Start here

Start with eight films.

Not a top-eight list. These are the eight easiest doors into the era — every one rated an ideal first watch. Pick whichever mood fits tonight.

1. 01
   Modern Times 1936
   Modern Times (1936)

   A warm, funny way in: Chaplin against the machine age.

   Charlie Chaplin · 87 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

2. 02
   It Happened One Night 1934
   It Happened One Night (1934)

   The blueprint for every romantic comedy. Easy laughs.

   Frank Capra · 105 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

3. 03
   The Wizard of Oz 1939
   The Wizard of Oz (1939)

   The moment black-and-white opens into colour. Pure wonder.

   Victor Fleming · 102 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

4. 04
   Casablanca 1942
   Casablanca (1942)

   A perfect romance. Not a single wasted minute.

   Michael Curtiz · 102 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

5. 05
   Sunset Blvd. 1950
   Sunset Blvd. (1950)

   Watchable, wickedly ironic, and impossible to stop.

   Billy Wilder · 110 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

6. 06
   12 Angry Men 1957
   12 Angry Men (1957)

   One room, no escape, all tension — and it feels modern.

   Sidney Lumet · 96 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

7. 07
   Some Like It Hot 1959
   Some Like It Hot (1959)

   Quite possibly the funniest film ever made.

   Billy Wilder · 121 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

8. 08
   Sherlock Jr. 1924
   Sherlock Jr. (1924)

   Proof that silent film is no homework. 45 minutes of joy.

   Buster Keaton · 45 min

   Great first watch Good first watch: Great first watch

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