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Classic Movies

Date: Apr 01 2009

Themes: History

Grammar: Past Progressive Tense

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Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

There’s just something about black and white that makes everything look classier, isn’t there? Maybe that’s why classic Hollywood films from the 1950s or earlier seem more glamorous and sophisticated than the new films that are being made these days.

Marni and Devan love classic movies. They both have their favorite directors and actors from the history of film. Listen to them talk about why they love classic movies so much.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Marni

Devan: The other day I was watching a Jimmy Stewart marathon.

Marni: Oh, I love Jimmy Stewart.

Devan: Are you a big fan of the classic movies?

Marni: I am. Anything with Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, those classic Hollywood actors.

Devan: So, the black and white movies before everything became colorized?

Marni: Yeah. You know, some of them are now out of print, so those are the real gems.

Devan: Definitely. Do you ever go as far back as silent films? Or are you more into the Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant era?

Marni: I think I’m definitely more into the ‘40s, ‘50s era of filmmaking, when there were talkies. But I would love to go back and actually watch some of the original Charlie Chaplin films.

Devan: So do think movies have gone too far with special effects and everything now?

Marni: No, not necessarily. I mean I still appreciate new filmmaking. But there are some classic directors, like my personal favorite is old Hitchcock films. I think Alfred Hitchcock was a genius. And they’re just…I mean he did such a good job of building suspense with subtle nuances and the acting.

Devan: Oh yeah, definitely. To this day, I’m still afraid of seagulls.

Marni: Yeah, exactly! Because The Birds was so terrifying. He made birds scary. It’s pretty genius.

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, and Marilyn Monroe are actors from the 1940s and ‘50s who starred in classic Hollywood films. Marni and Devan both like watching old movies starring these iconic actors.

They also love films made by Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock made suspenseful, scary movies like Psycho and The Birds, in which flocks of birds attack people.

Even though she enjoys classic films, Marni still appreciates new movies. But some people think that new movies aren’t as magical as classic films. They think that too many special effects, violence, and sex have changed Hollywood for the worse.

What’s your favorite classic film? Do you like older movies or new ones?

Comments

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michael1028

China

I don’t see any classic Hollywood films at all. So I see many new films, all kinds of them, and I think the movie stands for the culture at that moment. So it’s hard to say which is better. Just enjoy it when you like it.

nosa romance

Egypt

I love scary movies too much , and I don't like classic movies

shimaa mohammed

Egypt

I think whether black and white moives and modern movies both are great.

but I'm sure this site is very good.

idrnouel

Dominican Republic

Yes, I like classic films. I have a farority one: The godfather.

mukashi

Myanmar

I don't like black and white movies and scilent movies. However the colour the most I like is black colour. I'd like to wear black colour blouse. Now I am into black hat. But my mom is so superstitious that she always scold me when I wear black colour blouse .