Overlooked Movie Classics From the ’60s

Gregory Peck plays the role of David Stillwell, an accountant who suddenly develops amnesia, which erases the last two years of his life. To complicate matters further, a man fell from the top of the building where Stillwell was, yet he remembers nothing about the incident. Now, he must try and find out the truth behind his amnesia and the mysterious fall.

“The Best Man” is about a heated race for the Presidency between Wiliam Russell and Joe Cantwell. One candidate is willing to do whatever it takes to win, while the other stands by his principles. The film poses the question: Is playing dirty the only way to succeed?

Based loosely on T.E. Lawrence, this movie stars Peter O’Toole as Lawrence. The film begins with Lawrence’s death and then flashes back over his life. Commanded to find Prince Faisal in Arabia and serving as a liaison, Lawrence defies orders and goes in a different direction.

Bonnie is a bored waitress, and Clyde is a recently released ex-convict. Drawn together by an instant attraction, they start off on a life of crime, targeting banks, gas stations, and other establishments. However, their plan takes a deadly turn when they kill someone, leading Bonnie, Clyde, and their gang on a crime spree until they are eventually caught.

Before “The Walking Dead,” there was “Night of the Living Dead.” Judith O’Dea stars as Barbara, who, along with five others, finds herself taking refuge in an abandoned farmhouse after zombies start appearing. As they struggle to survive, the group faces internal conflicts about leadership and decision-making.

“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” is a black-and-white Western classic starring John Wayne as Tom Doniphon and James Stewart as Ransom Stoddard. After returning to town following Doniphon’s death, Stoddard reveals a story about Liberty Valance, a man who evaded justice until two men stood up to him. Will he answer the question, who actually shot Liberty Valance?

“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” is a musical directed by Jacques Demy, starring Catherine Deneuve as Genevieve and Castelvuovo as Guy. Genevieve and Guy fall deeply in love, but their relationship is torn apart when Guy leaves for the army. Upon his return after being injured, Guy finds out that Genevieve has married someone else. The film explores themes of heartbreak, love, and perseverance.

Marcello Mastroianni stars as filmmaker Guido Anselmi, who is struggling with his latest project. To escape his creative struggles, Anselmi often withdraws into his mind, imagination, and past. “8 1/2” contains beautiful cinematography and fabulous costumes while maintaining a surreal atmosphere.

John Voight portrays Joe Buck, a Texan who heads to New York City confident that his good looks and charm will translate to success. However, things don’t go as planned. Soon, Buck is living with Rizzo, played by Dustin Hoffman. The two men quickly become partners, hustling to survive in the city. Originally, rated “X” by the MPAA in 1966 for explicit content, the film’s rating has since been changed to “R.”

“The Magnificent Seven” focuses on a small Mexican village plagued by annual raids from robbers. Determined to protect their community, the villagers search for gunmen to help. Seven men answer the call, each with their own motives, and together they defend the village from the thieves.

H.G. Wells, a scientist wanting to escape his war-torn world, builds a time machine and sets off on a journey through time. He stops in 1917, 1940, and 1966, only to find war and turmoil in each period. As he continues traveling, Wells finally stops in the year 802,701 and is shocked by what he discovers.

“Spartacus” is set in 73 B.C. and follows the story of a Thracian slave sold to a Gladiator trainer named Batiatus. Determine to free himself, Spartacus starts a rebellion that quickly grows. The freedmen journey through Italy, fighting to maintain their freedom and return home.

Pollyanna is a young, optimistic child who always tries to see the bright side of life. After becoming an orphan, she moves in with her grouchy aunt, whose outlook on life couldn’t be more different. Despite the challenge, Pollyanna remains determined to spread happiness to the townspeople, and bring joy to everyone she meets.

In “North to Alaska,” John Wayne stars as Sam McCord, alongside Stewart Granger as George Pratt. The story revolves around their quest to find and protect a gold claim in Alaska. McCord returns to Seattle to get Pratt’s fiancee but learns she has married someone else. Instead, he brings his friend back a prostitute.