Modern Movies Made To Look Old

[Dr Doran]

I do not know if there has been a thread on this. I am talking about movies made in the past 30 years which have been deliberately designed to mimic much older films. I am NOT talking about L. A. Confidential, as much as I adored it, for it did not go black-and-white nor did it try to ape the conventions of the past.

I think this can be an amusing discipline for a creator to attempt. There is a Call of Cthulhu movie made in 2005 or 6 which tries very hard, and pretty successfully, to be a silent film from the 20s. There are dialogue-titles and everything. The acting is even slightly melodramatic. An friend of mine made a movie in the silent style about Nicola Tesla, the inventor of the Tesla Coil, and his rivalry with Edison, as well. Does anyone know any other movies in this genre, if we can call it a genre?

[happyfilmluvguy]

Schindler's List and The Good German have both tried very hard to give an authentic performance of a film. There are a couple other films which are not in black and white, nor even a period film, yet give the feeling of an old movie. Something you've seen before a long time ago, but in a different voice.

[cooncatbob]

I can think of 2 off hand "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" a rather mediocre movie and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" both movie stretch the bounds of believe ability and technology. I have both on DVD and have only watch them once each.

[Viola]

Like Indiana Jones, The Rocketeer tried to capture the feeling of pulp-action, but its not really what you meant, right? Not a historic film technique.

Still a favorite of mine.

-Viola

[CharlieH.]

The ultimate "made to look old" movie has to be Woody Allen's Zelig. The film is a documentary about a man from the late 1920's who could change his appearance to blend in (like a chameleon), and the film has the most authentic looking shots of Woody being his usual neurotic self in a late 20's- early 30's setting. He's also seen interacting with many a celebrity from the day, including Babe Ruth, Herbert Hoover, Pope Pius XI, and even ole Adolf himself.

http://www.nodulo.org/ec/2004/img/n029p22d.jpg

They shot the "vintage" scenes using real 1920's equipment. Even for the sound recording!

[Dr Doran]

Like Indiana Jones, The Rocketeer tried to capture the feeling of pulp-action, but its not really what you meant, right? Not a historic film technique.

Still a favorite of mine.

-Viola

I didn't see Rocketeer but I remember the comic book in the 80s. The guy's girlfriend looked (in the comic) exactly like Betty Page. Sounds good, Viola, thanks. I should see The Good German. If I remember it, liked Schindler's List except for that red splotch. Wasn't Ralph Fiennes in that as a Nazi soldier? It disturbed me how many women thought he was "hot" in that. Then again, sadism and masochism are not underground anymore. I found Sky Captain visually lush but the lack of characters bothered me. I did not see League of Extr. Gentlemen but I read the comic book and thought it very fine. Perhaps I'll see the film ... thanks for the tips, folks.

[Dr Doran]

The ultimate "made to look old" movie has to be Woody Allen's Zelig. The film is a documentary about a man from the late 1920's who could change his appearance to blend in (like a chameleon), and the film has the most authentic looking shots of Woody being his usual neurotic self in a late 20's- early 30's setting. He's also seen interacting with many a celebrity from the day, including Babe Ruth, Herbert Hoover, Pope Pius XI, and even ole Adolf himself.

http://www.nodulo.org/ec/2004/img/n029p22d.jpg

They shot the "vintage" scenes using real 1920's equipment. Even for the sound recording!

Oh, I saw Zelig. Absolutely brilliant. I have not viewed it since about 1991 though. I should see it again. Superb film.

[Viola]

They did soft-pedal the Bettie references in the movie, Doran. (It was a Disney film so she became an "aspiring actress" instead of a pin-up girl and went from "Betty" to "Jenny")

But it was a lot of fun, and very quotable, and Jennifer Connolly did well as the girl, and looked really cute, though I thought they should have let her keep the Bettie bangs.

-Viola

[Dr Doran]

They did soft-pedal the Bettie references in the movie, Doran. (It was a Disney film so she became an "aspiring actress" instead of a pin-up girl and went from "Betty" to "Jenny")

But it was a lot of fun, and very quotable, and Jennifer Connolly did well as the girl, and looked really cute, though I thought they should have let her keep the Bettie bangs.

-Viola

Oh, that is terrible because in the comic she was the hottest thing in the world. It was drawn and written by Dale something, and he was obviously a Bettie Page fanatic who essentially made up an entire comic book in order to draw a Bettie Page-like character in provocative dangerous situations like tied to railroad tracks and such. The story, one suspected, was but a scaffolding built around such visions. Did you see the Bettie Page movie? I have not done so yet.

[Viola]

I did take a look at the Rocketeer comic, and its true, his love of Page comes through crystal clear, it was really fun. I have to say, reading other comics, I wish half the time the artist would just pick one girl and stick with it like that, and not trace whatever Sports Illustrated he happens to have lying around.

I haven't seen her movie yet, but I'd like to.

I did think the Shadow movie with...one of the Baldwin brothers, I can't remember which...was not as good. Which is a shame; The Shadow should be awesome.

-Viola

[pigeon toe]

Certain scenes of The Nortorious Bettie Page pulled off the old look of early color films very nicely. I heard they used 1950's equipment for those scenes, which obviously helped!

[Daisy Buchanan]

There were certain parts of "The Aviator" that had a vintage feel to them. Although you could tell the cinematography was modern, they used different tones to create a vintage feel. And of course the wonderful wardrobe helped too. But I might be biased, for this is one of my favorite modern films.

I agree with your comments on "Sky Captain". It was aesthetically pleasing but the characters were underdeveloped and lacked passion and realism.

[Dr Doran]

There were certain parts of "The Aviator" that had a vintage feel to them. Although you could tell the cinematography was modern, they used different tones to create a vintage feel. And of course the wonderful wardrobe helped too. But I might be biased, for this is one of my favorite modern films.

I agree with your comments on "Sky Captain". It was aesthetically pleasing but the characters were underdeveloped and lacked passion and realism.

Hey, Daisy, I need to know the skinny on Stop Staring clothes as I want to buy something for my wife. Are they reliable? Well-made? (I ask because you mentioned wearing a dress by them in another string.)

[WH1]

The movie that comes to mind for me is the Coen Brothers, The Man Who Wasn't There. Released in Black and White. I guess it was film noir style. It was also a fairly good movie with a great cast.

[Dr Doran]

The movie that comes to mind for me is the Coen Brothers, The Man Who Wasn't There. Released in Black and White. I guess it was film noir style. It was also a fairly good movie with a great cast.

There's a good example. I saw that. It was quite cool but sad. There is something mean about the Coen Brothers that I cannot fathom.

I just thought of another one. The Saddest Music in the World. Did anyone see that? It takes place somewhere in snowy Canada and it's about a guy who has his artiste brother's wife and his dad is a surgeon who cut off the wrong leg of Isabella Rossellini (whom my wife greatly resembles sans amputation). There is a song contest. The movie's heartless cruelty got on my nerves despite the visual brilliance. I'm sorry but amputations are not a fit subject for humor. Only horror (e.g. Hostel).

[Maj.Nick Danger]

There's a good example. I saw that. It was quite cool but sad. There is something mean about the Coen Brothers that I cannot fathom.

I just thought of another one. The Saddest Music in the World. Did anyone see that? It takes place somewhere in snowy Canada and it's about a guy who has his artiste brother's wife and his dad is a surgeon who cut off the wrong leg of Isabella Rossellini (whom my wife greatly resembles sans amputation). There is a song contest. The movie's heartless cruelty got on my nerves despite the visual brilliance. I'm sorry but amputations are not a fit subject for humor. Only horror (e.g. Hostel).

"Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" was a great Coen Bros. movie with a nice vintage style about it.
Nothing really mean about it though that I saw. I liked every Coen Bros. movie I've seen so far, although the one you described here does sound like a bit much to bear. :(

[Feraud]

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.

[MAGNAVERDE]

I didn't realize that "The Rocketeer" was a comic book before it was a movie. I just saw the movie's moody, streamlined poster & knew I had to see it. It's been 10 years, or whatever, since the thing came out, and I've fogotten most of the story, but the production values were great. The funny dog-shaped diner, the cool deco nightclub, the bad guy's Spanish baroque hacienda & the night-time chase on the Zeppelin floating high above the city were wonderful. Also, the guy's haircut was great.

I also haven't seen "Zelig" since it came out, but I remember wondering if Woody Allen had started out with an old Betty Boop record & written a whole movie around the song's theme. I couldn't believe it when I found out that it was a brand new song & that Helen Kane was still around. Leave it to Woody to find someone like that & put her to work doing what she did so well. When I see one of his films I always feel like I'm watching the members of an elite private club making movies for their own amusement.

The other movie that fits--and that I'm surprised no one has mentioned--is "Dead men Don't Wear Plaid" which is not only funny, but also so well- crafted that unless one is in on the joke--which my dad wasn't the time I rented the movie & watched it up at my parents' house--he may not even realize that the whole thing is a gigantic pastiche & that fifty years separate some of the individual cuts within a single scene. I remember one sequence with Venetian blinds in the background that was incredible. The match between the tone of the old footage & new was perfect.

My favorite part of this movie, though, was the opening credits, which all by themselves were worth the price of admission. For that matter, they are some of the best I ever remember, anywhere. If you haven't seen the movie, the titles fade in & out over a loosely-rendered charcoal drawing of Los Angeles in the 194Os, during which sequence the background drawing makes a leisurely 36O-degree pan across the sprawling city landscape & during which time the sunny sky clouds over, then there's a brief shower of rain when the lights come on & finally the view comes back to where the whole thing started. Amazing. If you remember the romantic matte-painting of the fog-bound rooftops of London, with the hazy silhouettes of the City's great churches looming up in the distance through a pall of coal-smoke that the late Peter Ellenshaw did for "Mary Poppins", the opening of DMDWP is just as beautiful.

The only other period-movie sequence I remember so well--and this wasn't a film meant to look old--was in the 1973 version of "Goodbye, My Lovely": a dreamy night-time drive through a rainy canyon of ancient neon signs that seems to stretch on forever, while the slowest, laziest muted horn you ever heard wails on the soundtrack. I hate traveling, but I'll tell you, I was ready to pack my bags and go anyplace that I could see such a cluster of intact vintage neon in one place. Of course, it was probably all effects, and even if it really existed back in 1973, it's probably long gone by now.

Magnaverde.

[Dr Doran]

Good, I'll see "Dead Men ... Plaid" when I can. Thanks, folks.

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

Harry Enfield's done some pretty well made fake-old sketches, too, in my opinion. The ones about women's values come to mind, or the soccer match between a 1930s team and one from today.

[Fletch]

There's a good example. I saw that. It was quite cool but sad. There is something mean about the Coen Brothers that I cannot fathom. [...]
I just thought of another one. The Saddest Music in the World [...] The movie's heartless cruelty got on my nerves despite the visual brilliance. I'm sorry but amputations are not a fit subject for humor. Only horror (e.g. Hostel).That hard black "humor" - way beyond laughability, really a pose of meta intellectual superiority by people who aren't fit to polish Mr. Mike's hobnail shoes - is what you do in the movies today to come off "sophisticated," because the business knows that true sophistication doesn't close deals.

The same stuff is also a convenient substitute for literate humor, which requires expensive, unreliable writers and makes you ineligible for awards.

[Dr Doran]

That hard black "humor" - way beyond laughability, really a pose of meta intellectual superiority by people who aren't fit to polish Mr. Mike's hobnail shoes - is what you do in the movies today to come off "sophisticated," because the business knows that true sophistication doesn't close deals.

The same stuff is also a convenient substitute for literate humor, which requires expensive, unreliable writers and makes you ineligible for awards.

I have seen a couple of things lately that have made a joke about amputation and I think it is not proper material for humor. I cannot remember the other thing but "The Saddest Music in the World," despite its visual merits, really sicked me out with that. I guess "Boxing Helena" might count but it wasn't being played for laughs.

[Haversack]

A sub-genre comes to mind in which the movies were filmed in black and white specifically to allow period footage to be integrated into the film: Movies of World War Two filmed in the 1960s. The two best examples I can think of are _The Longest Day_ and _Is Paris Burning?_. In the latter, the Liberation Parade with DeGaulle was necessary for political closure.

Haversack.

[Amy Jeanne]

The first few minutes of Man Of The Century (1999) are done in silent movie style. The rest of the film is in black & white.

Bettie Page: Dark Angel (2004) also has a very 50s look to it. The colours were amazing. And the little B&W Bettie loops were made to look authentic, too.

[LadyStardust]

Schindler's List and The Good German have both tried very hard to give an authentic performance of a film. There are a couple other films which are not in black and white, nor even a period film, yet give the feeling of an old movie. Something you've seen before a long time ago, but in a different voice.
This description also reminded me of the movie Chocolat. It's filmed in a very understated style, and to me exudes not precisely a vintage feel, but rather a timeless one. Like you said, it reminds me of something I've seen a long time ago, but I can't quite put my finger on it. [huh]

[Spitfire]

The man who wasn't there. Great film.
Goodnight and good luck. Even greater!

The beach part of Saving Private Ryan - had an authetic almost black and white feeling. And they also used cameras with old "shutter time" (Pardon my bad english) Just like spielberg/Hanks did again in Band of Brothers. Not everywhere but in some scenes.

[Mike in Seattle]

Young Frankenstein (http://imdb.com/title/tt0072431/), Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (http://imdb.com/title/tt0307109/) and Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (http://imdb.com/title/tt0083798/) immediately leapt to mind and I see Feraud beat me to the later.

And for campy 50's/60's spoofs - Psycho Beach Party (http://imdb.com/title/tt0206226/)and Die, Mommy, Die! (http://imdb.com/title/tt0322023/) are great.

[Dr Doran]

The first few minutes of Man Of The Century (1999) are done in silent movie style. The rest of the film is in black & white.

Bettie Page: Dark Angel (2004) also has a very 50s look to it. The colours were amazing. And the little B&W Bettie loops were made to look authentic, too.

Yeah, I liked Man of the Century. I tried to start up another thread specifically about Man of the Century and other movies and books with Stylistically Anachronistic Protagonists, but NO ONE responded [he sobs. he falls face forward into his beer ... the chair falls apart under him ... CURTAINS FALL.

[Dr Doran]

The man who wasn't there. Great film.
Goodnight and good luck. Even greater!
.

I forgot about Good Night and Good Luck. That's a perfect example.
Someone else brought up The Man Who Wasn't There. Good one, and I loved the Lolita references (one of my favorite books, and I loved both film adaptations) but it was so sad that I can't see it again. I get too depressed, unreasonably so, with stories with the following sorts of characters:
1. Insane
2. Terribly depressed
3. Developmentally disabled
4. Living a life in which they are disrespected, have a low opinion of themselves, accomplish nothing and amount to nothing

[MrBern]

http://www.tipos.com.br/media/315/20041015-Quadrophenia.jpg

[MrBern]

http://andrewmccarthy.net/images/heavenj.JPG

Notice the one on far left is the now poplular Dr.McDreamy on Grey's Anatomy

http://www.chud.com/demo/Underrated%20-%20folder/heaven%20help%20us.jpg

[Amy Jeanne]

Yeah, I liked Man of the Century. I tried to start up another thread specifically about Man of the Century and other movies and books with Stylistically Anachronistic Protagonists, but NO ONE responded [he sobs. he falls face forward into his beer ... the chair falls apart under him ... CURTAINS FALL.

Awww. I love Man Of The Century and I think it's one of the very best modern films (1970-today) out there!

[Dr Doran]

Awww. I love Man Of The Century and I think it's one of the very best modern films (1970-today) out there!

When I imagine the lives of some of the people who post at the lounge, it is with very fond amusement that I liken them to Johnny Twennies in that film. (Except unlike him, they presumably know that the world has, in fact, changed.)

[Amy Jeanne]

When I imagine the lives of some of the people who post at the lounge, it is with very fond amusement that I liken them to Johnny Twennies in that film. (Except unlike him, they presumably know that the world has, in fact, changed.)

Ya know, I do the same thing. :)

[Haversack]

What particularly appealed to me about _Man of the Century_ and made it all work as far as Johnnie viewing the world through 1920s lenses, was that his mother was also out of step with modern day. Only in her case, she saw the world through an 1890s lorgnette.

Haversack.

[Dr Doran]

What particularly appealed to me about _Man of the Century_ and made it all work as far as Johnnie viewing the world through 1920s lenses, was that his mother was also out of step with modern day. Only in her case, she saw the world through an 1890s lorgnette.

Haversack.

I did not think of that. I guess to her, Johnny was terribly modern and kind of vulgar.

[BegintheBeguine]

Is 1971 considered modern? The Last Picture Show.

[dhermann1]

There's a fine line between movies that depict that past effectively and ones that recreate the style of an old film. The latter category is much rarer. In that group I'd put Zelig, Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid, Sky Captain and a couple others. Speaking of Woody Allen, his Radio Days is certainly evocative of the time. The one I've always loved was "Tucker, the Man and His Dream". What I liked about that was that every man was wearing a brand new 1947 style tie. Nobody had a 1945, or 1939 or a 1935. Art directors sometimes forget that the past existed in the past. Most people did not dress in the latest styles. But I still loved those ties in Tucker. And I want the Rocketeer's helmet!

[Miss Dottie]

I think Steve Martin's Pennies From Heaven is a good one.

Ah--Zelig! I'm going to add that to my Netflix account right now. Thanks for that!

[Pink Dahlia]

And for campy 50's/60's spoofs - Psycho Beach Party (http://imdb.com/title/tt0206226/)and Die, Mommy, Die! (http://imdb.com/title/tt0322023/) are great.

I caught Beach Party on TV one day and I kept thinking "what year was this thing made?" What a goofy flick!

[Dr Doran]

Can you tell me about Tucker, the Man and His Dream? It does not ring a bell.

[Doctor Strange]

"Tucker: A Man And His Dream" was directed by Francis Ford Coppola back in around 1988 or so. It starred Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen, and Martin Landau - all of whom were great in it. Set in the late 1940s, it told the true story of Preston Tucker, who designed a car way ahead of its time and marketed it on his own. Despite his optimism and the design's brilliance, the company fails after only building a very small number of cars, essentially done in by the political machinations of the entrenched big Detroit automakers.

At the time, all the talk was about how the story mirrored Coppola's own recently failed attempt to set up his own alternative film studo in San Francisco, American Zoetrope, which ultimately couldn't compete with the Hollywood establishment. Of more importance to us now is the beautiful period stylization and clothes seen in the film.

I haven't seen the film since its theatrical run, but I recall really liking it...

[Dr Doran]

Thanks Doc. Hope the Eye of Agammoto is still under control in your Sanctum Sanctorum.