Disraeli (1929)

Not bad. Solid performances, solid script. Just too dry and slow by today's standards. Not a full biopic. Just focuses on Disraeli's attempt to  purchase the Suez Canal in 1875. 

6 to go...

Test Pilot (1938)

 

Clark Gable is a womanizing test pilot who has to make an emergency landing on a Kansas farm. In less than 36 hours, he's married to the farmer's daughter who somehow hates that he's always risking his life in the air. There are some good one-liners and the plane scenes are very impressive for the 1930s, but aside from that it's borderline unwatchable. I thought it was winding down then suddenly realized it was only halfway over. Can't recommend it.

7 to go...

Naughty Marietta (1935)

Pretty cookie-cutter, but it probably felt more original 90 years ago. A French princess (fictional) during the reign of Louis XV boards a ship to New Orleans to avoid an arranged marriage. She falls for one of the frontiersmen who saves her after the ship is captured by pirates on the way over. One solid joke at the end, but hard to recommend overall.

8 to go...

One Foot in Heaven (1941)

 

Such a bizarre choice for a story. Nothing happens. It's the story of a pastor - nothing remarkable, just a pastor. The end. No idea why anyone would feel the need to make this movie.

9 to go...

Flirtation Walk (1934)

 

An irreverent private army stationed in Hawaii falls for the visiting commanding officer's daughter. She rebuffs him so that he won't desert. He then applies to West Point to turn his life and career around (and to put thoughts of the girl behind him). They meet again at his graduation four years later.

It's fine. Pretty standard '30s rom com, dated, but with some funny moments.

10 to go...

One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937)

 

This movie was surprisingly delightful. The lead girl could be a bit much, but I was smiling from beginning to end. Great use of misunderstandings for both humor and to advance the plot.

The daughter of a struggling musician runs around town trying to create a new orchestra from all the unemployed musicians her father knows.

11 to go...

The House of Rothschild (1934)

 

I haven't done a deep dive into the history yet, but the bullet points seem to be correct. This is the story of the beginnings of the Rothschild banking family and how they helped fund the war against Napoleon all while dealing directly with an anti-Semitic Europe.

I was surprised how engaging and quick paced it was. This probably ranks pretty highly among all the movies from the 1930s for me.

12 to go...