1 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

They were not, however, the only types of fantasy pictures to emerge. On a much lighter note, Disney films were soaring and Jimmy Stewart made a sweet, funny little film called Harvey.

Harvey (1950)
Eccentric Elwood P Dowd (James Stewart) has a best friend named Harvey, a 6ft tall invisible rabbit. His family don't know what to make of the situation, fearing mental illness or too much drink to be the cause, but Elwood himself puts his finger on it when he says you can be "Oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant." The need to believe in Harvey is neither here nor there, but the need to believe in ones self is the key.

Cinderella (1950), Alice in Wonderland (1951), Lady and The Tramp (1956), Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Walt Disney studios produced these four classic animations in the fifties, weaving their special spell of magical fantasy to the delight of both children and adults alike. Disney films gave life to fairy tales and animated characters, sprinkling magic on the cinema of the fifties.

Fantasy films of a different variety emerged in the form of popular 1950s musicals such as An American in Paris (1951), Singin' in the Rain (1952) and The Band Wagon (1953). The fifties was also the decade auteur director Jean Cocteau produced his fantasy masterpiece Orpheus.

Orpheus (1950)
The story of a poet who becomes obsessed with the Princess of Death, Orpheus is an atmospheric magical fantasy. The poet, Orphee, follows death into the underworld, but without recourse to modern day special effects, Cocteau conveys his journey by using symbols and mirrors. If anything, this serves to give the film an even more poetic, impressionistic appeal, setting it amongst the greatest fantasy films ever made.

The Seventh Seal (1956)
The fifties also brought us this Ingmar Bergman classic, where once more Death is personified. The Grim Reaper has come to collect a knight (played by Max von Sydow) but agrees to the challenge of a game of chess. If he wins, the knight will keep his life. Despite the subject matter, moments of light relief are forthcoming, and even in the face of the many parodies this film spawned, it remains a mesmerizing experience. Much of the imagery is intensely beautiful, and the story is a meaningful one.

The best fantasy films of the fifties certainly cover an interesting and varied amount of output. For so many to have remained well known and highly revered right up to the present day, it's possible to appreciate just what an exciting time the fifties was in cinematic terms. Best of all, we are free to re-live the films of the decade on DVD.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Strozykowski.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Classic fantasy films of the 50s?
We want to hear your view. Write now!