The 70+ Best Movies of 1941
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1Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter LorreIn the intricate web of The Maltese Falcon, private detective Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart) finds himself entangled in a dark mystery. A femme fatale, Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor), hires him for what appears to be a simple case. But when his partner is murdered, things take a sinister turn. The plot thickens as an elusive artifact - the titular Maltese Falcon - comes into play. John Huston directs this noir classic, which was nominated for three Academy Awards in 1942. Amidst shadowy allies and treacherous enemies, Spade navigates deception and danger in this gripping tale of greed and betrayal.More The Maltese Falcon
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2Lon Chaney, Claude Rains, Ralph BellamyWhen his brother dies, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney) returns to Wales and reconciles with his father (Claude Rains). While there, he visits an antique shop and, hoping to impress Gwen (Evelyn Ankers), the attractive shopkeeper, buys a silver walking cane. That same night he kills a wolf with it, only to later learn that he actually killed a man (Bela Lugosi). A gypsy (Maria Ouspenskaya) explains that it was her son, a werewolf, that he killed, and that Larry is now one himself.More The Wolf Man- 3Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Ruth WarrickCitizen Kane is a riveting drama, directed by Orson Welles. The film delves into the life of Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), a wealthy newspaper magnate. Told through the memories of those who knew him, the narrative unfolds like a jigsaw puzzle. It's a tale of ambition, power, and the quest for love. Kane's life is revealed in fragments from his humble beginnings to his opulent adulthood. The film, notable for its innovative techniques and narrative structure, won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Its distinctive storytelling style keeps audiences engrossed till the end.More Citizen Kane
- #704 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
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4Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward ArnoldA reporter writes a fictitious column about a man named "John Doe," who claims to despair at America's neglect of the little people and plans to kill himself. The newspaper then hires a ballplayer-turned-hobo to pose as John Doe. In a series of radio addresses written by a publisher with fascist leanings, Doe captures the public's imagination. When he finally realizes he has been used, Doe comes to his senses and becomes the man he never knew he could be.More Meet John Doe- #36 of 61 onThe Funniest Movies About Politics
- #12 of 51 onThe 50+ Best Movies In Public Domain
- #218 of 322 onThe 200+ Best Romantic Comedies Of All Time
5Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, Lana TurnerGentle Dr. Jekyll (Spencer Tracy) experiments with human nature, believing that each person has both good and evil sides that can be brought forth chemically. Jekyll tests a serum on himself, releasing his vicious alter ego, Mr. Hyde, on 19th-century London. Prowling the town, Hyde ventures to a music hall and encounters Ivy (Ingrid Bergman), whom he takes forcibly as his mistress. When the serum's effects wear off, Jekyll vows never to take it again. But Hyde is not gone for good.- #13 of 73 onThe Best Movies About Split Personalities
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- #3 of 50 onThe 50 Best Horror Movies Of The '40s, Ranked
6Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Roddy McDowallHuw Morgan (Roddy McDowall), the academically inclined youngest son in a proud family of Welsh coal miners, witnesses the tumultuous events of his young life during a period of rapid social change. At the dawn of the 20th century, a miners' strike divides the Morgans: the sons demand improvements, and the father (Donald Crisp) doesn't want to rock the boat. Meanwhile, Huw's eldest sister, Angharad (Maureen O'Hara), pines for the new village preacher, Mr. Gruffydd (Walter Pidgeon).- #71 of 96 onThe Very Best Oscar-Winning Movies For Best Picture
- #189 of 191 onThe Best Movies For Men
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7Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Cedric HardwickeCharming scoundrel Johnnie Aysgarth (Cary Grant) woos wealthy but plain Lina McLaidlaw (Joan Fontaine), who runs away with him despite the warnings of her disapproving father (Cedric Hardwicke). After their marriage, Johnnie's risky financial ventures cause Lina to suspect he's becoming involved in unscrupulous dealings. When his dear friend and business partner, Beaky (Nigel Bruce), dies under suspicious circumstances on a business trip, she fears her husband might kill her for her inheritance.More Suspicion- Dig Deeper...The Best Quotes About Suspicion
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8Humphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, Alan CurtisAging mobster Big Mac (Donald MacBride) is looking to pull off one more heist before he retires. With his sights set on robbing a California casino, Big Mac breaks one of his former associates, Roy Earle (Humphrey Bogart), out of prison to mastermind the job. When the robbery goes awry, Earle is forced to go on the lam and settles for the night in the hills of the nearby Sierra Nevadas. But, with the cops on his tail, Earle is soon forced to fend off the law from the mountains.More High Sierra- #76 of 94 onThe 90+ Best Mafia Movies Of All Time
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9Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles CoburnIt's no accident when wealthy Charles (Henry Fonda) falls for Jean (Barbara Stanwyck). Jean is a con artist with her sights set on Charles' fortune. Matters complicate when Jean starts falling for her mark. When Charles suspects Jean is a gold digger, he dumps her. Jean, fixated on revenge and still pining for the millionaire, devises a plan to get back in Charles' life. With love and payback on her mind, she re-introduces herself to Charles, this time as an aristocrat named Lady Eve Sidwich.More The Lady Eve- #229 of 473 onThe 400+ Best Chick Flicks Ever
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10Walt Disney, Marcellite GarnerMinnie wants Mickey to clean up her yard - or else he won't get any of her just-out-of-the-oven cake. Mickey cleans the yard, but then wrecks it trying to get rid of a pesky tornado.
11Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Dick PowellIn The Navy is a 1941 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It was the second service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. The comedy team appeared in two other service comedies in 1941, before the United States entered the war: Buck Privates released in January and Keep 'Em Flying released in November.
12Herman Bing, Billy Bletcher, Edward BrophyDumbo, an enchanting Disney classic, spins the poignant tale of a young circus elephant named Dumbo (voiced by Katie Leigh). Born with oversized ears that grant him the astounding ability to fly, Dumbo becomes an unlikely sensation in a world that initially ridiculed his difference. Guided by a wise-cracking mouse, Timothy Q. Mouse (Edward Brophy), Dumbo navigates trials and triumphs in a journey that resonates with themes of self-acceptance and courage. This animation masterpiece, filled with memorable characters and heartwarming moments, is a testament to the enduring power of friendship and individuality.More Dumbo- #89 of 453 onThe 400+ Best Animated Kids Movies
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13Frances Gifford, Buddy Pepper, Nana BryantExcited at the idea of producing a film about a children's book, humorist Robert Benchley visits the Walt Disney Studio to offer the idea. At the studio, Benchley evades an enthusiastic young tour guide and, wandering about the lot, goes into a drawing class. He then visits a soundstage, where he watches a couple recording a song, unaware they provide voices for famous cartoon characters. Benchley later visits the camera stage and then the animation department, where he discovers a surprise.
14Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan LesliePrize-winning Tennessee marksman Alvin York (Gary Cooper), a recent convert to Christianity, finds himself torn between his non-violent beliefs and his desire to serve his country when recruited to fight in World War I. Kindly Major Buxton (Stanley Ridges) convinces York to engage in battle, where the pacifist's prowess with a rifle earns him honors as he continues to struggle with his decision to kill. Howard Hawks directs this adaptation of the real York's memoirs.More Sergeant York- #55 of 262 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
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15Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Dana AndrewsHoping to update his chapter on modern slang, encyclopedia writer Professor Bertram Potts (Gary Cooper) ventures into a chic nightclub. Inside, he meets the snarky burlesque performer "Sugarpuss" O'Shea (Barbara Stanwyck). Fascinated by her command of popular jargon, Potts invites her to stay with him. But, unknown to Potts, she is the fiancée of a mobster (Dana Andrews) and wanted by the police. In the ensuing mayhem, Potts must stay on his toes or be swallowed up by bigger fish.More Ball of Fire- #5 of 60 onThe Best Comedies Of The 1940s
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16Mel BlancTortoise Beats Hare is a 1941 Merrie Melodies animated short directed by Tex Avery. The short stars Bugs Bunny and, in his first appearance, Cecil Turtle.
17Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, Robert WarwickSuccessful movie director John L. Sullivan (Joel McCrea), convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to "know trouble" first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion (Veronica Lake), he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.More Sullivan's Travels- #276 of 705 onThe All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
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18The Marx Brothers, Tony Martin, Margaret DumontPrivate detectives Wolf J. Flywheel, Wacky and Ravelli (The Marx Brothers) are hired by the officious Martha Phelps (Margaret Dumont), co-owner of the Phelps Department Store. Her beloved nephew, Tommy (Tony Martin), has been assaulted, shortly after he announced plans to sell his share of the store. Unbeknownst to Martha, the culprit is her fiancé, sleazy store manager Mr. Grover (Douglas Dumbrille), who wants Tommy dead before the sale exposes his years of fraud and theft.
19Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Shemp HowardHold That Ghost is a 1941 comedy horror film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and featuring Joan Davis, Evelyn Ankers, and Richard Carlson. On August 1, 1941, Abbott and Costello performed a live version of the film for radio audiences on Louella Parsons' Hollywood Premiere.More Hold That Ghost- #18 of 48 onThe Funniest Movies About Ghosts
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20William Powell, Myrna Loy, Gail PatrickA happily married architect, Steve (William Powell), and his wife, Susan (Myrna Loy), plan a romantic celebration for their fourth anniversary, but their evening is interrupted when Susan's meddling mother, Mrs. Cooper (Florence Bates), stops by for a visit. Later, when Mrs. Cooper eavesdrops on Steve talking with an old flame, Isobel (Gail Patrick), she tells Susan, who files for divorce. Steve, still in love with Susan, decides he must feign insanity to stop the divorce proceedings.
21Alfred Hitchcock, Carole Lombard, Robert MontgomeryMr. & Mrs. Smith is a 1941 screwball comedy film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, written by Norman Krasna, and starring Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery. It also features Gene Raymond, Jack Carson, Philip Merivale and Lucile Watson. While Hitchcock later claimed he directed the film—the only pure comedy he made in America—as a favor to Lombard, the files at RKO Radio Pictures show that Hitchcock himself pursued the project.
22Shirley Temple, Herbert Marshall, Laraine DayTwelve year-old Kathleen Davis (Shirley Temple) finds comfort from the loneliness caused by her neglectful father, John (Herbert Marshall), by daydreaming plots against her hated governess. To Kathleen's dismay, John brings home haughty Lorraine Bennett (Gail Patrick) and announces she will be Kathleen's new mother. A medical specialist advises John to have Kathleen see psychologist Dr. Angela Kent (Laraine Day), who immediately sides with Kathleen and concludes that it is John who needs help.
23Lou Costello, Bud Abbott, Martha RayeKeep 'Em Flying is a 1941 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. The film was the third service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. The comedy team appeared in two previous service comedies in 1941, before the United States entered the war: Buck Privates released in January, and In the Navy released in May. The movie title is taken from the official motto of the Army Air Force.
24John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Randolph ScottAfter being expelled from his academy, wealthy youngster Chris Winters (John Payne) lives it up with his socialite girlfriend, Helene Hunt (Nancy Kelly). But soon his military hero father forces Chris to enlist in the marines. There Chris must overcome his reputation as a spoiled brat to earn the respect of iron-willed Sgt. Dixie Smith (Randolph Scott). Meanwhile, the new recruit struggles to impress Mary Carter (Maureen O'Hara), a beautiful nurse who outranks him.
25Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy LamourTired of working the traveling sideshow circuit in Africa, con men Chuck Reardon (Bing Crosby) and Hubert "Fearless" Frazier (Bob Hope) get tangled up with tycoon Charles Kimble (Eric Blore), who fleeces them with the deed to a worthless diamond mine. After swindling someone else with the same mine deed, the boys rescue a pair of seemingly innocent young cuties in peril, Donna (Dorothy Lamour) and Julia (Una Merkel), not realizing that the girls are confidence tricksters themselves.
26Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, Alan MowbrayWhen small-town courtesan Emma Hart (Vivien Leigh) suddenly finds herself married to British Ambassador Sir William Hamilton (Alan Mowbray), her little world is turned upside down. Just as Emma is finally settling into her new life as the eponymous Lady Hamilton, she meets British naval hero Horatio Nelson (Laurence Olivier) and the two fall madly in love. However, their forbidden romance is soon threatened by the ever-growing shadow of the Napoleonic Wars.More That Hamilton Woman- #48 of 80 onThe Best Period Romance Movies
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27William Powell, Myrna Loy, Barry NelsonIn San Francisco, retired Detective Nick Charles (William Powell) and his attractive wife, Nora (Myrna Loy), learn from police Lt. Abrams of the murder of a race jockey, but Nick refuses to get involved. Approached later by athletics commission head Maj. Jason Scully and reporter Paul Clarke (Barry Nelson), Nick still declines to investigate. When another reporter is murdered and Paul is arrested, Nick gives way to Nora's plea and, with their fox terrier Asta, sets out to solve the murders.
28Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Beulah BondiSince marrying Roger Adams (Cary Grant), Julie (Irene Dunne) has wanted to start a family. An accident while she's visiting Japan causes a miscarriage and makes Julie incapable of having children. After they adopt a little girl, Trina (Eva Lee Kuney), Roger's small newspaper folds, and the couple has to fight in court to keep her. Even though they succeed, another tragedy strikes out of nowhere. The Adams' marriage looks headed for divorce, unless something brings them close again.
29Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Sheila RyanOverjoyed to escape his overprotective aunts when he receives a draft notice, wealthy young Dan Forrester (Dick Nelson) goes to training camp, followed by his faithful chauffeur, Oliver (Oliver Hardy), and gardener, Stan (Stan Laurel). Although Dan takes to the grueling routine, Oliver and Stan are run ragged but nobly continue to believe that Dan needs their help. When Dan falls for photographer Ginger Hammond (Sheila Ryan), the boys do everything they can to break up the budding romance.
30Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Fay BainterThe third installment in the "Backyard Musical" trilogy, "Babes on Broadway" follows restaurant singer Tommy Williams (Mickey Rooney) on his quest to make it to Broadway. Penny Morris (Judy Garland), also a singer, teams up with Tommy to produce a show that will benefit orphaned children. What Penny doesn't know is that Tommy is actually the only one who will benefit from the show. Tommy struggles to maintain his friendships and his morals as he strives for fame and fortune in the big city.
31Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Robert BenchleyMartin Cortland (Robert Benchley), a philandering Broadway producer, is caught by his wife buying a gift for a chorus dancer, Sheila Winthrop (Rita Hayworth). To save his marriage, Martin insists that dancer Bob Curtis (Fred Astaire) bought the gift, and sets the two up on date. Soon after, Bob is drafted into World War II and sent to boot camp. When Sheila travels to the camp to perform for the troops and visit her real boyfriend, Tom (John Hubbard), she and Bob fall in love.
32James Stewart, Judy Garland, Lana TurnerDuring the 1920s, three New York girls pursue careers performing in the iconic Ziegfeld Follies. Susan (Judy Garland) is a vaudeville performer who desires nothing more than a shot at the big time. Sheila (Lana Turner), who works as an elevator girl, is granted an audition with Flo Ziegfeld himself. And Sandra (Hedy Lamarr) draws the eye of a dance director after her husband auditions for a position in the orchestra. However, their career ambitions soon complicate their romantic relationships.
33James Stewart, Hedy Lamarr, Ian HunterLovely refugee Johnny Jones (Hedy Lamarr) is having an affair with publisher Barton Kendrick (Ian Hunter), but he is married to Diana (Verree Teasdale). When Johnny finds she has a week to either marry or be deported, she settles on struggling novelist Bill Smith (James Stewart), who agrees to marry her for a $17.80 weekly salary. When Barton proposes to divorce his wife and marry her, Johnny breaks the news that she is already married. All four lovers must decide whom they truly love.
34Larry Fine, Moe Howard, Curly HowardAll the World's a Stooge is the 55th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.
35Mel Blanc, Tex Avery, Kent RogersThe Heckling Hare is a Merrie Melodies cartoon, released on July 5, 1941 and featuring Bugs Bunny and a dopey dog named Willoughby. The cartoon was directed by Tex Avery, written by Michael Maltese, animated by soon-to-be director Bob McKimson, and with musical direction by Carl Stalling. In style that was becoming typical of the Bugs character, he easily outwitted and tormented his antagonist through the short, his only concern being what to do next to the dog. This is the second-to-last Bugs Bunny cartoon directed by Tex Avery to be released. The last, All This and Rabbit Stew, was produced before this film. Additionally, it was the fifth cartoon for Bugs and the 55th cartoon Avery directed at Warner Bros. The Merrie Melodies opening sequence also featured the first usage of the Warner Bros. shield logo zooming in with a carrot-munching Bugs Bunny lying on top of it. For the first time, the "Warner Bros." and "Present" graphics are already on the screen when the title card is shown before the shield zooms in. Here, after the zoom-in and a couple of bites of his carrot, Bugs pulls down the Merrie Melodies title screen like it is a shade.
36Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Frank MorganIn the 1880s, con man Candy Johnson (Clark Gable) settles in Yellow Creek after meeting the town's beautiful and smart resident Elizabeth Cotton (Lana Turner) on a train. Candy recognizes Elizabeth's father, Judge Cotton (Frank Morgan) as a one-time con man, but the judge has turned his life around and hopes to keep Candy away from his daughter. With tips from old flame "Gold Dust" (Claire Trevor), Candy gradually takes control of the town but is brought up short by Elizabeth's plans.
37Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Arthur KennedyGeorge Armstrong Custer (Errol Flynn) is a rebellious but ambitious soldier, eager to join the Civil War. During the war, Custer has numerous successes to his credit, even though he disobeys orders. After the war concludes, he marries Libby Bacon (Olivia de Havilland) and is assigned to the Dakota Territory. Custer negotiates honestly with the Sioux on land, but due to corruption from others, a battle with Sitting Bull's forces occurs at Little Big Horn.- #14 of 27 onThe 25+ Best Civil War Movies Of All Time, Ranked
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38Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Ralph BellamyInvestment adviser Francis Warren (Errol Flynn) moonlights secretly as the author of detective novels. When a client who wants to cash in a stash of jewels is murdered, Francis believes that -- with his insight into the criminal world -- he can solve the case. His first suspect, however, meets a mysterious end. As the investigation grows more complicated than Francis imagined, he is unexpectedly accused of infidelity by his wife, Rita (Brenda Marshall), and also suspected by the police.- 39Robert Montgomery, Claude Rains, Evelyn KeyesBoxer Joe Pendleton (Robert Montgomery) is killed in a plane crash on the way to a championship fight. Unfortunately, Joe wasn't supposed to die and is brought up to heaven too soon by an overeager angel (Edward Everett Horton). The angel's boss, Mr. Jordan (Claude Rains), sends Joe back to earth in the body of a murdered playboy to straighten out his life and resume his boxing career. Along the way, he meets an idealistic young woman (Evelyn Keyes) and falls head over heels in love.
40Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Dan DuryeaRegina Hubbard Giddens (Bette Davis) and her scheming brothers, Oscar (Carl Benton Reid) and Ben (Charles Dingle), plan to get rich from a cotton mill, but first they must tap into the wealth of Regina's sickly husband, Horace Giddens (Herbert Marshall). The trio attempts to marry Regina's daughter Alexandra (Teresa Wright) to Oscar's son Leo (Dan Duryea). When that plan fails, their schemes devolve into theft and blackmail, driving an irreparable wedge between family members.- The Little Foxes is a 1939 play by Lillian Hellman, considered a classic of 20th century drama. Its title comes from Chapter 2, Verse 15 of the Song of Solomon in the King James version of the Bible, which reads, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." Set in a small town in Alabama in 1900, it focuses on the struggle for control of a family business. Tallulah Bankhead starred in the original production as Regina Hubbard Giddens.
42Greta Garbo, Ruth Gordon, Melvyn DouglasTwo-Faced Woman is a romantic comedy starring Greta Garbo and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
43Basil Rathbone, Hugh Herbert, Bela LugosiThe family of wealthy, elderly Henrietta Winslow (Cecilia Loftus) gathers for an advance reading of her will. Believing Henrietta is near death, her nephew, Montague (Basil Rathbone), has brought along realtor Gil Smith (Broderick Crawford). Dismayed that the family anticipates her demise, Henrietta reads her will and stuns everyone by adding that no one can inherit until the estate guardian, Abigail (Gale Sondergaard), dies. When Henrietta is murdered, Abigail fears her own life is in danger.
44Gene Tierney, Randolph Scott, Dana AndrewsAfter the Civil War, Union troops catch Belle Shirley (Gene Tierney), a Southern belle, harboring the wanted Confederate guerrilla fighter Sam Starr (Randolph Scott). In retribution, Union major and old friend Thomas Crail (Dana Andrews) must follow orders by burning down their home and arresting Shirley's brother (John Shepperd). Incensed, Shirley springs Starr from jail and joins his rebels. But after marrying Starr, Shirley discovers the outlaw life is not what she thought it would be.
45Sonja Henie, John Payne, Glenn MillerAs a surefire way to receive good press, bandleader Phil Corey (Glenn Miller) and his ensemble decide to adopt a war refugee. When it turns out that their adoptee isn't a child, but a pretty Scandinavian woman named Karen Benson (Sonja Henie), it leads to a flirtatious relationship with the group's pianist, Ted Scott (John Payne), who is already involved with singer Vivian Dawn (Lynn Bari). As the band heads to snowy Idaho for a gig, romantic drama, skiing, ice skating and musical numbers ensue.
46W.C. Fields, Gloria Jean, Margaret DumontFilmmaker Bill Fields (W.C. Fields) and his lovely niece, Gloria (Gloria Jean), are determined to sell a script to a producer (Franklin Pangborn). As they read the story, it comes to life, and Bill and Gloria are traveling by airplane. They fall out of the plane and land in the mansion of a strange woman, Mrs. Hemogloben (Margaret Dumont) and her equally strange daughter, Ouilotta (Susan Miller). Battling his rival (Leon Errol) and a love-sick gorilla, Bill makes it back to civilization.
47Merle Oberon, Dennis Morgan, Rita HayworthTired of being ignored while her husband, Rick (Dennis Morgan), circles the globe -- and eyes the ladies -- as a war correspondent, Sue Marberry (Merle Oberon) obtains a quick and easy divorce. Rick returns to New York, hoping to win Sue back, which looks impossible since she has a new fiancé, Owen Wright (Ralph Bellamy). Undeterred, Rick pretends to date fellow scribe Irene Malcom (Rita Hayworth) so he can get Sue jealous and back into his arms. There's just one problem: Irene falls for Rick.
48Mel BlancAll This and Rabbit Stew is a one-reel animated cartoon short subject in the Merrie Melodies series, produced in Technicolor and released to theatres on September 20, 1941 by Warner Bros. and Vitaphone. It was produced by Leon Schlesinger and directed by an uncredited Tex Avery, with musical supervision by Carl W. Stalling The cartoon was the final Avery-directed Bugs Bunny short to be released. Although it was produced before The Heckling Hare, it was released afterwards. The title is a parody of that of All This and Heaven Too. Because the cartoon was released after Avery left Warner Bros., Avery's name does not appear in the credits. After copyright on All This and Rabbit Stew expired in 1969, the film fell into the public domain. The cartoon has been considered highly controversial due to racial stereotyping, which prompted United Artists to withhold this cartoon from syndication a year before it entered the public domain, making it one of the infamous Censored Eleven. The plot has Bugs Bunny hunted by a slow-witted African American hunter who sounds and looks like Stepin Fetchit.
49Charles Boyer, Olivia de Havilland, Paulette GoddardImpressionable teacher Emmy (Olivia de Havilland) is swept off her feet when she meets Georges (Charles Boyer) in a Mexican border town. Unaware that Georges is a gigolo looking for a woman who will unwittingly help him get a green card, Emmy marries him after only a few days. While carrying out the charade, Georges begins to fall for Emmy, angering his girlfriend, Anita (Paulette Goddard). As his scheme is jeopardized, Georges learns keeping Emmy may be more important than his green card.
50Edward Arnold, Walter Huston, James CraigFarmer Jabez Stone (James Craig), about to lose his land, agrees to sell his soul to the devil (Walter Huston), known as Mr. Scratch, who gives Jabez seven years to enjoy the fruits of his sale before he collects. Over that time, Jabez pays off his debts and helps many neighboring farmers, then becomes an advocate for the upstanding Sen. Daniel Webster (Edward Arnold). When Jabez's contract with Mr. Scratch concludes, he desperately turns to Webster to represent him in a trial for his soul.- #10 of 16 onThe Best 1940s Fantasy Movies, Ranked
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51Robert Taylor, Lana Turner, Edward ArnoldAfter Johnny Eager (Robert Taylor) is released from jail, the unreformed gangster fools his parole officer (Henry O'Neill) into believing his ways are changed. In actuality, Eager wants to return to racketeering by opening a dog-racing track, but the man who put him behind bars (Edward Arnold) is in the way. When that man's stepdaughter (Lana Turner) falls for Eager, the crook uses her as leverage to get what he wants. In this world of deceit, Jeff Hartnett (Van Heflin) is Eager's only friend.
52Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Rita HayworthBrash young Spanish peasant Juan Gallardo (Tyrone Power) aspires to follow his dead father's footsteps into the bullring, despite his mother's fears. Bidding his childhood sweetheart Carmen (Linda Darnell) farewell, Juan and his friends travel to Madrid to learn the bullfighting craft. Years later, when Juan's fame as a matador soars, he returns to Seville to marry Carmen. Soon, Juan's head is turned by the elegant temptress Doña Sol De Muira (Rita Hayworth), and his career takes a turn.
53Mary Beth Hughes, Sheila Ryan, Ethel GriffiesCharlie Chan in Rio is a 1941 film featuring the Asian detective Charlie Chan. It was the tenth film to feature Sidney Toler as the title character, who is called upon to investigate the death of a suspected murderer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
54Leslie Banks, Alastair Sim, John MillsIn 1941, 15-year-old Londoner Ronald Mittsby (George Cole) evacuates to a small Scottish village and is placed in the home of inventor John Barrington (Leslie Banks) and his eccentric wife. The nosy Ronald discovers that John is working on a secret weapon. With the arrival of wounded but ominous RAF pilot George Perry (John Mills), quirky boarder Charles Dimble (Alastair Sim) and John's distracted assistant, Ronald is certain that he has uncovered a dastardly spy plot.
55Jean Arthur, Bob Cummings, Charles CoburnJohn P. Merrick, the world's richest man, is annoyed to hear workers at one of his stores are trying to form a union. Getting a menial job, he's determined to root out the troublemakers, but soon finds their grievances are genuine through Miss Jones, Merrick's co-worker and O'Brien's girlfriend. Eventually, Merrick leads the fight for decent rights and also finds a girl of his own.
56Jack Mulhall, Reed Hadley, Kenne DuncanAdventures of Captain Marvel is a 1941 twelve-chapter Republic Pictures film serial directed by John English and William Witney, adapted from the popular Captain Marvel comic book character then appearing in Fawcett Comics publications such as Whiz Comics and Captain Marvel Adventures. It starred Tom Tyler in the title role of Captain Marvel and Frank Coghlan, Jr. as his alter ego, Billy Batson. This serial was the twenty-first of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic and their first comic book adaptation, not counting comic strips. The serial featured an adaptation of the Fawcett Comics superhero, placed within an original story. He fights a masked criminal mastermind called The Scorpion who is determined to gain control of a powerful ray weapon, which takes the form of a large metallic scorpion with removable lenses that must be aligned in order to activate the ray.
57Robert Young, Randolph Scott, Dean JaggerEngineer Edward Creighton (Dean Jagger) is part of a vast enterprise: stringing a telegraph line across America. When he has an accident in the field, Creighton is saved by bank robber Vance Shaw (Randolph Scott). Creighton later hires Shaw as a scout, despite his criminal past. As Western Union starts construction of the telegraph line through American Indian territory, Shaw's criminal past resurfaces when an old criminal cohort makes an appearance.
58Maureen O'Sullivan, Barry Fitzgerald, Johnny WeissmullerTarzan's Secret Treasure is a 1941 Tarzan film based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It is the fifth in the MGM Tarzan series to star Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan.
59Ida Lupino, Louis Hayward, Evelyn KeyesBased on the play by Reginald Denham and Edward Percy, this drama focuses on Ellen Creed (Ida Lupino), a housekeeper who looks after Leonora Fiske, a retired actress living in the English countryside. When Ellen's eccentric sisters (Edith Barrett, Elsa Lanchester) visit their sibling at Leonora's home, tensions soon lead to murder. Though the death is carefully covered up, will the murderess get away with her crime, or will she be brought to justice?
60Betty Grable, Victor Mature, Carole LandisGlamorous starlet Vicky Lynn (Carole Landis) is murdered, and the cops want to pin the killing on her manager, fast-talking Frankie Christopher (Victor Mature). But the more Vicky's sensible sister, Jill (Betty Grable), finds out about Frankie, the less she suspects him of the crime. As Jill and Frankie fall in love, the detective in charge of the case (Laird Cregar) develops a morbid obsession with punishing Frankie, leading to a shocking conclusion.
