I’ll admit that I’m a reality TV junkie. I watch everything from The Bachelor to Hoarders to every single one of the Real Housewives franchises. But my other guilty pleasure is black and white movies. I love the old-school glamour. And those men are men! No metrosexual ridiculousness going on with them. They knew what they wanted, and they went for it. And of course, I love the love in those movies. There was real romance back then. Black and white movies have real lessons to teach about love. Here are three of my favorite.
The first kiss counts
Have you seen a black and white movie and not gasped at the first kiss between the romantic leads? Not me. I always gasp and sigh and sometimes even tear up. Every. Single. Time. Those first kisses mean something. There’s none of this getting tipsy on a first date and giving a girl a sloppy smooch, which is what passes for romance these days. A black and white movie guy takes girl, dips her, really plants one on her and then says something to let her know that he meant every single thing she felt. It’s amazing. Today’s guys could certainly stand to learn something here.
Bad boys aren’t always bad
I, like just about every single woman walking the face of the planet, was a sucker for a bad boy. And I adore how black and white movies portray bad boys with good hearts. Sure, the guy may wear a leather jacket or roll with a tough crowd, but he always has a softer side. These bad boys buy flowers and are nice to their kid sisters, and when push comes to shove, they do anything for their girl. Is it the best lesson in the world for girls and women? And does it really translate to the real world? Nope. Not at all. But that doesn’t make me love it any less.
Walking away
Women in black and white movies may be wearing frills and heels, but they’re shrewd, sassy and brassy. And of course, I love women like that. And what I love even more is that they don’t take much crap from their men. As soon as a black and white movie gal is fed up, she walks away from her guy and makes a life for herself. It’s such a display of strength. Does the guy normally wise up, change and chase after her? Of course he does. But that’s just the icing on the romance cake. The part I love the most is the female independence.
