1950 Movies

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler
Rated Approved

12 Angry Men is a gripping, thought-provoking courtroom drama directed by Sidney Lumet. The film follows the deliberations of a jury of twelve men as they decide the fate of a young man accused of murder. As the jurors debate the innocence or guilt of the defendant, their personalities and prejudices come to the surface. In the end, one juror stands up for justice and changes the minds of the other eleven. This powerful film not only explores the complexities of the judicial system but also reflects upon the human experience and the importance of independent thought.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter
Rated PG

Rear Window is a 1954 American suspense thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Raymond Burr. Stewart plays a wheelchair-bound photographer who believes he has witnessed a murder in the apartment across the courtyard from his. He enlists the help of his girlfriend and his visiting nurse to investigate the suspicious chain of events. As they dig deeper, they discover a twisted web of deception, secrets, and lies that puts all of their lives in danger. The film is considered a classic of the suspense genre, with its expert use of suspense, camera work, and themes of voyeurism and obsession.

From Billy Wilder, starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester
Rated Approved

Witness for the Prosecution is a classic courtroom drama directed by Billy Wilder and starring an all-star cast including Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power and Elsa Lanchester. The film centers around Leonard Vole, a penniless Londoner who stands accused of murdering an elderly widow who had made him her heir. His barrister, Sir Wilfrid Robarts, is determined to prove Leonard's innocence, but the evidence against him is damning. As a parade of witnesses take to the stand, the case soon unravels and Leonard is forced to take the stand himself. In one of the most famous courtroom scenes ever put to film, Leonard's fate is placed in the hands of the jury. In the end, justice prevails, and Leonard is acquitted.

From Directors: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen
Rated G

Singin' in the Rain is a classic musical comedy film released in 1952, directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly. It stars Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, and Jean Hagen. The film is set in Hollywood in the late 1920s and follows the story of a silent-movie star (Kelly) who must adjust to the arrival of talking pictures. With the help of his best friend (O'Connor) and a soon-to-be-discovered ingenue (Reynolds), he makes the transition successfully, while falling in love with his leading lady. The film is highlighted by its iconic song-and-dance numbers, including the classic title song, the show-stopping "Make 'Em Laugh" number, and the unforgettable "Good Morning". Singin' in the Rain is widely considered to be one of the greatest musical films of all time.

From Joseph L. Mankiewicz, starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm
Rated Passed

All About Eve is a 1950 American drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, written by Mankiewicz, and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It stars Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, and Marilyn Monroe in her first significant film role. The film follows Margo Channing, an aging Broadway star, as she is manipulated and befriended by an ambitious young fan named Eve Harrington. As Eve ingratiates herself into Margo's life and career, her true intentions come to light and begin to threaten Margo's career, marriage, and life. The film was a critical and commercial success, receiving 14 Academy Award nominations, winning six (including Best Picture and Best Director). It is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshirô Mifune, Machiko Kyô, Masayuki Mori, Takashi Shimura
Rated Not Rated

Rashomon is a classic 1950 Japanese film that tells the story of a crime from four points of view. The film follows a woodcutter, a priest and a peasant who take shelter from the rain in the ruined Rashomon gate in Kyoto. They discuss a trial in which a bandit is accused of murdering a samurai and raping his wife. Through a series of flashbacks, each witness gives a different account of the events leading up to the crime. The memories of the characters conflict and challenge the concept of truth. In the end, the audience is left to decide which perspective is correct. The film is considered a masterpiece of Japanese cinema and won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

From Henri-Georges Clouzot, starring Yves Montand, Charles Vanel, Peter van Eyck, Folco Lulli
Rated Not Rated

The Wages of Fear is a classic French thriller directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot in 1953. The film tells the story of four men who take a dangerous job transporting barrels of nitroglycerin over a bumpy South American road in order to save their impoverished village. The journey is filled with suspense and excitement as the men battle dangerous conditions and the pressure of the ticking clock. The Wages of Fear earned international acclaim for its thrilling storyline and stunning cinematography, and was awarded the Palme d'Or at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, John Williams
Rated PG

Dial M for Murder is a 1954 classic directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the play by Frederick Knott. The story follows Tony Wendice (Ray Milland), a former tennis pro, who arranges for the murder of his wealthy wife Margot (Grace Kelly). After learning of her affair with an old flame, Tony seeks revenge and hatches a complicated plan involving a hired assassin. As Tony’s plan begins to unravel, a cat-and-mouse game between him and the police ensues as they try to uncover the truth. As the suspenseful story unfolds, viewers are left guessing as to who will prevail in the end.

From Billy Wilder, starring Kirk Douglas, Jan Sterling, Robert Arthur, Porter Hall
Rated Approved

Ace in the Hole is a 1951 American drama film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Kirk Douglas and Jan Sterling. The film follows the story of downtrodden reporter Charles "Chuck" Tatum (Kirk Douglas) who happens upon a story in a small New Mexico town. When Tatum finds out that a man, Leo Minosa, is trapped in a cave following a mining accident, he uses the story to make a name for himself and exploit the situation for his own gain. As the story unfolds, Tatum manipulates the situation to his advantage and must face the consequences of his selfish acts. The film is a critical commentary on the power of the press and the lengths to which people will go to achieve fame and fortune.

From Elia Kazan, starring Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger
Rated Approved

On the Waterfront is a classic 1954 film directed by Elia Kazan, starring Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy, a former boxer who works as a dockworker in Hoboken, New Jersey. Terry's brother Charley is part of the corrupt union run by crime boss Johnny Friendly. When Terry finds out that his friend, a fellow dockworker, was murdered for refusing to cooperate with the corrupt union, he decides to stand up to the mob and expose their illegal activities. Terry is aided by an ex-priest, Father Barry, and the two of them enlist the help of the rest of the dockworkers in their fight against the mob. Terry must face down the mob and his own fears in order to expose the truth and take back the waterfront.

From Jules Dassin, starring Jean Servais, Carl Möhner, Robert Manuel, Janine Darcey
Rated Not Rated

Rififi is a crime drama film directed by Jules Dassin in 1955. The story follows Tony le Stéphanois, a professional thief just out of prison, as he recruits an old friend and two newcomers to pull off an ambitious jewelry heist. Despite their careful planning and execution, the gang soon discovers that they are not the only ones looking to get their hands on the loot. With the police on their tail, Tony and his crew must race against time to make their escape with the jewels. Along the way, Rififi examines the complex motivations of its characters, as well as the morality of crime in a corrupt world.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly, Thomas Mitchell, Lloyd Bridges
Rated PG

High Noon is a 1952 American Western film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Gary Cooper. The film follows Marshal Will Kane (Cooper), who is about to retire and marry his Quaker bride (Grace Kelly) when he learns that a notorious outlaw he helped to put away is returning to town on the noon train to exact revenge. With the help of a former deputy and his young bride, Kane embarks on a mission to keep the town safe and stand up for justice. The film follows the tense countdown to high noon, as Kane faces off against the outlaw and his gang with the fate of the town hanging in the balance. High Noon received critical acclaim, winning four Academy Awards including Best Actor for Cooper and Best Song for Dimitri Tiomkin's theme.

From Charles Laughton, starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason
Rated Not Rated

The Night of the Hunter is a 1955 film directed by Charles Laughton and starring Robert Mitchum. It follows two children, John and Pearl, as they attempt to escape the clutches of a murderous preacher, Harry Powell, who is after the stolen loot their father has hidden. The children set off alone into the West Virginia countryside, pursued by Powell and unaware of the darkness that lies in his heart. Along the way, they are aided by a kindly old woman and a young widow, and eventually face off with Powell in a final confrontation. The film is a thrilling journey of suspense, combining elements of both horror and film noir to create a timeless classic.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, Vince Edwards, Jay C. Flippen
Rated Approved

The Killing is a classic crime noir film written and directed by Stanley Kubrick. Set in a racetrack in the middle of a city, the film tells the story of a meticulously planned heist gone wrong. A group of small-time criminals, led by a former boxer named Johnny Clay (Sterling Hayden), plan to steal two million dollars from the track's vault on race day. The plan appears to go off without a hitch, but unforeseen complications and betrayals threaten to tear the whole thing apart and leave the criminals running for their lives. Featuring a dark, moody atmosphere, cynical dialogue and a twist-filled narrative, The Killing is a classic example of the hard-boiled crime genre.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll
Rated PG

Strangers on a Train is a 1951 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film follows two men, Guy Haines and Bruno Anthony, who meet on a train and hatch a plan to "trade" murders. Guy has a wife he wants to get rid of, and Bruno has an annoying father he wants to kill. After they each agree to kill the other's target, Guy soon finds himself caught up in a dangerous game with Bruno as he tries to get out of the situation. As the two men attempt to outwit each other, they also unwittingly spark a larger criminal conspiracy. In the end, Guy must rely on his wits and courage to escape from the web of intrigue that Bruno has woven around him.

From Elia Kazan, starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden
Rated PG

A Streetcar Named Desire is a 1951 American drama film, based on the play of the same name, directed by Elia Kazan and starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden. The film follows the story of Blanche DuBois, a former schoolteacher from Laurel, Mississippi, who moves to New Orleans to live with her sister, Stella, and her brother-in-law, Stanley. Blanche is quickly overwhelmed by the harsh and unrefined culture of the city, and her already-fragile mental state is further tested by her interactions with the volatile Stanley. As their confrontations become increasingly heated, Blanche's illusions of a better past begin to unravel, and she is left with no choice but to face the harshness of reality. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Leigh, Best Actor for Brando, Best Supporting Actress for Hunter, and Best Art Direction.

From John Huston, starring Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore
Rated Passed

The Asphalt Jungle is a classic 1950 crime film directed by John Huston. It follows a group of criminals from different walks of life who come together to plan a major jewelry heist. The group consists of a mastermind criminal (Doc Riedenschneider), an expert safe-cracker (Louis Ciavelli), a corrupt lawyer (Alonzo Emmerich), a getaway driver (Gus Minissi), and a strong-arm (Dix Handley). As they struggle to pull off their daring heist, they come up against the law, the criminals they have to deal with, and the harsh realities of life on the streets. In the end, the heist is successful, but the price of success is high, and the men must face the consequences of their actions.

From Vincente Minnelli, starring Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell
Rated Passed

The Bad and the Beautiful is a 1952 drama film directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Lana Turner, Kirk Douglas, Walter Pidgeon, and Dick Powell. The film tells the story of Jonathan Shields, an ambitious and successful Hollywood film producer. After alienating nearly everyone he has ever worked with, Shields desperately attempts to create a new film project with his former collaborators, only to find that none of them are willing to work with him again. Through a series of flashbacks, the audience discovers why Shields has been so successful, despite his reputation as a ruthless and manipulative opportunist. Ultimately, he succeeds in bringing the film together, but at the cost of his own personal relationships. The Bad and the Beautiful remains a classic of the film noir genre, and is widely considered to be one of the best Hollywood films of the 1950s.

From Henry King, starring Gregory Peck, Helen Westcott, Millard Mitchell, Jean Parker
Rated Not Rated

The Gunfighter is a classic 1950 western film directed by Henry King and starring Gregory Peck as the legendary gunman Jimmy Ringo. After years of living the outlaw life, Ringo is trying to outrun his reputation and start a new life in a small town. When he comes to the town, he finds that he is not welcome due to his past, and he is pursued by a number of men seeking vengeance. However, when Ringo falls in love with a local woman, he is determined to stay and protect her from harm. In the end, Ringo must face his past and the men who wish to kill him in order to protect the woman he loves and prove that he is not the man he once was.

From George Stevens, starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Shelley Winters, Anne Revere
Rated Passed

"A Place in the Sun" is a 1951 romantic drama directed by George Stevens and starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, and Shelley Winters. The film is based on the novel An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser. It tells the story of George Eastman (Clift) and the moral dilemma he faces when he falls in love with two women from different walks of life. The plot follows George, a young factory worker, as he falls for his socialite cousin, Angela Vickers (Taylor). At the same time, he is drawn to Alice Tripp (Winters), a woman from his lower class upbringing. George must decide between the two women and the life paths they represent. In the end, his choices lead to a fatal conclusion.

From Edward Dmytryk, starring Humphrey Bogart, José Ferrer, Van Johnson, Fred MacMurray
Rated Not Rated

The Caine Mutiny is a 1954 American drama film set in World War II, directed by Edward Dmytryk and starring Humphrey Bogart, Jose Ferrer, Van Johnson and Fred MacMurray. The film follows the events aboard a U.S. Navy minesweeper, the USS Caine, and the ensuing court-martial of its captain (Bogart) after the crew relieves him of command due to his erratic behavior. The film also explores issues of loyalty and authority within the military, and examines the moral and legal implications of mutiny. The story is based on the novel by Herman Wouk, who also wrote the screenplay. The film's title is a metaphor for its theme: a legal court-martial proceedings that is a "mutiny" against the authority of the captain. The Caine Mutiny won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Bogart), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Don Siegel, starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan
Rated Approved

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a 1956 science fiction film directed by Don Siegel. It stars Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, and Larry Gates as a trio of people who discover that alien spores have fallen to Earth and are creating exact duplicates of everyone in the town. The duplicates are emotionless and lack a soul, and they slowly take over the town, one person at a time. As the three battle against the alien takeover, they come to realize that the only way to save the town is to destroy the pods from which the duplicates emerge. In the end, the protagonists are forced to flee the town, outrunning the alien-controlled populace.

From Billy Wilder, starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, Walter Hampden
Rated Passed

Sabrina (1954) is an American romantic comedy-drama directed by Billy Wilder and starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, and William Holden. The film follows the story of Sabrina Fairchild (Hepburn), a 19-year-old daughter of a wealthy family's chauffeur, who has been hopelessly in love with the family's playboy son, David Larrabee (Holden). After coming back from a two-year stay in Paris, Sabrina has transformed into a sophisticated woman, and David quickly falls in love with her. Meanwhile, David's older brother Linus (Bogart) attempts to rescue the family business and decides that the only way to do so is to arrange for David to marry a rich heiress. As a result, Sabrina is heartbroken and turns to Linus for advice, and the two eventually fall in love. In the end, Sabrina learns the true meaning of love and discovers the importance of following her heart.

From Nicholas Ray, starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Jim Backus
Rated PG-13

Rebel Without a Cause is a 1955 drama film directed by Nicholas Ray, starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo. The film follows three rebellious teenagers, Jim Stark (James Dean), Judy (Natalie Wood), and Plato (Sal Mineo), as they struggle to find their identities and place in the world. Jim struggles with his parents, his school, and his place in the world, while Judy and Plato face similar issues. Eventually, the trio's search for identity leads them to a dangerous confrontation with the local juvenile delinquents. Through the film, Rebel Without a Cause examines the issues that teenagers of the time faced, such as the search for identity and the lack of understanding from adults. The film is highly regarded for its exploration of the themes of alienation and juvenile delinquency, as well as its strong performances from the cast, particularly James Dean.

From Ishirô Honda, starring Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, Akira Takarada, Momoko Kôchi
Rated Not Rated

Godzilla is a 1954 Japanese science fiction kaiju film directed and co-written by Ishirô Honda, with special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya. The film tells the story of a gigantic, irradiated dinosaur-like creature, referred to as Godzilla, that appears from the sea and attacks a large city. The film stars Takashi Shimura and Akihiko Hirata as the two main protagonists and features a large ensemble cast. The film is widely considered to be a classic and a landmark in the kaiju genre, being the first feature-length film to feature a giant monster, which has become a staple of Japanese films and a popular culture icon. The film has spawned numerous sequels, reboots, remakes, and spin-offs, and has been widely praised and criticized over the years, making it one of the most influential films of all time.