The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

This is where all the movies that make the countdown will be listed, as they are revealed. Each movie will have a link to it's post.

Following a long standing Countdown tradition, these are the 'one pointers'. They're films that appeared on only one voting list and in last place, hence they only scored one point. But someone loved them and so here they are!

I don't think I've seen any of the 1 pointers besides Shanghai Express. It was one of the last movies I watched for the countdown and I enjoyed it.

I'm not sure if I seen Shanghai Express or not? But I do want to watch all the films eventually that make the countdown. Out of the one pointers I've only seen Becky Sharp which has one of my favorite 30s actresses, Miriam Hopkins and it was the first full length 3-strip Technicolor film. But, not on my list.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Mädchen in Uniform was mine, I think even though some of the younger performers are a little weak it's quite an absorbing and effectively delivered tale of same-sex attraction.

Seventh Heaven is a decent enough romantic drama and I'm never averse to a little Simone Simon but was never really in contention for my list.

Haven't seen any of the other one-pointers but would have liked to have watched Shanghai Express and Wooden Crosses definitely sounds like one I should give it a whirl at some point if I can.

I'm going to post the first two movies on the countdown, #100 and #99. The film clapper board has the movie placement number on it as well as other info about the film.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Watched/re-watched over 350 fillums for this countdown, sadly Footlight wasn't one of them as I simply couldn't locate an available copy and Stage Door I have to admit was never even on my radar. So it's an epic fail for me thus far :D

350 wow! I wish I could say I'd watched that many. You and Cricket really gave it your alls. Glad you guys got into this, I was afraid I wouldn't get more than 20-25 list but I'm stoked that I got 45! Very happy with the turn out:)

I felt really bad about piking out of the 40s countdown 'cos I didn't start anywhere near early enough and felt overwhelmed so I started the 30s watches in earnest last November so that there'd be no recurrence lol.

I haven't seen either of the first two and only heard of Footlight Parade. I like the style of the reveal.:)

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Great setup for the Countdown, CR!!

Have not seen either of the first two on the list, but I have seen Shanghai Express which didn't quite make my list and Seventh Heaven is my One Pointer. I stumbled upon it a while back while searching for 30s Films I may have missed or have not heard of.
Watched 0/2
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25) Seventh Heaven 1 Pointer

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

I never entered this countdown as I simply haven't seen enough 30s films to warrant a list.
But, well done everyone for getting lists together, and well done @Citizen Rules for organising it!

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

0-2 Love the look CR, very unique

Thanks Sean...and Ed, and Rodent and Cricket too. Vamp did such a nice job on the 40s Countdown, that I wanted to do something worthy of MoFo. I like the way it looks, but it's sort of a pain doing the graphics...Some movies have lots of great screenshots to work with and some don't. I guess I'll wing it for those hard to find screenshots.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

I remember thinking Footlight Parade was a pretty decent musical with some standout numbers, but I didn't vote for it.

Haven't seen Stage Door (I predict there'll be quite a few of these I haven't seen so I think I might skip over mentioning ones I haven't seen).

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Nice job, CR! Good looking setup, nice pics...particularly liking the info-clapboards. :cool:
No films of mine yet. I've seen both the first entries. Footlight Parade---it's been a long time since I've seen it but I'm a huge Cagney fan, and I can never forget the sequence that mark f posted above. I always goggled as a kid when Cagney and Keeler "dance" across the sailors' outstretched arms. More recent in my memory is Stage Door. Of course Hepburn and the cast were great, but my gal Ginger Rogers was the true delight for me. This is where she showed me she could be tough in a movie, as well as sweet. Great start, CR!

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Excited about this countdown! Even though I have seen fewer than 100 films from the 30s so will not have seen most of them. I really like the design for the entries, very nice.

Sylvia Scarlett on the one-pointers was mine. I'm not surprised it was a one-pointer as it was a weird little film, but had a certain quirky charm. Katherine Hepburn is pretending to be a boy for most of the time. The only other film mentioned so far that I have seen is Shanghai Express, which I watched just the other night (after the deadline). I'm slightly surprised that only got one point as I thought it was more popular.

Love the presentation so far, Citizen! The clapperboards are a really cool touch. :up:

https://i.imgur.com/EWHkNRo.gif

Footlight Parade was my #3. I've always considered the musical to be my least favorite genre, but the 1930's revealed me to be a fan of the genre after all. The stunning, kaleidoscopic choreography of Busby Berkeley is a big reason for that. His musical numbers are always magical. "By a Waterfall" in Footlight Parade is one of the most impressive, awe-inspiring sequences I've ever seen in a film. I was already a fan of James Cagney, but my admiration for him has grown after diving deeper into his 30's roles. Here he gets an early opportunity to display his multi-faceted talents by singing and dancing in addition to delivering rapid-fire dialogue. His chemistry with the feisty, infinitely charming Joan Blondell is excellent, as is the chemistry between Dick Powell and Ruby Keeler. The script has a slapdash quality to it that fits well with the energetic pace. There's a ton of great lines and sexual innuendo and eye candy. Footlight Parade is one of several musicals to make my list, and in my opinion it's the best of the bunch (or at least neck and neck with Gold Diggers of 1933, which I'm sure will also show up at some point).

https://78.media.tumblr.com/31a88b73...jy8co1_500.gif

Stage Door was my #16. It reminded me of His Girl Friday in terms of the overwhelming amount of dialogue and the lightning-fast pace with which the characters speak, which is like porn for my ear drums. The mostly all-female cast dish out a non-stop barrage of wit, sarcasm and snark. Banter with barbs. Sharp jabs of humor. The perfect amount of cynicism. Ginger Rogers is as spunky as ever, and her friendship/rivalry with Katherine Hepburn is a joy to watch. The film is strongly pro-feminist, especially compared to its contemporaries. I was taken aback by the sudden shift toward tragedy in the last act, otherwise the film would probably be higher on my list, but for dialogue-lovers this is must-see cinema.

https://i.imgur.com/iEM70PZ.gif

Suzy was my #25. I never aim to get one-pointers for these countdowns, instead just voting for my twenty-five favorite films according to the criteria, so this is more by accident than design. Prior to prepping for this countdown, I don't think I'd ever seen a single Jean Harlow film. Now I've seen the majority of her filmography. While I don't think she's the most attractive or talented actress, she certainly possesses the intangible qualities of a star. Suzy appears to be one of her least celebrated roles, but I really enjoyed it, and the vulnerability she displays in this film is quite the contrast to the brazen salaciousness of her pre-code roles. The busy plot might feel hackneyed to some, with its multiple engagements, love triangles, infidelity, spies, mistaken deaths and aerial assaults, but I found it quite entertaining. Cary Grant doesn't even bother with a French accent despite playing a Frenchman, but who cares about such details when he's repeatedly getting slapped by Harlow in a cabaret nightclub? Underrated, entertaining flick.


My List So Far:
#3) Footlight Parade
#16) Stage Door
#25) Suzy (one-pointer)

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Nice job Citizen! The first two I haven't seen but I have heard of at least Footlight Parade. The only one pointer I saw was Shanghai Express which i really disliked actually. I am surprised it didn't make the list though as I thought it was fairly popular.

So was I. It would have made mine but it was up against another Dietrich film and when I decided I was thinking: that's okay, others will vote for it.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

@Captain Spaulding: "the lightning-fast pace with which the characters speak, which is like porn for my ear drums."

THAT deserves an additional rep all on its own! :lol::lol:

Your description of Stage Door makes it sound VERY familiar so I'm gonna have to check a little deeper into it and see.
If I hadn't, It will be added to my watchlist along with Wooden Crosses and a few others and, I'm sure, countless more from this list.

Count me as a big time fan of Ginger Rogers:) Everything I've seen her in she's good. I'm not sure, but I don't think I've seen Stage Door...I'm going to have to catch Stage Door, looks good.

The Countdown list has lots of surprises on it. I was convinced one of my all time favorite 30s films was a shoe in for the list, but it only got one other vote and didn't make it:(

Never seen The Bitter Tea Of General Yen and although certain I would have watched The Charge Of The Light Brigade at least once in my youth it wasn't one I managed to get round to in time for this countdown.

Thus far: 0/4
(beginning to wonder if I actually watched any 30s movies in the past year or if it was all just some sort of dream :D)

Damn, The Bitter Tea of General Yen was 1 of the next 2 movies I was planning on watching before I ran out of time. I'd still like to see it.

Never heard of the other.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

I didn't vote and haven't seen any of the movies so far, but I'm loving the presentation. Nice work, Citizen!

Thanks! I'm glad people are liking it. I've only seen one so far, The Charge of the Light Brigade.

The Bitter Tea of General Yen is my #18. Originally from a 10-year-old Tab
The Charge of the Light Brigade was part of my long list that I eliminated. I'd like to add to this Tab that Curtiz was reprimanded even 80 years ago for causing several horse deaths and stunt man injuries for this specific film.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

I hadn't seen The Bitter Tea of General Yen. I didn't even know it had one of my favorite actress in it, Barbara Stanwyck, but after reading Marks review I got to see it.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

The Bitter Tea of General Yen was my #23. I really wasn't quite sure what to make of it when I watched it, it seemed such an oddity, but it certainly stayed with me. I liked how the missionary protagonist comes to question everything she thinks she knows about right and wrong, about China, about love, about herself and everyone else around her. The ending is really quite powerful.

Is Barbara Stanwyck the missionary? and is there a school of orphans that she tries to help? and do they end up fleeing the area and traveling on the road during war time...If so I think I did see this one.

That's where the term missionary position originated from.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Fan that I am of Capra, I'm ashamed that I haven't seen The Bitter Tea of General Yen, however I intend to rectify that situation! The Charge of the Light Brigade is one of my favorite action/adventures from the 30's, yet I let it go in favor of another. Still, greatness abounds on this list!

It does indeed! And that's thanks to all the MoFos who sent in some really great list:up:

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Good work CR!
Poor effort on my part as I barely watched any 30's films for this one, so unsurprisingly I've not seen any so far. For shame.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

I too am disappointed I've never seen The Bitter Tea of General Yen, as Capra is a guy I really like.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Great start!

And big second on the clapperboard. :up: Well done.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

I've seen both of those. Like both too. I just watched Grand Hotel last week. I requested the DVD from my library for this countdown, only it took like 4 months to get the DVD. So by time I watched it my list was already done and it was too late. Grand Hotel was a groundbreaking movie, one of this very first to have an all-star ensemble cast, and one of the very first to tell multiple intermixed story lines.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

0 for 6 for me so far. The last two I have thought about watching though.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Didn't get to see Camille (couldn't locate a copy), did get round to Grand Hotel though (and quite enjoyed it once the initial quarter of an hour or so was out of the way) so finally I've actually seen one on the countdown :)

Seen: 1/6 (yay, finally no more waiting for a cherry to be popped on this countdown)
My list: - (did it even arrive? :eek:)

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Looks REALLY GREAT, CR!

So far none of mine have shown up. :bashful:

I love the story David Niven told about the making of this movie in Bring On The Empty Horses (incidentally one of the many awesome phrases to come out of Curtiz's mouth), about him losing his s**t with people gently chuckling about his use of "poodles" (puddles) and he apparently screamed at them:

"YOU PEOPLE THINK I KNOW F**K NOTHING! LET ME TELL YOU I KNOW F**K ALL!!!"


:rotfl:

I felt the same way. I started watching Grand Hotel and like you said the first 15 minutes were a bit dry, so I shut it off and saved it for another night when I hoped to have more patience:) But after the initial 15 minutes the film gets interesting and I was hooked. I didn't realize Joan Crawford was so petite until I seen this cast photo:

Thanks Cat:) Hang in there, some of yours will be showing up:yup:

I watched Camille in July and liked it. I probably would have liked it better if I could have warmed up to Greta Garbo a little more.

I watched Grand Hotel about 3 years ago and didn't think much of it. I thought about watching it again for this countdown, but why would I do that when there were a couple movies I couldn't get to for the first time.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Camille was my #7! It's been ages since I saw it but I liked it a lot at the time.

I didn't get round to seeing Grand Hotel. It seems like some big names are showing up quite early.

I'm a big fan of Greta Garbo but not really of Camille although I've warmed to it a bit in later years. Here's a clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF4ZoC5BcWQ
I like Grand Hotel better - it was on my shortlist of 44 films but didn't make the cut. Here's the classic intro of the main characters with George E. Stone's great topper of a line right at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5-LyF_ja4o
Ballerina Greta Garbo "wants to be alone" but jewel thief John Barrymore has other ideas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSjfwTXIvZY
Good list so far.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6qgeWVXWLf...ht+Brigade.jpg
Charge is my #10. Loved this since I was a kid. In fact, when I was around 6 or 7, a got a tiny, toy projector with movie tickets and three movie shorts without sound that ran about 3 or 4 minutes. One was a clip from a Popeye cartoon during a bar room fight, can't remember the second, but the final one was some of the intense moments of the battle at the end of the film.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b8/4f...0dea1cbed4.jpg
Camille came in at #10 and one of my favorite of Greta Garbo. She has such a zest for life in this film of a dying woman who hides her illness from the man she loves and who idolizes her.

Grand Hotel WAS on my short list of films but did not make the cut. A great film though.

Watched 4/6 (66.6%)
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10) The Charge of the Light Brigade (#97)
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25) Seventh Heaven 1 Pointer

EDIT: after a little research, I have found that I HAVE seen Stage Door. Seeing a clip of a very young Lucille Ball clicked the ole memory noggin.

Love that clip! Gosh I swear Great Garbo just pours her heart and soul into her scenes, especially with John Barrymore. I really liked their next love scene together where they make plans for the future. Greata is so good in Grand Hotel. And of course Barrymore both of them are pretty darn good too.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

grand hotel is the first i've seen so far but didn't make my list. probably would've made my top 35 or so

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Like @edarsenal Grand Hotel was on my short list, as I loved that movie, but it just missed making my list. I haven't seen Camille yet, but I intend to. Really love Greta Garbo and what I have seen her in, I've loved her. Lots of fantastic films already and we're still in the 90's!

you should really enjoy Camille, I think.
And I agree, we are starting with some solid films right from the get go. And that's not simply bias from having 3 of mine already show up.

hopefully it isn't ;)

I think the only movies I've seen from the one-pointers are Suzy and Sylvia Scarlett. I liked Suzy, but I didn't care much for Sylvia Scarlett.

Oops. I also saw Seventh Heaven from the one-pointers. (I didn't recognize it from the movie poster. :facepalm:) I liked the movie a lot, but it didn't make my list.

Footlight Parade, Stage Door, and Grand Hotel all aired on Turner Classic Movies within the past few months, so I saw all three of these movies. Footlight Parade came very close to making my list, and it probably would have made my list if it was a top 30 or 35. I also considered both Stage Door and Grand Hotel for my list, but both movies were among my early cuts.

I haven't seen The Bitter Tea Of General Yen, The Charge Of The Light Brigade, or Camille.

For anyone who wants to watch this, The Charge Of The Light Brigade is scheduled to air on Turner Classic Movies this Wednesday (October 10th) at 8:15 AM EASTERN TIME.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THE CORRECT TIME IN YOUR TIME ZONE!

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Still big fat zero for me

I didn't recognize the poster either lol
it was only when chypmunk mentioned it did I realize it.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

So far all this countdown has done has hounded me on some films I should have gotten to. And The Informer is another one of those films.

Don't feel bad, I haven't seen the last two either:cool:...Though the John Ford's The Informer looks like a strong drama and the Sherlock Holmes one looks like great fun for a cold winter night. I hate to say that I've never seen the great Basil Rathbone as the super sleuth.

Did rewatch The Hound Of The Baskervilles which is a nice version of the well known yarn but unfortunately it wasn't quite good enough to make my final ballot. I also watched a few from Ford but sadly The Informer wasn't one of them.

Seen: 2/8
My list:

25. Mädchen in Uniform [Girls In Uniform] (Leontine Sagan & Carl Froelich, 1931)

The Informer was very good but didn't quite make my list.

I've heard of The Hound of the Baskervilles but didn't even know it was a movie. It looks cool.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

The Hound of the Baskervilles was my #15. A good version of a classic story with plenty of spooky fog and atmosphere.

I didn't vote for either but both are highly watchable. You can watch The Hound of the Baskervilles on YouTube and hear the infamous closing line, "Watson, the needle."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMJBpvdT44I
John Ford's direction of The Informer is both expressionistic and poetic, as evidenced by this clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wg9sv_fjAg

Saw Baskerville quite a few times in my youth, been ages since seeing it and it did not make my list. And Informer was one I was looking to see and did not get to and then forgot to continue my search for.

Watched 5/8 (62.5%)
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10) The Charge of the Light Brigade (#97)
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As a kid I only knew Rathbone AS Holmes (and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Errol Flyn's Robin Hood) and for the longest time I only saw him when talking about Sherlock Holmes and had a hard time seeing anyone else in the role.
Though I still consider Nigel Bruce as the epitome of Dr Watson to this day.

and thanks @mark f for posting the link for youtube. I had COMPLETELY forgotten about that final line.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

It's been forever and a day since I've seen the Rathbone version of The Hound of the Baskervilles. More recently the Peter Cushing version was the one I watched. I've seen part of The Informer but it was late at night and I couldn't finish it as my eyelids were heavy, but some day. Still 0/0 on making the list, but enjoying it immensely.

Yup, I want to second that! Hopefully some will be inspired by the trailers to check out the movie.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Finally! Seen The Hound of The Baskervilles. Good film but wasn't making my list.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Faildictions (streamline moderne vsn):
92. The Bachelor And The Bobby Soxer
91. Another Thin Man

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Let's hope Red Dust made this list. Probably would have to show up soon though.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Monkey Business was No.16 on my list. Definitely not one of the better Marx Brothers films, but it still had its moments.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Today's reveal were a pair of Paramounts, or a paramount pair if they were on your list! Not on mine as I haven't seen them....yet. I figure as the host I should eventually watch everything that makes the list. So far you guys are picking some sweet ones.

I liked Monkey Business but it wasn't in contention for my list.

Never heard of Love Me Tonight!

Love Me Tonight breaks the duck for me. Superb musical with lots of neat camera tricks and great set pieces (That opening!). Really shows off Mamoulian's range as a director.

My List
#15. Love Me Tonight (Rouben Mamoulian)

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Still dry for me.

This should help:

https://i.imgur.com/SBKIurk.jpg

Didn't watch either of those. Perhaps surprisingly, seeing as I love wordplays, I've never been much of a fan of the Marx Brothers - did try three of theirs again for this and sadly nothing's changed in that regard.

Seen: 2/10
My list:

25. Mädchen in Uniform [Girls In Uniform] (Leontine Sagan & Carl Froelich, 1931)

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Haven't seen either of those.

Grew up on the Marx Brothers and have seen them all and while I do have my favorite on the list, this wasn't it. Some great trouble making aboard a steam cruiser they're stowing away on.

https://cdn.highdefdigest.com/upload...usiness_1_.jpg

Woman Passenger: Where's the Doctor? A doctor! I want a doctor!
Chico: Sit. Stay calm. We take care of you. Oh, she's got a chill. Cover her up.
[Harpo sits on her]
Chico: No, no, no, no. Get up. Get up. Take her pulse. Take her pulse.
[Harpo takes her purse]
Chico: No purse! Put it back. Pulse. I think you best take a temperature. That's good. Alright, we take care of you, lady. Alright. Alright. Alright.
Woman Passenger: Oh, you fools! I'm not the patient!
Chico: Well, we're not the doctor.

Have not heard of Love Me Tonight but from @Nathaniel's description, I AM curious.
EDIT: and now, with @mark f's post, the curiosity GROWS


Watched 6/10 (60%)
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10) The Charge of the Light Brigade (#97)
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25) Seventh Heaven 1 Pointer[/quote]

Best gif ever!

Faildictions (streamline moderne vsn):
90. Ferdinand The Bull
89. The Scarlet Pimpernel

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Have heard of but haven't seen Love Me Tonight. Have seen all the Marx Brothers movies and loved 'em all. It's funny about that clip you posted, mark f...they do that Maurice Chevalier song at another time...I believe when they're trying to sneak on a ship and the one I'm talking about is a bit funnier, especially when it gets to Harpo's imitation. :) I do have a Marx Brothers film on the list but not Monkey Business. I had to put my favorite MB movie on here. It's nice to see these great films here as I'm a bit of a Turner Classic Movies junkie and love old movies.

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

Here come the next 2, and I think Cat might get lucky and have one on her list?

Re: The MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s: The Countdown
 

i like the black cat well enough but it didn't make my list. it's a pretty average universal horror movie, but i guess ulmer's direction makes it a bit more notable