  |
|
|
|
With the Depression in the rearview mirror and about a decade of adjustment to the talkie format, it wouldn't have been surprising that 1939 was a good year for Hollywood. That doesn't explain why it was such a legendary year, but whatever the reasons, the town has yet to produce as many bona fide classics in as short a time as it did that year.
Dark Victory Jack Warner was certain that audiences would not want to spend an entire film watching a woman die from a brain tumor. Bette Davis proved him wrong. With characteristic gusto, she turned a tearjerking role into a heartbreaking profile of a woman courageously facing death.
Destry Rides Again Marlene Dietrich's career never did fully recover after her legendary partnership with director Josef von Sternberg ended in 1935, but nevertheless, she held onto star status for many years. Before this lighthearted Western came along, Dietrich was beginning to think her career had come to an early end. Her gutsy and humorous performance as saloon singer Frenchie showed audiences a less aloof side to her personality and they liked what they saw. The movie was a hit, partly because of a hilarious bar room brawl between Merkel and Dietrich.
Gone with the Wind There's really not much more that can be said about this incredibly successful film. Many stories about it have transcended film history to become a part of our national lore. Aside from all its other remarkable characteristics, this was a stunning showcase for actresses; in fact, the dramas of the female characters dominate the film. Vivien Leigh and Hattie McDaniel blew away the competition at the Academy Awards in a year of stunning performances. Olivia de Havilland and Butterfly McQueen were equally adept in their roles, though their performances are sometimes overshadowed by the legendary status of the film. |
|
|
|
