1939 has often been called the greatest year in film history. So many landmark films were made/released that year: Here is a listing of the Creme de la Creme:

Gone with the Wind
Wuthering Heights
Gullivers Travels
The Women
Ninotchka
Of Mice and Men
The Wizard of Oz
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
A Little Princess
Gunga Din
Intermezzo
Idiot's Delight
The Rules of the Game
Stagecoach
Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Theatrical cartoons:

"Daffy Duck & The Dinosaur, a PD favorite
"Piece on Earth", won a Nobel Peace prize
"The Autograph Hound", Donald Duck cartoon

Theatrical cartoons:

"Daffy Duck & The Dinosaur, a PD favorite
"Piece on Earth", won a Nobel Peace prize
"The Autograph Hound", Donald Duck cartoon





You're right, lots of fantastic toons that year, as well.  ;) Clever name you've got there  ;D

I was gonig to say Snow White, but then I did a little check and found out it was actually released in 1937. So it may well have been the first of the well-known colour films either live action or animated.

1939 has often been called the greatest year in film history. So many landmark films were made/released that year: Here is a listing of the Creme de la Creme:

Gone with the Wind
Wuthering Heights
Gullivers Travels
The Women
Ninotchka
Of Mice and Men
The Wizard of Oz
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
A Little Princess
Gunga Din
Intermezzo
Idiot's Delight
The Rules of the Game
Stagecoach
Goodbye, Mr. Chips


It was an incredible year for film. For a favorite out of what's listed I think I'll go with "Stagecoach".  :)

I agree - it definately was a watershed year. There are a few in that list I still need to see - thanks for reminding me as I will try and watch them soon.

1939 was also one of the final great years before the advent of television.

The only years that come close would be 1972, 1994, 1999 and 2001.

Does anyone feel that in some ways, cinema actually regressed from the golden period of 1937-1939 once WWII began? Even before Pearl Harbour, it seemed that everyone was too busy fighting to have time to watch films from Hollywood. For instance, there were comparatively few colour films in 1940-1941, and the top films like 'Citizen Kane' and 'Casablanca' were relatively low-key, B&W affairs. In terms of sheer scale, nothing equalled Gone With The Wind until maybe the 1950s and the Age of the Epic.

Found a cool blog: Cartoons of 1939


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GJ4GvNsomrU/RiQ0pYeDGvI/AAAAAAAAAec/teFIGAnsdQw/s320/JRCountScrewloose.jpghttp://lantz.goldenagecartoons.com/1930s/lifebegins01.jpg
The Academy Award winning animated short for 1939 is Disney's Silly Symphony  "Ugly Duckling"
http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/590280-uglyduckling1939_large.jpg
And only one from that year was ranked on the 50 greatest list, ranked in 1994: "Peace On Earth" (MGM), which was stated to been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize


Fleischer: (public domain)
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/popeyestill1.jpg
"Customers Wanted" (Popeye)
"Aladdin & His Wonderful Lamp" (Popeye)
"The Scared Crows"    (Betty Boop)
"Musical Mountaineers" (Betty Boop)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6TDWVNi5X4
"Small Fry"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFvFnN1Kc1Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlvh_BGQfgA
(starring Hunky & Spunky)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCx9NZ6Hegk
"Gulliver's Travels" (feature film)
http://atlas.kennesaw.edu/~dhirschl/boop/caps/so_does_an_automobile.jpg
Warner Bros:
http://reviews.goldenagecartoons.com/2007/ltgc5-02/disc4-polarpals.jpg
(public domain shorts from YouTube & Archive.org/cartoons from AOL's Slashcontrol Kids WB channel)
"A Day At The Zoo" (Egghead...aka Proto-Elmer Fudd)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-7CkuKmz_A
"Prest-O Change-O" (Proto-Bugs)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mtx_mOnogk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W24ErpYl6FY
"Gold Rush Daze
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJKnfMKkVQ
"Porky & Teabiscuit"
"The Film Fan" (Porky Pig)
"Polar Pals" (Porky Pig)
"Old Glory" (Porky Pig)
http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/uploaded_images/PrestoChangeoMagic-713876.jpghttp://frederatorblogs.com/refrederator/files/2008/04/hamateur-night-2.jpg
http://www.cartoonscrapbook.com/03pics/disney49.jpg

Can't really decide what year was the best for animated shorts and it varies from studios that produced the cartoons...

1939... pretty much hit or miss in terms of theatrical animation since many studios were still trying to emulate Disney and haven't exactly evolved. Not saying that all cartoons were bad or anything.

MGM also had yet to establish itself it's a few years before Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera created Tom & Jerry in 1940 and  Tex Avery joining the studio in 1941. In the 1930's they had "Happy Harmonies" shorts, but no breakout character. "Calico Dragon",  "The Old Mill Pond" & "Peace On Earth" were nominated for an Oscar, but were beaten out by Disney. Though MGM would win in 1940 for "The Milky Way"...though the debut Tom & Jerry short "Puss Gets The Boot" was also nominated.

Nothing against Disney since I enjoy several Donald Duck & Mickey Mouse shorts, but most of their Silly Symphonies are boring and doesn't have much entertaiment value despite of it's great/innovative animation  (ie use of multiplane camera in "The Old Mill"). Though several are good like "Three Little Pigs" & "Woodland Cafe".

Fleischer... Most animation buffs tend to prefer early Betty Boop cartoons since the character was toned down when the Hays Code was in effect.  They were already well established with Betty Boop, Popeye, and it's rubber hose style animation in the 1930's. The studio was taken over  by Paramount and  renamed  'Famous Studio's in  1942.