The Dawn Patrol, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Only Angels Have Wings

The Dawn Patrol, which had featured Richard Barthelmess and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., in 1930, was remade by Warners in 1938, this time with Errol Flynn and David Niven, a popular newcomer, as the leads.

One of the best pictures of 1939 was Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, which Frank Capra produced and directed for Columbia.

Howard Hawks' production of Only Angels Have Wings offered several fine performances by the principals.

Mitchell also gave a memorable performance as the drunken doctor in Walter Wanger's Stagecoach. This was a really first-rate Western, superbly directed by John Ford.

Disney's most notable production of the year was The Ugly Duckling, and it got an Academy award.

An exceptionally honest and powerfully acted picture was the screen version of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, which Lewis Milestone produced and directed for Hal Roach. Thanks to a script that was virtually a literal transcript of the play, brilliant direction, and a fine cast, the picture made a deep impression.

One of the best comedies of 1939, Bachelor Mother, was directed by Garson Kanin for RKO. Ginger Rogers, Charles Coburn, and David Niven, abetted by an excellent script by Norman Krasna, gave irresistible performances.

No comments: