They Don't Make 'em Like That Anymore

In this day in age, so many people only want something if it is shiny and new—you know, it has that unadulterated quality about it, as if no one has left any of their residual presence. But may I make the case for some old things that you may not know you need in your life?

Two words: classic movies.

Now, before you just dismiss my suggestion for any number of reasons—you don’t like black-and-white films, you think that the stories are dated or boring—just listen. Some of you who have beef with older movies also have complaints about the current state and trajectory of the modern entertainment industry. Oversaturation of certain genres, the incessant rebooting/remaking of older television series or movies, the lackluster storytelling, and the wretched adaptations that abuse and even mock their source materials, I could go on and on and on and on, but I digress. The point is, if you’re finding the flavor of current movies a tad too mawkish, why not give something else a try?

I can think of a whole host of reasons why I not only enjoy old movies, but, on the whole, prefer them to their modern counterparts.

First off, they’re far more substantive. I don’t need evidence for this point, anyone who adheres to any level of honesty will have to admit this point. Compared to the junk-food features that modern audiences glut themselves on on the regular, when one sits down to a classic film they usually walk away feeling they have partaken in a wholesome Thanksgiving meal rather than that icky malaise that oozes about one’s guts after having consumed an excessive amount of sweets and chips.

I think of films like Casablanca, The Heiress, Roman Holiday, Gone with the Wind. Interestingly, none of these examples really had what we would call happy endings. What they had though was substance. They made you think; made you feel; made you yearn; cry, crave, exult, hope. Those kind of films have a way of nourishing you.

Secondly, and there is no way to put this nicely, old films are just funnier. Some will argue against my claim here in vehement, even violent, opposition, however, I’m going to stick to my guns. Because of the stricter rules that surrounded the entertainment industry, namely the Hays Code, which basically said filmmakers couldn’t include profanity, nudity, or anything really sexual (they couldn’t “corrupt” their audience in any way), filmmakers had to be a lot more creative, subtle, and witty. The humor found in older movies usually—and I do say usually—didn’t rely on the crude, the crass, or the suggestive. Humor in older films was clever, at times dark, occasionally slapstick, and often outright silly.

Films like Arsenic and Old Lace, How to Steal a Million, What’s Up Doc?, Some Like It Hot, The Court Jester, The Reluctant Debutante should have the viewer rolling on the ground laughing most of the time and not because the character said something profane or obscene or coarse. I think sometimes the modern viewer doesn’t like the work they have to put in when it comes to older movies. One has to listen, and really listen, in order to pick up all the humor that classic films present. It’s a humor of dialogue—oftentimes subtle, most of the time delivered quickly and without fanfare. Sure, previous filmmakers didn’t shy away from slapstick antics, but I think that only enhances the more meaty humor by appropriately lightening the mood occasionally.

Thirdly and lastly, older films just told good stories. They usually didn’t concern themselves with social messages. They didn’t feel didactic or preachy. Filmmakers in epochs gone by understood a very important principle—possibly the most important principle—when it comes to storytelling, namely, entertain the audience. Now, entertainment doesn’t necessarily have to be “fun” or “uplifting.” There are plenty of films that entertain while bringing their audience through a whole host of emotions ranging from discomfort, misery, resolution, pity, and catharsis.

I think of Hitchcock’s Vertigo and Rear Window, Twelve Angry Men, All About Eve, Rebecca, Sunset Boulevard, and Stalag 17. None of those movies endorsed comfort. They took your emotions and ran them through a blender. However, they did manage to entertain while torturing, a delicate balancing act to be sure.

Now, this happens to be the opinion of a solitary and, some would say, odd man. Though, I encourage you not to disregard it out of hand. I think, especially in the world we live in, we look only for the new and we fail to remember the foundation that all new things must inevitably have under them. So, if you’re disgruntled by the current state of affairs, at least with regards to movies and other such related things, might I suggest looking to the past in order to find your new favorite movie. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.