As the semester winds down, you may find yourself overwhelmed with end-of –the-year projects and studying for finals. Now is the perfect time to take a break and curl up with a classic movie. You’ve probably seen Grease and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but have you seen these retro flicks?
1. If you like Old Hollywood glamour…
We’re Not Married (1952): Five different couples are married by the same Justice of the Peace, who unknowingly marries them before his license is validated. Five years later, each couple
responds differently to the letter that informs them they have not legally been married. This romantic comedy has five different sub-plots and a star-studded cast including Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers, and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Sabrina (1954): A young, awkward girl is in love with an older man, but he doesn’t notice her. She moves to Paris for two years to become a refined young woman. When she returns home, she catches the eye of her long-time crush–and the eye of his successful older brother. She must then decide who deserves her affection and, eventually, her hand in marriage. Audrey Hepburn, who enchanted audiences in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, stars in this movie as the titular character, Sabrina.
2. If you dig the mod style of the 1960s…
Valley of the Dolls (1967): After moving to New York City, three young women try to make it big in show business and become friends in the process. Although they each achieve success as actresses, their lives are laced with tumultuous romances and experimentation with barbiturates known as “dolls” in order to cope with the stresses of fame. This movie is based on Jacqueline Susann’s instantly successful novel of the same title and is filled with numerous plot twists.
Funny Girl (1968): This musical comedy follows the rise to fame of Fanny Brice, a comedienne and entertainer of the 1920s. Fanny, a poor Jewish girl in New York, becomes an overnight success and soon enters into a passionate relationship with a rich entrepreneur. The multi-talented actress Barbra Streisand (you may know her from Meet the Fockers or her many albums) plays the part of Sadie.
3. If chick flicks aren’t your thing…
The Graduate (1967): Soon after graduating from college, naive Benjamin Braddock (played by Dustin Hoffman) is seduced by an older, married woman. After a series of humorous events, the inexperienced Benjamin gives in to her and they have an unrestrained affair. To complicate matters further, the woman (Mrs. Robinson) and her husband are friends of Benjamin’s family. Later in the movie, he meets and falls in love with Mrs. Robinson’s daughter but has to stand up to her overbearing mother before he can pursue a relationship with her.
Paper Moon (1973): Set in the Great Depression, the movie follows a devious con man who gets stuck with a street smart little girl. He soon realizes that she has a mind for business, and
the two form an alliance. What really makes this movie fantastic is the fast-paced and hilarious dialogue between the father-daughter duo of actors Ryan and Tatum O’Neal.
Where can you find these movies?
All of these movies, with the exception of Funny Girl, are currently available on Netflix’s Watch Instantly service. Another option for finding these movies is the Tuscaloosa Public Library. They have several locations, and you can search the catalogue by visiting their website at http://innopac.tuscaloosa-library.org/. You can also search for these movies on Amazon.com to buy used or rent online. Both options will save you much more money than buying it new.
These are just a few of the many retro movies that make for the perfect study break. Hopefully you’ll find your new favorite classic this weekend!
Image Sources:
http://closetmelbourne.blogspot.com/2010/08/iconic-dress-audrey-hepburn-in-sabrina.html
http://filmreviewsnsuch.blogspot.com/2012/09/funny-girl.html
http://seethesemoviesordie.blogspot.com/2011/09/162-paper-moon.html