Oscar Enjoys the Movies 1930s

1930 All Quiet on the Western Front

Director Lewis Milestone directed the 1930 American pre-Code anti-war film “All Quiet on the Western Front." It was based on the novel of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque. The film starred Lew Ayers, Louis Wolheim, and John Wray. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The story centers on Paul Baumer and his friends, who enlist in the German army with enthusiasm but face the grim realities of combat.

1931 Cimarron

Director Wesley Ruggles directed the 1931 American pre-Code epic Western film "Cimarron." The film was based on the 1930 novel of the same name by Edna Ferber. It was the first of four Westerns to win the coveted Best Picture award. The film starred Richard Dix and Irene Dunn.

The storyline follows the life of Yancey Cravat, who claims land during the Oklahoma land rush and becomes a prominent figure in the boomtown of Osage, exploring themes of ambition, family, and the American frontier experience.

1932 Grand Hotel

Director Edmund Goulding directed the 1932 American drama “Grand Hotel." The film was based on the 1930 play of the same name by Willam A. Drake and adapted from the 1929 novel “Menschen im Hotel” by Vicki Baum. The film starred Greta Garbo and John Barrymore. It included the iconic line “I want to be alone," famously delivered by Garbo. "Grand Hotel" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1932, making it notable for being the only film to win this award without any other nominations. 

The storyline revolves around a group of diverse characters staying at a luxurious Berlin hotel, each dealing with their own personal dramas.

1933 Cavalcade

Director Frank Lloyd directed the 1933 American pre-Code epic drama "Cavalcade." It was based on the 1931 play of the same name by Noel Coward. The film starred Diana Wynyard and Clive Brooke. It won for Best Picture and Best Director.

The storyline represents the view of English life during the first third of the 20th century from New Year’s Eve 1899 to New Year’s Day 1933, from the point of view of well-to-do London residents Jane (Diana Wynyard) and Robert Marryot (Clive Brooke), their children, their close friends, and their servants.

1934 It Happened One Night

Director Frank Capra directed the 1934 American romantic comedy “It Happened One Night." The screenplay by Robert Riskin is based on the August 1933 short story “Night Bus” by Samuel Hopkins Adams. It is considered a pre-Code production and was the first of three films to win the “Big Five” Academy Awards—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It starred Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Gable won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

The film stars Claudette Colbert as a pampered socialite who tries to get out from under her father’s thumb. She falls in love with a roguish reporter portrayed by Clark Gable.

1935 Mutiny on the Bounty

Director Frank Lloyd directed the 1935 American historical adventure drama "Mutiny on the Bounty." It was adapted from the novels one of the same name and the other "Men Against the Sea" by Charles Nourdhoff and James Norman Hall. The film starred Clark Gable, Charles Laughton, and Franchot Tone. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The storyline is based on the real-life 1789 mutiny on the HMS Bounty, and follows Lieutenant Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable), a sailor who, tired of Captain William Bligh's (Charles Laughton) cruel ways, leads a revolt that results in Bligh's removal from the ship.

1936 The Great Ziegfeld

Director Robert Z. Leonard directed the 1936 American musical drama “The Great Ziegfeld." The film starred William Powell as the theatrical impresario Florenx “Flo” Ziegfeld, with Luise Rainer as Anna Held and Myrna Loy as Billie Burke. "The Great Ziegfeld" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1937, recognized for its lavish production and musical performances.

It chronicles the life of theatrical impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., showcasing his rise to fame through lavish productions and the famous Ziegfeld Follies.

1937 The Life of Emile Zola

Director William Dieterie directed the 1937 American biographical film “The Life of Emile Zola." It was the life of French author Emile Zola portrayed by Paul Mini. It was the second biographical film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture after the film “The Great Ziegfeld."

1938 You Can’t Take It with You

Director Frank Capra directed the American screwball romantic comedy “You Can’t Take It with You." The film starred Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart, and Edward Arnold. The film won two Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director.

The storyline follows a man from a family of rich snobs who becomes engaged to a woman from a good-natured but decidedly eccentric family.

1939 Gone With the Wind

In 1939 Selznick International Pictures came out with the American epic historical romance film “Gone with the Wind." It was directed by Victor Fleming and starred Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, and Olivia de Havilland. It is based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell. I am sure that no one who has seen this classic film ever looked at the Civil War the same ever again. There can be no question the film depicts slavery, consent, and Civil War myths in a problematic manner. The movie brought Leigh instant fame and attention and the Academy Award for Best Actress. At the 12th Academy Awards in 1940, the film won 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress.

The story revolves around the strong-willed daughter Scarlett O’Hara (Leigh) of Georgia plantation owner Gerald O’Hara (Thomas Mitchell). The family lives on the plantation named Tara. In 1861, on the eve of the American Civil War, Scarlett is at Tara with her parents, two sisters, and their Black slaves. She is visited by her two beau Stuart Tarleton (George Reeves, who later became TV's Superman) and Brent Tarleton (Fred Crane). Scarlett is devastated to learn that at the big BBQ the next day at the plantation Twelve Oaks Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard), who she has taken a fancy to, is going to announce his engagement to his cousin, Melanie Hamilton (Olivia deHavilland). At the party she runs into the man who will turn her life around eventually, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable). Scarlett goes on to manipulate and get her way at every turn no matter that the Civil War is in full battle.