Movies From The 30s

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

"City Lights" is a classic silent comedy directed by Charles Chaplin. The film follows the story of an unnamed tramp, played by Chaplin, who falls in love with a blind flower-girl played by Virginia Cherrill. After a chance meeting, the tramp saves the flower-girl from a suicide attempt, and in doing so, gains a true friend. To help the flower-girl regain her sight, the tramp desperately tries to make enough money to pay for an operation. However, his attempts constantly fail and his luck does not turn around until the very end of the movie. The film is famous for its combination of comedy, romance, and pathos, with Chaplin's iconic physical comedy at its center.

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood, starring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil
Rated Passed

Gone with the Wind is a classic 1939 American drama film set in the American South during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It follows the tumultuous life of Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, from her naive teenage years to her development into a strong-willed woman. The movie follows Scarlett through her struggles with the Confederacy's defeat, the burning of her home and family, and her struggle to survive by any means necessary. Throughout the story, Scarlett is determined to get her beloved Tara plantation back as well as finding true love with two very different men, the roguish Rhett Butler and the dashing Ashley Wilkes. Despite all the obstacles in her way, Scarlett is determined to survive and come out on top.

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

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a 1939 American political comedy-drama film directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart as Jefferson Smith, a naive and idealistic small-town boy who is appointed to the United States Senate. When Smith's plans to build a boys' camp in his home state of Washington are obstructed by corrupt politicians, he takes his story to the Senate floor in an effort to expose the truth. With the help of a young female reporter, Smith stands up to the corrupt senator and his cronies, and ultimately succeeds in his mission. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest movies of all time, winning two Academy Awards and garnering ten additional nominations.

From Lewis Milestone, starring Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray, Arnold Lucy
Rated Passed

All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1930 drama film directed by Lewis Milestone and adapted from the book of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque. The film follows the story of a group of German schoolboys who enlist in the German military at the start of World War I. They experience the horrors of war firsthand, and struggle to survive as their innocence is lost in the trenches of the Western Front. The movie is a powerful anti-war statement that serves as a cautionary tale about the realities of war, and the tragedy of young people being forced to fight a battle that is not their own. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1930, and is still considered one of the great war movies of all time.

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

My Man Godfrey follows the misadventures of Godfrey, a homeless man taken on as a butler by a wealthy family. Godfrey quickly proves to be a model butler, handling the family’s chaotic affairs with aplomb and even aiding the family’s daughter, Irene, in her romantic pursuits. As Irene and Godfrey’s relationship blossoms, his past is slowly revealed and the outrageous and selfish family must come to terms with the truth. In the end, Godfrey and Irene are married and the family comes to accept him as one of their own.

From Directors: Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher
Rated Passed

King Kong is a 1933 American pre-Code monster adventure film directed and produced by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack. The film tells the story of a mammoth ape-like creature called Kong who is brought from his home on the mysterious Skull Island to New York City, where he wreaks havoc and escapes with a young woman named Ann Darrow. After being captured and brought back to the city, Kong escapes again and scales the Empire State Building, where he is ultimately killed by airplanes. The film is recognized as one of the first great monster films of all time and has been re-released numerous times over the decades.

From Directors: Michael Curtiz, William Keighley, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Claude Rains
Rated PG

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) is a classic action/adventure/romance film directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley. It stars Errol Flynn as the legendary outlaw Robin Hood, a nobleman who is forced to go on the run after refusing to give his loyalty to the corrupt Prince John. With the help of his band of Merry Men, Robin Hood engages in a series of daring acts, including robbing from the rich to give to the poor, and outwitting the Sheriff of Nottingham. Along the way he also falls in love with Maid Marian, played by Olivia de Havilland, and battles the evil Guy of Gisbourne. With its classic battle scenes, romantic elements, and an overall sense of bravery and justice, The Adventures of Robin Hood remains one of the most beloved films of all time.

From W.S. Van Dyke, starring William Powell, Myrna Loy, Maureen O'Sullivan, Nat Pendleton
Rated TV-PG

The Thin Man is a classic 1934 American comedy-mystery film, directed by W.S. Van Dyke and starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. The film follows a retired detective, Nick Charles (Powell), and his wife Nora (Loy) as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of a businessman and the complicated web of suspects surrounding the case. Along the way, they must also contend with their own complicated relationship and the nosy, bumbling police. With its witty dialogue, hilarious antics, and perfect chemistry between its leads, The Thin Man is considered to be a classic example of the screwball comedy genre.

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Andy Devine, John Carradine
Rated Passed

Stagecoach stars John Wayne in his first starring role as the Ringo Kid, an outlaw on the run. The film follows a group of strangers as they set out on a stagecoach heading to Lordsburg, a town in New Mexico. Along the way, they must contend with the threat of an Apache war party and the machinations of a drunk doctor, Hatfield. The film also stars Claire Trevor, Thomas Mitchell, John Carradine, and Andy Devine, among others. As the stagecoach continues on its journey, the relationships between the different passengers are explored, as is the growing respect for the Ringo Kid. Ultimately, the group makes it to its destination, with Ringo emerging a heroic figure. The film is hailed as a classic of the western genre, and showcases John Ford's eye for composition and meticulous attention to detail.

From James Whale, starring Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson
Rated Not Rated

The Bride of Frankenstein is a 1935 horror comedy film directed by James Whale. It is a sequel to Whale's 1931 film Frankenstein and is widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels ever made. The film centers around Dr. Frankenstein's attempt to create a mate for his monster, as well as the monster's desire for a bride. However, Dr. Frankenstein's creation of the Bride is interfered with by the scheming Dr. Pretorius, who has designs of his own. This leads to a chaotic and thrilling climax in which the Monster, the Bride, and Dr. Frankenstein must battle Dr. Pretorius and his monstrous creations. In the end, the Monster and the Bride find happiness together, though Dr. Frankenstein's attempts to create life are left unresolved.

From Directors: Jack Conway, Robert Z. Leonard, starring Ronald Colman, Elizabeth Allan, Edna May Oliver, Reginald Owen
Rated Passed

A Tale of Two Cities is a 1935 American historical drama film directed by Jack Conway and Robert Z. Leonard and starring Ronald Colman, Elizabeth Allan, Edna May Oliver, and Basil Rathbone. The film is based on the classic novel of the same name by Charles Dickens and follows the story of two men, a French physician and an English lawyer, who fall in love with two women and struggle to save them from the ravages of the French Revolution. The French physician, Dr. Manette, is released from prison after 18 years of wrongful imprisonment, only to find his daughter, Lucie, in love with an English aristocrat, Charles Darnay. Meanwhile, a French aristocrat, Sydney Carton, is in love with Lucie and promises to help her protect her father and her beloved from the guillotine. In the end, Carton successfully saves them from death through an act of self-sacrifice.

From James Whale, starring Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles
Rated Passed

Frankenstein, directed by James Whale in 1931, is a classic horror story based on Mary Shelley's novel of the same name. It tells the story of scientist, Dr. Frankenstein, and his monstrous creation. After creating the creature, Dr. Frankenstein is horrified by it and rejects it, leaving it alone and confused. The creature, desperate for companionship, goes on a rampage, killing several people. In the end, Dr. Frankenstein and his creation fight to the death in a fiery climax. The film is a classic example of horror and is still widely regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.

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

Bringing Up Baby is a 1938 American screwball comedy film directed by Howard Hawks and starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. The plot revolves around a madcap heiress who attempts to convince an uptight paleontologist to go on a wild and potentially romantic adventure. Along the way, the two encounter a series of misadventures involving a leopard, a pet nurse, and a missing dinosaur bone. Through it all, the two slowly begin to realize their feelings for each other, leading to a romantic ending.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas, May Whitty
Rated Not Rated

The Lady Vanishes is a 1938 British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. The film follows Iris Carr (Lockwood), a young woman on a train in Europe who discovers that an elderly woman, Miss Froy (May Whitty), whom she had befriended, has mysteriously vanished. With the help of a young Englishman, Gilbert Redman (Redgrave), Iris investigates the disappearance, eventually uncovering a sinister plot. As she and Gilbert uncover the truth, they must outwit a group of spies intent on stopping them and solving the mystery of Miss Froy's disappearance.

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

The Awful Truth is a 1937 comedy film starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. The story follows Jerry Warriner (Grant) and Lucy Warriner (Dunne) who are going through a messy divorce. In spite of their divorce, the two still have feelings for each other, and Jerry attempts to win Lucy back by playing a series of pranks and tricks to discredit her new beau, Daniel Leeson (Ralph Bellamy). The antics become increasingly hilarious as Jerry and Lucy’s rivalry reaches its climax. This screwball comedy has become a classic for its witty dialogue, amusing pranks, and memorable performances by Irene Dunne and Cary Grant.

From Josef von Sternberg, starring Emil Jannings, Marlene Dietrich, Kurt Gerron, Rosa Valetti
Rated Passed

The Blue Angel (1930) is a German drama film directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Emil Jannings and Marlene Dietrich. The film follows the downfall of Professor Immanuel Rath, an esteemed teacher who, after becoming infatuated with the cabaret singer Lola-Lola, is humiliated by her and loses his position at the school. Forced to work as a clown in Lola-Lola's cabaret, Rath embarks on a downward spiral of alcohol, degradation and despair. The film is known for its groundbreaking cinematography and set design, as well as its iconic performance from Dietrich, whose impressive performance as Lola-Lola made her an international star.

From Julien Duvivier, starring Jean Gabin, Gabriel Gabrio, Saturnin Fabre, Fernand Charpin
Rated Not Rated

Pépé le Moko is a French crime drama directed by Julien Duvivier in 1937. It follows the story of Pépé, a Parisian criminal who has escaped to the Casbah in Algiers. While there, he is safe from the Parisian police, but is also trapped in the narrow alleys of the Casbah. He falls in love with Gaby, a beautiful French tourist, and their relationship complicates his situation. When the police finally catch up with him, he must make a dramatic choice between staying with Gaby or returning to his criminal lifestyle. The film is a classic example of the French poetic realism movement, which uses realism and naturalism to tell stories of ordinary people and their struggles.

From Mark Sandrich, starring Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Erik Rhodes
Rated Not Rated

Top Hat is a classic 1935 musical comedy starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Directed by Mark Sandrich, the film follows the developing love story between a Broadway star, Jerry Travers (played by Astaire), and a London hat designer, Dale Tremont (played by Rogers). Complications arise when Dale misidentifies Jerry as the romantic rival who has been pursuing her, leading to a series of misunderstandings and misadventures through Europe. With classic Astaire-Rogers dance sequences, hilarious humor, and a beloved Irving Berlin score, Top Hat is widely considered one of the greatest musicals of all time.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone
Rated Passed

Captain Blood is a swashbuckling adventure film directed by Michael Curtiz, released in 1935. The film stars Errol Flynn as Peter Blood, an Irish doctor and former soldier who is wrongly sentenced to slavery in the Caribbean. After escaping, he and other slaves become notorious pirates, fighting for their freedom and the cause of justice. Along the way, the roguish Blood finds himself falling for the daughter of a Spanish governor (Olivia de Havilland) and clashing with a sinister rival, the devious French buccaneer Levasseur (Basil Rathbone). With plenty of sword fights, daring escapes and thrilling action, Captain Blood is a classic of the genre.

From Directors: William Cottrell, David Hand, Wilfred Jackson, Larry Morey, Perce Pearce, Ben Sharpsteen, starring Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne, Roy Atwell
Rated Approved

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a classic animated Disney film released in 1937. It tells the story of Snow White, an innocent and beautiful young woman who is forced to flee her home when her stepmother, the wicked queen, orders her huntsman to kill her. Snow White finds refuge in a small cottage belonging to the Seven Dwarfs, who soon become her friends. When the Queen discovers where Snow White is hiding, she creates a poisoned apple to use against her. However, Snow White is saved at the last minute by the prince, and they all live happily ever after. The film is renowned for its animation, music, and emotional depth, and it is considered to be a classic of the Disney animated film canon.

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

Only Angels Have Wings is a 1939 American adventure drama directed by Howard Hawks. The film stars Cary Grant and Jean Arthur as two people who find themselves in a troubled romance while stationed in a remote South American town. The town is home to a mail delivery and freight service, run by a group of hard-living pilots who risk their lives everyday to keep the service running. The story follows the dangerous lives of these pilots, their no-nonsense leader Geoff Carter (Grant) and the beautiful Bonnie Lee (Arthur), who comes to the town looking for a fresh start. The film also stars Rita Hayworth, Thomas Mitchell, Richard Barthelmess, and Noah Beery Jr. The story follows the pilots as they take on difficult jobs in treacherous weather, and the growing romance between Geoff and Bonnie. Ultimately, the film deals with courage, loyalty and the power of love.

From William A. Wellman, starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, Brian Donlevy
Rated Passed

Beau Geste (1939) is a classic action-adventure film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Gary Cooper, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, and Brian Donlevy. The film tells the story of three brothers, Beau (Cooper), John (Milland), and Digby Geste (Preston), who enlist in the French Foreign Legion after a valuable family heirloom is stolen. As the brothers struggle to survive in the harsh desert, they must also face the dangers that come with being part of the Legion. Through their trials, the Geste brothers must find a way to prevail while maintaining their honor and loyalty to one another. Ultimately, the brothers must choose between their duty to the Legion and their own personal desires. The film is a thrilling example of classic adventure filmmaking, with spectacular action sequences and a captivating story.

From John Ford, starring Henry Fonda, Alice Brady, Marjorie Weaver, Arleen Whelan
Rated Passed

Young Mr. Lincoln is a 1939 biographical drama directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda as a young Abraham Lincoln. In the film, Lincoln is a young lawyer in Springfield, Illinois who takes on a case defending two brothers accused of murder. With his folksy charm and sharp wit, Lincoln is able to sway the jury and win the case, making a name for himself in the process. Along the way, he falls in love with a local girl and is presented with the difficult moral and ethical quandaries of the justice system. The film is a subtle exploration of the man Lincoln would become and his eventual rise to the Presidency.

From George Cukor, starring Freddie Bartholomew, Frank Lawton, Edna May Oliver, Elizabeth Allan
Rated Passed

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