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The classic films you should see

CHELSE MCKEE, STAFF

The General (1927)
Directors: Buster Keaton & Clyde Bruckman
With one of the best actors of the silent film era leading this comedy, The General is a staple of American films.
Keaton delivers a snapping comedic performance worthy to compete with and triumph over today’s leading funny men.
The General resurrects a realism lost in today’s box office, with its lack of special effects and Keaton’s real stunts on a moving train.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Directors: Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen
Donald O’Connor nearly steals Gene Kelly’s thunder with his great comedic timing and physical comedy, but Kelly quickly claims it back with his thunderous dance routines.
The music makes for a memorable soundtrack, along with an underrated performance by Jean Hagen and her classic “I can’t stand him” line
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Director: Nicholas Ray
With the inclusion of two teen idols, James Dean and Natalie Wood, Rebel still stands as a standard youth anthem for the cinema.
Dean delivers a stellar and passionate performance as a teen struggling against society while trying to find his place in it.
Sal Mineo holds his own on screen next to Dean, playing a very convincing and very disturbing youth obsessed with his friend, Jim Stark.
An interesting tidbit — the film was the first of two films to be released after Dean’s death.
Rear Window (1954)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Rear Window is my absolute Hitchcock favourite with its fantastic cast including Grace Kelly and James Stewart.
Hitchcock, with his fantastic handle on suspense, creates a voyeuristic guilty pleasure for the audience, as they spy on Stewart’s neighbours. Of course, there are consequences.
Although the film has already been “remade” numerous times, for example, the actual remake with Christopher Reeves and the highly denied remake Disturbia; Hitchcock’s is the one to watch.
An interesting tip for any Hitchcock film; he always makes a small and barely discernable cameo. So be sure to find him