MovieChat Forums > The Nanny (1966) Discussion > Black and white?

Black and white?

posted 13 years ago by klules664
9 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone know why this film was made in black and white instead of color?

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

Exactly...it gives it that extra edge...were it in color I think people would see it as just another movie, but the lack of color kind of makes you take notice.

[–] klules664 13 years ago

I kind of suspected that was the case, it certainly does well in b&w, thanks for replying

[–] puirt-a-beul 13 years ago

It had something to do with the uniformity of B&W which lends itself to mood and atmosphere more than most color movies.

Good post, Ophiuchus, thank you.

I think there's also a more pragmatic reason: these kinds of movies rarely commanded the size of budget necessary to shoot in colour.

You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Harold_Robbins 13 years ago

This was one of several of what I affectionately term those "nice little black-and-white psychological thrillers" that Hammer made - others include TASTE OF FEAR, PARANOIAC, and NIGHTMARE.

"In my case, self-absorption is completely justified."

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

Hammer probably thought a more psychological horror thriller such as this called for a different look than their usual mystical/supernatural cheese starring Christopher Lee or Vincent Price. Plus, presumably, they didn´t expect it to make as much money as their more usual fare.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] greenbudgie 9 years ago

The screenwriter, Jimmy Sangster, wanted the film in black and white. He said that colour would do nothing for the movie. This was the last film that Hammer did in B+W. I think Alfred Hitchcock's decision to make 'Psycho' in B+W five years earlier was influential for a number of films shunning colour in the early to mid 1960s.

[–] cananny 9 years ago

Creepier ...