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

I get what you mean about these movies seeming superficial and overwrought. Movies were still a new medium at that time and movies, in general, reflect what is going on in society and aim for what the public wants. Of course, the 1930s was the Great Depression (especially the 1st half) and so the audience got musicals and screwball comedies. Also, a lot of those movies seem to be inhabited by characters who are very wealthy and live in luxurious comfort.

I never much thought about it before, but those Busby Berkeley musicals with their dazzling choreography would be another example of giving something to the audience. And I've never seen one.

Also, coming right off the silent movies from the 20s, it was a big transition. Those 20s films they had to act with their faces and with gesturing, so compared to now, this type of acting seems way over the top. But this is also the exact reason why there were real STARS back then. They were larger than life and nothing about them was based in reality. Even if the 30s is not my own favorite decade for movies (that would be the super exciting 70s), I can appreciate the magic and wonder those 30s audiences must have experienced.

Have you seen "Sunset Boulevard", Toasty? I would think Norma Desmond captures the soul of that bygone period, the 1920s mostly. What a ghoulishly entertaining film!

My favorite time span for great movies would be 1968-1986.

And the last 30s movie I saw was "Sadie McKee" and I enjoyed it very much. I know you don't like Joan Crawford, but it was 1934 and Joan's balls hadn't dropped, yet. (She had about 15 years to go for that.) She was actually very sweet and appealing and lovely here. Also, one of the sweetest songs I think I've ever heard was written especially for this movie. "All I Do is Dream of You". It's so sweet and humble and heartfelt that I teared up the first time I heard it.

Great topic!