Best of the the 40s
The 1940s: During WWII, the Hollywood movie industry joined the fight with propaganda and escapism. As the studios skyrocketed in profits, the film became more experimental, innovative, and artistic.
Number 5. His Girl Friday. Newspaper journalist Walter discovers his ex-wife and fellow hard-hitting journalist Hildy is going to get remarried. Then the story of the years falls in their lap, offering a big break and a second chance for their love. The comedy comes at you from razor-sharp, mile-a-minute dialogue. This is Cary Grant’s best movie featuring his trademark wit and charm.
Number 4. The Great Dictator. The Little Tramp escapes battle and anti-Semitic persecution only to be mistaken for Hitler himself. The Tramp speaks! After ‘talkies’ took over Hollywood, Charlie Chaplin was reluctant to let his trademark character speak until he had something to say. Released in 1940, at the height of Hitler’s rise, Chaplin was willing to stand and defy him before most people in world power including the US.
Number 3. The Grapes of Wrath. The Joads, poor tenant farmers, are driven from their Oklahoma homestead and haul their lives across the country only to find similar ruin and hardship in California. Bleak and haunting cinematography. John Ford’s masterpiece is a landmark film. Henry Fonda defined the ‘every man’ hero as Tom Joad.
Number 2. Citizen Kane. Rosebud. The final words of gazillionaire Charles Foster Kane spark an investigation into his history and motives and secrets. Orson Wells and his team of innovators changed filmmaking forever. There was never a movie like Citizen Kane, and despite being a trendsetter and leader, there has never been a film like it since.
Number 1. It’s a Wonderful Life. George Baily puts everyone before himself. He leads a life of failure and regrets until a guardian angel lets him glimpse a wish to never be born. A Christmas classic that could be enjoyed any time of the year. Frank Capra’s sentimental love letter to friendship and the human spirit. There are few movies I have seen as many times, and there are fewer movies I would be willing to continue watching again and again. It never gets old. The message grows with you; with age, you only appreciate and love the movie more.
