Films About Old Hollywood
The allure of old Hollywood, with its glitzy glamor and shadowy secrets, has captivated both filmmakers and audiences for decades. This era, ranging from the silent film period of the 1920s to the early 1960s, was a time of groundbreaking artistic achievement, scandal, and the establishment of the film industry as a cornerstone of American culture. Movies that revisit this time often explore the lives of its stars, the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the movie-making process, and the evolution of cinema itself. Here are some remarkable films that delve into the heart of old Hollywood, each offering a unique glimpse into the legends, the lore, and the legacy of this golden age.
“Sunset Boulevard”, 2016
Director: Lieven Debrauwer
A compelling drama that tells the story of a down-and-out screenwriter and a forgotten silent-film star. This film is both a critique and a celebration of Hollywood, capturing the desperation lurking behind its glamorous façade.
Starring: Daniëlle Martin, Jonas Jacques, Bruno De Vel, Sara Van Keer, Niels Batens, Annelies Buytaert, Paul Collart, Dave De Deyne, Cynthia De Keyser, Elke De Vuyst;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: musical;
Duration: 148 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“The Artist”, 2011
Director: Michel Hazanavicius
A modern silent film that revisits the end of Hollywood's silent era and the transition to sound. It's a heartfelt tribute to old Hollywood, filled with references to its stars and its history.
Starring: Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller, Missi Pyle, Beth Grant, Ed Lauter, Joel Murray, Elizabeth Tulloch, Uggie, Malcolm McDowell;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “The Artist” on the website imdb.com
“Hollywoodland”, 2006
Director: Allen Coulter
A neo-noir that investigates the mysterious death of Superman actor George Reeves. While it delves into a specific tragedy, the film also paints a broader picture of the industry's darker underbelly during its golden age.
Starring: Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Robin Tunney, Kathleen Robertson, Lois Smith, Phillip MacKenzie, Larry Cedar, Eric Kaldor;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama, crime, detective, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Hollywoodland” on the website imdb.com
“Hail, Caesar!”, 2016
Director: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
A comedy by the Coen Brothers set in the 1950s, focusing on a Hollywood fixer who works for the studios to keep the scandals of the stars out of the press. It's a satirical, yet affectionate look at the studio system's heyday.
Starring: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Frances McDormand, Jonah Hill, Veronica Osorio;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, comedy, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Hail, Caesar!” on the website imdb.com
“Trumbo”, 2015
Director: Jay Roach
The story of Dalton Trumbo, a successful Hollywood screenwriter who was blacklisted during the Red Scare for his political beliefs. This film highlights the political paranoia of the era and its impact on the Hollywood community.
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Louis C.K., Elle Fanning, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alan Tudyk, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Dean O'Gorman;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
“My Week with Marilyn”, 2011
Director: Simon Curtis
Depicts the making of “The Prince and the Showgirl” and focuses on Marilyn Monroe's life off-camera. It offers a glimpse into the struggles faced by one of old Hollywood's most iconic figures.
Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Julia Ormond, Kenneth Branagh, Pip Torrens, Geraldine Somerville, Michael Kitchen, Miranda Raison, Karl Moffatt, Simon Russell Beale, Emma Watson, Judi Dench, Dominic Cooper, Philip Jackson, Derek Jacobi, Toby Jones;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “My Week with Marilyn” on the website imdb.com
“La La Land”, 2016
Director: Damien Chazelle
While primarily a modern musical romance, this film is deeply infused with nostalgia for classic Hollywood cinema, featuring numerous homages to old Hollywood films and locations throughout Los Angeles.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Finn Wittrock, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno, Jessica Rothe, Tom Everett Scott;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“Mank”, 2020
Director: David Fincher
Explores the development of the screenplay for “Citizen Kane” by Herman J. Mankiewicz, providing insight into the political and social climates of 1930s Hollywood, as well as the complexities of its creative geniuses.
Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Tom Pelphrey, Arliss Howard, Tuppence Middleton, Joseph Cross, Sam Troughton, Toby Leonard Moore;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: biography, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 131 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Mank” on the website imdb.com
These films, through various lenses, offer a panorama of old Hollywood, celebrating its triumphs while not shying away from its tribulations, making them essential viewing for anyone fascinated by this golden era of storytelling.
In sum, films about old Hollywood serve as captivating time capsules, granting us entry into a bygone era that has significantly shaped our modern cinematic landscape. They offer a reflective mirror, albeit sometimes stylized, into the dreams, struggles, and triumphs of those who built what many regard as the golden age of cinema. Through a blend of nostalgia, critique, and homage, these films engage with the myths and realities of a past Hollywood, inviting audiences to ponder the industry's complex history and evolution. Whether through the lens of a biopic, a fictionalized narrative, or a straightforward historical account, these films succeed in not only entertaining but also enriching our understanding of the art form's roots and the cultural zeitgeist of its time. In doing so, they remind us of the enduring power and magic of storytelling, a testament to the timeless allure of Old Hollywood itself.
