Want to know more about the effervescent period of the Forties, in Hollywood's history?
Want to understand the vintage vibe and the mystery thrillers of those years?
You can do that by starting to see the below list of movies, which is in my opinion highly notable, directed by the best filmmakers at the time, like for instance Hitchcock, Wyler, Wilder.
Rebecca (1940)
One of the best is, without a doubt, Hitchcock’s “Rebecca” (1940), where the famous stars of the time Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier make exceptional roles.
I think I have said it before: almost every movie signed by Alfred Hitchcock is worth it. So, in case you haven’t seen the movie “Rebecca” nor read the book, it’s the right time to do them both.
A Stolen Life (1946)
This American drama film was starring Bette Davis, who also produced it. The film, based on the 1935 novel A Stolen Life by Karel Josef Benes.
The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Make room in your dream world for one of the most romantic stories of all times: falling in love through writing letters to a mysterious, unknown figure.
The film also has a remake, "You've Got Mail", the famous romantic comedy starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks.
Two films not to miss, if you're a romantic, want to impress a girl, or simply like to relax your mind and soul with timeless cinema gems.
Orson Welles, one of history's best actors and filmmakers, was topping the Forties with his movies, that stand the test of time.
Films like Citizen Kane (1941) are a must-see for every cinephile on the planet.
Rita Hayworth was a notable appearance of those years, with films like Cover Girl (1944), Gilda (1946), or The Lady of Shanghai (1947).
Notorious (1946)
This remarkable Hitchcock mystery thriller starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman must not be forgotten on your film list.
Easter Parade (1948)
Easter Parade is a 1948 American musical film starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, and including some of Astaire and Garland's best-known songs, such as "Easter Parade", "Steppin' Out with My Baby", and "We're a Couple of Swells". (source: Wikipedia)
Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)
I can’t express in words how beautiful this movie is.
It is considered a “sentimental drama”, that in my opinion steals a little bit of its beauty and deep charms.
Yes, it is “sentimental”, but not in a superficial way. It’s a tragic story, covered with a veil of elegance, beauty, sincere feelings.
It stars the remarkable actress Joan Fontaine, Olivia de Havilland's sister. In this film, she again gave her best.
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
This is an American epic drama film directed by William Wyler, just after he had returned from the Second World War.
Obviously, the film captured the mood of the nation as it turned to peace after the war.
The plot is about three United States servicemen readjusting to civilian life after experiencing the Second World War. It was a critical and commercial success, winning seven Academy Awards.
It was the highest-grossing film in both the United States and the UK since the release of Gone with the Wind and is the sixth most-attended film of all time in the UK. (source: Wikipedia)
Double Indemnity (1944)
It's one of the best mystery thrillers from Hollywood's classic era.
It was nominated for several Academy Awards, and it has breath-taking moments, unforgettable suspense adventures all along.
A film noir, nominated for Best Director and Screenplay, it was co-written with mystery novelist Raymond Chandler.
Double Indemnity not only set conventions for the noir genre but it is also credited by some as the first true film noir, combining the stylistic elements of Citizen Kane with the narrative elements of The Maltese Falcon (1941). (Wikipedia)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas family fantasy drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra, based on the short story and booklet The Greatest Gift, which Philip Van Doren Stern self-published in 1943 and is in turn loosely based on the 1843 Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol. (source: Wikipedia)
Another exceptional role, and story, and plot, and the way it was made.
Films like this make Hollywood's pride and glory.
Disney Animated Films:
Pinocchio
Based on the novel by Carlo Collodi "The Adventures of Pinocchio. Story of a puppet", it is the 2nd Disney Classic, from 1940.
Bambi
The lovely 1943 classic animated film is the one with the most important revenues of all time, based on the story Bambi, A Life in the Woods written by Austrian author Felix Salten.
Dumbo
The 1941 American animated fantasy film, the fourth Disney animated feature film, is based upon the storyline written by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl, and illustrated by Helen Durney for the prototype of a novelty toy ("Roll-a-Book"). The main character is Jumbo Jr., a baby elephant who is cruelly nicknamed "Dumbo", as in "dumb". He is ridiculed for his big ears, but in fact, he is capable of flying by using his ears as wings. (Wikipedia)
