Cinema of Yore

A tribute to the black and white cinema of the 50s and 60s...

They present before us

The mystery and the allure

Of the Black and White canvas

Woven intricate, with imagined colours.

 

These untainted gems of art

Polished by the hands of time

I try to recreate with words

Four of these gems in sight.

 

He is accused of rape

His only lingering sin

The colour of his skin

The burden of difference

The very worst of sin, but

To Kill A Mockingbird.

 

The burden of truth lies

With twelve homely men

All evidence considered

A shred of doubt remains

Yes they will rage, the

12 Angry Men.

 

The murder of a cruel man

The ever pervading mystique

Resurrection from the cold

The haunted spirit within.

Who are they, but

Les Diaboliques.

 

Plot, the perfect murder

Shattered by reality

Used with a sly wit

To further his cause

For that longing of freedom

Dial M For Murder.

 

I bow to these pieces

Humble and content

For building our castles

Way better than we can.

 

For creating our miracles

And forging our thoughts

Taking us to places

That can never be forgot.

Author's Note

This is my tribute to the black and white films that I have come to admire in the past few months. I have included four that i especially like and even though four lines are not enough to do them justice I have tried my best. Please tell me what you think.

Reviews

[An owl on the moon]

What an awesome tribute to some of the most wondrous classics! Each is shaped so delicately in black and white letters, then unveiled in vivid life!

[Sid]

Thank you Craig, I've come to love these movies and I'm glad I could convey my feelings through this poem...Thank you for reading and reviewing, glad you like it!!

[Becca Bishop]

Great idea!!! I really can't stand black and white films myself but I'm glad you chose to write about them; this was a really great and unique poem. I especially loved how you described the four movies that you like :P To Kill A Mockingbird is a great story.
Good write!!!! :D :D :D :D :D

[Sid]

I thought I couldn't stand them either till I actually watched a couple and since then I've been watching them with growing interest...Thank you fo the review, glad you like it!!

[Jack Reaper]

not at all what i was expecting when i read the description. this ended up beautifully done, and through it ive actually gained a new appreciation for black and white films. cheers to you.

[Sid]

Thank you, glad you like it!!

[Cwortknee]

"They present before us
The mystery and the allure
Of the Black and White canvas
Woven intricate, with imagined colours."

These lines speak volumes of the lost beauty of black and white cinema. Though I haven't seen the works you speak of, I feel as though I'm more educated on them now. I love the construction of this poem.. the second stanza really prepares you for what is to come, and placing the titles at the end of each stanza to follow gives people like me a better idea of what "gems" you speak of. Well done!

[Sid]

I just recently got into those classics and seriously some of them are amazing. Thank you for the review, glad you like it!!

[Cwortknee]

My pleasure, really.

[DrD]

May I suggest "Witness for the Prosecution". I agree wholeheartedly that the age of the black and white brought us different perspectives to film. The innuendos of light and shadow were forever lost to the innovation of color. I liked this very much, Sid and want to commend you for creating it.

[Sid]

Thank you Dr. as always your reviews mean a lot and these four are my favorites of the ones I've watched so far. I will definitely watch more including Witness for the Prosecution when I get the time. Again thank you for your words!!