In 1939 Hollywood created an unprecedented number of great films, a year that has yet to be surpassed in cinematic achievement. In 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year, Thomas S. Hischak looks at the most remarkable 365 days in film history.

What is the best year in film history?

1939 is considered by many to be the best year in movie history, and when you look at all the classics that were released, it's hard to argue against it. Many classics came out in 1939.

When was the Golden Age of Hollywood?

It then became characteristic of American cinema during the Golden Age of Hollywood, between roughly 1927 (with the advent of sound film) to 1969. It eventually became the most powerful and pervasive style of filmmaking worldwide.

When was the peak of Hollywood?

Historically speaking, more films were made in the 1920s and 1930s than pretty much any other decade — EVER. Even in comparison to major releases seen today, hundreds of more films were made and released in the 1930s. Genre films were big hits, especially westerns, gangster and crime movies, and musicals.

What was the greatest decade of Hollywood?

The 1980s, dubbed “the Decade of Greed,” was defined in large part by voluptuous images of conspicuous consumption and the nefarious and heedless wheelings and dealings of the 1 percent as played out on TV series such as Dallas and Dynasty. But Lifestyles left the fictional Ewings and Carringtons in the dust.

20 Worst Alcoholics in Hollywood History

What was the best decade to live in?

Recent decades are most popular. When asked which decade they think was the best one to live through, one in five choose the 1990s and another 21% choose the 1980s. Few choose the long-ago 1930s or 1940s. More older Americans choose decades further in the past; those under 30 choose more recent decades.

What was the Golden Age of Hollywood music?

THE GOLDEN AGE (1930-1950s)

Exploding with creativity, music written for the movies consistently matches the artistry of the films themselves. Composers during this period primarily come from backgrounds in concert music, and almost exclusively write orchestral pieces.

What was the golden year of movies?

Many consider 1939 to be Hollywood's greatest year ever. The best movies included The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach and Gone With the Wind. Few years in movie history are quite as beloved as 1939.

What is the golden age in history?

noun. the most flourishing period in the history of a nation, literature, etc. Classical Mythology. the first and best of the four ages of humankind; an era of peace and innocence that finally yielded to the silver age.

What is the golden age period?

The Golden Age can be subdivided into two major sections, the Ciceronian period (q.v.; 70–43 bc), dominated by Marcus Tullius Cicero, and the Augustan Age (q.v.; 43 bc–ad 18), a period of mature literary achievements by such writers as Virgil, Horace, and Livy. See also Silver Age.

What ended Old Hollywood?

Movie palaces shuttered, once mighty studios closed down and some of Hollywood's greatest actors, directors and screenwriters stopped making films. It was the end of an era and television was to blame: the new technology effectively killed Hollywood's Golden Age.

What's the longest movie in history?

The longest film ever made, according to Guinness World Records, is "The Cure for Insomnia" (1987), directed by John Henry Timmis IV. It lasts 85 hours and is considered an extraordinary achievement in the film industry.

When did Hollywood stop using film?

Hollywood started to capture films digitally in the 2000s, but it wasn't until 2013 that digitally shot films were more common than celluloid productions.

What was the biggest decade for movies?

The Roaring 20s introduced us to the magic of silent films, the Golden Age showcased Hollywood's star power, the 1970s revolutionized storytelling, and the 1980s and 1990s brought us larger-than-life blockbusters. The modern era continues to push boundaries and explore new frontiers.

What is the number one movies in history?

Six films in total have grossed in excess of $2 billion worldwide, with Avatar ranked in the top position.

Why 1984 is the best year for movies?

But the year that really captures the spirit of Hollywood, with big blockbusters, weighty dramas, sprawling epics, timeless comedies, and everything in between is 1984. 1984 saw the launch of a number of franchises still going strong today, with Ghostbusters, The Terminator, and The Karate Kid all debuting that year.

What are the three golden ages?

explores three periods in Western history that exploded with creativity: Elizabethan England, Renaissance Florence, and America's founding.

Is 40 the Golden Age?

When men reach the age of 40, they undergo a decrease in testosterone levels, which has an effect on various bodily functions, including muscle growth, metabolic rates, bone strength and sexual desire. All of this means that they have entered their “golden years”.

Is 60 years a Golden Age?

the years of retirement, normally after age 65.

When did movies peak?

Cinema's Golden Age

The advent of sound secured the dominant role of the American industry and gave rise to the so-called 'Golden Age of Hollywood'. During the 1930s and 1940s, cinema was the principal form of popular entertainment, with people often attending cinemas twice a week.

Is 1994 the best year for movies?

Aside from the cultural turning point of the films released in 1994, many were just really, really good. Not only did several make blockbuster bank, quite a few of the high-earning films also are ranked favorably (per Rotten Tomatoes).

When was the New Hollywood era?

The New Hollywood, also known as American New Wave or Hollywood Renaissance, was a movement in American film history from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, when a new generation of filmmakers came to prominence.

Who started the Golden Age of Hollywood?

The Golden Age of Hollywood began with the silent movie era (though some people say it started at the end of the silent movie age). Dramatic films such as D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) and comedies such as The Kid (1921) starring Charlie Chaplin were popular nationwide.

What was the dark side of the Golden Age of Hollywood?

The Dark Side to the Golden Age of Hollywood Dark History

But in reality, Hollywood, and especially during the “Golden Age” was a place of nightmares. Horrible treatment of actors and actresses, drug addiction, cover ups, forced abortions, eating disorders, death. You name it, and it was happening behind the scenes.

When did Hollywood become popular?

By the early 1920s, Hollywood had become the world's film capital. It produced virtually all films show in the United States and received 80 percent of the revenue from films shown abroad.