9. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

Director: Robert Z. Leonard

Starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy, Luise Rainer

Other Oscar Wins: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Luise Rainer), Best Dance Direction

Other Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Best Writing, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing

Favourite Line: "I've got to have more steps. I need more steps. I've got to get higher. Higher."

A scene from The Great Ziegfeld.

The Great Ziegfeld is an absolutely visually stunning film about the life of Florenz Ziegfeld Jr, and his relationships with his first wife, Anna Held, and his second wife, Billie Burke.

First and foremost, The Great Ziegfeld is absolutely gorgeous. The costumes, designed by Adrian, are absolutely fabulous, and the art direction by Cedric Gibbons and Eddie Imazu is definitely deserving of it's Oscar nomination. The "A Pretty Girl is like a Melody" scene (pictured here), which is definitely the most extravagant scene in an already very extravagant movie, was actually shot in one continuous take, and it took weeks to rehearse and months to build. The scene includes 180 performers, 4300 yards of rayon silk for the curtains alone, and it cost $220,000.

Art by Olly Moss

The acting in the film is also superb from all the leads. William Powell is wonderful as Ziegfeld, and is so genuine and endearing in his role that you can't help but feel for him throughout the film. Luise Rainer as Anna Held certainly deserved her Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. It is impossible to take your eyes off her whenever she is on screen. 

 A few interesting facts about The Great Ziegfeld. The real Billie Burke was quite involved in the writing of the screenplay. She took special care to make sure that the writers never besmirched the name of Ziegfeld. Despite her interest in the writing, it is said that she didn't care too much for the film in the long run. I also found it interesting that Myrna Loy, who portrays Billie Burke in the film, is given second billing, even though she does not appear on screen until 2 hours and 15 minutes into the film.

Overall, The Great Ziegfeld is a beautiful movie and is certainly a film worth watching.

8. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

Director: Frank Lloyd

Starring: Charles Laughton, Clark Gable, Franchot Tone

Other Oscar Wins: N/A

Other Oscar Nominations: Best Actor in a Leading Role (Clark Gable), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Charles Laughton),  Best Actor in a Leading Role (Franchot Tone), Best Director, Best Writing, Best Film Editing, Best Score

Favourite Line: "I'll live to see you - all of you - hanging from the highest yardarm in the British fleet!"

Clark Gable and Charles Laughton in Mutiny on the Bounty.

 Frank Lloyd's Mutiny on the Bounty is an extravagant epic of the high seas, where it's cruel and selfish captain is cast ashore with some of his loyal crew. He vows to see the mutineers hung, and against all odds, reaches shore, and sees his vow fulfilled.

Although Mutiny on the Bounty is quite visually impressive and has quite an astounding scale, which makes the film worthy of it's acclaim, I find it a very difficult film to sit through. It is very long, and perhaps this is just my personal preference, but I don't find it very interesting.

Art by Olly Moss

All three lead actors very much deserved their Best Actor nominations, as they all did incredible jobs of their roles, and the set and costumes are all beautiful. The ship itself is very impressive, and all this should make for a great film, but I found myself getting very bored throughout. 

A couple interesting facts about Mutiny on the Bounty. Clark Gable was required to shave off his signature moustache in order to preserve the historical accuracy of the film. During the time that the film takes place, moustaches were not allowed in the Royal Navy. My second interesting fact is that Charles Laughton, playing the cruel captain of the Bounty, was sea-sick for a lot of the filming, despite playing such a skilled seaman. 

Overall, Mutiny on the Bounty is a very impressive film, but not one I personally found very interesting.