Best movies of the 1950s
Best of the best
- Harvey
- A delightful movie that showcases star Jimmy Stewart. Elwood has a friend who’s an invisible 6-foot rabbit — his family think he should be committed to an asylum.
Runner ups
- 12 Angry Men
- Likely the best movie where all of the action essentially takes place in one room. One jury member disagrees with the rest of them and tries to persuade them that the defendant might be innocent. Stars Henry Fonda.
- Paths of Glory
- Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on a true story, it was banned in France until 1975. In World War I a mutiny occurs in the French army when soldiers refuse to participate in a suicidal attack. Stars Kirk Douglas.
- Singin’ in the Rain
- Memorable for its song and dance sequences. It does have a story: silent film stars attempt to make the transition to sound. Stars Gene Kelly.
Honourable mentions
- The Day the Earth Stood Still
- Directed by Robert Wise. Although it’s a message movie, it’s one that we haven’t yet learned. An alien lands on Earth — he says he comes in peace but runs into trouble with the military and government of the US.
- Forbidden Planet
- I haven’t seen it in a long time, but it’s worth watching for science fiction fans. A starship visits a planet where a monster has killed almost all of the inhabitants. Stars Leslie Nielsen when he was playing serious roles.
- The Ten Commandments
- A spectacular movie with two larger than life characters. Moses and Rameses grow up as brothers but later are on opposite sides when Moses demands that Egypt free its Israelite slaves. Charlton Heston plays Moses and Yul Brynner plays Rameses.
I previously listed the best movies of the 1940s.