Oscar Enjoys the Movies 1940s

1940 Rebecca

Director Alfred Hitchcock directed the 1940 American romantic psychological thriller "Rebecca." The film was based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The film starred Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson, George Sanders, and others. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The storyline revolves around a young woman who meets the owner of a grand mansion in Cornwall, Manderley. The owner, George Fortescue Maximilian "Maxim" de Winter (Laurence Oliver), makes her his second wife and brings her to live in Manderley, where she begins experiencing strange events that lead her to discover her husband's mysterious past.

1941 How Green Was My Valley

Director John Ford directed the 1941 American drama “How Green Was My Valley?" The film was adapted from the 1939 novel of the same name by Richard Llewellyn. It starred Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O’Hara, Anna Lee, Donald Crisp, and Roddy McDowall. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Director, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Donald Crisp).

The storyline revolves around the Morgans, a hard-working Welsh mining family, from the viewpoint of the youngest child, Huw, who lives with his affectionate parents, his sister, and five brothers, in the South Wales Valley during the late Victorian era.

1942 Mrs. Miniver

Director William Wyler directed the 1942 American romantic war drama “Mrs. Miniver." The film starred Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. It was inspired by the 1940 novel of the same name by Jan Struther. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the Academy Award for Best Director, the Academy Award for Best Actress (Garson), and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Theresa Wright), plus three other awards.

The storyline revolves around the life of an unassuming British housewife, Kay Miniver (Greer Garson), in rural England whose life is affected by WWII.

1943 Casablanca

Director Michael Curtiz directed the 1942 American romantic drama "Casablanca." The film starred Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Nereid. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture and the Academy Award for Best Director.

The storyline revolves around a cynical American and nightclub owner, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), who owns and operates one of the hottest spots in Casablanca, Morocco. While Rick has chiseled out a modest living and existence, his world is turned upside-down when his former flame, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), arrives with her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henried), who is a well-known war rebel. With German troops in pursuit of Laszlo, Ilsa turns to Rick to help them escape the country, presenting him with a difficult choice that could change his life forever.

1944 Going My Way

Director Leo McCarey directed the 1944 American musical comedy “Going My Way." The film starred Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. In the film Crosby sang five songs. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The storyline revolves around a young priest, Father Chuck O'Malley (Bing Crosby), who takes over a parish from an established old veteran.

1945 The Lost Weekend

Director Billy Wilder directed the 1945 American drama “The Lost Weekend." The film starred Ray Milland and Jane Wyman. It was based on the 1944 novel about an alcoholic writer by Charles R. Jackson. The film won four Academy Awards—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Millan), and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The storyline revolves around Don Birnam (Ray Milland), an alcoholic writer who struggles with his addiction over the course of a four-day weekend.

1946 The Best Years of Our Lives

Director William Wyler directed the 1946 American epic drama “The Best Years of Our Lives." The film starred Myrna Loy, Frederic March, Dana Andrews, and Teresa Wright. Virginia Mayo and Harold Russel. Among other awards, the film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, the Academy Award for Best Director, and the Academy Award for Best Actor (Fredric March).

The storyline revolves around three US servicemen returning from WWII and readjusting to societal changes and civilian life. The film is credited for its portrayal of post-World War II era hardships and of the reincorporation of veterans into society after their often traumatic terms in the US military. 

1947 Gentleman’s Agreement

Director Elia Kazan directed the 1947 American drama “Gentleman’s Agreement." The film was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by Laura Z. Hobson. It starred Gregory Peck, Anne Revere, Dorothy McGuire, and Celeste Holm. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Director, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Celeste Holm).

The storyline is about a journalist (Gregory Peck) who pretends to be Jewish to research an expose on the widespread antisemitism in NYC and the affluent communities of New Canaan, and Darien, Connecticut.

1948 Hamlet

Director Laurence Olivier directed the 1948 British film “Hamlet” based on the Shakespeare play of the same name. It was the first British film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Olivier won the Academy Award for Best Actor. It is also the first sound film of the play in English. 

1949 All the King’s Men (pictured above)

Director Robert Rossen directed the 1949 American political drama “All the King’s Men." It was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1946 novel by Robert Penn Warren. The film starred Broderick Crawford, John Ireland, Mercedes McCambridge, and Joanne Dru. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Academy Award for Best Actor (Crawford), and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (McCambridge).

The storyline revolves around the rise and fall of Willie Stark (Broderick Crawford), an idealistic but ruthless politician in the American South, patterned after Louisiana governor Huey Long.