Movies Set In 1930s

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 drama film directed by Frank Darabont based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. The film follows the lives of the guards on death row of Cold Mountain Penitentiary, and the supernatural events that take place. Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) is a prison guard in charge of death row inmates. When John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) arrives, Edgecomb discovers he is an innocent man with a miraculous healing ability. As Coffey's execution approaches, Edgecomb and the other guards come to believe in his innocence and search for a way to save him. The events of the movie follow Edgecomb and the other guards as they grapple with their emotions, the justice system, and the harsh reality of a death sentence. As Coffey's execution is imminent, the guards strive to expose the truth and save his life. At the end, Coffey is finally able to make his own decision and the consequences of that decision have a lasting effect.

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 1936, directed by George Roy Hill and starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The plot involves a complex web of cons and double-crosses as two professional grifters (Newman and Redford) attempt to con an organized crime boss (Robert Shaw). After one of the grifters is murdered by the mob, the other must seek out revenge and justice. Along the way, he meets a variety of colorful characters, including a clever bookie (Eddie Albert) and a smooth-talking gambler (Ray Walston). Through twists and turns, the con artists manage to win the day, but not without a few close calls. Ultimately, The Sting is an exhilarating ride that teaches the importance of trusting no one.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a 1974 American neo-noir mystery film directed by Roman Polanski, and starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. In the film, private detective, J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Nicholson), investigates a case of adultery, corruption and murder in 1940s Los Angeles. His investigation leads him to a complex web of deceit and corruption involving a powerful landowner, Noah Cross (John Huston), and his daughter, Evelyn Mulwray (Dunaway). With the help of a water engineer, Hollis Mulwray (Darrell Zwerling), Jake discovers a massive conspiracy involving the draining of the city's water, and a cover-up by Cross. To make matters worse, he begins to fall in love with Cross's daughter, a dangerous affair that could threaten his own life. Chinatown is a classic example of a neo-noir classic, which combines mystery, suspense, and a dark, brooding atmosphere, to tell a story of dark and brutal Los Angeles.

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman
Rated PG

Paper Moon is a 1973 comedy-drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Ryan and Tatum O'Neal as father and daughter con artists. The film follows the story of Moses Pray, a con artist who is trying to make money by selling off bibles to widows in Depression-era Kansas. Along the way, he meets nine-year-old Addie Loggins, who claims to be his daughter. Despite his initial reluctance, Moses takes Addie in and the two become partners in a scamming operation. Together, they travel from town to town, conning unsuspecting victims and eventually forming a father-daughter bond. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning several awards and nominations, including an Academy Award for Ryan O'Neal for Best Supporting Actor.

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

The King's Speech is a 2010 biographical drama film directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler. The film follows the story of Prince Albert, the second son of King George V of the United Kingdom, and his quest to overcome a severe stammer which has plagued him since childhood. With the support of his wife, Queen Elizabeth, and his unconventional speech therapist, Lionel Logue, Albert embarks on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance as he prepares to take the throne as King George VI. Along the way, Albert and Lionel develop a deep friendship as they work together to overcome Albert's speech impediment, ultimately enabling him to deliver a rousing speech at the start of World War II.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti
Rated PG-13

Cinderella Man is a 2005 American biographical sports drama directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti. The film tells the story of James J. Braddock, a once-promising boxer who is forced to give up his career due to the Great Depression. After suffering a string of defeats, Braddock makes a miraculous comeback to become a world heavyweight champion and an inspiration to the downtrodden masses. In the process, he must overcome his own personal demons, as well as the larger-than-life figures of Max Baer and Joe Louis. The film was a financial and critical success, earning Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.

From Michel Hazanavicius, starring Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, John Goodman, James Cromwell
Rated PG-13

The Artist is a 2011 French romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius. Set in 1927, it stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo as a fading silent movie star and an aspiring actress, respectively, and features a score by Ludovic Bource. The story focuses on George Valentin, a silent movie star, and Peppy Miller, an aspiring actress. When talking pictures become the new norm, Valentin's career takes a turn for the worse, while Miller is given her big break. Despite the two of them being thrown into different social circles, they eventually reunite and find solace in one another. The film is a homage to the era of silent films and its stars, as it follows a similar narrative structure to the films of the period. It was a commercial and critical success, and was nominated for several awards, including five Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two BAFTA Awards. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Score and Best Costume Design.

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond
Rated PG-13

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a fantasy drama film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The film tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who is born in his eighties and ages backward. As he ages, he experiences a long life of adventure and personal growth, including true love and loss. He must confront the realities of his changing self and the world around him, as his life moves from the beginning to the end. It is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of life, death, and the human condition.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie, Colm Feore, Amy Ryan, Gattlin Griffith
Rated R

"Changeling" is a 2008 drama directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Angelina Jolie as Christine Collins, a single mother whose son goes missing in 1928 Los Angeles. As the police pressure her to accept a boy presented as her son, Christine refuses to accept the boy, which leads to her being sent to a psychiatric hospital. With the help of a crusading minister, she eventually discovers that the LAPD has been complicit in a vast child abduction and murder ring. Fighting for justice, Christine is eventually reunited with her son, but the emotional and physical toll of the ordeal have changed them both forever.

From James Ivory, starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, John Haycraft, Christopher Reeve
Rated PG

The Remains of the Day is a 1993 British-American drama film directed by James Ivory, based on the 1989 Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro. The film stars Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson as a butler and housekeeper, respectively, who have devoted their lives to the service of one of England's stately homes. As the film progresses, their decades-long relationship is explored and their hopes for something more than the life of servitude are revealed. The film culminates in a poignant, bittersweet finale that leaves the audience with a sense of longing and regret.

From Sam Mendes, starring Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey, Liam Aiken
Rated R

Road to Perdition is a 2002 crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes and starring Tom Hanks. The story follows a hitman, Michael Sullivan (Hanks), and his son, Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin), who are forced to go on the run when a mobster orders them killed. As they flee, they form an unlikely bond, as Sullivan attempts to keep his son safe and teach him the code of the criminal underworld. Along the way, they are pursued by a relentless detective (Paul Newman) and a ruthless mob assassin (Jude Law). Road to Perdition is a powerful and emotionally gripping drama about fathers and sons, loyalty, and redemption.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman
Rated PG-13

O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a 2000 comedy directed and produced by the Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows the story of three escaped convicts, Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney), Pete Hogwallop (John Turturro), and Delmar O'Donnell (Tim Blake Nelson), as they journey through rural Mississippi in search of a hidden treasure. Along the way they encounter a strange cast of characters, including a cyclops, a one-eyed Bible salesman, and a singing trio of Sirens. As they progress in their adventure, they must outwit the law and the Klan who are in pursuit. Ultimately, they come to realize that their true treasure lies not in the riches they seek, but in the relationships they have forged.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly
Rated PG-13

The Aviator tells the story of Howard Hughes, the legendary aviator, entrepreneur and film producer. The film follows Hughes from his early years as a wealthy young playboy to his eventual decline as an eccentric and reclusive billionaire. Along the way, it chronicles his obsession with aviation, his pioneering work in the field of aviation technology, his innovative and groundbreaking filmmaking, his highly publicized romances, and his increasingly erratic behavior. The film also stars Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn, Leonardo DiCaprio as Hughes, and Alec Baldwin as Senator Ralph Owen Brewster. The Aviator won numerous Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has become a classic of modern cinema.

From Gary Sinise, starring John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Ray Walston, Casey Siemaszko
Rated PG-13

Of Mice and Men is a 1992 film adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic novel by the same name. Directed by Gary Sinise and featuring an all-star cast – John Malkovich, Gary Sinise, Ray Walston, Casey Siemaszko, John Terry, and Sherilyn Fenn – the movie follows two friends - George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression - as they search for work and try to earn enough money to realize their dream of owning a small farm. Along the way they encounter a variety of difficult situations and characters, culminating in a tragic finale. The film offers a powerful examination of friendship, loneliness, and the American Dream.

From Robert Benton, starring Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan
Rated PG

From Woody Allen, starring Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest, Mike Starr, Paul Herman
Rated PG

From Gary Ross, starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Cooper
Rated PG-13

From John Hillcoat, starring Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Jason Clarke
Rated R

From Peter Jackson, starring Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann
Rated PG-13

From Michael Mann, starring Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, Christian Stolte, Jason Clarke
Rated R

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

From Jeremy Kagan, starring Meredith Salenger, John Cusack, Ray Wise, Lainie Kazan
Rated PG

From Francis Lawrence, starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider
Rated PG-13

From Tim Robbins, starring Hank Azaria, Rubén Blades, Joan Cusack, John Cusack
Rated R

From Gene Saks, starring Blythe Danner, Jonathan Silverman, Stacey Glick, Lisa Waltz
Rated PG-13