Films play an important role in society and pop culture. Each decade produces films that portray what audiences want to see, and how they respond could create classics we still watch today. The movies listed below are what I would consider classics to this day.
1950s: “Singin’ in the Rain”
“Singin’ in the Rain” was released on April 11, 1952, and was considered one of the greatest Hollywood musicals ever made. Iconic actors Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen and Betty Comden starred in this technicolor film.
The film’s premise is a retelling of the era change in Hollywood films from silent films to what is known as “talkies” — films with audio and dialogue. The film was made with no intention of receiving the recognition it got.
“[Co-writer] Adolph Green was the only person who really thought that it might have legs. And the others thought that ‘An American in Paris’ would be the sine qua non of the American movie musical. But interestingly also, Stanley Donen did not think ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ would make it at all,” Patricia Ward Kelly — leading actor Gene Kelly’s wife — said in an interview with Indiewire.
1960s: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Released on Oct. 5, 1961, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” became a pop culture phenomenon for both the fashion of iconic actress Audrey Hepburn and the song “Moon River” — written for the film.
With the positives of this movie, it is also important to note the negatives as white actor Mickey Rooney uses yellowface to portray hurtful stereotypes as Mr. Yunioshi, Holly’s neighbor. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” has been shown in theaters several times since its release but received a restoration in 2016.
“Technology has advanced to a point now where we can make changes to make things look better than we ever could before. What you see is really crystal clear and fantastic,” Vice President of Archive for Paramount Andrea Kala said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
1970s: “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope”
Science fiction kicked off earlier in the 1950s, but “Star Wars” — retroactively retitled “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” — helped the genre peak in popularity.
This film — released on May 25, 1977 — was the beginning of one of the most popular movie series of all time. The Star Wars franchise now has 12 different films, 11 shows and over 300 books and comics. The list continues to grow, with no end in sight.
1980s: “The Breakfast Club”
“The Breakfast Club” — released Feb. 15, 1985 — is another iconic yet problematic film. The film’s theme consists of how teenagers can struggle with their identities — both with adults and themselves. This sparked the uprise of teen angst films, which have become a staple in society.
That being said, this film also sparked controversy for things such as Claire being sexually harassed by her love interest, Bender, with no apology given.
1990s: “10 Things I Hate About You”
The late 1990s were the peak of popularity for rom-coms, and films like “10 Things I Hate About You” helped define that. Released on March 31, 1999, “10 Things I Hate About You” stars Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in a modern retelling of William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.”
This film now has a cult following and is known as a classic in the teen rom-com genre — for good reason. This film also introduced many well-known actors and actresses of today.
Overall, each film listed above has its beauties and flaws, but each has also remained relevant in conversations about film. It is important to address the unacceptable problems with classic films, but it is also important to discuss how they changed how we view films and society today.
