'Movies of the 1930's'

'Out with the Silents, in with the Talkies'

A famous movie of the 1930s was the industries first all color and all talking British Film, 'Harmony Heaven' produced by British International Pictures starring Polly Ward and Stuart Hall. 'The School for Scandal' was the second all talking British movie to be filmed entirely in color.

Movies of the 1930s also saw the start of documentary films. with the start of John Grierson's, 'Drifters'. He is known for coining the term 'documentary' to describe a non fiction film. His most celebrated film of the 1930's was Night Mail (1936), it was written and directed by Basil Wright and Harry Watt. They went on to produce some important films throughout World War II.

Alfred Hitchcock also made some memorable films during the 1930's, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934), The 39 Steps (1935) and The Lady Vanishes (1938).

At the time when Hollywood was in its boom and most of the films shown in Britain came from America, Alexander Korda a Hungarian resolved to improve the British film Industry. Disillusioned after working in Hollywood, he thought correctly that by producing quality films, instead of the quota quickies spurred by the Cinematographic Films Act of 1927, the British film industry would be saved. He founded London Films, a production company. In the 1930s alone the company produced more than 30 movies. One of the earlier films, The Private Life of Henry VIII became a huge success both in Britain and America. Zorda was also one of the first to incorporate true colors in his film successfully. Other movies from this production company included Things to Come (1936), Rembrandt (1936) and Knight without Armor (1937)

Not only were movies of the 1930's becoming influential, but Music Halls were also providing material for films, comedies especially. Stars such as George Formby, Gracie Fields, Jessie Matthews and Will Hat made several films per year, their films continued to be an important morale tool used during the second world war.

As the British Films Industry progressed so did the technology, Technicolor was introduced with earlier 1930's movies such as The Drum (1938), The Four Feathers (1939) and The Thief of Baghdad (1940) These were released shortly after Britain’s first full color feature in the new three color process, before that the film industry in Britain had used a two color process.

Later on, London Films was eclipse by the Rank Organization founded by J. Arthur Rank By the end of the of the 1930’s due to rising costs and over optimistic expansions into the American market Britain’s Film Industry began to waiver, of 640 British production companies between 1925 and 1936 that were in business only 20 were still running in 1937. Also the the 1927 Film Act was up for renewal. It was replaced by the Cinematograph Film Act 1938. This gave incentives to British Film companies to make higher quality movies, which in turn encouraged investments from outside countries mainly America. One of the biggest American studios, MGM also invested in the British film industry and opened MGM British as a result of favorable legislation in 1938.