Review Tales

The Golden Age of Hollywood spans from the late 1920s, marked by the emergence of “talkies,” to the early 1960s, just before the American New Wave took hold. This was a remarkable era for Hollywood, producing countless classics and showcasing the talents of filmmakers who worked on an astounding number of films.

Few contemporary filmmakers can compare to the prolific output of this era, though directors like Clint Eastwood and Steven Soderbergh come close. The list here includes essential classics from the period and highlights a wealth of great filmmakers.

Honorable mentions: William Wyler, Mervyn LeRoy, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Samuel Fuller, and William A. Wellman. Each directed many outstanding films, and though at least one of their works could have been included, they were omitted to keep the list concise. The same applies to certain filmmakers mentioned by name in association with the films of others.

  10) The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

The romantic comedy genre thrived during this era. Among the many average rom-coms that filled cinemas, there were a few gems that have truly stood the test of time, remaining admired and celebrated to this day. One such classic is Lubitsch’s The Shop Around the Corner. The film’s kinetic energy stems from its sharp dialogue and unforgettable side characters. With stars like James Stewart and a master filmmaker like Lubitsch at the helm, it turned out to be an utterly delightful film.

Lubitsch is an important filmmaker who directed numerous classics, such as To Be or Not to Be and Trouble in Paradise. His films are known for their instant charm and excellent humor, always bringing a smile to audiences.

9) The Wizard of Oz (1939) & Gone With the Wind (1939)

The Wizard of Oz is a staggering achievement in filmmaking and production design, a fascinating film that brings fantasy and drama to life in a colorful world. The story follows the wonderful character journey of a young girl, played by Judy Garland, and has become a classic for its enduring ability to captivate and impress audiences over many years. 

Director Victor Fleming also created the four-hour epic Gone With the Wind in the same year, another iconic film. Though Gone With the Wind has its own issues and historical inaccuracies, it remains an important document of a period in which people had different views on “civilization” and morality.

8) It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life has become a cherished part of Christmas for many people, a holiday ritual to watch each year. This classic is a beautiful fable of bravery and goodness, embodied in James Stewart’s heroic character, George Bailey. Capra’s films are always optimistic, often focusing on idealistic protagonists. It’s a Wonderful Life reflects the common man’s dream to make the world a better place.

7) Double Indemnity (1944)

There are few genres like noir that evoke such striking, expressionistic images — the city’s shadows, the smoke from cigarettes, and the ominous figures that follow its shady main characters. Billy Wilder is one of the most prominent directors of the era, known for both rom-coms like The Apartment and Some Like It Hot, as well as noirs like Sunset Blvd., Witness for the Prosecution, Ace in the Hole, and Double Indemnity. These are all great classics. Double Indemnity is the definitive film noir, written by one of the best crime writers of the time. He crafts a story so real, with a poignant emotional drama behind the characters’ motives.

Like James M. Cain, Nicholas Ray excels at making his stories feel authentic, with essential noirs like They Live by Night and In a Lonely Place. John Huston and Howard Hawks are also key directors of this era, creating iconic noirs like The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep.

6) Singin in the Rain (1952)

Many people say they don’t like musicals, except perhaps La La Land. But it’s questionable whether they’ve truly experienced the great musicals, especially from this era. Singin’ in the Rain is a great entry point for musicals. 

Gene Kelly, the star, and director Stanley Donen did phenomenal work, also collaborating on films like On the Town. Vincente Minnelli is another great director of musicals, known for classics like Meet Me in St. Louis, An American in Paris, and The Band Wagon. These films transport you to another world with their stunning photography and expertly choreographed dance sequences.

5) Stagecoach (1939)

Like film noirs, rom-coms, and musicals, westerns were a favorite genre for audiences of that era. It was a very mainstream genre that attracted many people to the cinema. These westerns often carried a certain mythology, which the Spaghetti Westerns, like The Dollar Trilogy, and revisionist westerns, like The Wild Bunch, gave a new twist to. John Ford is a master of traditional westerns, having directed a myriad of classics in the genre, including The Iron Horse, My Darling Clementine, the Cavalry Trilogy, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Ford’s westerns from the late 40s to the 60s were much more complex than his earlier works. The Searchers, in particular — his most popular film — may not be the best entry point for both John Ford and westerns due to how it uniquely handles the myth and violence of its anti-hero.

Stagecoach, on the other hand, is the best introduction to both John Ford and westerns. It was the first film collaboration between Ford and John Wayne. The film presents a very humane portrayal of a community that goes beyond just shootouts.

It breaks down the prejudices of characters who hold a privileged and critical view of the poor, drawing out an intriguing drama that perfectly captures human connection. There were also many other prominent western filmmakers of this era, such as Delmer Daves (3:10 to Yuma), Budd Boetticher (7 Men from Now), and Anthony Mann (Winchester ’73).

4) Psycho (1960)

Hitchcock is a genre unto himself. His films transcend time and borders, influencing countless filmmakers. A significant event from Hitchcock’s early life shaped much of his work: his father once punished him by locking him in a prison cell for a few minutes. A policeman released him after reading a note that said, “This is what we do to naughty boys.” This experience haunted Hitchcock, and the psychological trauma of being confined in that cell lingered throughout his career, often reflected in the characters of his films.

Hitchcock made many films where his main characters are wrongfully accused and on the run from the police, such as The 39 Steps, North by Northwest, and The Wrong Man. Psycho is different from those, but it still contains all the hallmark elements of a Hitchcock film: suspense, humor, and murder. Psycho is a unique work that challenged audience expectations and pushed the boundaries of what was permissible by the censors of the time.

At that time, there was a big effort not to spoil the movie due to its shocking nature. It was Anthony Perkins’ performance as Norman Bates that both unsettled and confused the audience, many of whom felt he represented them. When one of the film’s early reveals happens, it feels absolutely brutal.

3) Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

David Lean’s epic Lawrence of Arabia is rich in both character and story. Halfway through the film, I realized that what I was watching was something truly special. There are only a few films that make such an immediate impact. The titular character, Lawrence, undergoes significant emotional turmoil throughout his journey.

The desert he treads carries the pain and cries of its people, which profoundly affects him. This distinct transformation in his character and his realization of the harsh realities of the world give the film a tragic quality.

The grand production design and cinematography play a major role in elevating it to epic status. It’s one of those films that inspires filmmakers to take bold steps and strive to create something as monumental as Lawrence of Arabia, a dream for many. Its influences are evident in works like Dune and other major films.

2) Casablanca (1942)

Michael Curtiz was a consistently hardworking studio filmmaker of the era. These filmmakers are often reduced to being called “journeymen,” but it is filmmakers like him, Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men), and John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) who directed many great works and also saved the studios. Michael Curtiz’s films from 1938, like Four Daughters and Angels with Dirty Faces (one of his best), were key to keeping Warner Bros. alive with their success.

Casablanca is Michael Curtiz’s masterpiece. It’s a classic that tells a tale of melodrama and romance, brimming with the charm of its stars, like Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The chemistry between the two redefined romance, still making many people blush and teary-eyed. It also captures the tragedy and somber atmosphere created by World War II.

Clubs, social gatherings, friendships, and love serve as gateways for the characters to escape the war, yet it follows them and determines their fate. The tragedy is that they can do nothing about it, except hold the hands of their loved ones and try to forget in the banality of daily life, with the help of temporary pleasures. For these characters and the people facing those wars now, that is enough to make life worth living.

1) Citizen Kane (1941)

Citizen Kane is a name that is always present on the list of classics, and for good reason. Orson Welles’ Charles Foster Kane is a great stand-in for people; he represents the American Dream. His ambitious nature and ideals bring him closer to fame and greatness, but they take away his soul.

His many escapades in romance and alcohol, resulting from the emptiness in his life, pull him even further astray. It is an excellent tragedy. What’s interesting is that the story is told in a non-linear structure, which was unfamiliar to the audience of the era.

It is iconic not only because of its great story but also for its unique technical approach. When you have Gregg Toland (who previously worked on Stagecoach) as your cinematographer and Bernard Herrmann (a regular Hitchcock collaborator) as your composer, you’ve already hit the jackpot.

The rich visuals are full of detail in every frame, and the score evokes the sadness and mysterious nature of Kane in a way that words alone cannot describe. Citizen Kane serves as a reminder for filmmakers to keep pushing the boundaries of the cinematic medium.