Ollies decades: the '40s

So I've decided that over the coming months I'm going to post my 5 favourite films from each decade. How fun. I'm a lover of films no matter how old or new they are so I'm starting with the 40's - the decade in which cinema really became a major art form. Here are my favourite five films from the 40's - please take note that this decade is the decade I've watched the least amount of films from so I'm in no way saying these are THE best films of the '40s, just some of my favourites that I've seen.

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

A poor and distant relative of a Duke attempts to murder all those in line the line of succession to the title. This bizarre dark comedy drama should be the definition of dramatic irony and it's way ahead of its time and if this was re-released in colour it would be up to today's standards. Extremely clever yet not too serious, this is 40's film making at its best.


Bicycle Thieves (1949)

This neorealist Italian post war film tells the simple and bleak story of a man searching for a bicycle that is vital for his job. This left me speechless, I was so surprised that such a simple film could leave such an impact.


A Chump at Oxford (1940)

A fine Laurel and Hardy film and probably their last great film as the standard of their films decreased as the 40's began and they moved from Hal Roach to 20th Century Fox. Stan and Ollie both foil a bank robbery and are sent to Oxford University as payment - however their peers meet them with resentment. Another disturbing film from the duo, up there with Oliver the Eighth where Ollie faces death if he falls asleep and The Live Ghost when a mans head is twisted round by a sailor. Not their best film, but extremely good and the best of their '40's films.

Bambi (1942)

One of my favourite classic Disney films follows the story of an orphaned deer growing up in a forest with his friends after his mother is shot dead. This film always scared me as a child - perhaps the darkest and scariest childrens film ever made - and this teaches children a lot about life and death. It's so cute, Thumper is one of the cutest Disney characters and the end is extremely heartwarming. All the good things in a Disney film are in this one, most importantly it has heart.

Rope (1948)

Very different to the previous 3 films discussed, Rope is an intense real time and one shot thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock inspired by the murder of a 14 year old boy by a gay couple. Starring James Stewart,  I reviewed this film the other month in my Hitchcock post and it tolled third in my top 10 Hitchcock films.