“Nineteen thirty-nine was a watershed year. The Great Depression was barely over, but America was again feeling the chill winds of change. Politics, economics, and art braced for war. There was a lull before the storm, and Hollywood, as if expecting to be judged by posterity, produced a portfolio of classics. What year before or since has yielded as many masterpieces?” – Mark A. Vieira, Majestic Hollywood

Told in chronological order by month, this book provides a summary of 50 movies released in 1939. The structure is the same for each film: title, release date, a quote, a one-sentence plot summary, production highlights, critical reactions, and photos of the performers. It is amazing how many classics emerged in one year.

We also get a glimpse into the culture of the time, in such gems as: “In the 1930s there was a code of etiquette in movie theaters. Audience members did not wear hats, talk, or put gum under theater seats. It was customary to applaud when “The End” flashed on the screen. It was also customary to applaud at the end of a satisfying or well-acted scene.”

The substance of the book lies in the production notes. Some films get more attention than others, and avid film buffs may already know some of the content, but most was new to me. It is well-packaged, and the photos are wonderful. It evokes a bygone era and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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To all those who love motion pictures, 1939 will always be THE year. During 1939, so many, many classic films were produced. Mark Vieira reviews those films in this wonderfully-illustrated, insightful and affectionate guide to that magical time and place. Vieira's book arranges the films in order of release. Most of the films is described in a two-to-four page write-up. A select number such as GONE WITH THE WIND and WIZARD OF OZ get more pages. The write-ups are illustrated with photographs and poster art. Among the films featured are DARK VICTORY, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, BEAU GESTE, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, OF MICE AND MEN, DESTRY RIDES AGAIN and YOUNG MR. LINCOLN. Movie fans will love this book!

Mike O. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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1939 was the best year for movies ever - I doubt that the films from the 2014 Academy Awards will be as remembered and loved as those from 1939. This book starts in January and details all the major films released in 1939. There are numerous beautiful photographs from the films (although none in color but then just Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind were shot in color). There is a 2 page summary of some of the things that either went on behind the scenes or how casting was done or how the film did as well as one or two reviews. All of this is good. However, I would have also liked a full credit list of the cast and crew of the film. It also would have been neat to have a cross reference chart to see what person appeared or worked on the most of these beloved films of 1939. The book is a must for film buffs but could have had more detail. ( )