From the rise to superstardom of James Dean to atomic-era monster movies and beyond, there was no decade quite like the 1950s. We are currently celebrating features from the Eisenhower era with our Favorites from the ’50s Sale, and here’s a peak at some noteworthy, star-packed classics that you’ll want to check out…no hot rods or poodle skirts required!
Director John Ford’s Oscar-winning rouser stars John Wayne as Irish-born, American-raised ex-boxer Sean Thornton. Returning to Ireland to claim his family’s estate, Sean falls for and weds feisty village beauty Mary Kate Danaher (Maureen O’Hara). But after he’s branded a coward for refusing to fight her ruffian brother Red (Victor McLaglen) for her dowry, Sean finally relents and takes on Red in a classic screen brawl. With Barry Fitzgerald, Mildred Natwick, Ward Bond.
Gripping Gold Rush saga stars Marilyn Monroe as a saloon singer searching for her runaway husband with the aid of widowed trailhand Robert Mitchum. Spectacular rafting action sequences are not to be missed. Rory Calhoun, Tommy Rettig co-star under Otto Preminger’s direction.
Billy Wilder helmed and co-wrote this spry romantic comedy starring Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina Fairchild, the shy daughter of the wealthy Larrabee family’s chauffeur. When a trip to Paris transforms Sabrina into a beautiful and elegant young woman, she catches the attention of both of the blueblood clan’s sons–workaholic Linus (Humphrey Bogart) and carefree playboy David (William Holden). Walter Hampden, John Williams also star.
Winner of eight Academy Awards, this powerful, brilliantly performed saga focuses on the dreams, despair, and corruption of New York City longshoremen. Marlon Brando is ex-boxer Terry Malloy, who is driven to confront union corruption after growing close to a woman (Eva Marie Saint) whose brother was murdered for cooperating with authorities. Rod Steiger, Lee J. Cobb, and Karl Malden co-star under Elia Kazan’s potent direction; scripted by Budd Schulberg.
Directed by George Stevens (“Giant”), this sagebrush classic stars Alan Ladd as Shane, a retired, laconic gunfighter who comes to the assistance of a homestead family when they are terrorized by a wealthy cattleman (Emile Meyer). As the clan’s young son Joey (Brandon deWilde) begins to idolize him, Shane is forced to do battle with a hired gun (Jack Palance) to protect everything he believes in. With Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Ben Johnson; based on the 1949 novel by Jack Schaefer.
What’s your favorite film from the 1950’s? Let us know in the comments below!