72. Black and White movies: The Cruel Sea, The Long and The Short and The Tall, The Artist

In our Black and white special, we are being pitched in at the deep end with the crew of the HMS Compass Rose, Plunged into the jungles of Burma (as it was called) with some of her majesty's finest and to roundup our monochrome special, we will look at a Quirky Modern throwback. Welcome to They Don't make 'em Like They Used to.This episode of "They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To" is a special monochrome-themed journey into the world of black-and-white cinema. Join host Sharon and co-host Shaun as they broadcast from St. Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight, sharing stories of cinematic bravery and artistic throwbacks.Bonafide Classic: We dive into the chilling depths of the North Atlantic with the 1953 masterpiece The Cruel Sea. Sharon leads a discussion on this war-era classic, exploring its harrowing portrayal of the Battle of the Atlantic and the impossible moral dilemmas faced by the Royal Navy.The Hidden Gem: Shaun introduces us to the 1961 British war drama The Long and the Short and the Tall. Set in the Burmese jungle, this film explores the intense psychological dynamics of a small patrol after capturing a Japanese scout. We also hear behind-the-scenes stories about the legendary clashes between stars Richard Todd, Laurence Harvey, and Richard Harris.The Exception to the Rule: On our monochrome roundup, we look at the 2011 modern classic The Artist. Shaun explains why this silent, black-and-white Oscar winner successfully recaptured the magic of Hollywood's Golden Age in a way that wouldn't have worked in color or with modern sound.Personal Connections: Host Sharon shares touching family stories of her uncle Jack, a merchant seaman during World War II, and her father, a Regimental Sergeant Major, connecting the bravery seen on screen to real-life service.Important Note:Please note that all music tracks discussed in this episode—including scores by George Formby and Ludovic Bource—have been edited out due to licensing issues.Host: SharonCo-Host: ShaunLocation: St. Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight