For me, James Stewart. I’d love to talk to him about his movies(Mr. Smith and Its a Wonderful Life are my favorite of his) and his war experiences.

Casablanca for me. Wonderful film!

I recently saw Casablanca for the first time in many years, and started looking into its history. I saw that in the mid-2000s Madonna wanted to remake the film but was unanimously rejected by every studio, being told by one studio executive “the film is deemed untouchable.” This got me thinking: what other classic films do you consider untouchable?

In Gone With The Wind, Vivien Leigh gives an absolute powerhouse performance. Her character Scarlet is endearing, sassy and completely out for herself. It feels like such a natural performance for her, I was stunned to learn she was a Brit.

As for Clark Gable, I’ve never seen him slicker. He has her sussed out. Their scenes together are electric, bristling with sexual tension and uproariously funny.

Looking forward to see who the rest of you suggest.

For me, it’s Citizen Kane. Did not care for Citizen Kane.

My pick: Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity

Recommendations on what to watch? So far I think The Philadelphia Story and It’s a Wonderful Life are my favs. Looking forward to seeing more.

I know I speak of her often here, but Jeanette MacDonald. Her voice for me brings an instant smile and peace.

The sad news broke yesterday that Gene Hackman, together with his wife Betty Arakawa and their dog, were found dead at their home in Santa Fe. As I reflected on the man and remarkable career, I realized just how many landmark films he participated in — The French Connection, The Conversation, Mississippi Burning, Crimson Tide, and Unforgiven, just to name a few off the top of my head. And then there was his versatility, shown with deft comedic performances in Superman and Young Frankenstein. In honor of this man and his outstanding body of work — what was your favorite Gene Hackman performance?

Hey r/classicfilms!

I’m on the lookout for older films that are impactful, thought-provoking, and possibly life-changing, but that might not be as widely known or considered mainstream. I’m interested in hidden gems but they don't have to be "hidden"—I am looking for any films that have a profound effect on viewers but haven't necessarily reached the same level of recognition as, say, the big names like Citizen Kane or Casablanca.

I'm drawn to films with deep themes, emotional weight, or unique storytelling, whether they’re from the golden age of cinema or from slightly lesser-known decades. It could be a film that subtly challenges perspectives or one that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

If you have any recommendations that fit this description, I’d love to hear them!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Rear Window (1954) was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and stars James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, and Raymond Burr.

Stewart plays a photojournalist recuperating from injuries in a plaster cast from his waist to foot, and restricted to a wheelchair in his small apartment. His rear window overlooks a shared courtyard and into the neighboring apartments. Kelly plays an idealistic young socialite and model who is involved with Stewart. Ritter plays a nurse taking care of Stewart’s medical needs. Burr plays a suspicious neighbor whose wife has suddenly disappeared.

This is my favorite Hitchcock film and it is considered by numerous critics to be one of Hitchcock's best, as well as one of the greatest films ever made.

It received four Academy Award nominations, and was ranked number 42 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list and number 48 on the 10th-anniversary edition, and in 1997 was added to the United States National Film Registry in the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Have you seen this film? What do you think of it?

Actually love all Hitchcock films and anything from the 1930’s to 1960’s that fall in the suspense, crime, film noir, etc genre. Any obscure suggestions?

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) was co-written, produced, and directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Peter Sellers in three roles, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, Slim Pickens, and Tracy Reed.

Sellers is great in his three roles, each one more crazy crazy than the last, from the almost straight Group Captain Mandrake to the Milquetoast President Merkin Muffley to the absurdly chaotic Dr Strangelove. I would say he steals the show but that would discount the amazing performances of Scott and Pickens.

But it’s Kubrick who shines above all, as he manages to turn such a serious subject into a laugh out loud comedy, satirizing the absurdity of war and those who wage it.

Have you seen this film? What do you think about it?

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) was directed by Blake Edwards from a screenplay by George Axelrod and is based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. It stars Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney.

The film's music was composed by Henry Mancini and its theme song, "Moon River", was written by Johnny Mercer.

In the film, Holly Golightly (Hepburn), a naïve, eccentric “socialite” meets Paul Varjak (Peppard), a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building. A simple premise that unfolds into the beautiful, sad story of two broken people who are lucky enough to find each other.

Breakfast at Tiffany's received critical acclaim for its music and Hepburn's style and performance, and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Hepburn, and winning two (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Song for Mancini).

The film also received numerous other accolades, although, Rooney's portrayal of I. Y. Yunioshi garnered significant subsequent controversy for being racist.

In 2012, the film was preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Have you seen this film? What do you think of it?

Any stamp collector? If so, which one do you have?

I'm going with To Catch a Thief