Great movies appeal to every generation, but over time, techniques, taste, and technology change. Here are some tips to help you get the most from classic movies.
1. Give it time
Modern audiences expect quick edits, rapid-fire action and a fast pace. When the movies were young, the pace of life and the pace of movies were both a lot slower than they are today. If classic movies seem to drag, hang in there. Try to see that it's part of their charm, and enjoy the respite from your hectic life.
2. Forget the paint job
Some studios have "
colorized" older films in an attempt to bring new audiences who won't watch black and white movies. It's like smearing pink day-glo blush on a beautiful old lady. See these movies the way the filmmakers did, in nuanced shades of gray.
3. Understand the context
Many classic films were made long before the civil rights era, and even longer before the days of women's liberation. Some moments are so
politically incorrect they can you make you squirm, and some are so awful they all but ruin the rest of the movie. View these moments as snapshots in history. Be grateful about how far we've come, and consider what will make viewers wince 50 years from now.
4. Find a fave director
If you find a classic movie you love, check out other movies by the same director. Filmmakers leave their own distinctive stamp on their movies, and it's fascinating to watch them mature from their early films to more recent offerings. Try
Hitchcock,
Lubitsch,
Hawks or
Curtiz.
5. Follow the stars
Find a favorite actor or actress to trace through the years. You can watch
Katharine Hepburn from her days as an ingénue through her golden years On Golden Pond, or see if you can become the first person in history to get enough of
Cary Grant.
6. Get wide-eyed
As often as possible, try to see classic films on the big screen at festivals and in art houses. Many were made before television was invented.
Citizen Kane can be almost too dark to see on the small screen, but breathtaking when it's 40 feet wide. College campuses, film festivals and art houses are a good bet. In the meantime, try to make friends with someone who has a gigantic TV and a great sound system!
7. Do a bit of research
Check out web sites like the one you're reading right now, or the
Internet Movie Database, or
ReelClassics.com to do a little research before you watch the movie. They'll put the movie in its proper historic context, and provide bits of trivia that will make the film more fun.
8. Try, try again
Don't expect to like classic movies right off the bat. They're an acquired taste, and you may need more than one viewing to get into the rhythm. And don't expect to love a classic film just because a bunch of critics say it's a masterpiece. Find out what you like. In the end, you're the only critic that matters.
