Reel Old Movies

[Updated February 2025] As movie studios ramp back up production in 2025, movie theaters aren't relying on classic movie re-releases as much. But a few national re-releases of classic movies are still to be found.  Making the case for re-releases: The Future of Film May Just be Old Movies Here's a list of classic movie re-releases coming soon to a theater hopefully near you. These are roughly pre-1980 movies being released nationally or at least broad regionally.  As always, check out your local independent movie theater: they are gems for classic movie screenings and I cannot track all of those! (My tiny town's old one-screen movie theater recently played a Hitchcock retrospective, for example. The audiences were mostly younger adults which spurred hope for the next generation of classic movie fans.) This list will continue to update throughout 2025 as new movies are announced. January Seven Samurai A Clockwork Orange February Gone with the Wind   |  Related...

On this date in Hollywood history -- January: "The Shop Around the Corner" released ... Cary Grant's birthday ... Gina Lollobrigida passes away ... Marilyn Monroe's "Niagra" premieres ... Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights" screens in Los Angeles ... "Casablanca" opens widely across the United States. Discover what happened on days throughout January in Hollywood history, from historic film premieres and industry milestones to anniversaries of birthdays/deaths of beloved Old Hollywood figures, and more. (This story will be updated throughout the month) January 12 The original “You’ve Got Mail”: 1940’s “The Shop Around the Corner” stars James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as shop workers who fight by day and unknowingly fall in love with each other via letters at night. Versions of this premise abound in movies, but none so tender as this movie with the “Lubitsch touch,” a favorite of both fans and critics. It was released in theaters Janu...

“Here’s looking at you, kid.” “We’ll always have Paris.” “Out of all the gin joints …” “Round up the usual suspects.” While today’s movies would be lucky to have one or two memorable quotes that permeate pop culture, 1942’s “Casablanca” is bursting with dozens of great lines that are woven into our language. I will argue it's the most quoted movie of all time – with many people ignorant that they’re actually quoting the movie! Not bad for a movie marking its 80th anniversary.  “Casablanca” is a staple for classic film buffs, but I encourage any Old Hollywood novice or fan of modern movies to watch for the first time. (Or if it’s been a while since you’ve seen it, re-discover it).  Don’t let the fact that it’s in black and white and decades-old deter you. The star power of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman will certainly pull you in, but the allure of “Casablanca” is also rooted in its screenplay, a masterclass of a movie script.  Which goes to show us there is no formul...