What is special about films from 1930's....

I've watched quite a few 30's films over the last 12 months in my quest to check out all the Oscar nominated films. I started at the beginning working my way through the late 20's into the 30's and so far i've seen 189 films in the 30's and more from the 40's.

There are definitely some really good films from that decade but for me a lower percentage than films of today. There were far more musicals back then which aren't for me and most seem to incorporate marriage as a topic in to the story line.

Here is what i enjoyed:
1930
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Criminal Code
The Dawn Patrol
Hell's Angels
1931
The Champ
City Lights
1932
Grand Hotel
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
The Sign of the Cross
1933
Lady for a Day
The Private Life of Henry VIII.
1934
Imitation of Life
Manhattan Melodrama
1935
Bride of Frankenstein
Captain Blood
Les Misérables
The Lives of a Bengal Lancer
Mutiny on the Bounty
Ruggles of Red Gap
1936
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Dodsworth
Modern Times
My Man Godfrey
1937
Captains Courageous
Dead End
The Good Earth
One Hundred Men and a Girl
The Life of Emile Zola
1938
Of Human Hearts
Block-Heads
Bringing Up Baby
The Citadel
Holiday
Marie Antoinette
Pygmalion
1939
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Of Mice and Men
Drums Along the Mohawk
The Four Feathers
Gone With the Wind
Only Angels Have Wings