There are of people who think that with very few exceptions, anything made before the year 2000 is old and not to be bothered with. Especially if it happens to be black & white. For many young people, ie ; people under 30, the idea of watching something in black & white is unthinkable. I hate to burst their bubble some of what are considered our most treasured movies are color, and they Were made before 2000.. Movies including "Gone With the Wind" (1939) ; Wizard of Oz Also 1939 .
Since then there have been many classic movies made that are both black & white and color.
Personally some of my favorites of early movies are the 1940's Film Noir style of detective movie, usually involving one or several ladies, that are of questionable motives, or morals. and a typical hard nosed detective that keeps going in a case no matter how baldly he gets the crap beat out of him. He don't give up until he finds the truth, and usually get a girl in the end. They are all black & white.
But to say I only like the old B&W movies isn't true I do enjoy many movies done from the 60's and early 70's, even some movies that are now considered classics, done in the 80's.
The point to all of this is a good movie is a good movie. Regardless of when it was done, or whether its in color or black & white. Its been said that Black & White is harder to shoot, because the director has to be much more creative with the use of light and shadow, and darkness. Look at Casablanca, and many other movies of the era, Particularly Alfred Hitchcock, who was considered one of the masters of working with Black & white. Study shadow, and use of light to create a mood or a scene, and think how the same thing could be done in color. Yes, you can create the same mood with color, but will it have the same effect, that coupled with editing. So next time you consider, whether to watch a movie or tv show based solely on its age, or its or if its in color be open minded, you may find yourself enjoying a movie you didn't think you would, and it may even be better in black & white.
Ken Lawson