1940 Films

From Frank Capra, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell
Rated PG

It's a Wonderful Life is a beloved holiday classic directed by Frank Capra. It stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a small-town businessman who is on the brink of suicide on Christmas Eve. An angel, Clarence, intervenes and gives George the chance to see what his town would have been like had he never been born. Through this journey, George discovers the importance of his life and the impact he has had on the lives of those around him. The film dives into themes of family, friendship and the power of love, ultimately reminding viewers of the importance of cherishing each day.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
Rated PG

Casablanca is a classic World War II-era romance set in the Vichy-controlled city of Casablanca. It follows the story of former freedom fighter Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) as he is forced to choose between his love for Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) and helping her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), in his fight against the Nazis. The movie follows Rick, Ilsa and Laszlo as they make their way through the treacherous city of Casablanca, with Rick and Ilsa's passionate romance making the journey even more difficult. Along the way, they encounter the scheming Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt), the comic relief couple, Sam (Dooley Wilson) and Renault (Claude Rains), and other colorful characters, all of whom help to tell the story of Rick's difficult decision. In the end, he chooses to help Laszlo by giving him the necessary papers to get out of Casablanca, sacrificing his own chance at true love in the process.

From Billy Wilder, starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Byron Barr
Rated Passed

Double Indemnity is a classic film noir directed by Billy Wilder in 1944. The story follows insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) as he falls in love with a seductive housewife, Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck). Together, the two devise a plan to kill her husband and collect the double indemnity on his life insurance policy. However, their plan quickly spirals out of control when an insurance investigator, Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), begins to suspect foul play. As the investigation progresses, the couple is forced to confront the consequences of their actions, leading to a dark and suspenseful climax.

From Orson Welles, starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Agnes Moorehead
Rated PG

Citizen Kane is the story of a newspaper mogul, Charles Foster Kane, whose life is recounted in a flashback narrated by a reporter researching the meaning behind Kane's last word: "Rosebud." The film follows Kane from his humble beginnings, when he is adopted by a wealthy banker, to his rise as a newspaper magnate with a political career. Along the way, he marries and divorces twice, eventually becoming a recluse in his lavish estate, Xanadu. Kane's story is told through the memories of those who knew him, including his best friend Jedediah Leland, his mistress Susan, and his estranged wife, Emily. As the reporter discovers more about Kane's life, he realizes that despite Kane's wealth and power, he was ultimately a lonely, unhappy man who wanted only to be loved.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt, Bruce Bennett
Rated Passed

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a classic 1948 adventure-drama film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt. Set in Mexico during the 1920s, the film tells the story of three down-on-their-luck American drifters who decide to prospect for gold in the Sierra Madre Mountains. The trio soon find success but their newfound wealth brings out their greed and paranoia, eventually leading to a tragic outcome. Along the way, the men become increasingly suspicious and paranoid of one another, leading to an intense and suspenseful climax. The film has become an iconic classic, praised for its vivid characterizations and captivating storyline.

From William Wyler, starring Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Fredric March, Teresa Wright
Rated Approved

The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 drama-romance film directed by William Wyler and starring Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell. The film follows the stories of three World War II veterans as they return home to Boone City and grapple with the everyday struggles of adjusting to life after the war. Al, an Air Force sergeant and bank teller, wonders if he still has a place in the world; Fred, an Army sergeant and former soda jerk, struggles to find purpose in his life; and Homer, a Navy sailor and amputee, battles his physical limitations while trying to make a living. As they attempt to adjust to their civilian lives, the three men confront their shared experiences of the war and the personal changes it has inflicted on them. With its powerful performances, award-winning screenplay and direction, The Best Years of Our Lives remains one of the best films of the classic Hollywood era.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson
Rated Approved

Rebecca is a 1940 American romantic psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. The film is based on Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel Rebecca. The story follows a young woman who marries a rich widower, only to discover that his late wife, Rebecca, still has a powerful hold on him and his household. The young woman must contend with the jealous and suspicious housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who will not accept her. As the young woman struggles against these forces, her husband's past slowly unravels, and she discovers Rebecca's dark secrets. The film won two Academy Awards and was nominated for several others.

From Carol Reed, starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard
Rated Approved

The Third Man is a 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. Set in post-war Vienna, the film follows Holly Martins, an American who arrives in the city to meet his friend Harry Lime. Upon arriving, Martins discovers that Lime has died, leaving behind puzzles and mysteries that Martins must solve in order to uncover the truth. Along the way, Martins meets a variety of characters, from Lime's girlfriend Anna to the criminal underworld of the city. As Martins dives deeper and deeper, he finds himself pulled into a web of deceit and corruption. In the end, he must confront the truth of his friend's death and decide whether to accept it or fight for justice. Along the way, the audience is left with questions of morality, loyalty, and justice. Masterfully directed, visually stunning, and timelessly relevant, The Third Man is a classic of world cinema.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre
Rated Passed

The Maltese Falcon is a classic detective film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade, a private detective. Set in San Francisco during the early years of the 20th century, the film follows Spade and his partner, Miles Archer, as they investigate a case involving a valuable statuette of a black falcon, the Maltese Falcon. In the course of the investigation, they are confronted with a host of characters, including a mysterious woman named Brigid O'Shaughnessy and a group of crooks who are after the falcon. As the film progresses, Spade finds himself in a no-win situation, forced to choose between loyalty to his partner and his own sense of justice. In the end, Spade solves the case and captures the criminals, but not without a heavy price.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Dick Hogan
Rated Approved

Rope is a 1948 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the 1929 play of the same name by Patrick Hamilton. The film stars James Stewart, John Dall, and Farley Granger as two young men who murder a classmate and hide his body in their apartment. They then invite the victim's family and friends to a dinner party, where they attempt to prove their intellectual superiority by concealing the crime. As the guests become suspicious, the killers attempt to outwit the police and their deepening guilt. The film is notable for being shot in a single continuous take and for its use of real time, as the action in the film takes place in real-time over the course of eighty minutes.

From Howard Hawks, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, John Ridgely, Martha Vickers
Rated Passed

The Big Sleep is a classic noir film directed by Howard Hawks and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Set in 1940s Los Angeles, the movie follows the story of private detective Philip Marlowe (Bogart) as he investigates a case of blackmail, murder, and other shady dealings. Along the way, Marlowe meets a mysterious and beautiful woman named Vivian Rutledge (Bacall), with whom he develops a romantic relationship. As Marlowe continues his investigation, he discovers a complex web of crime and corruption involving a powerful family, an unscrupulous gambler, and a gang of hoodlums. As the case gets more complicated, Marlowe must use all of his wits and skill to bring the criminals to justice. The Big Sleep is a classic of the genre and a timeless masterpiece of crime fiction.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden
Rated Approved

Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is a middle-aged single mother struggling to provide for her two daughters during the Great Depression. After her husband abandoned the family, Mildred takes a job as a waitress and eventually works her way up the ranks of a successful restaurant chain. Despite her financial success, Mildred is unable to win the love and respect of her spoiled and ungrateful daughter Veda (Ann Blyth). When Veda's secrets are revealed, Mildred's world is thrown into turmoil and her carefully constructed life begins to unravel. With her family in disarray, Mildred must find the strength to stay true to herself and save her family.

From George Cukor, starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey
Rated Not Rated

The Philadelphia Story is a romantic comedy classic from 1940, directed by George Cukor and starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. The film tells the story of Tracy Lord (Hepburn), a wealthy socialite on the eve of her second marriage. Her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant), and a tenacious reporter, Macaulay Connor (Stewart), both arrive on the scene to disrupt her wedding plans. As the three clash over Tracy's various suitors, they also must come to terms with their own unresolved issues and past loves. In the end, Tracy is able to choose whom she truly loves and finds the happiness she deserves.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Louis Calhern
Rated Not Rated

Notorious is a classic Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. The film follows Alicia Huberman, a not-so-innocent woman who is recruited by the US government to spy on a group of Nazis living in postwar Rio de Janeiro. With the help of a charming American agent, Devlin, played by Grant, Alicia goes undercover and infiltrates the group. As she grows closer to the Nazis, Devlin finds himself falling for her, creating a passionate love triangle. In the end, Alicia and Devlin must outsmart the Nazis and save the day. Notorious is a thrilling and suspenseful story full of Hitchcock's signature style and twists.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey, Henry Travers
Rated Passed

Shadow of a Doubt is a classic thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1943. The story follows a young girl named Charlie (Teresa Wright) who is living a quiet life in a small town when her beloved uncle (Joseph Cotten) visits for a mysterious visit. As she spends time with him, she starts to realize that he may not be the loving man he appears to be. He is actually a serial killer sought by the police, and Charlie must make a difficult decision between protecting her family and doing the right thing. In the end, she is forced to face the truth and confront her uncle. The film is noted for its cleverly crafted suspense, masterful direction, and iconic performances.

From Howard Hawks, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan, Dolores Moran
Rated Passed

To Have and Have Not is a classic 1940s film directed by Howard Hawks and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The film follows the story of a cynical charter boat captain named Harry Morgan (Bogart) who reluctantly agrees to help a group of exiled French resistance fighters escape from the Caribbean island of Martinique. As he carries out the mission, he falls in love with a beautiful young American woman (Bacall) and is forced to choose between his loyalty to the resistance and his newfound feelings for her. The film follows Morgan as he navigates a treacherous underworld of political corruption and criminal intrigue, with his life and the lives of those he loves hanging in the balance. The film is a classic of the genre and is known for its classic romantic dialogue between Bogart and Bacall.

From Howard Hawks, starring Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Oskar Homolka, Henry Travers
Rated Approved

Ball of Fire is a classic screwball comedy directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. The story revolves around eight professors who are writing an encyclopedia and their interactions with a nightclub singer named Sugarpuss O'Shea (Stanwyck). Sugarpuss is hired by the mob to help them with a criminal plan, and the professors enlist her help to expand their encyclopedia. In the end, Sugarpuss is able to use her knowledge to help the professors with the encyclopedia and foil the mob’s plan. Along the way, the professors and Sugarpuss realize that knowledge is a powerful tool. The film features sharp dialogue, zany slapstick moments, and classic Hollywood romance.

From Preston Sturges, starring Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette
Rated Passed

The Lady Eve is a romantic comedy directed by Preston Sturges in 1941. It stars Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda as the two leads. The film follows the story of con-artist Jean Harrington (Stanwyck) who sets out to dupe wealthy snake-enthusiast Charles Pike (Fonda). However, Jean soon finds herself falling for Charles, and must make a decision between love and money. Along the way, the pair face a series of comical hijinks as they navigate their new found feelings for each other and Jean's shady past. The Lady Eve is a classic screwball comedy filled with witty dialogue, fast paced action, and plenty of laughs.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Tallulah Bankhead, John Hodiak, Walter Slezak, William Bendix
Rated Not Rated

Lifeboat is a 1944 American drama-thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, set entirely on a lifeboat launched from a sinking vessel in the North Atlantic during World War II. After surviving a U-boat attack, a group of survivors, including a U-boat crew member, must confront their moral differences, limited resources, and their will to survive. With no help in sight, they must rely on each other in order to survive, while a war of ideologies rages around them.

From Michael Curtiz, starring James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Richard Whorf
Rated Passed

Yankee Doodle Dandy is a classic musical biopic of George M. Cohan, the legendary American entertainer who wrote some of the most popular songs of the early 20th century. Directed by Michael Curtiz and starring James Cagney, the film follows Cohan from his childhood days in a traveling vaudeville act to his fame as the King of Broadway. It celebrates his life, work and patriotism, as well as his struggles as a composer/performer. The film includes some of his best-known songs, including “Give My Regards to Broadway”, “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “Over There”, and “Yankee Doodle Dandy”.

From Jules Dassin, starring Barry Fitzgerald, Howard Duff, Dorothy Hart, Don Taylor
Rated Not Rated

The Naked City is a 1948 crime drama directed by Jules Dassin and based on a story by Malvin Wald. The film follows the day-to-day activities of New York City police detectives as they investigate the murder of a young woman. With a documentary-style approach, the film presents the city as a character, capturing its sights, sounds, and even its smells. In this gritty crime drama, the detectives use their wits, street smarts, and tenacity to track down the killer. Along the way, they encounter the seedy and sometimes dangerous elements of the city. The Naked City also features a cast of mostly non-professional actors, giving it an authentic and realistic feel. The film won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography and was nominated for several other awards.

From William Keighley, starring Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Monty Woolley, Richard Travis
Rated Not Rated

The Man Who Came to Dinner is a 1942 American comedy film directed by William Keighley and starring Bette Davis, Monty Woolley, Ann Sheridan, Jimmy Durante, and Billie Burke. The film is based on the 1939 play of the same name by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The story follows the life of Sheridan Whiteside, a famous and cantankerous radio personality and drama critic. After he slips and falls on a patch of ice outside the home of the Stanleys, an Ohio family, he is invited to stay for dinner and stay in their home for weeks. Soon, he has transformed the home into his own personal kingdom and terrorizes the family with his antics. They try desperately to rid themselves of his presence, but find it difficult due to Whiteside's numerous friends and admirers. Eventually, the family manages to outsmart him and reclaim their home.

From Delmer Daves, starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Bennett, Agnes Moorehead
Rated Passed

Dark Passage is a 1947 film noir directed by Delmer Daves and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The film tells the story of a wrongly convicted man, Vincent Parry (Bogart), who escapes from prison and seeks refuge in the home of a woman (Bacall) he meets on the run. As Parry and the woman, Irene Jansen, fall in love and investigate the evidence behind his conviction, they uncover a conspiracy of corruption and murder. The film is known for its innovative use of narration, which is provided by Parry throughout the film, allowing the audience to experience the story entirely through his point of view. Along with its film noir conventions and themes, Dark Passage is a suspenseful, thrilling, and ultimately tragic story of a man's quest for justice and redemption.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Cedric Hardwicke, Nigel Bruce
Rated Approved

From Directors: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, starring Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller
Rated Passed