List of 10 Box Office Films of the 1930s

 

The 1930s were a decade that brought significant growth in the world of cinema. Many new stars and genres emerged. However, this period also showed how difficult it was for silent film actors to adapt and survive.

European cinema began to show its capabilities and made a considerable impact on global filmmaking. Economic fluctuation issues greatly affected Hollywood. This led to the emergence of many low-budget films. Additionally, during this era, film censorship began to be implemented to provide better viewing for all ages.

Here are 10 films that made it into the Box Office during that era:

Source: Bergan, Ronald. (2011). The Film Book: A Complete Guide to the World of Film. New York. DK Publishing.)

1. Gone With the Wind (Victor Fleming, US, 1939)

This film was adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell. The success it achieved made it the highest-grossing film of all time, even to this day. It won 8 awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Victor Fleming), Best Actress (Vivien Leigh), and Best Supporting Actress (Hattie McDaniel – the first African American to win an Oscar).

This film tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, the daughter of a wealthy family, who falls in love with a gentleman named Ashley Wilkes. Unfortunately, Ashley chooses to marry his dream woman, Melanie Hamilton, and rejects Scarlett’s love confession, breaking her heart. To stay close to Ashley, Scarlett marries Melanie’s brother, Charles. However, Charles dies from illness during the war, and Ashley must go to Atlanta to accompany Melanie.

Ashley works as a nurse during the war and realizes how harsh the real world is. Ashley helps Melanie, who has just given birth, return to Tara. However, the condition of her family in Tara is not what she imagined. Her mother has died, her father has lost his mind, and their plantation is ruined. She chooses to do whatever it takes to restore her family’s fortune, including manipulating marriage.

Melanie dies from illness. Scarlett finally realizes that Ashley never truly loved her and that she loves Rhett, her last husband. Scarlett tries to return to Rhett and asks him to stay. However, things don’t go as they should.

 

2. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (David Hand, US, 1937)

This film is the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history. Walt Disney produced the film, and although it was initially doubted, it achieved success. This proved that animation could be a medium for telling compelling stories. The film received an Honorary Academy Award and was the highest-grossing film before Gone With the Wind appeared.

This film tells the story of Snow White, who lives under the shadow of her stepmother’s jealousy, the Evil Queen. The Evil Queen cannot accept it when the magic mirror says that Snow White is the fairest of them all. The Evil Queen orders someone to kill Snow White. However, the man spares her, and Snow White ends up in a mysterious house in the middle of the forest.

The house belongs to the Seven Dwarfs. After being allowed to stay there, Snow White helps take care of the house and the seven dwarfs. The Evil Queen, who finds out, transforms herself into an old woman and gives Snow White a poisoned apple. The dwarfs are shocked to find Snow White unconscious.

The Evil Queen is defeated by the dwarfs, and Snow White’s body is placed in a glass coffin. One day, a prince accidentally sees her and falls in love. A kiss from the prince finally awakens Snow White.

 

3. The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, US, 1939)

This film was adapted from the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. It was one of the first films to use dramatic and captivating Technicolor, beginning with sepia tones and transforming into full color. “Over the Rainbow” became a legendary song still famous today.

The film tells the story of Dorothy, a young girl who dreams of living “over the rainbow,” and runs away from home after her dog gets into trouble with a neighbor. As she tries to return home, she is suddenly caught in a tornado and loses consciousness. When she wakes up, Dorothy is in Oz and accidentally defeats the Wicked Witch of the East. However, the Wicked Witch of the West arrives seeking revenge. Glinda gives Dorothy the Ruby Slippers and tells her to follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. Her mission is to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz to help her return home.

Dorothy travels with three friends, but the Wicked Witch continues to pursue them. Dorothy meets the Wizard, who sets a condition to bring back the witch’s broomstick. Dorothy infiltrates the witch’s castle and defeats her.

They then discover the Wizard is just an ordinary man and not a real wizard. Still, he agrees to help Dorothy return home using a hot air balloon. Though she fails to board the balloon, Glinda appears and tells her how to return. Dorothy finally goes home and realizes the value of what she had all along.

 

4. Frankenstein (James Whale, US, 1931)

This film was adapted from the 1818 novel by Mary Shelley, although there are several differing details. The appearance of the monster itself was not based on the description in the novel, but rather the result of Jack Pierce's imagination. Initially, the monster was made to be able to speak, but was eventually left mute to add sympathy and horror to the character. Many people think that the name Frankenstein is the name of the monster, when in fact it is the name of the scientist who created him.

Henry Frankenstein, assisted by Fritz, tries to conduct an experiment to bring the dead back to life. Henry does this not only because of his obsession with knowledge but also due to his personal obsession with controlling life. Henry successfully reanimates a body assembled from various parts using lightning. Unfortunately, the body lacks intelligence because Fritz used an abnormal brain for the experiment.

Although the creature's abilities are no more than that of a child, Henry and Fritz treat it like a monster. After killing Fritz and Dr. Waldman, the creature escapes and meets a little girl named Maria. While playing together, the creature accidentally drowns Maria, killing her.

The townspeople, upon learning this, become enraged and begin to hunt it.

The creature returns to the castle by sneaking in on Henry and Elizabeth’s wedding night. Elizabeth is injured in the attack, and Henry joins the townspeople to hunt the creature. After an intense struggle, the creature is trapped in a windmill that is burned down by the villagers.

 

5. King Kong (Merian Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack, US, 1933)

King Kong pioneered the use of special effects such as stop-motion photography using miniature models, combined with rear projection, matte paintings, and live action. The film, blending adventure, horror, romance, and tragedy, became a blueprint for the modern blockbuster. Interestingly, the character King Kong was initially planned to be a lizard but was changed during development. Luckily, they didn’t go with the lizard, haha.

This film tells the story of Carl, who wants to make a film and brings his cast, including Ann, and crew to a place called Skull Island without their knowledge. The island is mysterious and surrounded by dangerous rumors. They discover a native ritual involving a giant wall and a bride for a mysterious being, Kong. Ann is kidnapped to be sacrificed to Kong, who turns out to be a giant ape.

Kong takes Ann into the jungle and protects her from other creatures. Jack finds Ann and rescues her while Kong is distracted. Meanwhile, Carl captures Kong with gas bombs and brings him to the city.

Denham exhibits Kong on Broadway Theater. Chaos ensues when a camera flash enrages Kong, and he escapes, searching for Ann and climbing the Empire State Building with her. Fighter planes shoot at Kong until he falls to the ground.

 

6. San Francisco (Woody Van Dyke, US, 1936)

This film was one of the highest-grossing films of 1936 and achieved great success. It received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Spencer Tracy), and won Best Sound Recording (Douglas Shearer). The earthquake scene was created using miniatures, realistic sets, optical effects, and creative sound design. It later inspired films like Earthquake (1974) and Titanic (1997). The featured song titled “San Francisco” became the city’s unofficial anthem and is still played every April 18.

The film tells the story of the bustling city of San Francisco, filled with contrasts between high society and the harsh Barbary Coast. Blackie, a nightclub owner, hires Mary Blake to sing at his club. They start falling for each other despite their vastly different moralities. Blackie is somewhat immoral, while Mary is graceful and has big dreams. Pastor Tim Mullin hopes Blackie can change for the better.

Mary receives an offer from the San Francisco Opera, which is certainly better. Despite her doubts, Mary chooses her dream over love. Blackie doesn’t want to let her go, but his unwillingness to grow pushes Mary away. Mary’s life improves, while Blackie sinks further.

In April 1906, a devastating earthquake destroys the city. Blackie searches for Mary, realizing how much she means to him. The search ends successfully, and Mary and Blackie reunite—with Blackie having become a better version of himself.

 

7.  = Hell's Angels (Howard Hughes, US, 1930)

This film has many interesting things worth knowing. It was one of the first films to use synchronized sound and dialogue, along with the use of two-color Technicolor. Several aerial battle scenes were performed using real WWI planes with more than 70 pilots—some of whom died during production, and Hughes himself had an accident that left him injured. The production costs were among the highest of the time, and Hughes's perfectionism caused the film to take a long time to release.

This film tells the story of Roy and Monte, two brothers from England with very different personalities. Roy is noble and idealistic, while Monte is cynical and likes to flirt with women. Both fall in love with the same woman, Helen. Roy is unaware of Helen’s true lifestyle and believes she is innocent and virtuous. Roy and Monte enlist in the Royal Flying Corps and engage in deadly aerial battles during World War I.

The tension of war parallels the tension between Roy and Monte. The truth about Helen gradually comes to light, disappointing Roy. With increasingly dangerous missions, Roy and Monte are sent on a bombing mission behind enemy lines in Germany.

Monte and Roy are captured by the Germans and pressured to reveal information to survive. However, Monte wants to save himself by spilling what he knows. So, Roy kills Monte to prevent him from surrendering under pressure. Roy is then executed.

 

= Lost Horizon (Frank Capra, US, 1937)

Lost Horizon was one of the most ambitious films and had the highest production cost of its time. It was adapted from the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by James Hilton, which introduced the concept of “Shangri-La” to Western culture as a symbol of lost innocence, idealism, and spiritual peace. The term “Shangri-La” was later adopted by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to name the presidential retreat—now called Camp David. The film won two Academy Awards: Best Art Direction and Best Film Editing.

This film tells the story of British diplomat Robert Conway and his brother George, who evacuate a group of Westerners by plane to bring them to safety. However, during the journey, the plane is hijacked and crashes in the Himalayas. The passengers are rescued by mysterious locals and taken to a hidden place called Shangri-La—a beautiful valley protected from the outside world.

A peaceful life is experienced in Shangri-La. The High Lama reveals that Conway was deliberately brought there to become his successor. Conway, having fallen in love with Sondra, a woman born in the valley, is moved by this idea. But George remains skeptical and meets Maria, a mysterious woman who claims that Shangri-La is a prison, not paradise. Conflict arises within Conway, while Maria continues to convince George of the place’s deception.

Conway and George escape with Maria, only to discover her true form. Maria, who is hundreds of years old and stayed young due to Shangri-La’s magic, immediately ages and dies once she leaves. George, overcome with fear, commits suicide. Conway suffers severe trauma and amnesia. However, his memories gradually return, and he becomes obsessed with finding Shangri-La again.

 

= Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Frank Capra, US, 1939)

This film sparked controversy because some U.S. senators were offended by its portrayal of Congress as corrupt and dishonest. The film was also banned in totalitarian countries for its pro-democracy message. Meanwhile, it became a must-watch film in America and was used to promote democratic ideals abroad. The story was based on an unpublished story titled The Gentleman from Montana by Lewis R. Foster.

This film tells the story of a U.S. senator who dies, and Jefferson Smith, a naïve Boy Ranger leader, is chosen to replace him. Due to his lack of political experience, he is expected to be a quiet figure who is easy to manipulate. Smith arrives in Washington full of awe and patriotism. He idolizes Senator Joseph Paine, a respected figure and a longtime friend of his father. However, Smith’s idealism is quickly tested by the cynicism of Capitol Hill.

Smith proposes a bill to create a special boys’ camp in his home state. He is unaware that the proposed site has already been allocated for a corrupt dam project backed by Jim Taylor. Taylor and Senator Paine conspire to destroy Smith’s reputation by accusing him of corruption and demanding his expulsion. Smith, nearly giving up, is revived by a sharp message from his secretary Clarissa, who convinces him to fight.

Smith defends himself and delays the vote by speaking for over 24 hours. Smith eventually collapses from exhaustion, causing Senator Paine to be overcome with guilt and admit the truth. Smith finally wins with his integrity.

 

8. Maytime (Robert Z. Leonard, US, 1937)

This film was based on Sigmund Romberg’s 1917 operetta Maytime, though not entirely identical. Maytime became the top-grossing film worldwide that year. It was originally planned as MGM’s first Technicolor film, but after the death of producer Irving Thalberg, the project reverted to black and white format.

The film tells the story of Miss Morrison, who tells Barbara Roberts—who dreams of pursuing her career out of town—about her past. Miss Morrison reveals that she was once Marcia Mornay, a famous opera singer who married Nicolai Nazaroff but not out of love. Marcia later meets Paul Allison, and despite mutual feelings, she remains committed to her relationship with Nazaroff.

Seven years later, Marcia and Paul meet again. Paul performs as a baritone before Marcia makes her U.S. debut. Nazaroff becomes jealous, especially after witnessing the talents and chemistry between the two.

Nazaroff’s jealousy intensifies and explodes. Their story ends with a dramatic resolution that leaves heartbreak. After finishing her story, Miss Morrison dies peacefully—leaving Barbara to live out her own love story.

 

There you have it—10 film titles that made it into the box office list of the 1930s. From war-themed films to romantic dramas, and even captivating animated films, all offer a wide range of stories. Many of these films still leave a lasting legacy today. Are you interested in watching them?

 

(Aluna)