|
by Brody Wilder 03/18/2026, 1:06pm PDT |
|
 |
|
 |
|
WINNER: The Thin Man
One of FDR's first acts upon taking office was the repeal of prohibition, once again allowing responsible adults to openly consume alcohol. Overnight, people became wittier, sexier, and more capable of solving complex crimes - just like husband-and-wife detective duo Nick and Nora Charles. Trading bullets for bon mots, the drunken masters of deduction solved high society mysteries through a series of six pictures, none as good as this first one. With a clever script by actual married couple Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, even the unenthusiastic direction of Woody "One Take" Van Dyke was no obstacle to the natural chemistry of stars William Powell and Myrna Loy. White lightning in a bottle.
The Sure Thing: It Happened One Night
Big-eyed anime waifu Claudette Colbert and your grandpa's Harrison Ford, Clark Gable, star in the romantic comedy that launched a thousand similar romantic comedies. Spoiled socialite Colbert escapes her overprotective father's yacht and sets out on a cross country odyssey to marry her equally wealthy sweetheart. Confused and frightened by the world of poors, she's picked up by down-on-his-luck reporter Gable, who agrees to get her to the wedding in exchange for the scoop. What follows is a sexier Planes, Trains and Automobiles, a formula so perfectly executed on its shakedown run that we've been using it more or less unchanged for the past 90 years.
Standing Tall: Romance in Manhattan
It's been said there are only really two stories: man leaves town, and man comes to town. Having covered one of the former, let's take a look at one of the latter. Romance in Manhattan stars Francis Lederer as a Czech immigrant rejected at Ellis Island for lack of funds. Escaping deportation, the confused but earnest proto-Balki finds himself under the wing of street-smart chorine Ginger Rogers. Mostly remembered for dancing with Fred Astaire, Rogers - who we met last year playing Anytime Annie in 42nd Street ("She only said no once, and that was because she didn't understand the question") - was an accomplished comedic actress in her own right, and those chops are on full display here. This paean to the American dream is sure to make you wonder where it all went so very wrong.
Orpheatic: The Man Who Knew Too Much
Alfred Hitchcock, director of Britain's first talkie, delivers his first really good movie with The Man Who Knew Too Much. This parental horror film sees everyman Leslie Banks descending the London underworld to recover his kidnapped daughter from professional creep Peter Lorre. Rougher and more experimental than Hitch's own 1956 remake, the master of suspense here forgoes logic for a series of surreal vignettes set in a dentist's office, a blasphemous cult's chapel, a city block under siege, and the Royal Albert Hall. After seeing how neatly it all wraps up, you'll never again be able to watch the remake's conclusion - Doris Day saving the day with the power of song - without feeling insulted as both a feminist and a marksman.
For Adults Only: The Scarlet Empress
Marlene Dietrich continues the rivalry with her answer to Greta Garbo's Queen Christina. That film is widely regarded as a bisexual classic and one of Garbo's two great pictures, meaning Dietrich and frequent collaborator Jo Sternberg would have their work cut out for them. Fortunately for us, they cleared that bar with room to spare, delivering arguably the best work of their respective careers. This insane biopic - which managed to slide in just before the new production code took effect - shows the erotic life of Catherine the Great reflected in a funhouse mirror. Far from fucking a horse, Dietrich rides roughshod over the men who try to tame her. It's baroque to the point of sensory overload, pitched somewhere between Blue Velvet and Hieronymus Bosch. Consider this a recommendation and a warning. |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
The Best Movie of Every Year by Brody Wilder 03/14/2026, 8:42pm PDT 
The Best Movie of 1930 by Brody Wilder 03/14/2026, 8:46pm PDT
Best thread in ages NT by Gaige Grosskreutz 03/15/2026, 1:05pm PDT
Do you have a job/family NT by Mysterio 03/15/2026, 3:16am PDT
God forbid. NT by Brody Wilder 03/15/2026, 8:56am PDT
Is this Tom Chick? NT by mysterio 2 03/17/2026, 11:37pm PDT
He might honestly be the last person to read and post here. NT by Kenji Carter 03/18/2026, 8:05am PDT
The Best Movie of 1931 by Brody Wilder 03/15/2026, 3:53pm PDT
Holy cow, Caltrops is back! by Mischief Maker 03/15/2026, 4:46pm PDT
Are your motivss pure, Maker of MischIEF? NT by Tomorrow People 03/16/2026, 9:39pm PDT
Re: The Best Movie of 1931 by E. L. Koba 03/19/2026, 5:15pm PDT
Set your expectations for "early talkie" and you should have a good time. by Brody Wilder 03/19/2026, 6:25pm PDT
Dubbing is actually pretty crucial, when you think about it. by Brody Wilder 03/19/2026, 7:21pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1932 by Brody Wilder 03/16/2026, 6:15pm PDT
Keep 'em coming! NT by MM 03/16/2026, 6:34pm PDT
That's SIR Ian McKellan to you, smart guy. NT by caltrops analyzer 03/17/2026, 6:54am PDT
I gave Sir Ian's knighthood to Charles Laughton, who never got one. by I felt like he deserved it. 03/17/2026, 4:46pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1933 by Brody Wilder 03/17/2026, 4:45pm PDT
Thanks for doing these. by Ice Cream Jonsey 03/17/2026, 8:48pm PDT
Thanks for reading! NT by Brody Wilder 03/17/2026, 8:56pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1934 by Brody Wilder 03/18/2026, 1:06pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1935 by Brody Wilder 03/19/2026, 5:43pm PDT
Hitchcock by Gaige Grosskreutz 03/19/2026, 8:28pm PDT
I like Hitchcock. by Brody Wilder 03/19/2026, 9:22pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1936 by Brody Wilder 03/20/2026, 7:35pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1937 by Brody Wilder 03/21/2026, 7:30pm PDT
We need more movies with electric chairs in them. by Gaige Grosskreutz 03/22/2026, 9:50am PDT
The Best Movie of 1938 by Brody Wilder 03/22/2026, 7:33pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1939 by Brody Wilder 03/23/2026, 4:59pm PDT
I have nothing to contribute, but I love these. NT by Hangman 03/25/2026, 12:58pm PDT
Fukk yes NT by Gary 03/25/2026, 10:02pm PDT
Re: Fukk yes by PICKLES 03/26/2026, 5:47pm PDT
#Beep# NT by Hero detector 03/26/2026, 7:07pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1940 by Brody Wilder 03/26/2026, 7:25pm PDT
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! by HES BACK YOU LITTLE SHIITS! 03/26/2026, 8:47pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1941 by Brody Wilder 03/27/2026, 8:02pm PDT
I love Hammett. An actual real-life PI turned author, his writing rings true. by Mischief Maker 03/27/2026, 10:48pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1942 by Brody Wilder 03/29/2026, 8:20pm PDT
I was half-expecting you to be edgy and not pick Casablanca. NT by Mischief Maker 03/29/2026, 9:35pm PDT
I admit, I considered doing Arabian Nights with Maria Montez and Sabu. by Brody Wilder 03/29/2026, 9:57pm PDT
Wizard of Oz is still good, right? 1939? NT by Gaige Grosskreutz 03/30/2026, 8:39am PDT
Probably, but it's not my cup of tea. by Brody Wilder 03/30/2026, 4:43pm PDT
I didn't realize these weren't Oscar Best Picture winners until just now by laudablepuss 03/31/2026, 11:43am PDT
The Academy has rarely selected films of cultural, historical, or aesthetic impo by Brody Wilder 03/31/2026, 5:25pm PDT
How the hell did "Arthur" wind up being oscar-bait? by Mischief Drunkard 03/31/2026, 5:43pm PDT
Vince Gilligan said the comedic engine of Pluribus is a descendant of Bewitched. by Fullofkittens 03/30/2026, 7:26am PDT
Re: Vince Gilligan said the comedic engine of Pluribus is a descendant by Gaige Grosskreutz 03/30/2026, 8:40am PDT
Ooooh. So Bogart was 43 in Casablanca, not 37 as the script says. I'd chalked it NT by up to the smoking & booze -MM 03/31/2026, 8:53pm PDT
This was supposed to be a reply to the 1944 list. Whoops! NT by MM 03/31/2026, 8:54pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1943 by Brody Wilder 03/30/2026, 9:22pm PDT
I'm cumming!!! NT by 8======D ~ ~ ~ 03/31/2026, 4:48am PDT
The Best Movie of 1944 by Brody Wilder 03/31/2026, 8:20pm PDT
Double Indemnity is the first of these I have seen, and a top 10/15 movie for me by Ice Cream Jonsey 03/31/2026, 9:18pm PDT
Loving these! NT by The entire world 04/01/2026, 5:48am PDT
Justifies ICJ not pulling the plug on this place in 2011. NT by Keister M. Feister 04/01/2026, 7:33am PDT
The Best Movie of 1945 by Brody Wilder 04/01/2026, 7:47pm PDT
Waaaaaaaait a minute! by Mischief Maker 04/01/2026, 9:23pm PDT
Lots of people like that movie! I could be anyone. by Brody Wilder 04/02/2026, 2:49am PDT
The Best Movie of 1946 by Brody Wilder 04/05/2026, 8:36pm PDT
Brody, what makes for good film noir - to you? NT by Ice Cream Jonsey 04/05/2026, 9:33pm PDT
First of all, it has to hate women as much as I do. by Brody Wilder 04/05/2026, 10:46pm PDT
I'm still working on your question. Thank you for asking it. NT by Ice Cream Jonsey 04/08/2026, 9:42pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1947 by Brody Wilder 04/08/2026, 3:24am PDT
Re: The Best Movie of 1947 by matt mysterio 04/29/2026, 9:18pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1948 by Brody Wilder 04/11/2026, 11:08pm PDT
You bastards ran him off! NT by we can't have nice things 04/27/2026, 11:24am PDT
What are you talking about? The list is over. Movies ended in 1948. NT by Mischief Maker 04/27/2026, 11:46am PDT
I really hope he continues. NT by Gaige Grosskreutz 04/27/2026, 1:29pm PDT
The Best Movie of 1949 by Brody Wilder 04/28/2026, 5:19am PDT
Fuck yes NT by Ice Cream Jonsey 04/28/2026, 6:49am PDT
The Third Man was the only noir I rooted for the villain by broad strokes 04/30/2026, 12:36pm PDT
Maybe you're not prejudiced enough? The gypsy music subconsciously informs the NT by audience they are being swindled. 05/01/2026, 8:19am PDT
I'm prejudiced enough! I am! Continue! NT by Mysterio GAMER 05/19/2026, 3:08pm PDT
PLEASE CONTINUE NT by Mysterio GAMER 05/19/2026, 1:29pm PDT
Love Bump NT by Lonnie 05/31/2026, 4:50am PDT
Aw man by Lonnie 06/09/2026, 11:54pm PDT
|
|
