Why I like Old Movies

Where I live at this present moment I have a constant debate with Nehemiah over new movies and old movies. Now I have absolutely no problem with new movies. I enjoy some of them, I even own some of them, I will discuss them occasionally and will appreciate them for what they are worth. However, old movies hold a special place in my heart - and I believe my reason for liking them is a little unusual and so I thought that I would share it with you, also because I found this picture and it reminded me of why I like old movies


I like old movies not for the acting - although, in most cases, superb acting has gone by the wayside. Not for the stories - some of the stories are exceptional, some are pedestrian. But most of the movies that have survived to this day have one thing in common - they are originals. That is, they presented something for the first time. Whether its the "tough guy against the world" as portrayed by Bogart or proto-(and anti) feminist subtext in Gone with the Wind, from the unbearable suspense of Nosferatu and the chilling creepiness of "Rope" to the stunning portrayal of family politics (and outlandishly good acting) in "The Godfather" Or even to the archetype of the Western (A Fistful of Dollars anyone?) Yes there are cheesy films that are old, some are incredibly dated, but they all did something first or best (best is subjective I know).

I could explain that I always search for the first thing (thats why I read Classical Literature) or the best thing (Classical music here) but its all really pointless because I'm not going to write as persuasively as Thomas Paine, or as pointedly as Jonathan Swift, as complex as Joyce or with as much influence as Dante or Shakespeare. I just think that people should understand that with all of our technology - we still need a storyteller for every village.