Classics
What we know today as Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day, recognizing the end of the Great War when the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. After World War I ended, the veterans who served in that war were known as the “forgotten man,” neglected by the government. Here is just a highlight of those who served in World War I and later had successful film careers:
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‘Tis the season for festive libations, holiday cheer, crackling fires, and viewing your roster of holiday movies. Many of us have these yearly essentials, but that doesn’t mean we can’t add some new (old) favorites. Building on Raquel’s list of 5 Gems from the 1940s, I’ll recommend six more classic Christmas-themed films available for rent on DVD.com to warm your hearts this holiday season.
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You can’t talk about legendary Hollywood romances without talking about Bogie (Humphrey Bogart) and Bacall (Lauren Bacall). The two actors first met on the set of their film To Have and Have Not (1944) and the attraction was instant. On the set, Bogie stopped by Bacall’s trailer to wish her goodnight. He gave her a kiss and asked that she write her phone number on the back of a box of matches. And so their romance began.
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The summer season brings sunshine, high temperatures, and a carefree feeling. But what if you want the feeling of summer without getting a sunburn by the pool?
There are a few summer films that allow you to stay inside in the air conditioning. Dive into these films.
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When Audrey Hepburn made it to the set of Roman Holiday (1953), her first major screen role, Gregory Peck told the studio to put her name above the title, alongside his own, because he knew she was going to be a star. Audiences were immediately taken by her, but for someone who made grace and charm seem effortless, there was a deeper, darker side.
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The 1950s is one of my favorite decades for films but it often gets overlooked. It’s not all Leave it to Beaver wholesomeness as some might have you believe. There were some thrilling and provocative movies that came out of this era. It was a particularly difficult time for Hollywood as it was facing two major competitors: television and foreign film. Households across the country were staying home to watch their favorite shows. Meanwhile, the Production Code, a list of strict rules mandating how films treated sex, crime and other issues of morality, was still in full force. This greatly affected what filmmakers could show on screen. Foreign films were not controlled by this Code and offered stories that were more adult and risqué than what American filmmakers was offering.
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The year 1949 brought us one of the single greatest years in the immediate post-war cinema. These seven films look closely at the world through hazy shades of grey (with the exception of one film, which aims for pure escapism from recent horrors). These seven films – and one could argue easily for the inclusion of another four or five on this list – represent the must-see essentials for anyone looking seriously at post-war cinema, both at home and abroad. These selections might be more than 70 years old, but they’ve never been more relevant.
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After World War II, several servicemen went to Hollywood for their post-war careers. However, some actors left Hollywood to serve during the war—some as civilians and others in the military.
Some returned to Hollywood changed, not as fresh-faced and lighthearted as they were before their war experiences. And some were killed, unable to return at all. Here are just a few of Hollywood’s top stars who served in World War II:
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Crowds of ration-weary movie goers found refuge in darkened movie houses during the 1940s. Many men were off at war, and many weren’t ever coming home. Because of this, more women than ever were working outside the home to help factories keep up with production. So, a couple of hours at the movies was probably welcome relief for them – if they had time to go, that is. Let’s take a look at some of the notable Academy Award winners of the 1940s.
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No other cinematic accomplishment could be more jaw-droppingly impressive than Agnès Varda’s creation of La Pointe Courte. It was Varda’s first feature film and was referred to as “the first film of the nouvelle vague” by Georges Sadoul. The Belgian-born, French film director is considered a timeless inspiration for young filmmakers because of her cult classics.
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