1930's

The 1932 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production Tarzan the Ape Man is one of the most iconic adventure films of early Hollywood, a defining moment in the evolution of both the jungle genre and the popular image of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ famed literary creation.

The 1936 MGM epic San Francisco stands as one of Hollywood’s grandest and most stirring melodramas of the 1930s, blending romance, music, and disaster spectacle in a way that would become a studio hallmark. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke — one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s most dependable and prolific craftsmen — and starring Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy, the film is both a nostalgic love letter to the titular city and an exploration of human resilience in the fa

Released by MGM in 1936 and directed by Robert Z. Leonard, The Great Ziegfeld is a sprawling, opulent biographical musical-drama chronicling the life and legacy of Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Starring William Powell in the titular role, alongside Myrna Loy as Billie Burke and Luise Rainer in an Oscar-winning performance as Anna Held, the film is a landmark in Golden Age Hollywood—both for its lavish production and for its place in cinematic history.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 1936 screwball comedy Libeled Lady is a shining example of the studio system at its most polished and effective, blending the star power of four Hollywood heavyweights with a witty, fast-paced script. Directed by reliable studio hand Jack Conway and boasting an impeccable cast led by Jean Harlow, William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Spencer Tracy, the film sparkles with charm, sophistication, and comedic precision.

While William Powell and Myrna Loy are best remembered for their sparkling chemistry in comedies like The Thin Man series, Evelyn Prentice (1934) offers a fascinating early glimpse of the duo in a markedly different light.

Double Wedding (1937) stands as a classic example of 1930s screwball comedy, bringing together the legendary screen duo William Powell and Myrna Loy in one of their most spirited and eccentric pairings.

Topper (1938) is the spirited sequel to the 1937 supernatural comedy Topper, one of the most charming and original fantasy comedies of Hollywood’s Golden Age. While sequels often pale in comparison to their predecessors, Topper Takes a Trip retains much of the original’s whimsical tone, buoyed by a returning cast, a lighthearted script, and the luminous presence of Constance Bennett.

Bright Eyes (1934) is a beloved showcase for Shirley Temple, the most iconic child star in Hollywood history. Released during the depths of the Great Depression, the film offered audiences a blend of sentimentality, humour, and escapist charm at a time when morale across America was desperately low. Directed by David Butler and written by William M. Conselman, Bright Eyes is most remembered for introducing Temple’s signature song, “On the Good Ship Lollipop,”.

Only Angels Have Wings (1939) is one of the most defining and enduring films of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Directed by Howard Hawks and featuring a remarkable cast led by Cary Grant and Jean Arthur, the film is a rich mixture of adventure, romance, drama, and moral clarity, set against the thrilling—and perilous—backdrop of South American mail aviation.

With a fresh setting, a new ensemble of suspects, and a charming addition to the Charles family in the form of their infant son, Another Thin Man offers a delightful blend of mystery, comedy, and domestic hijinks. Though some critics view it as a softer installment than its predecessors, the film remains a thoroughly enjoyable chapter in one of cinema’s most stylish detective franchises.

After the Thin Man (1936) is the sparkling sequel to the smash hit The Thin Man (1934), and it reunites William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, cinema’s most stylish and witty detective couple.

The 1936 version of Show Boat is widely regarded as the definitive screen adaptation of the seminal 1927 Broadway musical. A heartfelt and, at times, harrowing portrayal of race, love, loss, and resilience along the Mississippi River, the film is a triumph of performance, music, and direction.

Fritz Lang’s M (1931) is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. A chilling hybrid of crime thriller, social drama, and proto-noir, it was Lang’s first sound film and remains his masterpiece.

Flash Gordon (1936), directed by Frederick Stephani and produced by Henry MacRae, stands as one of the most iconic science fiction serials in film history. Based on Alex Raymond’s comic strip, the 13-chapter Universal serial starred Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon, Jean Rogers as Dale Arden, Frank Shannon as Dr. Hans Zarkov, and Charles Middleton as the sinister Emperor Ming the Merciless.

Manhattan Melodrama (1934) is a landmark film that straddles genres—part gangster movie, part courtroom drama, and part romantic triangle—yet rises above the sum of its parts due to sharp direction, strong performances, and a story that explores friendship, fate, and the nature of justice.

Love Affair is one of classic Hollywood’s most cherished romantic films. Directed by Leo McCarey, the film weaves charm, wit, and heartache into a graceful narrative that explores love not only as a passionate connection but as a test of character, sacrifice, and emotional resilience.

Theodora Goes Wild is a seminal screwball comedy from the golden age of Hollywood that helped redefine Irene Dunne’s screen image. Known until then primarily for musical and dramatic roles, Dunne stunned audiences with her sparkling comedic talent, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Released at the tail end of the 1930s, Ninotchka marks a pivotal moment in both film history and star image. It is most often remembered as “Garbo laughs”—a reference to the publicity campaign heralding Greta Garbo’s transformation from enigmatic diva to sparkling comedienne. But beyond this famous tagline lies a film of exceptional intelligence and charm, one that critiques authoritarianism and capitalism alike while weaving a tender, deeply human love story.

Ernst Lubitsch’s Trouble in Paradise is a masterwork of wit, elegance, and charm—arguably one of the most perfectly executed romantic comedies in cinema history. Released in 1932, before the enforcement of the Hays Code, the film is imbued with a gleeful irreverence and a frankness about sex, class, and morality that would soon vanish from American screens for decades.

Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) is a heart-wrenching, bittersweet exploration of aging, family dynamics, and the often unspoken emotional struggles that come with growing old.