Movies About The Dust Bowl

From Charles Chaplin, starring Charles Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee, Harry Myers
Rated G

City Lights is a classic silent movie directed by Charles Chaplin. It follows the story of a tramp, played by Chaplin, who falls in love with a blind flower girl. The tramp is determined to make money so that he can give her a gift that will restore her sight. In the process, he befriends a rich and alcoholic millionaire who mistakes him for a millionaire friend. With the help of the millionaire, the tramp finds himself in many funny and endearing situations. At the end of the movie, the tramp's efforts are rewarded and he is able to raise enough money to restore the flower girl's sight. The movie ends with the tramp and flower girl happily walking away together.

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

Double Indemnity is a classic film noir from 1944, directed by Billy Wilder. The film follows insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) and client Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) as they concoct an elaborate plan for Neff to murder Dietrichson's husband and collect a hefty double indemnity insurance policy. As the two become involved in their plan, their actions are tracked by an insurance investigator, Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), who is determined to uncover their scheme. As the film progresses, Neff and Dietrichson must confront their guilt and the consequences of their actions, with the conclusion leading to a shocking twist.

From George Roy Hill, starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning
Rated PG

The Sting is a 1973 American caper film set in 1930s Chicago. The film tells the story of two grifters, Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman), who team up to con a mob boss out of a large sum of money. The two con men enlist the help of a variety of colorful characters to pull off the scam, including a corrupt lawyer, an old-time con man, and a variety of other colorful characters. As they work to set up the perfect con, they must also outwit the mob boss and his henchmen who are determined to stop them. In the end, the two con men manage to pull off the con and make off with the money, leaving the mob boss empty-handed.

From Frank Capra, starring Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly, Roscoe Karns
Rated Passed

It Happened One Night is a romantic comedy directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. The film follows a spoiled heiress (Colbert), who runs away from her family and teams up with a roguish reporter (Gable) who is trying to get a scoop on her story. The two eventually fall in love as they travel cross-country and encounter a series of misadventures. Along the way, they must contend with a gang of kidnappers, a jealous fiancé, and a nosy bus passenger. Ultimately, the two lovers get a happy ending and the journalist gets his scoop.

From Wes Anderson, starring Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody
Rated R

The Grand Budapest Hotel tells the story of Gustave H., a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune. Aided by his trusted sidekick, Zero, Gustave strives to prove his innocence after he is framed for the murder of a wealthy and elderly guest. The two embark on a perilous adventure, which takes them across the mountains of Eastern Europe and the glitz and glamor of a fictionalized version of pre-WWII Europe. Along the way, they encounter a cast of characters and a series of humorous and touching adventures.

From Frank Capra, starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold
Rated Passed

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a 1939 classic American comedy-drama directed by Frank Capra. Starring James Stewart as Jefferson Smith, the naive and idealistic leader of the Boy Rangers, the film tells the story of an honest, hardworking man who is appointed to represent his state in the United States Senate. Upon arriving in Washington, Smith is immediately taken advantage of by the powerful political interests, who attempt to use him for their own political gain. Smith is determined to fight for the good of his state, and he rallies the citizens of his state to stand behind him in his fight against the corrupt politicians. In the end, Smith is successful in exposing the corruption and restoring faith in the government and in the power of the people. The film is a powerful statement on the power of the people and the importance of standing up for what is right and just.

From Tom Hooper, starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi
Rated R

The King's Speech is a 2010 British biographical drama film directed by Tom Hooper, and written by David Seidler. Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, and Guy Pearce, the film tells the story of King George VI of the United Kingdom, who, after the death of his father King George V, struggles to overcome his speech impediment caused by a childhood stutter. With the help of an unconventional speech therapist, Lionel Logue, played by Rush, the King is able to face the challenge of delivering an important speech to rally his countrymen to support their involvement in World War II. Through their relationship, the two men are able to overcome their differences and form an unlikely bond that helps the King become a more confident and powerful leader. The film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture.

From Gregory La Cava, starring William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick
Rated Approved

My Man Godfrey is a romantic comedy set in the 1930s starring William Powell and Carole Lombard. Powell plays Godfrey Parke, a "forgotten man" who has been living on the streets for years. Lombard plays a wealthy socialite and heiress, Irene Bullock, who hires Godfrey as the family's butler. Despite her family's disapproval, Irene and Godfrey soon fall in love. Meanwhile, Godfrey helps to bring the family back together and resolves some of their issues. In the end, it's revealed that Godfrey is actually a wealthy man who had been living on the streets as a social experiment.

From Howard Hawks, starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Charles Ruggles, Walter Catlett
Rated Passed

Bringing Up Baby is a screwball comedy about a paleontologist, David Huxley (played by Cary Grant), who meets a free-spirited heiress, Susan Vance (played by Katharine Hepburn). David is in search of a rare bone that he needs for his museum and is about to marry a prudish woman, when Susan Vance introduces havoc into his life. Through a series of misadventures, David and Susan eventually fall in love. Along the way, they have to deal with a leopard named Baby, a missing dinosaur bone, a drunken golf pro, and a police officer who is trying to arrest them. In the end, David and Susan realize they are perfect for each other and they get married.

From Leo McCarey, starring Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Ralph Bellamy, Alexander D'Arcy
Rated Passed

The Awful Truth is a classic screwball comedy film directed by Leo McCarey, and starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. The film follows Jerry and Lucy Warriner, a couple who are going through a divorce. However, their attempts to move on with their lives are constantly thwarted by their own attempts to make each other jealous, and prevent each other from finding new love interests. The film follows their journey of discovering the truth, and realizing that their love for one another is still alive. In the end, Jerry and Lucy reconcile, and their relationship is stronger than before.

From Howard Hawks, starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth, Richard Barthelmess
Rated Passed

Only Angels Have Wings is a 1939 romantic drama directed by Howard Hawks and stars Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, and Rita Hayworth. Set in the fictional South American port town of Barranca, the film follows a group of pilots and their adventures. The pilots, led by Grant's character Geoff, work for a mail-carrying service and run dangerous routes through the Andes mountains. They must also deal with Geoff’s ex-lover, who has come to town to take up a job at the airfield and disrupt the lives of the pilots. The film is full of intense action sequences and adventure, as the pilots risk their lives to deliver mail and to protect the town. Ultimately, the story is about bravery, friendship, and loyalty in the face of danger.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Audrey Hepburn, Peter Finch, Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft
Rated Not Rated

The Nun's Story is a 1959 drama directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Audrey Hepburn. The film follows the story of Gabrielle Van Der Mal, a Belgian nurse who joins the Catholic Church to become a nun. As a nun, Gabrielle is assigned to a mission in the Belgian Congo, where she is confronted with the harsh realities of African colonialism. Gabrielle struggles to remain dedicated to her religious vows while also dealing with her own personal needs and desires. Through her story, the film examines the conflict between spiritual devotion and human nature. The Nun's Story ultimately shows how Gabrielle's faith allows her to find peace and acceptance in the end.

From George Stevens, starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick
Rated Passed

Swing Time is a classic romantic musical comedy from 1936, directed by George Stevens. The film stars Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as a pair of dancing partners in love who must overcome various obstacles to be together. The plot follows Astaire's character, Lucky, who is sent to New York City to collect the $25,000 his father has promised to a former dance partner. When he gets there, he meets Penny, played by Rogers, and the two quickly fall in love. But Penny is engaged to a wealthy man, and Lucky must prove himself worthy of her love. Through a series of comical misadventures, Lucky discovers that Penny is the former dance partner he was sent to collect the money from and the two must decide whether they will stay together or go their separate ways. Along the way, they perform some of the greatest dance numbers ever put to film, including "Pick Yourself Up," "A Fine Romance," and the classic "The Way You Look Tonight."

From Mark Sandrich, starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Alice Brady, Edward Everett Horton
Rated Approved

From Josef von Sternberg, starring Marlene Dietrich, Clive Brook, Anna May Wong, Warner Oland
Rated Approved

From Robert Altman, starring Maggie Smith, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Gambon, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated R

From John Schlesinger, starring Eileen Atkins, Kate Beckinsale, Sheila Burrell, Stephen Fry
Rated PG

From Frank Borzage, starring Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, John Halliday, William Frawley
Rated Approved

From Victor Fleming, starring Jean Harlow, Lee Tracy, Frank Morgan, Franchot Tone
Rated Passed

From Bharat Nalluri, starring Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Ciarán Hinds, David Alexander
Rated PG-13

From Thornton Freeland, starring Dolores del Rio, Gene Raymond, Raul Roulien, Ginger Rogers
Rated Passed

From Mike Barker, starring Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Milena Vukotic
Rated PG

From John Duigan, starring Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penélope Cruz, Thomas Kretschmann
Rated R