The world of 1939 was falling into turmoil. Europe was inching closer toward—and, on September 1, finally commenced—World War II.  Americans were looking for distractions. They wanted to escape, and Hollywood was working over time churning out movies to help in that regard, films that would go down in history as some of cinema’s most enduing classics. It’s hard to think of any other year that saw so many masterpieces released: Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Of Mice and Men, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stagecoach, Dark Victory, Wuthering Heights, Son of Frankenstein, and on and on.

Catch “Reel Music – Hollywood’s Greatest Year: 1939,” Friday night, August 28, at 9:00pm. We’ll sample scores from some of these great classics. In the meantime, enjoy trailers from a few movies that made 1939 Hollywood’s greatest year.

Gone With the Wind

The Wizard of Oz

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Stagecoach

Dark Victory

Son of Frankenstein