Blackboard Jungle (1955)
Recommended by Jeorj Euler
Nominated for four Oscars; IMDb rating: 7.4 as of July, 2018
◄ IMDb Polls
Poll: Dusting Off '50s Celluloid
These are movies recommended by poll board users. Which of these relatively little-known but highly recommended films, all released during the 1950s, would you most like to see (again or for the first time)?
(Where there are comments next to a movie, they were provided by the Poll Board member who nominated the film.)
After voting, discuss here.
Vote in "Dusting Off '40s Celluloid" here. Vote in "Dusting Off Celluloid (Before 1940)" here.
Make Your Choice
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Black Orpheus (1959)
Recommended by rubyfruit76: A celebration of sound and image, the color is rich and sensual, and the music is hypnotic. The rythmic romp set in Rio de Janiero is a surprising re-tellng of the Greek myth, and if mythology has never been your thing, it likely won't matter to you for a minute of this cinematic whirl. Metacritic score: 81; IMDb rating: 7.5 as of July, 2018 -
Devil's Doorway (1950)
Recommended by Sweetie5: A medal of honor recipient arrives home after serving in the civil war, but isn't given the reception he deserves because he's an American Indian. An honest man who's made a good life for himself, and they want to ruin that (not your stereotypical American Indian character in those years). Really loved Robert Taylor's performance; brought me to tears. IMDb rating: 7.3 as of July, 2018 -
Elevator to the Gallows (1958)
Recommended by rubyfruit76 This visually fascinating movie feels very much like film noir even though it isn't always characterized as such. This dark thriller begins with a common enough scenario, two lovers plotting the murder of the woman's older husband who is also the man's boss, but it unravels into a film more brilliant than the sum of its plot parts. Metacritic score: 94; IMDb rating: 8.0 as of July, 2018 -
A Face in the Crowd (1957)
Recommended by Timothy Gray: Before becoming famous as the kind, fatherly Sheriff Andy Taylor, Andy Griffith plays a wandering guitar player who becomes drunk on power after becoming an overnight media sensation. Besides the novelty aspect of seeing him in such a drastically different role than we're generally used to, the media-related themes of power-hungriness and artificiality are compelling and strangely prescient. IMDb rating: 8.2 as of July, 2018 -
Law and Order (1953)
Recommended by The Movie Smith: [This is] the title for which [Ronald Reagan] later acquired his nickname as the Law and Order President. The film stars Reagan as an Arizona lawman that retires but is forced back into line of duty when his new home town is just as corrupt as the first. IMDb rating: 5.9 as of July, 2018 -
The Lemon Drop Kid (1951)
Recommended by The Movie Smith: [This is] what I consider the only good Bob Hope film. Hope plays a swindler trying to pay off a debt by conning New York's underworld by paying up for a home for old homeless ladies. Full of laughs and memorable jokes as well as the premiere of "Silver Bells." IMDb rating: 7.2 as of July, 2018 -
Marty (1955)
Recommended by Hoekkie Nominated for eight Oscars and one four, including Best Picture; IMDb rating: 7.7 as of July, 2018 -
Mister Roberts (1955)
Recommended by Pencho15: A fantastic comedy with a superb performance by Jack Lemmon, and with many Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. It is one of the jewels I discovered [from an] Oscar elimination game. IMDb rating: 7.8 as of July, 2018; One Oscar win -
Night and the City (1950)
Recommended by Timothy Gray: An underrated noir about a small-time grifter who can't seem to catch a break. IMDb rating: 8.0 as of July, 2018 -
Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
Recommended by albstein: This story of endless witty games of love could almost have been written by Oscar Wilde, but in fact it's by none other than Ingmar Bergman. IMDb rating: 7.9 as of July, 2018 -
The Three Faces of Eve (1957)
Recommended by Silitonga: 'Nothing more brilliant as Joanne Woodward delivering a black, white, and grey personality from a single act. IMDb rating: 7.2 as of July, 2018 -
Three Little Words (1950)
Recommended by dan_dassow: The story of the successful Tin Pan Alley songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby is told loosely and lightheartedly. IMDb rating: 7.0 as of July, 2018 -
Umberto D. (1952)
Recommended by pbn: Aside from depicting poverty in postwar Italy, it also has one of the best dogs in European cinema. Metacritic score: 92; IMDb rating: 8.2 as of July, 2018
