusing to do.
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I feel like the bit on Wonderful Life misses an important part of the film's message: George has the opportunity to get ahead multiple times, but the catch is he'd have to take it at the expense of his community. And every time, he can't do it, because at his core he wants to help people - so he keeps putting his own dreams and ambitions on hold to keep pulling the community back from the edge of collapse, until he finally can't take it anymore and has a breakdown. THAT'S when he goes to jump off a bridge. And the community repays him for all the sacrifices he's made at the end of the film by coming together for HIM this time. It's not that he's stymied by fate despite his best efforts. He CAN have the things he wants, he just can't have them without stepping on other people to get there, and that's what he keeps steadfastly refusing to do.
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Bryn
the 1959 IMITATION OF LIFE was a remake of 1934.
Don't know about INN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT; Tibbs had a lot more shouting and being locked up than in the novel and, rather significantly, had to keep being saved by the white police chief, when he was a big city detective who ought to be able to take care of himself.
PATHS OF GLORY made the French army look bad; it's hard to find a Hollywood movie doing the same for US Armed Services, but you might try the UK co-production MAN IN THE MIDDLE, with American and British establishments try to brush away a racist psychopath find a home in the US Army till he does a murder in plain sight.
you missed OF MICE AND MEN, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, CROSSFIRE, INTRUDER IN THE DUST, NO WAY OUT (1950, OUTRAGE (1950, BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK,
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the 1959 IMITATION OF LIFE was a remake of 1934.
Don't know about INN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT; Tibbs had a lot more shouting and being locked up than in the novel and, rather significantly, had to keep being saved by the white police chief, when he was a big city detective who ought to be able to take care of himself.
PATHS OF GLORY made the French army look bad; it's hard to find a Hollywood movie doing the same for US Armed Services, but you might try the UK co-production MAN IN THE MIDDLE, with American and British establishments try to brush away a racist psychopath find a home in the US Army till he does a murder in plain sight.
you missed OF MICE AND MEN, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, CROSSFIRE, INTRUDER IN THE DUST, NO WAY OUT (1950, OUTRAGE (1950, BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK,
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daniel
Yes, The Grapes of Wrath as was mentioned below; Gentleman's Agreement, ; The Lost Weekend; Crossfire; Make Way for Tomorrow by Leo McCarey, about an elderly couple being shuffled out to separate living quarters in the last moments of their long marriage; a couple of dozen more, no doubt. I watched Guess Who is Coming to Dinner the other day. Save for Spencer Tracy, it leaves me kind of cold. It's statement, for 1967, was as good as it could have been, I suppose, but too manufactured, like a lawn newly mowed without any hint of having had a life.
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Yes, The Grapes of Wrath as was mentioned below; Gentleman's Agreement, ; The Lost Weekend; Crossfire; Make Way for Tomorrow by Leo McCarey, about an elderly couple being shuffled out to separate living quarters in the last moments of their long marriage; a couple of dozen more, no doubt. I watched Guess Who is Coming to Dinner the other day. Save for Spencer Tracy, it leaves me kind of cold. It's statement, for 1967, was as good as it could have been, I suppose, but too manufactured, like a lawn newly mowed without any hint of having had a life.
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Emily
I know you folks tend to focus on American/Hollywood-based films for lists like this, but I think that Fritz Lang's early German-language procedural thriller M not even receiving an honorable mention is a crime. It is a film that not only tackles some very tricky questions regarding social responsibility, moral finger-pointing, and even when mental illness crosses with criminal justice, but it purposefully does not give a definitive resolution to what the right answer is. It's be nice to see more foreign films also get some attention.
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I know you folks tend to focus on American/Hollywood-based films for lists like this, but I think that Fritz Lang's early German-language procedural thriller M not even receiving an honorable mention is a crime. It is a film that not only tackles some very tricky questions regarding social responsibility, moral finger-pointing, and even when mental illness crosses with criminal justice, but it purposefully does not give a definitive resolution to what the right answer is. It's be nice to see more foreign films also get some attention.
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Be
I have issue with GUESS WHOSE COMING TO DINNER. Joey, daughter, talks down to Tillie --the family's housekeeper and cook. Joey says she's progressive yet it is she who insist it is not a problem extra meat nd prepare additional portions with less than 3 hours for the meal that was planned, add extra place settings while she goes out to visit friends; offering no help. Joey also believes Tillie and she were friends ever since she was a child. Her tone is also condescending.
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I have issue with GUESS WHOSE COMING TO DINNER. Joey, daughter, talks down to Tillie --the family's housekeeper and cook. Joey says she's progressive yet it is she who insist it is not a problem extra meat nd prepare additional portions with less than 3 hours for the meal that was planned, add extra place settings while she goes out to visit friends; offering no help. Joey also believes Tillie and she were friends ever since she was a child. Her tone is also condescending.
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Gevie
One old Hollywood film I would love to include for the sake of this list is Sullivan's Travels because in that film, it touches upon some of the realistic aspects of what it's like to work in the film industry during the 1940's. At the time when some film directors or actors were growing desperate to pursue their own ambitions, despite the demands of other filmmakers to produce other projects, besides the ones they want to do next.
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One old Hollywood film I would love to include for the sake of this list is Sullivan's Travels because in that film, it touches upon some of the realistic aspects of what it's like to work in the film industry during the 1940's. At the time when some film directors or actors were growing desperate to pursue their own ambitions, despite the demands of other filmmakers to produce other projects, besides the ones they want to do next.
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Letticia
Charlie Chaplin also said about the movie that he made The Great Dictator that had he known just what was going on in Germany and specifically the final solution the mass extermination I'm more than 10 million people in total Jews Gypsies the handicapped the politically incorrect Etc he would not have made this movie we look now back at it as a great movie as a masterpiece, the irony is he was ashamed of it.
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Charlie Chaplin also said about the movie that he made The Great Dictator that had he known just what was going on in Germany and specifically the final solution the mass extermination I'm more than 10 million people in total Jews Gypsies the handicapped the politically incorrect Etc he would not have made this movie we look now back at it as a great movie as a masterpiece, the irony is he was ashamed of it.
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Jon
If nothing else I feel these two movies definitely deserve a spot in an honorable mention list. The movies are A Few Good Men which deals with the topics of law in the military, how it is enforced and who it is enforced upon. The other is Dead Man Walking which depicted the final hours of both not only the convicted going to death row but also the lawyer who fights for him or her. Both very powerful.
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If nothing else I feel these two movies definitely deserve a spot in an honorable mention list. The movies are A Few Good Men which deals with the topics of law in the military, how it is enforced and who it is enforced upon. The other is Dead Man Walking which depicted the final hours of both not only the convicted going to death row but also the lawyer who fights for him or her. Both very powerful.
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Amanda
I remember watching The Days of Wine and Roses with Jack Lemmon with my mom as a teenager and thinking how amazing and heartwrenching it was. It was a couple who fall into the despair of severe alcoholism yet it was made sometime in the early 60s I believe so not something portrayed all that often.
Oh hey, it's on the list! How about that!
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I remember watching The Days of Wine and Roses with Jack Lemmon with my mom as a teenager and thinking how amazing and heartwrenching it was. It was a couple who fall into the despair of severe alcoholism yet it was made sometime in the early 60s I believe so not something portrayed all that often.
Oh hey, it's on the list! How about that!
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Manuel
I discovered West Side Story, To Kill A Mockingbird and Its A Wonderful Life as a high school student. But putting Guess Whos Coming To Dinner as an honorable mention is a shame. With each of these four classics, I didnt know what was in store or why theyve remained so beloved years later.
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I discovered West Side Story, To Kill A Mockingbird and Its A Wonderful Life as a high school student. But putting Guess Whos Coming To Dinner as an honorable mention is a shame. With each of these four classics, I didnt know what was in store or why theyve remained so beloved years later.
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wowbobwow37
I don't know if it was because he was blacklisted, but Elia Kazan is often overlooked on lists like this or a similar nature. He made a career of making films concerning difficult topics: Gentleman's Agreement, Baby Doll, On The Waterfront. Splendor in the Grass
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I don't know if it was because he was blacklisted, but Elia Kazan is often overlooked on lists like this or a similar nature. He made a career of making films concerning difficult topics: Gentleman's Agreement, Baby Doll, On The Waterfront. Splendor in the Grass
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Frederick
For the first time in history, I agree with all 10 of your movies. Yes, I would change the order example( Number one would have been number 2 in number 2, which would have been number 1) And wanted to others would have changed, but to top 10 with spot on.
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For the first time in history, I agree with all 10 of your movies. Yes, I would change the order example( Number one would have been number 2 in number 2, which would have been number 1) And wanted to others would have changed, but to top 10 with spot on.
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Maria
I would love to see Blossoms in the Dust 1941 based on Edna Gladney's work of getting rid of the word illegitimate on birth certificates. Such a deep and wonderful film. Also The Inn of the Sixth Happiness based on Gladys Alyward as a missionary in China
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I would love to see Blossoms in the Dust 1941 based on Edna Gladney's work of getting rid of the word illegitimate on birth certificates. Such a deep and wonderful film. Also The Inn of the Sixth Happiness based on Gladys Alyward as a missionary in China
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Eric
It may be a little more lightweight compared to some of these others, but Mr. Smith Goes to Washington sure does an entertaining job of showing how Washington works (long before C-SPAN ever existed) and the corrosive effects of partisanship and cronyism.
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It may be a little more lightweight compared to some of these others, but Mr. Smith Goes to Washington sure does an entertaining job of showing how Washington works (long before C-SPAN ever existed) and the corrosive effects of partisanship and cronyism.
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R1ckDeckard
12 Angry Men is very important, especially these days. It showed me how important it is to consider others' point of view, stand for your ideas and be able to justifiy them, and that it's OK to change your mind without compromising own's integrity
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12 Angry Men is very important, especially these days. It showed me how important it is to consider others' point of view, stand for your ideas and be able to justifiy them, and that it's OK to change your mind without compromising own's integrity
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Heath
Why must you ALWAYS use colorized clips of films when you find the very bad colorizations (just like Janet Gaynors A Star Is Born, youve done it again with Its A Wonderful Life) vs the actual original prints?
Please make this stop.
Just STOP.
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Why must you ALWAYS use colorized clips of films when you find the very bad colorizations (just like Janet Gaynors A Star Is Born, youve done it again with Its A Wonderful Life) vs the actual original prints?
Please make this stop.
Just STOP.
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Ema
15: 30. That address, in an almost empty movie theater, in the last times of Chilean dictatorship (when even the use of the word dictator was a conflicting matter) had a remarkable moving effect. Specially when the scarce audience applauded it.
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15: 30. That address, in an almost empty movie theater, in the last times of Chilean dictatorship (when even the use of the word dictator was a conflicting matter) had a remarkable moving effect. Specially when the scarce audience applauded it.
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Emilie
It's weird to see It's A Wonderful Life in color lol Some movies I think should always be seen in black and white.
And there's no doubt that To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the best, most important movies/books ever made.
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It's weird to see It's A Wonderful Life in color lol Some movies I think should always be seen in black and white.
And there's no doubt that To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the best, most important movies/books ever made.
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DivinaMonique
I always felt bad for George Bailey. Yes, he learned his life was important for everyone else, but what about him. George wanted to travel and go to school he had to give up his dreams for everyone else to succeed
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I always felt bad for George Bailey. Yes, he learned his life was important for everyone else, but what about him. George wanted to travel and go to school he had to give up his dreams for everyone else to succeed
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J.
13: 38 They couldnt have gotten a biracial actress (Im sure they were in short supply) or at least someone at least halfway convincing?
What am I saying, its around the same time John Wayne was cast as an Asian man.
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13: 38 They couldnt have gotten a biracial actress (Im sure they were in short supply) or at least someone at least halfway convincing?
What am I saying, its around the same time John Wayne was cast as an Asian man.
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Dan_Gaming_Fan
_To Kill a Mockingbird_ does an amazing job at taking a deep look into racism in the justice system, and the South in general, and showing that there's always a beacon of hope even in the darkest of times.
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_To Kill a Mockingbird_ does an amazing job at taking a deep look into racism in the justice system, and the South in general, and showing that there's always a beacon of hope even in the darkest of times.
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Chantara27
Imitation of Life has always been a favorite in my family. The sadness over Sarah Jane rejecting her mother simply for being Black is devastating. The ending is the very definition of a tearjerker
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Imitation of Life has always been a favorite in my family. The sadness over Sarah Jane rejecting her mother simply for being Black is devastating. The ending is the very definition of a tearjerker
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Indigo
Great list! I would add Twelve O Clock High, a WW2 movie with Gregory Peck that tackles depression and PTSD. It has its flaws, but for the time it was a pretty brutal depiction of WW2.
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Great list! I would add Twelve O Clock High, a WW2 movie with Gregory Peck that tackles depression and PTSD. It has its flaws, but for the time it was a pretty brutal depiction of WW2.
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Juan
Spencer Tracy last scene (literally for him) always got me into tears and proud.
But Chaplain's speach is the most powerful and profound speach about humanity I ever heard
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Spencer Tracy last scene (literally for him) always got me into tears and proud.
But Chaplain's speach is the most powerful and profound speach about humanity I ever heard
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Dennis
The sad thing is that these days movies are accused of being woke if they deal with social injustice. Trump supporters and similar crazy people are ruining the planet.
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The sad thing is that these days movies are accused of being woke if they deal with social injustice. Trump supporters and similar crazy people are ruining the planet.
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kevseb66
In Westside Story & Imitation of Life white actors were casted as people of color. In some ways things have truly changed and in others we still have so far to go.
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In Westside Story & Imitation of Life white actors were casted as people of color. In some ways things have truly changed and in others we still have so far to go.
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James
Dr. Strangelove, Kubrick's satiric masterpiece, is a hilarious and terrifying look at the futility and danger of the arms race and the military-industrial complex.
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Dr. Strangelove, Kubrick's satiric masterpiece, is a hilarious and terrifying look at the futility and danger of the arms race and the military-industrial complex.
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Sheila
A Touch of Blue is a classic that dealt with the issues of race, class and diversity masterfully. The Grapes of Wrath examined life in the Great Depression.
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A Touch of Blue is a classic that dealt with the issues of race, class and diversity masterfully. The Grapes of Wrath examined life in the Great Depression.
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ghw7192
I hate Its a Wonderful Life and refuse to watch it. I would replace it with any of the Honerable Mentions, but the rest of the list is well chosen.
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I hate Its a Wonderful Life and refuse to watch it. I would replace it with any of the Honerable Mentions, but the rest of the list is well chosen.
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Suresh
How do you define classical? Is it before a certain year? Schindler's List is almost 30 years old. Would that fall under the classical genre today?
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How do you define classical? Is it before a certain year? Schindler's List is almost 30 years old. Would that fall under the classical genre today?
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