10 Underrated Movies About The 1950s

The 1950s, more so than any other decade, is a popular setting for many successful movies. The era is looked back on fondly for its picturesque vision of America as well as the burgeoning popular culture of the time. The time also saw the beginning of a lot of social upheavals which have been the popular subject of films.

Even with the popularity of stories about the decade, many classic films about the 1950s have slipped through the cracks and haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. Whether it be comedies like Diner or tense dramas like The Master, there is seemingly no end to the great movies about the 1950s.

Fido (2006)

Not every film about the 1950s necessarily has to be realistic, and the horror-comedy Fido twisted the sainted decade for its gruesome purposes. The story follows a fictionalized version of the atomic age where radiation has caused the dead to reanimate as zombies. A corporation invents a way to turn the undead into servants, and one boy’s pet zombie wreaks havoc on his idyllic neighborhood.

Both scary and hilarious, Fido is a perfect lampooning of the 1950s and the fears of the day. The design of the film puts the 1950s styles on full blast and it resembles something ripped from a history that never happened. At its heart too, it is also a conventional story of a boy and his dog, which makes the film all the funnier.

Hollywoodland (2006)

When it comes to long-unsolved mysteries from the past, films can often step in and provide an interesting bit of speculation on the subject. Hollywoodland tells the fictional story of a private investigator who looks into the suspicious death of Superman actor George Reeves.

Being partly truth and partly fiction, the film speculates on the mysterious death of the actor. Though the film wasn’t met with tremendous praise from audiences, it was modestly received by critics. The story illustrated the grittier and more realistic side of 1950s Hollywood, something that is usually shown through the lens of glitz and glamor on screen.

Naked Lunch (1991)

Legendary horror film director David Cronenberg took a noble stab at one of the most challenging novels of the 1950s with his adaptation of William S. Burrough’s Naked Lunch. The film follows an exterminator who gets addicted to the chemical that his company uses to kill bugs. His addiction leads him down a spiral of madness and murder as he travels to Northern Africa to pursue his writing.

Cronenberg’s unique style of body horror was a perfect fit for Burrough’s surreal story, and the many creatures in the film are top-notch. Though different in some ways from the novel, Cronenberg’s additions helped to elevate the inaccessible story from the book.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

Many films set in the 1950s are done so as a loving tribute to the many classic films that were released in the decade. The Hudsucker Proxy tells the story of a naive business school graduate who is installed as the president of a company as a way to take advantage of a stock scam.

One of the lesser-known gems from the Coen Brother’s catalog, The Hudsucker Proxy is a love letter to the filmmaking style of the 1950s. The piece features extensive miniature models and was made in a very similar style to the films of the day. The addition of 1950s film icon Paul Newman was also a strong touch.

Badlands (1973)

Not all glimpses into the 50s were rosy or positive, and Badlands revived one of the darkest news stories of the decade. The film follows the true story of a teen girl and her older boyfriend as they went on the run across the badlands of South Dakota on a brutal killing spree.

One of the best true crime films of all time, Badlands shows a side of the decade that is often glossed over in other adaptations of the era. The rising tide of violence in the U.S was shown through many of the most salacious crimes of the decade, and the film perfectly encapsulates the psychology of its main characters.

The Master (2012)

The 1950s was a decade that existed in the shadow of war. WWII had left many people displaced and those people often sought new places to go to unburden their troubled minds. The Master tells the story of a Navy veteran who returns from the war and finds solace within a strange cult called The Cause.

Though not as comedic as many of Paul Thomas Anderson’s best films, The Master still delves deep within the minds of its characters. Exploring themes of faith, post-traumatic stress disorder, and belonging, the film is a master class in characterization. Though it is generally seen through rose-colored glasses, the immediate post-war years were a dark time for many people.

Quiz Show (1994)

While many films tell the story of well-known pieces of history, Quiz Show explored something that was practically unknown by most. The film follows the events of a television quiz game show and the behind-the-scenes deals that led the show to be rigged for higher ratings.

The television of the 1950s is often looked back on fondly, but Quiz Show comes along to dispel the fog of nostalgia. Though the subject matter isn’t life and death, the film is nonetheless a tense battle between good and evil. At the center is a man who sells out for success and comes to regret his decision. In many ways, the film is a reflection of the business culture of the decade.

The Last Picture Show (1971)

In one of director Peter Bogdanovich’s best films, The Last Picture Show offers a different look at America in the 1950s.  The film follows a group of teens as they come of age in a remote part of the country that is atrophying day by day.

While the 1950s is often seen as a time of growth, The Last Picture Show illustrates that it wasn’t a perfect time for everyone. The characters are trapped in their dying town as everything they once knew falls down around them. The symbol of collapse within their town is the decrepit old movie theater that slowly fades out of existence.

Pleasantville (1998)

While most views of the 50s are mere fantasy, Pleasantville offered a literal fantastical view of the decade. The film follows a pair of modern teens who are transported into a 1950s sitcom and their rebellious attitudes begin influencing the world around them.

Taken at face value the film is a fun fantasy story, but when analyzed it makes subtle commentary on the differences between generations. While many people prop up the 1950s as a time of strong values, Pleasantville uses its main characters as instruments of change and illustrates the need for progress within society.

Diner (1982)

Of all the locations that are synonymous with the 50s, the classic American diner is perhaps the strongest link. Diner tells the story of a group of college friends who all find their lives moving in different directions as they are thrust into adulthood.

Diner is a perfect 50s film because it is equal parts nostalgia and a realistic look at the time period. The characters are deep and the performances carry the film as each of the main characters’ lives spiral in different directions. Set in the last year of the decade, the time period is used as a symbol for the transition that was happening in the country and in the characters’ lives as well.

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