69 Films from the 13th Academy Awards

Charles Engle, a businessman, faces exposure for stealing $3,000 to support his wife's extravagant lifestyle. Planning to commit suicide, he writes a note, pockets it, and goes out for a final night. He gets drawn into a poker game with…

A coal mine owner is wrongly accused and imprisoned for killing his brother. To prove his innocence and find the real killer, he discovers an experimental drug that makes him invisible. This invisibility allows him to secretly investigate while staying…

*One Million B.C.* is a 1940 American fantasy film from Hal Roach Studios, distributed by United Artists. It was also released under the titles *Cave Man*, *Man and His Mate*, and *Tumak*. The film stars Victor Mature as Tumak, a…

This animated comedy follows Elmer Fudd as he unexpectedly encounters Bugs Bunny while hunting. Unbeknownst to Elmer, Bugs is a clever trickster who consistently outwits him. The film depicts their humorous chase across different settings, where Bugs repeatedly turns the…

Four explorers travel to remote Peru at the invitation of Dr. Thorkel, an eccentric genius. They discover a vast new source of radium. Their excitement turns to danger when Dr. Thorkel, angered by their efforts to stop him, shrinks them…

The Robinson family is shipwrecked on an unexplored island filled with unique animals. They learn to thrive, building a life in nature. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when pirates arrive, seeking to exploit the island's resources. This story of survival…

This film adapts Kenneth Roberts' novel to tell the exciting story of two friends who enlist in Rogers' Rangers, a renowned fighting force during the French and Indian War. The story follows their intense experience during the Rangers' famous attack…

"Abe Lincoln in Illinois," a 1940 biographical film, chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln from his move from Kentucky to his election as President of the United States.

In the opulent world of French nobility, a young governess named Henriette Deluzy comes to educate the children of the Duke de Praslin. The Duke is married to the passionate and jealous Duchess, and their relationship is fraught with danger.…

This film follows an American heiress vacationing in South America who falls for an Argentine horse breeder, despite their families' disapproval. However, the film is primarily notable for its vibrant setting and elaborate musical performances. These include Carmen Miranda performing…

Fifty years after inventing the light bulb, an 82-year-old Thomas Edison recounts his life story, beginning with his arrival in New York at age twenty-two. He's there to promote a new invention: an early version of the stock market ticker.

This period comedy follows Mrs. Bennet, who is determined to marry off her five daughters to wealthy men. Her plans gain momentum when a rich bachelor moves into the neighborhood. But Mrs. Bennet's pursuit of ideal matches becomes complicated by…

Jimmy and Mary form a school orchestra with a group of kids. A major competition between schools is approaching, and they struggle to raise the necessary funds to travel to Chicago for the event.

Three kittens lose their mittens and are put to bed without supper. From their room, they gaze at the Milky Way and fly towards it in a basket lifted by helium balloons. They journey through imaginative celestial landscapes until they…

After a long absence, Bill Cardew returns home to discover his wife Vicky has remarried and doesn't seem inclined to change that.

On the brink of World War II, a British officer returns to Waterloo Bridge, triggering memories of his early days in World War I. He recalls meeting a spirited young ballerina just before being sent to war. The story explores…

The film follows two ambitious friends, McMasters and Sand, as they rise from small-time oil prospectors to wealthy tycoons over twenty years. Their journey becomes complicated when both men fall for the captivating Betsy, who initially plans to marry Sand…

This short film, produced by MGM in partnership with the U.S. Navy, documents the journey of American naval aviators as they undergo basic training in Florida and more advanced training in California.

Alice Faye stars as a celebrated stage performer in this 1940 biographical film chronicling her early career.

A young woman engaged to a wealthy man develops feelings for the musical's understudy.

American crime reporter John Jones is sent to Europe as a foreign correspondent just before war breaks out. He accidentally becomes involved in an assassination plot and discovers a complicated network of spies, forcing him to use his investigative skills.…

This comedy follows Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor, two trumpet players in their college band, the Perennials. They’ve spent seven years in school, mostly avoiding passing exams to stay enrolled. During a performance, Danny meets Ellen Miller, a lively and…

Kay Kyser's band is hired for a birthday party at a mansion with a dark reputation, but someone is trying to murder the wealthy young woman celebrating.

Newly released from prison, Tom Joad returns home to find his family has lost their farm. He joins them as they travel west to California, hoping for a better life during the Great Depression. The film follows their difficult journey,…

Geoffrey Thorpe is a charismatic pirate working for Queen Elizabeth I, raiding Spanish vessels. He captures Dona Maria, a beautiful Spanish royal, and they fall in love.

In early 19th century California, Don Diego de la Vega returns from Spain to find his peaceful homeland controlled by the oppressive Capitán Esteban. To protect his family from the tyrant, Diego secretly becomes Zorro, a masked vigilante. By day,…

To avoid a forced marriage, a woman flees with her music teacher. They face hardship as they try to build a life together.

The short film presents Nostradamus as having foreseen World War I, Hitler's ascent, and a future victory for a woman from England against these destructive powers. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Short Subject, One-Reel.

Against the backdrop of relentless wartime horror in London, this film tells a story of courage and strength. It's a tribute to the resilience of the British people during the devastating London Blitz. The film explores how everyday people became…

In a harsh Western territory, drifter Cole Harden clashes with Roy Bean, the self-appointed lawman, in a courtroom where justice is often decided by personal feelings. Facing a hanging for horse theft, Harden manages to survive by claiming a connection…

During World War II, the crew of the merchant ship Glencairn undertakes a dangerous Atlantic crossing, facing many personal and professional hardships that challenge their strength and teamwork. This story, adapted from four plays by Eugene O'Neill, powerfully explores survival,…

This is the true story of a physician who believed seeking a cure for syphilis was not ethically wrong.

Jane, a refined young woman from Virginia, leaves her privileged life when she marries Matt Howard, a practical surveyor. Matt joins the colonial army in their struggle for independence from England. During the war, Matt encounters Jane's father on the…

This psychological thriller centers on a woman grappling with the aftermath of a fatal shooting. Police investigate the incident, slowly piecing together the events that led to the man's death. Their investigation uncovers a troubling letter from the woman's past,…

A small wooden puppet dreams of being a real boy and sets out on an adventure to achieve this. He meets different people who help him overcome challenges. The story explores themes of finding yourself, friendship, and believing in yourself.…

During the Great Depression, a homeless man named Dan McGinty becomes involved in city politics. He's recruited for his skills in vote fraud by a powerful political organization and gains the trust of the organization's leader, who plans to make…

This satirical film explores the dark world of dictator Adenoid Hynkel and his relentless drive to expand his empire, which oppresses his people. In this climate of fear, a Jewish barber tries to survive the dangerous political situation. The film…

Oliver Courtney, a successful songwriter, has relied on two ghostwriters for years – one for music and another for lyrics. When the two writers meet at an inn, they fall in love and decide to collaborate, attempting to market their…

In the late 1800s, Texas Ranger Dusty Rivers travels to the harsh Canadian wilderness to capture Jacques Corbeau, wanted for murder. Dusty’s pursuit becomes intertwined with the Riel Rebellion, a conflict led by the Métis and Native people seeking independence.…

After her father's death, a young woman assists a young man in seizing control of a ship to join the fight against the British during the War of 1812.

*Siege* is a 1940 documentary short film documenting the Wehrmacht's siege of Warsaw at the beginning of World War II. Shot by Pennsylvania photographer and cameraman Julien Bryan, who later founded the International Film Foundation, *Siege* was nominated for an…

Irene O'Dare, an upholsterer's assistant, meets wealthy Don Marshall while measuring chairs at the Long Island estate of Mrs. Herman Vincent. Don, drawn to Irene, anonymously buys Madame Lucy's, a high-end boutique in Manhattan, and asks the new manager, Mr.…

Footage from 1939 shows a large American Nazi rally held at Madison Square Garden. Approximately 20,000 people attended the event just before the start of World War II.

This is a story about a hardworking young woman who falls for a charming socialite. They connect deeply, even though they come from different worlds. But their relationship faces a major challenge: the disapproval of the man's family. The film…

Jasper, a playful pet, repeatedly tests his owner's patience, resulting in a warning: one more transgression and he's out. Jerry, a clever rodent, sees this as his chance to finally eliminate Jasper. As the situation escalates, Jasper and Jerry engage…

Ellie Mae lives with her mother, father, younger sister, and grandmother on Primrose Hill, a neighborhood with a difficult reputation. She meets and falls in love with a hardworking man, and they marry. Ellie Mae keeps her past a secret…

As World War II erupts in Europe, a charismatic pilot and an energetic reporter find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of romance and thrilling experiences.

Songwriters Calhoun and Harrigan persuade Katie and Lily Blane to introduce a new song. Lily travels to England, and Katie joins her. The songwriters then give a new song to Nora Bayes. The group reunites when Calhoun and Harrigan, now…

Set in pre-Civil War Kansas, the film follows Bob Seton, a Texan who is drawn to the peaceful town of Lawrence and its people, particularly Mary McCloud, the banker's daughter. But a growing division over slavery casts a shadow over…

An American reporter, secretly transmitting news from Moscow, is forced into a dangerous situation. He's blackmailed into assisting a stunning Communist woman in her attempt to escape the country.

"Behind the News" is a fast-paced story set in a bustling city newsroom. Lloyd Nolan stars as a jaded reporter who often takes unnecessary risks. Frank Albertson plays a young, eager journalism graduate whose arrival is unwelcome by Nolan and…

In ancient Baghdad, Prince Ahmad is betrayed by Jaffar, who blinds him and takes his place as heir. Forced into exile, Ahmad's fortunes change with an unexpected partnership with Abu, a resourceful thief. Together, they fight to reclaim the throne…

A charming romantic musical follows a Hungarian woman who, after buying a fortune-telling card at a Viennese fair, is told she's destined for a happy marriage. She begins working as a baker's assistant and meets a handsome army drummer with…

In this musical, the second film in a series, a thrift shop owner sells his business to buy a small radio station. He seeks sponsors and secures funding from a department store owner, who insists his daughter – a hopeful…

"The Fight for Life" was documentary filmmaker Pare Lorentz's first film to use professional actors. It's a tribute to the Chicago Maternity Center and their work caring for impoverished mothers, based on the book by Paul de Kruif. Myron McCormick…

A man who built his own fortune wants to give his son a life of luxury he never had. The son thrives in privilege, but his spoiled nature brings heartache to those around him.

This drama centers on a wealthy woman preparing to remarry. The sudden appearances of her ex-husband and an investigative reporter disrupt her plans, forcing her to face her history. As hidden truths emerge, she must re-evaluate who she is and…

In 1828, the financially ruined Pyncheon family battles for control of their ancestral home, Seven Gables. To seize the property, Jaffrey Pyncheon orchestrates his brother Clifford's wrongful imprisonment for murder. Clifford's fiancée, Hepzibah, endures twenty years of waiting for his…

Set in ancient Ephesus, the story follows two boys from Syracuse, Anthipholus and his servant Dromio, as they search for their missing twins. Due to a series of mistaken identities, the twins are also named Anthipholus and Dromio. The situation…

A young woman marries the enigmatic widower Max De Winter and finds herself haunted by the memory of his deceased first wife, Rebecca. Rebecca's death was never explained, and her presence seems to linger in their imposing home. The new…

Two men seeking black pearls are stranded on an island after their crew mutinies. There, they encounter a woman who washed ashore there as a child. To survive, they must battle hostile natives and weather a typhoon.

A young woman known for her carefree lifestyle is drawn into an accidental death. To escape the consequences, she reluctantly volunteers as a nurse for the war effort and travels to England. She's assigned to a hospital run by a…

Phoebe Titus is a strong, independent pioneer woman who softens when she falls for Peter Muncie, who is heading to California. But Peter is determined to continue his journey, leaving Phoebe to face constant threats from Jefferson Carteret and Lazarus…

Mytyl and Tyltyl, two village children, set out on a remarkable quest to find the Blue Bird of Happiness. They are guided by the fairy Berylune as they journey through a magical world where ordinary things are alive. Joined by…

In rural New Hampshire at the start of the 1900s, a close-knit town lives by tradition and strong values. The community experiences the full range of life's moments, balancing happiness and hardship as individuals face their own challenges. The film…

Everyone thought Ellen died in a shipwreck years ago, but she suddenly reappears and returns home. She finds her husband remarried, leading to a complicated and emotionally charged situation. The story becomes more intriguing as it's revealed Ellen spent her…

The film chronicles Theodore Roosevelt's rise to power, starting with his appointment as police commissioner of New York City in 1895. By 1897, he's an Assistant Secretary of the Navy. The film depicts his charge up San Juan Hill during…

"Service with the Colors" is a 1940 American short drama directed by B. Reeves Eason, dedicated to the soldiers of the United States Army. The film follows men from various backgrounds who enlist and are all stationed at the same…

This Pete Smith Specialty short showcases Dr. Harold E. Edgerton's stroboscopic photography, a process he pioneered. The technique captures fast events in slow motion, revealing details invisible to the human eye. The film features examples like a bullet piercing a…