Modern Movies Set Back in the 30'S-50's?

Updated on September 20, 2010
B.J. asks from Wildomar, CA
19 answers

I just got finished watching the movies Miss Pettigrew lives for a day & The Notebook, 2 of my FAVES that I watch over & over! I just recently let my 2 older children watch both, tho some parts I had to FF through ahead of time when I knew they were coming, LoL anyways, when I watch these movies I always get in the mood to watch more movies set around those general eras & the only other movies like that that I know of are; The Swing Kids, which is a good one, & Cinderalla Man, but would never watch that one again. I want to get a list & put a bunch on Netflix to rent that are Pg-13 or PG, preferably with lots of music from the era in it, & also pref. material suitable for the kids so they can watch, at least the older ones.. Most of the time the rule is if it's not appropriate for their eyes, then not appropriate for ours, BUT... I have been known to make small exceptions after they go to bed every once in a while.. ;) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks! :)

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't know if you will think these are suitable but these are some of my fav's:
Oh brother where art thou
A league of their own
Dick Tracy
Indiana Jones
Now and Then (it's more like 60's I think)
Have Fun!
ohh! i thought of another one....love love love this movie....BIG FISH!

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J.S.

answers from San Diego on

I used to watch older movies as a kid such as "Polyanna", "Dr. Doolittle", "My Fair Lady", "Pippi Longstockings", "Hello Dolly", "West Side Story", and a lot of Shirley Temple movies. "Pearl Harbor" is a nice movie, but you might have to ff some parts also. Hope this helps.

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O.S.

answers from Birmingham on

We only watch movies that are suitable for our child(ren) also. It's just more fun curling up for a movie with them too. I wanted to respond that the movie, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is one of my favs and our daughter who was 9 or 10 when we saw it LOVED it too. She was all in to swing music for a while afterwards and still loves big band music. Other family ones are still the original Willie Wonka, Sound of Music, Witch Mountain, anything with Michael Landon in it (mostly prairie family movies and shows). You can search Netflix or google by the actors name. We don't do scary or shoot-em-up movies and sure don't feel like we're missing anything. I wish there were more I could find like Miss Pettigrew.

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B.C.

answers from Dallas on

The Pianist is a great holocaust story (sad, but good and not gory like some others).

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J.A.

answers from Spartanburg on

Hmmm, I don't know the ages of your kids or what you would allow them to watch but I grew up watching Indiana Jones which is set in the 30s-50s and LOVE LOVE LOVE them....still do.

My husband suggested Oh Brother Where Art Thou... good music but again don't know how suitable for kids...A League Of Thier Own, A Prairie Home Companion, Grease!

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E.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

There's a kids movie called Ballet Shoes staring Emma Watson. It's very much for kids but sweet and set during that time period, I believe.

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S.K.

answers from Detroit on

You may have already seen this, but my 9 year old daughter loved the American Girl movie Kit Kittredge. It takes place during the depression. Another American Girl movie that takes place in the 40's that I haven't seen yet is the Molly movie. Both of these are definitely geared towards girls.

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

Well, it's an earlier era, but if you like Swing Kids, than you will love Newsies.

I know there are tons more than the ones already suggested, but I am drawing a blank, I found some of thee online, some i know are kids safe, others n so sure, you can check on imdb.com.

Would Truman Show or The Majesty count? I can't remember those eras exactly. Wild Hearts Cant Be Broken, The Black Beauty, It's a Wonderful Life, A Walk in the Clouds, October Sky (good one for the kids), Pleasantville, The Other Side of Heaven, West Side Story, Grease, Hairspray, Stand By Me, My Girl (good for the kids), Paper Moon, Bringing Up Baby, The Lady Eve, The Palm Beach Story, A Night At The Opera, His Girl Friday, Ball of Fire, My Man Godfrey, Chariots of Fire
The Philadelphia Story

Here are some, but not sure of the kid-safe factor on all:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2007123123151...

Do you have Netflix? If you choose a movie, they usually will suggest movies that are similar and can find lots of good ones that way.

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

"Chicago" is a great one, but not appropriate for the kids really, maybe it could go on your exceptions list. :)

I love The Notebook too BTW. Made my hubby watch it with me on our first date. He passed the "chick flick test" with flying colors (meaning he managed to suffer through it to the end without ruining it for me)! lol!

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Meant to agree with "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken" and to add "A League of Their Own".

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Sorry, one more time.... wanted to comment that Pearl Harbor is too violent as it's about the attack on Pearl Harbor.... ya know, lots of people getting gunned down by Kamikaze pilots before they sink the ships...lots of blood and gore etc....

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J.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

Seabiscuit (Tobey Maguire)

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C.W.

answers from Austin on

The Boy in Striped Pajamas is really good, but really sad. It's about a young boy who's father runs a concentration camp during the holocaust, and the boy befriends a Jewish prisoner. I'm not sure about the rating... It would probably be best as one of your "exceptions"... It's not really inappropriate, but the story behind it is probably too mature for young children.

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N.H.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

First off, thanks for the recommendation. I just watched the trailer for Miss Pettigrew and I really want to see it!

There are a few I enjoy, although they're more tailored to watching with my children.
The Sandlot
Where Angels Go... Trouble Follows (Rosalind Russell, Stella Stevens, Susan Saint James; 1968 sequel ? to The Trouble With Angels)
His Girl Friday (Cary Grant and a much younger Rosalind Russell)
That Darn Cat
The Ugly Daschund
Follow Me Boys
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (Don Knotts, although some people really can't stand him, my husband included!)
The Incredible Mr. Limpet (another Don Knotts. My kids really liked this one.)
Moon Spinners (older teenage Haley Mills)
Summer Magic (younger teenage Haley Mills)
The Trouble With Angels (Haley Mills, 1966)
Man From Snowy River / Return to Snowy River
The Secret Garden
The Rocketeer

Hope you can find one in here that you enjoy. ;)

W.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I sent you a private message with a million titles, good luck :)

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D.E.

answers from San Diego on

I'm not sure how old your "older" kids are, but there are some fabulous movies set in that time period. Most of my favorites would not be suitable for small children because of some adult themes, but you shouldn't miss them. "Fried Green Tomatoes" is one of my favorite movies ever! "The Color Purple" is fabulous! Another great movie is "Places in the Heart." All are set in the time period you like. For kids there's "Kitt Kitredge," set during the depression.

One really great movie set in the time period you like is "My Dog Skip." It is a really fun movie, perfect for kids, but be prepared. Though it's a kids' movie, I was a basket case when it ended and had to wake up my husband (watched it alone) because I was crying so hard, but then a good movie always gets me. It is a really wonderful story.

There's another rather obscure movie I loved. Although it's not set in the time period you prefer, it's worth a watch. It's called "Fairy Tale: A True Story." It is based on a true story. It's set in 1917 when two girls take a photograph that is believed to contain the first scientific evidence of fairies. It is just so different from your typical movie. It's perfect for kids.

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

A league of their own, Pearl Harbor

K.C.

answers from Orlando on

NEWSIES!!! I love that movie and could watch it over and over again. I know that I watched it as a kid, but I"m not sure how old your children are, and it's been awhile since I've seen it. I can't remember anything inappropriate.

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V.J.

answers from Phoenix on

I love The Notebook! Pearl Harbor was a good movie. You'll need a box of tissues to watch it though. I don't remember it being violent or anything but it's been many years since I've seen it so maybe you should preview it. Same with Titanic. Set a little earlier in time but still a neat movie.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz: Very funny with nothing you will have to fast forward through at all. Really cute.
The Sandlot: A great movie for kids. I really enjoyed it too.
Father of the Bride (The Original version).
Corrina, Corrina: With Whoopie Goldberg and Ray Liotta (one of our very favorites)

Okay, so a couple of these aren't "modern" movies, but I think you'll enjoy them.
I'm sure you'll get lots of great suggestions.

Have fun!

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A.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

"Pride and Prejudice" with Keira Knightley is a favorite of mine. It's based on Jane Austin's book and set in the 1800. Very pretty scenery and costumes and safe for kids to watch.

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