In Defense of Black and White Films
There are still the joys of watching classic movies on exclusive channels on TV. Besides the fact that most of these films are the cream of the crop – who’s going to air those mediocre ones anymore – many of them are in black and white.
There have been many attempts to colorize these films, mainly to try and attract a wider audience, and quite simply acquire more revenue.
But since 1988, any black and white film that has been put on the National Film Registry and has been colorized is legally bound to post a disclaimer.
The argument that won this case is that a colorized movie detracts from the original intention and expression of the artist/filmmaker.
And I agree.
Black and white films are like charcoal or pencil drawings, where the form, line, shade and light play an important part. And on film, there is the added dimension of projected light which produces those beautiful shimmering effects that so aptly gave us the ‘Silver Screens’.
Black and white films are quite capable of holding interest. Many people are returning to those black and white photographs - buying birthday cards, putting up posters of Westons and Ansel Adams. No one would think of colorizing those!
I think it is just a matter of making these movies more available, and letting people know that they're around. Lack of popular demand is really not the audience's fault. It will only watch what is available.
These days, what is available seems to be of the 'Desperate Housewives' variety - or those blockbuster movies which only teenagers watch.
Time to put more confidence on the 'popular' vote.