Are These The Best Black-And-White Movies Ever?

Yes, it's true.

Some young people (even some not-so-young people) have never watched a black-and-white movie. They don't know what they're missing.

Some of the greatest movies ever made are in the dual tones that the movies first called their own. As photos were originally in black-and-white, so moving pictures were born of the same.

The following list of the very best of the genre is presented in no particular order and is our own arbitrary creation encompassing every type of story and spanning nearly every decade from the 1920s up to 2011. We hope you enjoy it!

Citizen Kane 1941 Some people consider it the greatest movie ever made.
Psycho 1960 The most frightening of the lot! Bloody black-and-white.

Manhattan 1979 Yes, black-and-white can be modern and lushly romantic.

To Kill A Mockingbird 1962 An enduring classic that will live forever. 

Paper Moon 1973 Black-and-white nostalgia doesn't get better. Like an old photograph!

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? 1962 Absolutely chilling and very dark!

City Lights 1931 One of the best from a real genius. A trailblazing work!

La Dolce Vita 1960 Fellini was a master of the genre.

It Happened One Night 1934 Swept the Oscars, and with good reason.

Camille 1936 A black-and-white costume drama? With Garbo, of course!

High Noon 1952 Best black-and-white western of all time?

Raging Bull 1980 Boxing films were made for black-and-white and visa-versa.

Double Indemnity 1944 A film noir triumph that demands repeated viewing.

The Artist 2011 Black-and-white in the 21st century and it still excels.

Sunset Boulevard (photo above) 1950 Nothing evokes like blacks-and-white. Baroque!

It’s A Wonderful Life 1946 No red, no green but can't imagine Christmas without it.

Casablanca 1942 Here's lookin at you, kid -- in black-and white!

Dr. Strangelove 1964 The end of the world won't be in color.

The General 1926 Keaton at his innovative best!

Judgement At Nuremberg 1961 Black-and-white in a courtroom confronting 

good and evil.

The Last Picture Show 1971 Homage to movies, the heartland and youth.

Lillies of the Field 1963 Crossing the racial and cultural divide in black-and-white.

Lolita 1962 A slow, steady sizzle in black-and-white.

On The Waterfront 1954 Somehow, black-and-white was made for struggle and anguish.

The Manchurian Candidate 1962 Prophetic in stark, ominous tones.

One final thought: The term "black-and-white" simply doesn't do justice to these great, immortal movies. These classics demonstrate that within "black and white" there are so many gradations -- so many shadows, reflections, variations and patterns. And these films show us the true varied and endless range of "black and white" and the imagination of great scenic designers, costumers, lighting experts and directors who worked in this genre. Indeed, the "limitations" of black-and-white opened a world of possibilities and allowed all of us to dream within the magic of a darkened theater. Bravo to all who made this possible!