The 1950s were a long time ago, but the decade produced plenty of classic films that are just as powerful and entertaining today. Even for those who don’t usually watch older movies, there are still some masterpieces from the ’50s that are worth breaking this rule for.
Hollywood was gradually transitioning from black-and-white movies to color throughout the 1950s, which means the decade’s finest films offer a mix of the two styles. There are gorgeous, vibrant technicolor masterpieces like Singin’ in the Rain and Vertigo, as well as striking monochrome classics like Rashomon and 12 Angry Men.
10
Vertigo (1958)
Vertigo Could Be Alfred Hitchcock’s Best Thriller
Many of Alfred Hitchcock’s best movies came out in the 1950s. Rear Window, North by Northwest and Dial M for Murder are all considered classics. Vertigo might be the best of Hitchcock’s entire career, and its power to captivate and entertain hasn’t diminished at all over the years.
Rear Window, North by Northwest and Dial M for Murder are all considered classics.
James Stewart delivers a stirring performance as a retired detective who stumbles onto a knotty mystery while trying to conquer his paralyzing fear of heights. Hitchcock uses dolly zooms, San Francisco’s undulating landscape and a dramatic score to visualize the inside of his detective’s mind, which gives Vertigo a personal hook.
9
12 Angry Men (1957)
The Legal Drama Is Filled With Great Performances
There’s a common misconception that 12 Angry Men is based on a stage play or a book, but this is simply because the script is so powerful that it stands out above most other original movies. The action is almost entirely confined to a single room, as a jury deliberates on a murder trial, and they gradually question their ᴀssumptions and prejudices.
12 Angry Men has a great cast to complement its script. Henry Fonda, often the good guy, brings one of cinema’s most admirable heroes to life. An interesting aspect of 12 Angry Men is that it takes places on the periphery of an intriguing murder mystery, but it doesn’t offer any solutions, only doubt and unease.
8
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Marlon Brando Shines In An Adaptation Of A Classic Play
A Streetcar Named Desire is based on the seminal play by Tennessee Williams, and the adaptation is often seen as definitive. This is partly due to the excellent work of the cast, with Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh both delivering powerful performances worthy of high praise.
A Streetcar Named Desire is an intelligent story about gender roles, the struggle for autonomy and idenтιтy, and the harsh nature of reality. The fact that the movie can be so entertaining while maintaining its cerebral qualities is testament to Williams’ writing, but also Elia Kazan’s even-handed direction and the strength of the cast.
7
Roman Holiday (1953)
The Classic Rom-Com Benefits From The Wonderful Chemistry Of Its Two Leads
Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck turn out to be a match made in heaven in Roman Holiday, and their resulting chemistry helped propel Hepburn to stardom. She stars as a European princess who ditches her chaperones while visiting Rome and spends time exploring the city with Peck’s charming reporter.
Roman Holiday is a light, breezy rom-com that leans more into its romantic side than the comedic side. It’s rare to see a movie these days placing such an emphasis on romance, but it works wonderfully. Roman Holiday‘s ending solidifies its heartwarming charms, and it’s easy to get swept away in its picturesque fantasy.
6
Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Gene Kelly’s Musical Is Endlessly Entertaining
Singin’ in the Rain tells the story of Hollywood’s transition from silent films to talking pictures, and the extravagant, colorful musical acts as a celebration of the art of film. It embodies the type of lavish, Broadway-inspired musical that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but seems to have died out now.
Compared to modern musicals, Singin’ in the Rain has a more staged feeling to it. Kelly and the rest of the cast are putting on a show for the audience, first and foremost, and it’s hard to resist the story’s earnest charms. As well as having several of the most gorgeous musical numbers ever filmed, Singin’ in the Rain is a soaring tale of romance and triumph.
5
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
The Dark Hollywood Satire Is A Film Noir Masterpiece
Compared to Singin’ in the Rain, Sunset Boulevard represents the other side of the coin. While both movies are about a tumultuous time in Hollywood history, Sunset Boulevard shows the dark fate of those who were left behind by a changing industry.
Sunset Boulevard still demonstrates Billy Wilder’s talents as a master of comedy, but the humor is much darker than many of his other classics. There’s also a deeper and more disturbing exploration of the psyche in Sunset Boulevard, grounded by an outstanding performance from Gloria Swanson.
4
Rififi (1955)
Rififi Helped Invent The Modern Heist Genre
The crime genre was reinvented throughout the 1950s, and no filmmaker was as important to this process as Jules Dᴀssin. Although he was blacklisted in Hollywood, Dᴀssin found freedom in France, where he produced a lot of his best work. Rififi ia arguably his best and most influential film.
Rififi gave rise to the heist genre as it is understood today. It’s remarkable to see how many of the genre’s tropes can be traced back to Rififi, but the film is still gripping despite being imitated so freely. The lengthy safe-cracking sequence is a masterpiece in and of itself, cementing Rififi‘s reputation as one of the best heist movies ever.
3
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
The Disney Classic Has A Unique Look
Many of Disney old classics look great, but Sleeping Beauty sets itself apart from the crowd as one of the most gorgeous animated movies ever. Walt Disney wanted something different for Sleeping Beauty‘s art style, and he certainly got it. The film takes inspiration from tapestries and stained-glᴀss windows, and this fits in with the story’s medieval setting.
As for the story, Sleeping Beauty is another Disney movie that subtly adapts a classic fairy tale. The most disturbing elements are stripped away – such as the cannibalism – and what remains is an enchanting fable about magic and romance. Sleeping Beauty retains the feeling of a classic story, with clear morals and a striking depiction of evil.
2
Some Like It H๏τ (1959)
Billy Wilder’s Comedy Is One Of The Funniest Movies Ever
Some Like It H๏τ follows two musicians who witness a gangland killing in prohibition-era Chicago, so they dress up as women to join an all-female band and flee the city. For a comedy about gender, Some Like It H๏τ has aged surprisingly well, and its timeless comedy is still hilarious.
Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis make a fantastic duo as the squabbling musicians, while Marilyn Monroe brings every ounce of her glamorous charms to the role of a dim-witted but lovable singer. Some Like It H๏τ gets a lot of laughs from its risible premise, but its тιԍнтly-written dialogue and flair for physical comedy are also outstanding. Overall, it’s one of the finest comedies ever filmed.
1
Rashomon (1950)
Akira Kurosawa’s Drama Pioneered Non-Linear Storytelling
Rashomon is a fascinating exercise in non-linear storytelling, as the same story is told from different perspectives, so that details are changed and characters become either heroes or villains depending on who’s in charge of the narrative. This intelligent deconstruction of the crime genre questions whether empirical truth can ever exist in such cases, and whether criminal justice is an inherently flawed, optimistic notion.
It’s rare to see such a thought-provoking and fully-formed story packed into such a short runtime.
Rashomon‘s non-linear structure has inspired countless filmmakers over the years, as has its complex approach to the nature of memory and storytelling. It’s rare to see such a thought-provoking and fully-formed story packed into such a short runtime. It’s undoubtedly one of Akira Kurosawa’s best movies, and probably his most influential.
