I have rated approximately 500 films as five star flicks (out of five stars) of the 5000 plus that I have reviewed on my Letterboxd. Of my rating of five stars, I have given the following films an extra “highly recommended” label. Here are my most favorite films by rating and by love of viewing them. PART ONE 1925 through 1939
The Big Parade 1925 Directed by King Vidor
silent film about World War One. Has it’s place as one of the most significant war films in history. A must watch for film buffs…highly regarded…….have the movie on blue ray…..
All Quiet on the Western Front 1930 Directed by Lewis Milestone
the best film of Eric Maria Remarque’s novel. Historic WW1 battles shot on film. Anti-war and makes you think why countries can get young men to give up their lives to fight and die. One of my best ten war/military films….have it on blue ray…..
Westfront 1918 1930 ‘Westfront 1918: Vier von der Infanterie’ Directed by G.W. Pabst
a film on WW1 trench warfare from the German side………recommended….just purchased the blue ray edition (Criterion) Pabst’s take is of a lower budget than “All Quiet…..”that came out in the same year. A look at the horrors of the Great War without any sentimentality. Compares well with all the great films on this war and nothing is held back. The cursing by the soldiers is surprising for 1930. Pabst shows how he is the better director over MIlestone (AQOTWF) and that says a lot. Use of filmed sound in the movie is a first for the director and historic. “It was particularly pioneering in its early use of sound – it was Pabst’s first “talkie” – in that Pabst managed to record live audio during complex tracking shots through the trenches.” Highly recommended. (a better film than ALL QUIET? No. But the overall look of the battlefield and the fire fights are true to life (compares to actual film of THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD, ” and the cinematography is better.)
Little Caesar 1931 Directed by Mervyn LeRoy
EG Robinson’s take on a gay, violent, jazzy, murdering, mother loving gangster. A classic of film…..have the DVD
Frankenstein 1931 Directed by James Whale
Wow! in 1931….Wow! Today. The ultimate and first. Karloff bring humanity to the titular role. Do not have the feature.
Tarzan the Ape Man 1932 Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
The beginning of Johnny Weissmuller as the ape man. A tremendous start to the franchise with the former Olympic champion playing the part. I liked the 2nd installment better but this one gets the films going. (Revised on June 17, 2020)-After another look I have upgraded this movie to a five star rating. The movie does everything it sets out to do in 1932 and those goals still are met some 87 years later. A pre-code look that continues in the following film, this one has a a love story to go along with the Tarzan we began to know his Jane. After the interlude after some play at the lake, Tarzan nails her and she loves it (not shown). Weismuller shows why he is so good in this role as he allows his facial expressions to dominate in his acting and O’Sullivan gives us the innocence of a young woman yet one that had been around the block before her trip in the jungle. She shows her sexual side in a very nuanced performance. A truly great adventure film. Have the DVD.
Grand Hotel 1932 Directed by Edmund Goulding
outstanding flick with some of the greatest actors of all time…..highly recommended…..
It Happened One Night 1934 Directed by Frank Capra
Capra shows his versatility in this great romantic comedy. Gable was never better and Colbert was perfect too. Best comedy of the 1930’s.
Tarzan and His Mate 1934 Directed by Cedric Gibbons
sex, nudity and a great love match for this pre-code film…..a movie with a chimp to throw in…….have it on DVD……
Captains Courageous 1937 Directed by Victor Fleming
one of Tracy’s best with great support from everyone including Lionel Barrymore, Freddie Bartholomew, and Melvin Douglas……highly recommended…..have the DVD…
Stagecoach 1939 Directed by John Ford
Wayne is great in this 39 classic. One of the best westerns of all time.
The Wizard of Oz 1939 Directed by Victor Fleming
Scared the wiz out of me as a child……bad dreams……One of the finest and greatest movie experiences of all time. Have the DVD.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939 Directed by Frank Capra
Classic by Capra. Stewart give a wonderful performance. Blue ray book is the way I went with this one.
Destry Rides Again 1939 Directed by George Marshall
one of my favorite Jimmy Stewart westerns…..Marline Dietrich holds her own in one sexy ground breaking film….highly regarded by critics and well worth a watch….have it on DVD.
(1940 through 1949 up and coming)
Feature photo: The Big Parade-1925
