Black & White Movies

Fantasy

The Phantom Carriage (1921)
5/5 (1)

“The Phantom Carriage” is a silent Swedish film directed by Victor Sjöström, released in 1921. The film is based on the novel “Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness!” by Nobel Prize-winning author Selma Lagerlöf. It tells the story of David Holm, a troubled alcoholic who dies on New Year’s Eve and is forced to relive his past through the supernatural power of the phantom carriage.

David Holm is a cruel and abusive man, who has abandoned his wife and children and spends his days drinking and getting into fights. On New Year’s Eve, he is involved in a brawl and is fatally injured. As he dies, he sees the phantom carriage approaching, a vehicle that is said to be driven by Death himself, which collects the souls of the dead.

The driver of the carriage, Georges, informs David that he will be the new driver, and that he will be forced to collect the souls of the dead for the next year. David initially tries to resist, but Georges shows him a vision of his past, revealing the pain and suffering he has caused others throughout his life.

Throughout the night, David is forced to relive his past, including the moment when he abandoned his wife and children, the death of his friend and the consequences of his cruel behavior. He also witnesses the effects of his actions on the lives of those he has hurt, including his wife and a Salvation Army worker named Edit, who tries to save him.

In the end, David realizes the depth of his wrongdoing and begs for forgiveness. He is granted a second chance at life and awakens on New Year’s Day, determined to change his ways and make amends for his past mistakes.

“The Phantom Carriage” is a haunting and powerful film, exploring themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the consequences of one’s actions. Its innovative use of special effects and non-linear storytelling techniques made it a groundbreaking film in its time and has influenced generations of filmmakers since.

Directors:
Victor Sjöström

Writer:
Selma Lagerlöf, Victor Sjöström

Stars:
Victor Sjöström, Hilda Borgström, Tore Svennberg

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Angel on My Shoulder (1946)
4/5 (1)

“Angel on My Shoulder” is a classic American fantasy film released in 1946, directed by Archie Mayo and starring Paul Muni, Anne Baxter, and Claude Rains. The movie tells the story of Eddie Kagle (Paul Muni), a notorious gangster who is killed while trying to escape from the police.

After his death, Eddie is sent to Hell, where he meets Nick (Claude Rains), the Devil himself. Nick is impressed with Eddie’s cunning and offers him a deal: Eddie will be sent back to Earth, but in the body of a virtuous man named Judge Frederick Parker, who is about to die of a heart attack. Eddie agrees, hoping to use his new identity to take revenge on his former associates.

Once on Earth, Eddie discovers that Judge Parker was a beloved figure in the community, and he soon finds himself torn between his desire for revenge and his growing love for Judge Parker’s fiancee, Barbara Foster (Anne Baxter). As he struggles to come to terms with his new life, Eddie begins to question whether his deal with the Devil was worth it.

Meanwhile, Nick is keeping a close eye on Eddie, waiting for him to slip up so he can claim his soul for Hell. When Eddie finally does fall into temptation and reveals his true identity to his former associates, Nick appears to claim his soul. However, Eddie is saved at the last minute by the intervention of a mysterious stranger who turns out to be the real Judge Parker, returned from the dead.

In the end, Eddie is redeemed by his sacrifice, and he is allowed to ascend to Heaven with Judge Parker, leaving Nick to his eternal damnation. The movie concludes with Eddie looking down from Heaven, watching as Barbara mourns his passing and realizing that he has finally found true happiness and peace.

Directors:
Archie Mayo

Writer:
Harry Segall, Roland Kibbee

Stars:
Paul Muni, Anne Baxter, Claude Rains

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Topper Returns (1941)
4/5 (1)

“Topper Returns” is a supernatural comedy film released in 1941, directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Joan Blondell, Roland Young, and Carole Landis. The film is the third and final installment in the “Topper” film series, based on the characters created by Thorne Smith in his 1930 novel “Topper.”

The film tells the story of Gail Richards (Landis), a beautiful young woman who is murdered while staying at a remote country mansion. Her ghost returns to earth to seek revenge on her killer, and enlists the help of Cosmo Topper (Young), a stuffy banker who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. Together, they must solve the mystery of Gail’s murder before the killer strikes again.

As they investigate, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including a suspicious butler (played by Eddie “Rochester” Anderson), a flirtatious French maid (Blondell), and a bumbling detective (Billie Burke). Along the way, they uncover a complex plot involving inheritance, blackmail, and hidden identities.

“Topper Returns” was well-received by audiences and critics for its clever script, zany characters, and impressive special effects. It is often regarded as the best film in the “Topper” series and has since become a cult classic in the genre of supernatural comedies.

Directors:
Roy Del Ruth

Writer:
Thorne Smith, Jonathan Latimer, Gordon Douglas

Stars:
Joan Blondell, Roland Young, Carole Landis

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The New Wizard of Oz (1914)
4/5 (2)

“The New Wizard of Oz” is a silent fantasy film released in 1914 and directed by L. Frank Baum, the author of the original “Wizard of Oz” book. It is based on the second book in Baum’s Oz series, “The Marvelous Land of Oz”.

The film follows the adventures of a young boy named Tip (Violet MacMillan) who runs away from his cruel guardian, the wicked witch Mombi (Mai Wells). Along with his friends Jack Pumpkinhead (Charles Murray) and the Sawhorse (Fred Woodward), Tip sets out to find the Emerald City and seek the help of the great Wizard of Oz (J. Charles Haydon) to defeat Mombi and save the Land of Oz.

However, when they finally reach the Emerald City, they discover that the Wizard is not what he seems and that Mombi has her own plans to take control of Oz.

“The New Wizard of Oz” was one of the earliest adaptations of Baum’s Oz series and helped to establish the popularity of the franchise. The film features impressive special effects for its time, including stop-motion animation and hand-drawn animation, as well as colorful costumes and sets.

Overall, “The New Wizard of Oz” is a charming and imaginative film that captures the spirit of Baum’s original stories. While it may seem dated by modern standards, it remains an important piece of early cinema history and a beloved classic among fans of the Oz series.

Directors:
J. Farrell MacDonald

Writer:
L. Frank Baum

Stars:
Violet Mac, MillanFrank Moore, Pierre Couderc

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The Giant Claw (1957)
3/5 (1)

“The Giant Claw” is a science fiction film released in 1957. The movie tells the story of a giant, prehistoric bird-like creature that terrorizes North America.

The creature, which is said to be from an anti-matter galaxy, attacks planes and causes widespread destruction. A group of scientists, including the protagonist Dr. Karol Noymann and his love interest Sally Caldwell, work to find a way to stop the creature before it destroys humanity.

Through their research, the scientists discover that the creature is impervious to conventional weapons and can only be defeated with a special anti-matter weapon. They also learn that the creature is being controlled by a force from another dimension.

The scientists manage to build the anti-matter weapon and use it to destroy the creature, which is revealed to be a giant bird with a metal beak. The force controlling the bird is also destroyed, and humanity is saved from further destruction.

“The Giant Claw” is known for its comically unrealistic special effects, particularly in its depiction of the giant bird creature. Despite this, it has become a cult classic among fans of the genre and is noted for its unintentional humor.

Directors:
Fred F. Sears

Writer:
Samuel Newman, Paul Gangelin

Stars:
Jeff Morrow, Mara Corday, Morris Ankrum

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Angel on My Shoulder (1946)
3/5 (1)

“Angel on My Shoulder” is a 1946 fantasy film directed by Archie Mayo and starring Paul Muni, Anne Baxter, and Claude Rains.

The film follows the story of Eddie Kagle (Paul Muni), a small-time gangster who is murdered by his former partner in crime. Upon arriving in the afterlife, Eddie is greeted by the devil, Nick (Claude Rains), who offers to give him a chance at revenge by possessing the body of a respected judge named Frederick Parker.

Eddie agrees to Nick’s offer and possesses Parker’s body. He quickly begins to make a name for himself as a ruthless and corrupt judge, using his newfound power to settle old scores and make money. However, things take a turn when he falls in love with Barbara Foster (Anne Baxter), the fiancée of the man he was sent to avenge.

As Eddie struggles to balance his desire for revenge with his newfound love for Barbara, he begins to question his decisions and his allegiance to Nick. The film culminates in a dramatic showdown between Eddie, Nick, and Parker’s conscience, as Eddie is forced to confront the consequences of his actions.

“Angel on My Shoulder” is a clever and entertaining take on the classic Faustian tale, with strong performances from the cast and impressive special effects for its time.

Directors:
Archie Mayo

Writer:
Harry Segall, Roland Kibbee

Stars:
Paul Muni, Anne Baxter, Claude Rains

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Alice in Wonderland (1915) summary
3/5 (1)

The 1915 silent film “Alice in Wonderland” is a loose adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic children’s book. The movie was directed by W.W. Young and starred Viola Savoy as Alice.

The film begins with Alice sitting on a riverbank with her sister, reading a book. She falls asleep and has a dream where she follows a white rabbit into a rabbit hole. She finds herself in a strange, fantastical world where she encounters various bizarre characters and has surreal adventures.

Alice meets the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, among other memorable characters. She plays a game of croquet with the Queen, who threatens to have her beheaded when Alice accidentally breaks a rule. Alice is eventually woken up from her dream by her sister.

The film is notable for its creative special effects, which were groundbreaking for their time. It also features a unique, whimsical visual style that captures the spirit of Carroll’s original story.

Overall, “Alice in Wonderland” (1915) is a charming and imaginative adaptation of a beloved classic that remains popular with audiences of all ages.

Directors:
W.W. Young

Writer:
Lewis Carroll, W.W. Young

Stars:
Viola Savoy, Herbert Rice, Harry Marks

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The Blood Of Jesus (1941)
3/5 (1)

“The Blood of Jesus” is a 1941 American film directed by Spencer Williams, who also wrote and produced the film. The movie is a spiritual drama that explores the concept of redemption through the story of a young couple in rural Texas.

The story revolves around a young woman named Martha (Cathryn Caviness), who is accidentally shot by her husband, Ruffus (Spencer Williams), while they are out hunting. As Martha lays dying, her spirit is transported to a crossroads where she is faced with the decision to either go with the angel of death or return to the land of the living.

Martha chooses to return to the world of the living, and her journey towards redemption begins. The film explores themes of faith, forgiveness, and the power of redemption as Martha tries to find her way back to the path of righteousness.

As Martha struggles with her faith, her husband Ruffus is tempted by the devil and is lured into a life of sin. The film also explores the idea of the battle between good and evil and how our choices can determine our ultimate fate.

“The Blood of Jesus” is a poignant and powerful film that explores complex themes of faith, redemption, and morality. It is considered a classic of African American cinema and has been praised for its authentic portrayal of rural Texas life and its moving exploration of spirituality.

Directors:
Spencer Williams

Writer:
Spencer Williams, Langston Hughes

Stars:
Cathryn Caviness, Spencer Williams, Juanita Riley

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The Play House (1921)
4/5 (1)

“The Play House” is a silent short film released in 1921 and directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline. The film follows Buster Keaton’s character, who works as a stagehand in a theater.

One day, he’s given the opportunity to audition for a role in a play. Buster’s character plays multiple roles, including the conductor, a member of the audience, and all the actors in the play.

As the play progresses, chaos ensues, and the lines between reality and the performance start to blur. Buster’s character finds himself facing multiple challenges, including dealing with the backstage antics of his fellow performers, a fight between the orchestra and the audience, and the collapse of the entire theater.

Despite the challenges, Buster manages to complete the play and win over the audience. The film ends with Buster receiving a standing ovation from the audience and being congratulated by the theater manager.

“The Play House” is known for its inventive visual effects, including a sequence where Buster’s character plays all the parts in the play. The film showcases Buster’s physical comedy and his ability to create comedic situations out of everyday objects and situations. It’s considered one of his early classics and helped establish him as a major star in the silent film era.

Directors:
Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Writer:
Edward F. Cline, Buster Keaton

Stars:
Buster Keaton, Edward F. Cline, Monte Collins

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The Christmas Carol (1949)
3/5 (1)

“The Christmas Carol” is a film adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens’ novel of the same name, directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and released in 1949. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Alastair Sim), a wealthy and miserly businessman who has no love for Christmas or anyone else.

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Michael Hordern), who warns him that he will be doomed to a similar fate if he doesn’t change his ways. Marley tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Throughout the night, Scrooge is taken on a journey through time and shown the events of his past, present, and future. He sees how his greed and cold-heartedness have affected those around him, including his former fiancée Belle (Annabelle Lee) and his loyal employee Bob Cratchit (Mervyn Johns), who struggles to provide for his sickly son Tiny Tim (Glyn Dearman).

As Scrooge confronts his past and present, he realizes the error of his ways and vows to change his life. The next morning, he wakes up a changed man and begins to spread kindness and generosity to those around him, including Cratchit and his family.

“The Christmas Carol” is a heartwarming tale of redemption and the power of love and kindness to transform even the most hardened of hearts. The film has become a beloved holiday classic, and Alastair Sim’s performance as Scrooge is considered one of the greatest portrayals of the character in cinema history.

Directors:
Arthur Pierson

Writer:
Charles Dickens, Arthur Pierson

Stars:
Vincent Price, Taylor Holmes, Patrick Whyte

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Scrooge (1935)
3/5 (1)

“Scrooge” is a 1935 British film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Seymour Hicks as Ebenezer Scrooge. The movie is based on Charles Dickens’ famous novel “A Christmas Carol”.

The story follows the life of the miserly and cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge, who despises Christmas and everything associated with it. He runs his business with an iron fist, treating his employees poorly and refusing to donate to charity.

On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him that he will suffer the same fate unless he changes his ways. Scrooge is then visited by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

Through these visits, Scrooge is shown the errors of his ways, the happiness he has missed out on, and the consequences of his current path. He finally realizes the true meaning of Christmas and becomes a changed man, spreading joy and kindness to those around him.

The film was praised for its faithful adaptation of the novel and Seymour Hicks’ performance as Scrooge. It remains a classic Christmas movie to this day.

Directors:
Henry Edwards

Writer:
Charles Dickens, H. Fowler Mear

Stars:
Seymour Hicks, Donald Calthrop, Robert Cochran

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Nosferatu (1922)
4/5 (1)

“Nosferatu” is a silent horror film directed by German filmmaker F.W. Murnau and released in 1922. The film is an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula,” but due to copyright issues, the names and certain details were changed.

The plot revolves around a young real estate agent named Hutter, who is sent to Transylvania to sell a property to a wealthy nobleman named Count Orlok. Hutter’s journey is fraught with danger and he soon discovers that Orlok is actually a vampire.

When Hutter returns home, Orlok follows him and begins to terrorize the town, preying on its inhabitants. Hutter’s wife, Ellen, becomes convinced that she can defeat Orlok by sacrificing herself and offering him her blood.

In the climactic scene, Orlok is lured into Ellen’s bedroom and begins to feed on her, but the sunlight suddenly streams in through the window and he is destroyed.

The film is notable for its eerie atmosphere, striking visuals, and groundbreaking use of shadows and light. It has been highly influential in the horror genre, and is widely regarded as a classic of German Expressionist cinema.

Directors:
F.W. Murnau

Writer:
Henrik Galeen, Bram Stoker

Stars:
Max Schreck, Alexander Granach, Gustav von Wangenheim

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L’Inferno (1911)
3/5 (1)

“L’Inferno” is a silent Italian film, released in 1911 and directed by Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan, and Giuseppe de Liguoro. It is based on the first part of Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy,” which describes the journey of Dante through the nine circles of Hell.

The film is divided into 34 segments, each corresponding to one of the cantos of the “Inferno.” It begins with Dante being led by the poet Virgil into the dark forest, where he encounters the three beasts of pride, envy, and avarice. Unable to pass, Dante is guided by Virgil through the gates of Hell, where he witnesses the torments of sinners in the first circle of Limbo.

As Dante and Virgil descend further, they encounter the souls of the damned in each of the circles of Hell. These include the lustful, the gluttonous, the wrathful, the heretics, the violent, the fraudulent, and the treacherous. Dante also encounters some of the historical figures and mythological characters who are punished in Hell, including Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Ulysses.

The film is notable for its special effects and innovative techniques, including the use of miniatures and hand-painted backdrops to create the various circles of Hell. It also features impressive costumes and makeup to depict the grotesque and terrifying creatures that Dante encounters in Hell.

Overall, “L’Inferno” is a pioneering film that brought one of the most famous literary works of all time to the screen in a stunning and captivating way. It remains a classic of silent cinema and a testament to the power of Dante’s vision of Hell.

Directors:
Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan, Giuseppe de Liguoro

Writer:
Dante Alighieri

Stars:
Salvatore Papa, Arturo Pirovano, Giuseppe de Liguoro

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Frankenstein (1910) [Edison]
3/5 (1)

“Frankenstein” is a 1910 silent horror film produced by Thomas Edison and directed by J. Searle Dawley. It is based on Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus”.

The film follows the story of Dr. Frankenstein (Augustus Phillips), a scientist who creates a monster (Charles Ogle) from various body parts. However, the creature becomes uncontrollable and wreaks havoc in the town, terrorizing the inhabitants and causing destruction.

The film’s plot follows the basic storyline of Shelley’s novel but condenses it significantly due to the limitations of the silent film medium. Despite its limitations, the film is notable for its pioneering special effects, including the use of makeup to create the monster’s gruesome appearance.

“Frankenstein” is a landmark film in the horror genre and is regarded as one of the earliest examples of a feature-length horror film. While its special effects and production values may seem primitive by modern standards, the film remains a significant piece of cinema history and an important influence on later horror films.

Directors:
J. Searle Dawley

Writer:
Mary Shelley, J. Searle Dawley

Stars:
Mary Fuller, Charles Ogle, Augustus Phillips

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Beyond Tomorrow (Beyond Christmas) (1940)
3/5 (1)

“Beyond Tomorrow,” also known as “Beyond Christmas,” is a 1940 Christmas fantasy film directed by A. Edward Sutherland. The story revolves around three wealthy and lonely businessmen named George, Allan, and Michael who decide to spend Christmas together.

While vacationing in New York City, the three men meet a young woman named Jean Lawrence and invite her to join them for dinner. They all get along well, and the three men feel a deep connection with Jean.

However, tragedy strikes when the three men are killed in a plane crash on their way home from vacation. After their deaths, they become ghosts and try to help Jean and her struggling career as a singer.

The ghosts arrange for Jean to meet a young and ambitious businessman named James Houston, and the two begin a relationship. However, the ghosts fear that James is not the right man for Jean and try to intervene.

In the end, the ghosts are able to help Jean find true love with Jim, who is revealed to be the long-lost son of one of the businessmen. The film ends with the three ghosts ascending to heaven, content that they were able to help Jean find happiness.

The film is notable for its heartwarming story of love and redemption and its themes of generosity and selflessness. It also features an early use of special effects to depict the three ghosts and their interactions with the living world.

Directors:
A. Edward Sutherland

Writer:
Adele Comandini, Mildred Cram

Stars:
Harry Carey, C. Aubrey Smith, Charles Winninger

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Black & White Series

Series List A-Z

Top Rated Moveis

1 Great Expectations (1946)
5/5 (1)
2 Strike (1925)
5/5 (1)
3 The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
5/5 (1)
4 Intolerance (1916)
5/5 (1)
5 The Phantom Carriage (1921)
5/5 (1)
6 Charade (1953)
5/5 (1)
7 His Girl Friday (1940)
5/5 (1)
8 Rebecca (1940)
5/5 (1)
9 The Intruder (1962)
5/5 (1)
10 Arizona Gunfighter (1937)
5/5 (1)