12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View

12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View

      We've all seen iconic films that are recognized as classics but aren't particularly enjoyable anymore.

      However, the movies from the 1950s manage to be both exceptional and entertaining.

      All About Eve (1950)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: 20th Century Studios

      Bette Davis stars as a Broadway diva reluctant to relinquish her fame, while Anne Baxter portrays Eve Harrington, a cunning manipulator eager to take her place. This plotline has been echoed countless times since, from The Devil Wears Prada to Showgirls, but none have done it better than All About Eve.

      The film also features an early performance by Marilyn Monroe. Additionally, it's fascinating to note that the famous line, “Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!” came shortly after commercial air travel began.

      It won the Oscar for Best Picture, but it's not one of those exhausting winners that takes itself too seriously — it captivates from the start and remains a cherished classic of both the 1950s and all time.

      Singing in the Rain (1952)

      MGM

      This film is a perfect showcase for Gene Kelly's immense talent, as well as that of Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds (seen left to right in the iconic “Good Mornin'” scene).

      If you remember the movie mainly for its catchy songs and exquisite dance routines, that's perfectly fine. Yet, Singing in the Rain also serves as a timeless satire of Hollywood's obsession with trends and superficiality. Lina Lamont’s clueless statement, “I gave an exclusive to every newspaper in town!” is perhaps even funnier in 2023, given how every news story today seems to be both “breaking” and “exclusive.”

      Staying up late to watch such a delightful movie is a real treat. It might just be our favorite among the 1950s films, and that's saying a lot.

      High Noon (1952)

      United Artists

      In just 85 minutes, this legendary film — one of the greatest Westerns of all time — presents a perfectly timed and completely engaging tale of bravery.

      Gary Cooper portrays lawman Will Kane (shown left), recently wed to the peaceful Quaker Amy Fowler (shown right).

      When he finds out that a ruthless outlaw he previously incarcerated is set to return for revenge, he could easily choose to ride off into the sunset with his beautiful new wife.

      But that's not his course of action.

      The Quiet Man (1952)

      Republic Pictures – Credit: C/O

      The Quiet Man is a very traditional classic film — its plot centers largely on a dowry — but simply disconnect your brain and relish the Technicolor wonders of the untouched Irish countryside as John Wayne's Sean Thornton and Maureen O’Hara’s Mary Kate Danaher fall passionately in love.

      Filmed around the quaint village of Cong, which still hosts a statue of Wayne, it’s refreshing to see him in a straight romantic role rather than as a rugged cowboy, though don’t worry, his character remains quite tough.

      Roman Holiday (1953)

      Paramount Pictures – Credit: C/O

      This 1950s travel tale stars Audrey Hepburn as a princess eager to explore the world, and Gregory Peck as a reporter who aims to be her guide. The film is a delightful mix of happy accidents, cheerful lies, and irresistible charm.

      Dalton Trumbo, known for darker themes, was one of the writers, though the Blacklist — a dark chapter in 1950s cinema — prevented him from receiving proper credit at that time.

      Nonetheless, this classic stands as a testament to his brilliance.

      Rear Window (1954)

      Paramount Pictures

      A masterpiece by Hitchcock, Rear Window is the second film on this list to feature future princess Grace Kelly. This classic film has one of the most frequently copied setups in cinematic history.

      Rear Window is a captivating, rapid-paced film that explores our inherent tendency to spy — whether online or, in earlier times, gazing through our neighbors' windows. Jimmy Stewart plays a photojournalist who is confined to his apartment due to a broken leg and fails to recognize the ideal relationship he has with Lisa (Kelly, featured above).

      He contemplates single life, represented by ballet dancer Miss Torso (Georgine Darcy), as well as the sometimes stark realities of cohabitation. At one point, the plot takes an unexpected turn, leading to an enthralling climax.

      It is currently accessible on the Criterion Channel.

      Vertigo (1958)

      Paramount Pictures

      A second collaboration between Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart, Vertigo is regarded as one of the finest classic films ever made: it topped the Sight and Sound poll of the greatest films of all time in 2012, before being surpassed in 2022 by Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles, in a surprising turn.

      Returning to Vertigo: It’s worth watching just for glimpses

12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View 12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View

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12 Films from the 1950s That Remain Enjoyable to View

These films from the 1950s are not only excellent but also entertaining.