1939 in film

Events

Movie historians and film buffs often look back on the year 1939 as "the greatest year in film history." Hollywood was at the height of its Golden Age, and this particular year saw the release of an unusually large number of exceptional movies, many of which have been honored as memorable classics when multitudes of other films of the era have been largely forgotten.

Top Grossing Films of the Year

1. Gone with the Wind, starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh
2. The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley[?] and Bert Lahr[?]
3. Ninotchka, starring Greta Garbo, Melvyn Douglas, Ina Claire[?] and Bela Lugosi
4. The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle[?]

Births

• January 10 - Sal Mineo, actor (+ 1976)

Deaths

Other Movies Released

• Destry Rides Again
• Dodge City
• Mr. Smith Goes to Washington starring James Stewart
• Of Mice and Men
• Wuthering Heights, starring Laurence Olivier, David Niven and Flora Robson
• Stagecoach, directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne, Claire Trevor[?], Berton Churchill