The Absolute Ultimate! My Top 10 Old Movies

1. Gidget - 1959

This post was inspired by watching Gidget last weekend. It reminded me how great old movies are because they are funny on so many levels. They are funny on the level where they're actually trying to be funny, and then they are funny because they are so old.

Gidget (1959!) is a perfect example of that. Gidget is all about a "tomboy" who wants to learn to surf with the guys. She is the one who says, "It'd be the absolute ultimate!!!" You should probably watch it just for the 1950s swim suits, but if that's not your thing, watch it for the snorkel Gidget wears, as pictured below. There are multiple scenes where she almost drowns in seaweed, all of which are brilliantly executed. And who could forget the song Moondoggy sings to Gidget. That's right. Moondoggy. It's all great.

Gidget and her snorkel

 
2. The Court Jester - 1956

This is one of our family movies - it's one that we all adore and have been watching since we were little. Everyone needs a little Danny Kaye in their life. Plus a young Angela Lansbury! And this movie is legitimately funny and extremely clever, it's not just funny because it's old. I love every second of it.

3. Meet Me in St. Louis - 1944

Judy Garland at her very best. This movie is sing-along-worthy, complete with an adorable love story and great characters. The family in this movie is almost as fantastic and hilarious as my family.

"Wasn't I lucky to be born in my favorite city?"

The Trolley Song

4. Clue - 1985

One of my favorite Halloween movies! It's 1,000 times better than the board game. My friends and I used to watch this all the time in junior high together and we each had a character we were. This movie is ridiculous. If you like movies that make sense, do not watch this.

Wadsworth: But, he was your second husband. Your first husband also disappeared.
Mrs. White: But that was his job. He was an illusionist.
Wadsworth: But he never reappeared!
Mrs. White: He wasn't a very good illusionist.

 Wadsworth: You see? Like the Mounties, we always get our man.
Mr. Green: Mrs. Peacock was a man?

 Wadsworth: I suggest we take the cook's body into the study.
Colonel Mustard: Why?
Wadsworth: I'm the butler, I like to keep the kitchen tidy.

5. What's Up, Doc? - 1972

Speaking of ridiculous movies. I love every second of this one. San Fransisco is the perfect setting for this film. Everyone is falling the whole time, so to have it end with them all sliding down every hill in the city is perfect. Awkward slapstick at its finest.

"It's me, Howard Banister. Your fiance."

6. The Sound of Music - 1965

I don't know what to say about this movie, because it's not like you don't know about it. But I had it put it on here if only for my mom. My mom always would tell us that if she could be another person she would choose the Julie Andrews version of Maria Von Trapp. Check! She basically is her.

My mom always cries at the part where the kids are missing Maria and singing "My Favorite Things," and then Maria comes running down the hill singing. Even if she just walks in for that part and hasn't been watching the movie, she cries. Love you, Mama!

7. The Great Race - 1965

When I finally watched this movie, I realized that half of the things my mom's family says are actually quotes from it. This movie is definitely quotable and I love Natalie Wood.

Below is my favorite scene...two quacioodles under a blanket...but the pie fight scene is imfamous.

8. The Endless Summer - 1966

In search of the perfect wave! The first surfing movie EVER. The Endless Summer documents three hilarious surfers traveling all over the world. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have probably laughed harder in this movie than in any other. The commentary is top-notch. You have to love the part where they get chased by a zebra.

9. The Beatles Help!- 1965

We all knew I couldn't get through this post without talking about the Beatles. Yes, they also act. And they are hilarious.

10. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken - 1966

Wow, another Halloween movie! Don Knotts is pretty great, and this is for sure my favorite of his movies. And honestly, this movie really did used to scare me. Now I just love all of Don Knotts' faces and awkwardness. And I love that they live in Rachel, Kansas and that his girlfriend's name is Alma. The best, of course, is the scene where he is giving his speech at the town picnic.

"Let me clarify this..."

"Atta boy Luther!"

Old movies are the greatest. What are your favorites?