Friends out there in cyber land, I need to tell you a secret; I was born in the wrong era. Or, really, my taste in movies was born in the wrong era. I love old movies. Love them. Basically all of my favorite movies were made before my mom was even born. I know, however, that many young people don’t like them for a plethora of reasons. “There’s no color!” “Who even are the actors?” “The special effects don’t look real at all!” Okay ladies and gentleman, let’s get something straight. You can’t judge a movie made in 1935 on the same standards you use for the ones today. Trust me, there is something magical about old films. The acting by the infamous leading men and women was breathtaking. The writing is elegant, classy, and memorable. True love is forever real, and is a driving force behind every action. Here are five of the best love stories of all time. Not just, “the five best love stories before 1950,” but of all time.

1. Casablanca- Arguably the best movie of all time, Casablanca is amazing. I’m positive that everyone out there has at least heard of this movie. You might have no clue at all what it’s about, but I think (hope) you’ve heard about it. IMDB states that it’s, “Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.” Wow, that’s it IMDB? One of the most selfless love stories of all time can’t be summed up into one sentence. It can’t even be summed up in one paragraph! I like to think that Rick, the main character (played by the dashing Humphrey Bogart) is one of the first real bad boys. He has the, “swagger,” that cool factor that draws ladies from everywhere. But he has a heart, a huge one, and when he loves, my God he loves. When the woman a man loves needs help, do you help her even after it’s over? Even if she is with “another” (if you’ve seen the movie, you’ll get why that word is in quotes) man? Watch and see where this World War II romance goes, and look for some of the most famous quotes of all time.

2. Gone With The Wind I’m not going to lie, I am 100% biased here. This is my favorite movie of all time. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, I’d first suggest reading the novel. Okay yes, it is really long. But when you read about Scarlett and Rhett’s tremulous journey, you won’t regret it. And then when you watch Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh’s performance of the infamous characters, you will be left crying and sobbing. Gone With The Wind spans the Civil War years, following the events through Scarlett’s eyes. She starts off as a spoiled brat (being truthful here guys), but slowly transforms into another person. It isn’t even until the end that she honestly learns from her mistakes. Yet her journey, Rhett’s journey, makes you wish the most famous line in the film, “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn” would simply just not happen.

3. King Kong Wait, what? King Kong?! “Why did she pick that movie?” This makes the list because every movie is essentially a love story. My film teacher always used to say that, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized the truth behind his words. King Kong is no exception. Love comes in all shapes and sizes, so why can’t it be between a girl and a gorilla? It’s innocent and sweet and scary and sad. It’s nature and beauty, life and death. Of course, I’m going to recommend the 1930’s version instead of the updated one. Why? Because it has the authenticity that the remake will never have. Plus, Kong is kind of cute in this one. Basically, love is love, and this one just happens to also involve mystery, suspense, and amazing special effects for it only being 1933.

4. It Happened One Night Sigh. Yes, I sigh when I watch/talk about this movie. It really is just that amazing. I have a mini obsession with Clark Gable to begin with, and this film doesn’t help me trying to move on. Again, to quote my frenemy IMDB, “A spoiled heiress, running away from her family, is helped by a man who's actually a reporter looking for a story.” I’ve been debating if this is a good little summary, or an atrocious one. I suppose a mix of both. Fundamentally, that is what the story is about. And yet, it’s funny and witty, smart and clever, romantic and heart breaking, all at once. Their love truly just happens, “one night.” Nevertheless, it is one that you know can be lasting. And, Clark Gable says one of my personal favorite monologues of all time. Wanna hear it? Click below!

5. Wuthering Heights I love the name Heathcliff. I honestly adore it. Maybe it’s because I love this movie (and novel). If you were to ever read the book (which I’d recommend you do, it honestly isn’t a hard read), you’d find the movie and novel very different. But that’s okay. Usually, I’m one of those people who’ll jump up and down in their seat when the slightest thing is missing in a book to film adaption. However, it makes perfect sense why this one is different. The novel is very dark, much more than you’d expect. Heathcliff and Catherine’s love is selfish, cruel, and wild. Yet, it’s so real. And in the movie, you see that too. You see two people who are just meant to be together. You see how Catherine is Heathcliff, how he’s, “always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being. So don't talk of our separation again: it is impracticable.”