Was there a "classic period" to non-US film?

I think British films lagged behind American films in development. British films of the 30s mostly appear a bit amateurish compared to American films. Contrast for example the Fred Astaire musicals with the Jack Buchanan musicals made in Britain. Jack Buchanan was a huge star of stage musicals here, but his films now appear very creaky compared to the films of Fred Astaire(I would like to see Brewster’s Millions again though).  I think we were catching up in the 40s when British films begin to seem more polished.  As far as restriction go, there was a British board of Film Censors who gave films their certificates.  I expect there were similar restrictions to the ones imposed on American films.