The Greatest Black and White Films of All Time

Description: This screwball comedy won all five major Academy Awards, setting a record that still stands. It's a delightful rom-com about a spoiled heiress and a cynical reporter on a cross-country journey.

Fact: Clark Gable's character famously undresses, revealing he doesn't wear an undershirt, leading to a significant drop in undershirt sales.

Description: Charlie Chaplin's first true sound film satirizes Adolf Hitler and fascism, with Chaplin playing both a Jewish barber and the dictator Adenoid Hynkel.

Fact: Chaplin wrote, directed, produced, scored, and starred in the film, making it a true auteur work.

Description: Often hailed as the greatest film ever made, 'Citizen Kane' revolutionized filmmaking with its narrative structure, deep focus cinematography, and innovative use of sound and light.

Fact: The film was inspired by the life of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who tried to suppress its release.

Description: This film noir classic introduced audiences to the hard-boiled detective Sam Spade, portrayed by Humphrey Bogart, and set the standard for detective stories in cinema.

Fact: It was the third adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's novel, but the first to be faithful to the source material.

Description: This romantic drama set during World War II is famous for its unforgettable dialogue, iconic scenes, and the theme of love and sacrifice. Its blend of romance, politics, and intrigue makes it a perennial favorite.

Fact: The script was being written as the film was being shot, leading to many spontaneous changes and improvisations.

Description: A masterpiece of film noir, this film is renowned for its atmospheric cinematography and the haunting zither score, set in post-war Vienna. Its complex narrative and moral ambiguity make it a timeless classic.

Fact: Orson Welles, who played Harry Lime, was only on set for a few days, and his character was largely built around his brief but impactful presence.

Description: A biting satire on Hollywood, this film explores the dark side of fame and the passage of time, with Gloria Swanson delivering a career-defining performance as the faded silent film star Norma Desmond.

Fact: The film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards but won only three, including Best Screenplay.

Description: Directed by Charles Laughton, this film blends elements of film noir and fairy tale, with Robert Mitchum's chilling performance as a false preacher with 'LOVE' and 'HATE' tattooed on his knuckles.

Fact: It was Laughton's only directorial effort, and it was a commercial failure upon release but has since gained cult status.

Description: Ingmar Bergman's allegorical tale of a knight playing chess with Death during the Black Death is a profound meditation on life, faith, and the human condition, celebrated for its stark imagery.

Fact: The film was shot in Sweden, using real medieval locations to enhance its authenticity.

Description: François Truffaut's debut feature is a semi-autobiographical story of a misunderstood adolescent, marking the beginning of the French New Wave with its innovative storytelling and cinéma vérité style.

Fact: The film's ending, with the protagonist running towards the camera, was improvised on the spot.