A Century of Film

Period pieces are my favorite film genre. The true definition of a period piece is “a film or tv series that strongly evokes an earlier time period.” I understand that the farther this timeline goes, the farther we stray from a true “period piece”. Nonetheless, I’m still quite fond of certain programs set in each decade. This first editorial is going to focus exclusively on film and television. The second part is going to focus on theater.

19th Century (1801-1900)

The 19th century takes place from 1801 to 1900. Advancements in science and technology skyrocketed. Louisa May Alcott published “Little Women”, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen was posthumously published, Oscar Wilde debuted “The Importance of Being Earnest”, and L. Frank Baum published “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”. Those are my top picks for the 19th century. Greta Gerwig’s Little Women is my go-to, but I’m quite fond of the 1994 version as well. I have no particular preference on which Jane Austen film to watch, but Northanger Abbey is my favorite.

The Edwardian Era (1901-1910)

The Edwardian Era was largely known for luxury, elegance and lack of preparation for the 20th century. From this period I’ve chosen Mary Poppins as my favorite. One of my favorite reflections on Edwardian fashion in Mary Poppins’ wardrobe is her versatile two-piece outfits. It was also common for women to tuck fresh flowers into their hair and Mary’s iconic floral hat reflects that trend well.

The Roaring 20s (1920-1929)

I’m sure that many of you were expecting my roaring 20s pick to be The Great Gatsby. I regret to inform you that I’ve chosen a television show instead. Boardwalk Empire made the number one spot for me. (I know it covers more than just the 1920s) It conveys a certain flamboyance of the 1920s that I look for when watching anything set in this decade. Plus, I have such a soft spot for tailored menswear that is more than just a boring, single color suit. Although the costumes aren’t entirely “vintage” or “accurate” they still accurately resemble each character and their societal rank. 

The 1930s

The hills are alive with my love for Julie Andrews! Once again, I can’t pass up an opportunity to pay homage to one of the greatest performers in existence. The Sound of Music is a timeless story for generations to enjoy.

The 1940s

I’m quite fond of A League of Their Own. No surprise there! One of the worst things that we, as a society, ever did was disband the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. These characters are still celebrated today and this film holds up marvelously. Penny Marshall really knocked it out of the park with this one.

The 1950s

I couldn’t choose a singular favorite for the 1950s. Both of my choices have a significant importance to me. I know all the words to the music and script of Grease. I never had a sleepover at my aunt’s house without it. Of course, I know that some of the themes are outdated but the music is just too good. I hate to say it and if you follow me on twitter I know you’re tired of hearing about it, but I have to include Jersey Boys. Thanks to my mom I’m a lifelong Frankie Valli fan. A deep clean of the house wasn’t complete without the Four Seasons “greatest hits” blasting in the background. This musical spans from the 1950s to the 1970s, but the root of the story belongs in the 1950s.

The 1960s

Rosemary’s Baby has such a hold on me, I can’t explain it. I think it has something to do with the aesthetic that Rosemary possesses. Her quaint nature, summer wardrobe, and chic hairstyle are highly desirable. This particular genre of horror is my favorite, and the generation of filmmakers that it is inspiring in this day and age is remarkable. If you had any doubts that it takes place in the 1960s, her baby was due in June of 1966…

The 1970s

The first time I watched All The President’s Men in its entirety was during one of my college history classes. I don’t know why, but now it has become my go-to travel watch. Anytime I’m on an airplane and that film is in rotation I will always watch it. The scandal is fascinating to me and it doesn’t get better than Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford.

The 1980s

Heathers is true to the name ”cult classic”. It’s eccentric and a tad insane. The casual way that it approaches bullying and other mental health issues does not hold up well, but it paved the way for a different approach to high school movies.

The 1990s

Working as a cafe waitress and living in Paris sounds like the ultimate dream. Amélie is the best! The visuals are simply stunning, and no one could play Amélie the way that Audrey Tautou did. In my opinion, this film was a reset to making simplicity beautiful. Amélie’s simple day to day life was shaken up at the discovery of a box under her floorboard. Transforming that discovery into a good deed makes the story adventurous.

The 2000s

Nothing in the world gives me the summer serotonin like Mamma Mia does. I was raised with the idea that dancing on a Greek island to the best music that ABBA has to offer was going to be a regular thing for me. Reality is far from that, but a girl can still dream.

Some of these are true period pieces and some of them are arguably too recent to qualify. Maybe in 20 years from now that won’t be true. I think the moral of this article was to articulate the underlying preference I have for films that take place in any other decade apart from the one we’re living in. I’m drawn to the escape that they give me from my reality. Isn’t that what film is supposed to do?