Best Films Of 1940s

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

It's A Wonderful Life is a classic Christmas movie from 1946, directed by Frank Capra. The film stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has dedicated his life to helping others and is on the brink of suicide on Christmas Eve. An angel-in-training, Clarence, is sent to Earth to help George and show him what the world would be like had he never been born. Through a series of visits to different points in George's life, and to alternate realities, Clarence helps George understand the impact he has had on his family and the world around him. In the end, through the help of his friends and family, George is able to find joy in life once again.

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

"Casablanca" is a classic romantic drama set in unoccupied French Morocco during World War II. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American expatriate, runs a nightclub and gambling den. He is reluctantly drawn into a battle of wills with the local Nazi sympathizers, and more importantly, into a love triangle with the beautiful and desperate Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband, freedom fighter Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). As the Nazis close in on the city, the two must decide whether to stay in Casablanca or flee. With its famous one-liners, memorable characters, and stirring love story, "Casablanca" is one of the most beloved films in cinematic history.

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

Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film that follows the story of press magnate Charles Foster Kane (played by Orson Welles). After his death, a news reporter sets out to discover the meaning of Kane's dying word, "Rosebud". Through flashbacks and interviews with those who knew Kane well, the reporter discovers that Kane, despite his great wealth, led a lonely and ultimately tragic life. It is ultimately revealed that Kane's obsession with wealth and power drove him away from those who cared for him and left him isolated and unhappy in the end.

From Marcel Carné, starring Arletty, Jean-Louis Barrault, Pierre Brasseur, Pierre Renoir
Rated Not Rated

Children of Paradise is a 1945 French film directed by Marcel Carné. It tells the story of three men who are all in love with the same woman, Garance, in 19th century Paris. The men include a mime, an actor, and a criminal, who all face their own struggles as they vie for her attention. The film follows their journey as their lives become increasingly intertwined, with Garance at the center of the drama. Along the way, the film also explores the cultural and political climate of the time, making it a unique and powerful look at life in Paris during the 1800s. The film is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made and was placed 8th in the British Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films ever made.

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 and starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson. The story follows an insurance salesman, Walter Neff (MacMurray), who falls for femme fatale Phyllis Dietrichson (Stanwyck). Together they concoct a plan to commit murder and get a payout from an insurance policy. However, their scheme is soon uncovered by Neff's boss, Barton Keyes (Robinson). As the story progresses, the consequences of their actions become more and more dire. In the end, Neff and Dietrichson's plan fails, and they must pay for their crimes. In the end, Double Indemnity is a story of betrayal and morality, as Neff and Dietrichson's actions are shown to be the result of their own selfish desires.

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

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a 1948 American western film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt. The film tells the story of three impoverished prospectors, Fred C. Dobbs (Bogart), Howard (Holt) and an old-timer named Curtin (Walter Huston), who hunt for gold in the mountains of Mexico. In the process, each of the men struggles with his own greed and survival instincts. The film is famous for its immortal line, "We don't need no stinking badges!" as the trio confront a group of Mexican bandits. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre was a critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and has become a classic of American cinema.

From Ernst Lubitsch, starring Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack, Felix Bressart
Rated Passed

"To Be or Not to Be" is a 1942 comedy directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Jack Benny and Carole Lombard. Set in Warsaw during the German invasion of Poland in 1939, the film follows the fortunes of an acting troupe whose lead actors, Joseph and Maria Tura (Benny and Lombard), are caught in the middle of the invasion. When the Nazis begin to search for a professor who is an expert in the field of radio-controlled bombs, they mistake Maria for the professor and kidnap her. Joseph, desperate to save her, infiltrates the Nazi ranks with the help of the troupe and finds a unique way to sabotage their plans. With the help of his fellow actors, Joseph is able to outwit the Nazis and save the day.

From John Ford, starring Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapewin
Rated Passed

The Grapes of Wrath is a classic American drama film directed by John Ford in 1940. It is based on John Steinbeck's novel of the same name and stars Henry Fonda as Tom Joad. The film follows the Joad family, an Oklahoman family of tenant farmers, as they migrate to California during the Great Depression in search of a better life. Along the way, they face many hardships, including poverty, injustice and exploitation by land-owners. Despite their difficulties, they remain determined to build a better life and fight for a better future. The Grapes of Wrath is a powerful and moving story about family, resilience, and the human spirit.

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

The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews and Teresa Wright. Set during the aftermath of World War II, it follows the story of three servicemen who return to their hometowns. Homer Parrish, a sailor whose hands were badly burned in battle, Al Stephenson, a banker whose children have grown distant from him, and Fred Derry, an Air Force bombardier who is struggling to build a new life for himself and his fiancée Peggy. The three men attempt to re-integrate into civilian life, each struggling with their own personal issues. Homer faces physical disability, Al is unable to cope with his lifestyle due to the war, and Fred struggles to find a job and make a living. Through their individual struggles and friendship, they eventually come to terms with the aftermath of war.

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

The Third Man is the story of an American pulp writer, Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), who arrives in post-World War II Vienna, only to find that his friend, Harry Lime (Orson Welles), is dead. As Martins investigates Lime’s death, he meets many of Lime’s associates and begins to uncover the truth about his friend. Martins learns that Lime was involved in a shady business operation involving the sale of diluted penicillin. He also discovers that Lime himself was a far more complex person than he had imagined. With the help of a British Major, Martins must now find a way to expose Lime’s associates and clear his friend’s name. Along the way, he must also confront his own moral dilemma about what is right and wrong. With its unique visual style and atmosphere of postwar unease, The Third Man stands as one of the greatest films of the period and a classic of world cinema.

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

Rebecca is a 1940 psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The film tells the story of a young woman, played by Joan Fontaine, who falls for a wealthy widower, played by Laurence Olivier. The woman soon discovers the secrets of her husband's past, involving his first wife, the mysterious Rebecca. With the help of a meddlesome housekeeper, played by Judith Anderson, she uncovers the truth and must come to terms with its consequences. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture and has become an classic of the genre.

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

The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 film noir directed by John Huston. It stars Humphrey Bogart as Sam Spade, a private detective in San Francisco who is hired by a mysterious woman to help her find a valuable statuette known as the Maltese Falcon. He then finds himself caught up in a tangled web of deceit and treachery as his investigation leads him to confront a variety of shady characters, including a dangerous criminal mastermind and a shady femme fatale. In the end, Spade must use his wits to uncover the truth and get the Maltese Falcon back from those who wish to exploit it.

From Jacques Tourneur, starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming
Rated Not Rated

Out of the Past is a classic film noir directed by Jacques Tourneur. Jeff Markham (Robert Mitchum) is a former private eye living in a small California town. His idyllic life is interrupted when he is hired by Whit Sterling (Kirk Douglas) to recover a mysterious woman named Kathie Moffat (Jane Greer). Jeff agrees and soon discovers that Kathie is on the run from a dark past. When Jeff tracks her down, he discovers that she is involved with a gangster named Joe Stephanos (Paul Valentine) and his partner, the corrupt businessman Martin Humphrey (Rhonda Fleming). Jeff is pulled into a complex web of lies and deceit as he attempts to save Kathie and bring the criminal elements to justice. In the end, Jeff must face the consequences of his actions and confront the secrets of his own past.

From David Lean, starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey
Rated Not Rated

"Brief Encounter" is a 1945 British romantic drama film directed by David Lean. The film follows the story of Laura Jesson, a middle-class married woman, who meets doctor Alec Harvey while shopping in a London suburb. The two quickly become friends and eventually, their friendship turns into a passionate love affair. Despite their strong feelings, they both struggle with the morality of their situation, as they are both married and devoted to their families. In the end, Laura chooses to remain loyal to her husband and end their relationship. The film is a classic melodrama, exploring themes of longing, desire, and the consequences of forbidden romance.

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 friends who murder someone just for the thrill of it. The plot follows their attempt to commit the perfect crime as they attempt to hide their crime from everyone around them and their developing consciences. The film is notable for taking place in real time and being edited to appear as if it is one continuous shot.

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

The Philadelphia Story is a 1940 romantic comedy directed by George Cukor and starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. The film tells the story of Tracy Lord (Hepburn), a high-society woman who is about to marry George Kittredge (John Howard), but her plans are complicated by the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven (Grant) and a tabloid magazine reporter (Stewart) who is set on uncovering a scandal involving Tracy's family. As Tracy falls in love with the reporter, she must decide which life she wants to lead, the one she has planned or the one that has been presented to her. The film is a classic screwball comedy filled with wit, charm, and a heartfelt message about learning to love again after a failed marriage.

From John Ford, starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee, Donald Crisp
Rated Passed

How Green Was My Valley is a 1941 drama directed by John Ford that tells the story of the Morgans, a Welsh mining family living in the South Wales Valleys during the 19th century. The film follows the family's struggles as the rise of industry threatens to destroy their unique way of life. The youngest son, Huw, watches as his father, Gwilym, and other family members struggle to make ends meet, while the eldest son, Ivor, is determined to fight for workers' rights. As the family's fortunes begin to decline, Huw must come to terms with the changing times and the inevitable loss of his idyllic childhood. Through a series of poignant vignettes, the film depicts the values of family and the bonds of love that ultimately carry the Morgans through their difficult times.