In no particular order, here are a few of my all-time favorite black and white movies...
Sabrina (original): Starring Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart I love Audrey and I love Humphrey...put the two together and it's magical! Audrey’s Sabrina is youthful and although she is more mature and confident when she returns home from living in Paris, she is still youthful in her aspiration and desire for love. It's a beautiful film with great characters with just the right balance of conflict and resolve. A classic romance, brought to you by great, classic actors. Oh, and Audrey looks fabulous as usual,and Humphrey looks debonair, as usual.
Some like it Hot: Starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis
This movie is one of my favorite comedy's, even out of the black and white category. With a sizzling Monroe, Lemmon and Curtis in drag, a mob problem, set in a tropical location, and let's not forget one of my favorite funny accent ever, it's a perfect recipe for a classic romantic comedy.
It Happened One night: Starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert
I cannot adequately express my love for this movie. I am not sure why I fell in love with it but I did. It's not a very fast paced movie, but for some reason it catches you and holds on. Maybe it's Clark Gable's charm; maybe it's because his name in the film is Peter, which is a very charming name; maybe it's the way Claudette Colbert makes her character so easy to relate to. I'm pretty sure it is actually all of those things and then some. Watch it, you won't regret it.
The Philadelphia story: Starring Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Katherine Hepburn.
This movie is so well done and so well acted with Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, and Katherine Hepburn. I don't know if I really need to say more than that to convince you to watch this movie. I remember watching for the first time and finding myself unsure of how I even wanted it to end. It's safe to say I was completely invested in their tangled story.
Casablanca: Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
I know choosing this movie is probably cliché but it is still a great movie. It has it all, action, intrigue, romance, and one of the best lines ever, “here's looking at you kid”. In case you haven't noticed yet, I have a little thing for Humphrey Bogart. Make that a big thing...I think he is a total dreamboat.
Arsenic and Old Lace: Starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane
This movie is silly and a good time. I watch it every Halloween and I think it is one of my best traditions to date. It's funny as well as a little creepy and disturbing. What's not to love?
The Wizard of Oz: Starring Judy Garland and Toto (and a whole lot of other people that I am not going to mention). This one is cheating just a little since it is mostly in color, but it starts and ends in black and white right? So, back off and just enjoy the movie. It is still so captivating because of how colorful it is...wait this is about black and white movies so I will quickly end by saying it's iconic, it means a lot to me, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which is sung in the black and white section (score!) is still one of my favorite songs.
His Girl Friday: Starring Cary Grant (I must like him too, but who doesn't?) and Rosalind Russell
Cary Grant does his usual awesome job and I like Rosalind's strong female character.
I could probably go on forever, actually, I did just that. Anyway, there are three more that I just HAVE to mention and they are...
The Big Sleep: Starring Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, surprise!
I think one of the main reasons I liked this one is not only because of the scandal, but because real-life couple Bacall and Bogart play the main characters. You cannot dispute their natural chemistry; it really is amazing. Love it.
Swing Time: Starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
They are perfectly matched. They are great performers and dancers and they have great chemistry. This long list would not be complete without one of their movies up here, and this one happens to be extremely entertaining. Ginger Rogers plays a perfectly sweet, innocent part and Fred Astaire's character is enduring. Also, a little tidbit, more of a rumor really, but it is said that in any of their films together they didn't actually kiss. You can kinda tell...but this movie is still worth it!
A Street Car Named Desire: Starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh
SSTEEEEEEELLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAA! I think that says it all.