Fewer and fewer streaming services offer movies made before the 1990's, which means that the "Golden Age of Hollywood" is seemingly out of reach for many people. However, through both our physical collection and our special streaming platform (Hoopla), the library is here to help you build your pop culture literacy.
May 16th is Classical Movie Day. To celebrate, it might be time to finally watch that one Jimmy Stewart movie, or see that historical epic, or find out why a European prince wanted to marry Grace Kelly. You can explore our card catalog yourselves, or peruse some suggestions below.
Classical movies means classic Hollywood stars. The golden age movie stars created characters so memorable they now exist at icon status. The following films are culturally inextricable from their leading men and ladies. We've compiled some of the film industry's greatest stars, and linked to the films they are best known for.
Humphrey Bogart: Bogart was a movie tough guy and a huge box office draw in the 1940's and 50's. His persona combined gruffness, individuality, and weary idealism. His movies often involve crime and the criminal underbelly.
- Where to start: The Maltese Falcon; Casablanca
- Further viewing: To Have and Have Not; The Petrified Forest
Bette Davis: Davis was a box office draw for over fifty years. She was a genuinely talented actor's actor, who took on roles that often aged her image, ailed her image, or otherwise made a non-glamorous portrayal as she created complex portraitures with stellar talent.
- Where to start: All About Eve, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane
- Further viewing: Of Human Bondage, A Stolen Life
Cary Grant: Grant's characters were generally suave, witty, charming and sophisticated. He starred in both comedic and dramatic films, and was a dependable box office delight for over thirty years.
- Where to start: Bringing Up Baby, To Catch a Thief
- Further viewing: Charade, North By Northwest
Katharine Hepburn: AFI's choice for the greatest female movie star, Katharine Hepburn's career scanned six decades. During her career, she redefined how a leading lady was looked at by playing strong, outspoken women who could still be funny, sympathetic, and stylish.
- Where to start: Bringing Up Baby, The African Queen
- Further viewing: Lion In Winter, The Philadelphia Story, Woman of the Year
Clark Gable: Gable had an unselfconscious charm and an accessible masculinity that made him very appealing to men and women. He was grounded, handsome, gruff and funny. He performed just as well in small, intimate films as he did in sweeping historical epics.
- Where to start: It Happened One Night, Gone With the Wind
- If You Want to go further: Mutiny On The Bounty, The Misfits
Marilyn Monroe: The quintessential movie star, Monroe is as instantly identifiable today as she was during her box office reign in the 1950's. She is best known for the comedic films where she is glamorous and childlike, but she also starred in several films that showed the dramatic actress she could have developed into.
- Where to start: Some Like It Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- If You Want to go further: Niagara, The Seven Year Itch, How to Marry A Millionaire
Jimmy Stewart: Jimmy Stewart is remembered for his distinctive voice and his earnest, everyman appeal. In his career, he demonstrated the pinnacle of sincerity in some roles and explored the depths of subtle creepiness in others. Stewart made over 80 films, and also is known for his collaboration with great directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Frank Capra.
- Where to start: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, It's A Wonderful Life, Rear Window
- If You Want to go further: Vertigo, The Philadelphia Story
Audrey Hepburn: Audrey Hepburn's unusual voice, waiflike figure, and dancer's fluidity all claimed their place in the American zeitgeist. She's remembered for her beauty, her style, and her singular charm.
- Where to start: Roman Holiday; Breakfast At Tiffany's; My Fair Lady
- If you want to go further: The Nun's Story; Sabrina
More Golden Age Idols:
- Greta Garbo
- Spencer Tracy
- Natalie Wood
- Charlie Chaplin
- Marlene Dietrich
- Fred Astaire
- Judy Garland
- John Wayne
- Elizabeth Taylor
- James Dean
- Jean Harlow
- Paul Newman
- Sydney Poitier
- Pearl Bailey
- Hattie McDaniel
- Cicely Tyson
Beyond the films, you can learn all about the lives of these actors (and so many more) at our Gale In Context: Biography database.