22 Films from the 1932 Academy Awards
22 titles
- 1
Whoopee!Movie · 1930 · 93mIn the Old West, Sheriff Bob Wells is about to marry Sally Morgan, but her relationship with part-Indian Wanenis creates trouble. Sally runs off with the fussy Henry Williams, who believes he's just offering her a ride. However, she left a note saying they've eloped! A pursuit ensues, led by a heartbroken Bob, Henry's nurse Mary (who has been trying to seduce him), and a group of others.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.4 - 2
Min and BillMovie · 1930 · 66mMin runs a hotel by the docks and faces tough choices regarding Nancy, the young woman she raised since she was a baby.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.1 - 3
SkippyMovie · 1931 · 85mSkippy, the privileged son of a doctor, encounters Sooky in the impoverished Shantytown. They team up to rescue Sooky's pet from a harsh dogcatcher.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.1 - 4
Trader HornMovie · 1931 · 122mDuring a safari in a remote part of Africa, Trader Horn and Peru discover missionary Edith Trent has been murdered by local people. They resolve to continue her search for her missing daughter, Nina. They locate Nina living as the queen of a fierce tribe and attempt to persuade her to return to the world she was born into.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.3 - 5
The Doorway to HellMovie · 1930 · 78mA ruthless crime boss, weary of his life, unexpectedly hands over his empire to his trusted second-in-command. He plans a peaceful retirement in Florida with his girlfriend, but is unaware that she and his protégé are having an affair.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 6
The Royal Family of BroadwayMovie · 1930 · 82mJulie Cavendish comes from a family with a strong Broadway legacy. Her mother, Fanny, remains dedicated to acting. Her brother, Tony, is avoiding a legal issue in Hollywood. Julie's daughter, Gwen, is at a crossroads: pursue a career on stage or choose a traditional life. Julie is contemplating retirement and marriage when her former love, Gilmore Marshall, a wealthy South American businessman, unexpectedly appears.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.7 - 7
MoroccoMovie · 1930 · 92m · Drama, RomanceIn the North African city of Mogador, a group of Foreign Legion soldiers arrive seeking escape. Among them is Amy Jolly, a singer building a reputation at Lo Tinto's cabaret after leaving Paris. Tom Brown, a legionnaire known for his easygoing nature, is drawn to Amy's performance one night.
They develop an unexpected connection, exploring a fragile romance. However, outside forces threaten their bond as potential suitors emerge. Just as they begin to find something real, Tom receives orders for a dangerous mission that could change everything.
The story examines love, loss, and finding peace while confronting the past in a foreign land. The film's vivid setting, atmosphere, and performances offer a poignant look at two people searching for solace amidst life's turmoil.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.3 - 8
Tabu: A Story of the South SeasMovie · 1931 · 86m · Romance, Drama, AdventureIn Bora Bora, a young woman falls in love with a newcomer to the island. Their romance is complicated when the island's chief declares her a sacred virgin, destined only for their god. The couple struggles to reconcile their love with their culture's traditions, trying to find a way to honor both their beliefs and their commitment to each other.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 9
The Public EnemyMovie · 1931 · 84m · Crime, DramaSet in 1920s Chicago, this crime drama follows Tom Powers and Matt Doyle as they rise through the city's criminal ranks, starting with petty theft and bootlegging. Their growing wealth and reputation draw the attention of both rival gangs and the police.
Tom struggles to reconcile his family loyalty with his increasing involvement in crime, becoming caught in a dangerous cycle of violence and betrayal. Pressured by gangs, the police, and his own conscience, he faces a breaking point where his loyalties are tested and lives are at stake. The film explores the dark appeal of crime and the devastating consequences of a life of violence, as one man fights to hold onto his humanity amidst the chaos.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.2 - 10
Just ImagineMovie · 1930 · 113mIn 1980 New York, life is drastically different: air travel is the norm, people are identified by numbers, pills are the primary food source, and arranged marriages are standard. Scientists revive a man from 1930 and call him "Single O." He befriends J-21, who is prevented from marrying his beloved due to lack of social standing. Opportunity arrives when J-21 is selected for a four-month Mars expedition by a rogue scientist. Joining him are J-21, Single O, and a group of scantily clad women who perform Busby Berkeley-style dances while worshipping a portly middle-aged man.IMDb 5.3TMDB 5.8 - 11
HolidayMovie · 1930 · 91mA young man struggles to reconcile his independent way of life with the expectations of his fiancée's privileged family, deeply rooted in tradition.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.1 - 12
The Dawn PatrolMovie · 1938 · 103m · Action, Drama, WarDuring World War I in 1915 France, this drama follows Major Brand and his 39th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps as they navigate dangerous skies. Their damaged planes and high casualty rate present constant challenges, but Major Brand's requests for better equipment are ignored by his superiors. He also clashes with the skilled but insubordinate Captain Courtney.
As they face life-threatening battles, both men discover the meaning of leadership while grappling with personal difficulties. The film portrays courage, teamwork, and sacrifice with characteristic British resilience during a devastating historical conflict.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 13
A Free SoulMovie · 1931 · 93m · Drama, RomanceThis drama follows a successful lawyer battling personal struggles as he defends a well-known gambler accused of murder. His life becomes more complicated when his daughter begins a relationship with the defendant.
The film explores themes of responsibility, love, and self-discovery as the lawyer grapples with these new challenges. It examines how relationships can reveal our inner conflicts, potentially leading to growth or difficult outcomes. With its complex characters and story, the movie is a sensitive look at human nature and the search for redemption.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.0 - 14
SvengaliMovie · 1931 · 81m · Drama, Horror, RomanceA composer in Paris finds inspiration in a beautiful aspiring model, becoming increasingly obsessed with her. He uses hypnotism to transform her into his muse and then his wife. The film explores the blurred lines between art and manipulation, examining themes of control, love, and creativity. The composer's reliance on suggestion reveals complexities within their relationship and raises questions about the nature of inspiration.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.1 - 15
CimarronMovie · 1931 · 123m · Western, DramaWhen Oklahoma opens for settlement, Yancey Cravat takes the chance to build a new life for his family in Wichita. He quickly becomes a prominent figure in the booming town of Osage, leveraging his experience in journalism and law.
But restless by nature, Yancey soon feels stifled by the town's growth and seeks adventure in the uncharted Cherokee Strip, leaving his wife Sabra and children behind. This separation empowers Sabra to become independent and respected within the community.
This story follows Yancey and Sabra as they pursue their own ambitions during the expansion of the American West, exploring themes of ambition, self-discovery, and strength. It’s a tale of how they navigate their individual desires while holding onto the bonds that tie them together.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.6 - 16
Smart MoneyMovie · 1931 · 81mTwo brothers travel to the city for some gambling, but their trip takes an unexpected and significant turn.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.9 - 17
The Right to LoveMovie · 1930 · 79mA mother and daughter's relationship fractures when the daughter discovers her mother had a relationship outside of marriage. This revelation leads to a painful estrangement between them.IMDb 5.2TMDB 5.3 - 18
East LynneMovie · 1931 · 102mLady Isabel Carlisle, having left her family and faced years of difficulty, discovers her son is ill. Despite suffering near blindness from an explosion, she returns home to be with him.IMDb 5.7TMDB 6.2 - 19
LaughterMovie · 1930 · 85mPeggy, a star at the Ziegfeld Follies, marries the wealthy C. Morton Gibson. She quickly finds their life together dull and resists the advances of her close friend, sculptor Ralph Le Saint. Pianist Paul Lockridge arrives from Paris and urges Peggy to elope with him to France for excitement and passion. However, her plans are complicated by the arrival of Gibson's beautiful daughter.IMDb 6.1TMDB 4.7 - 20
Little CaesarMovie · 1931 · 79m · Drama, Crime, ActionThis crime thriller charts the rapid ascent of a driven but ruthless small-time criminal. He uses his intelligence and skill with a gun to climb the ranks of organized crime, facing increasingly formidable rivals. The film examines power, loyalty, and the relentless drive for personal gain within a dangerous world where trust is rare and violence is constant. Ultimately, it asks whether this antihero can maintain his position at the top or if he will be consumed by the consequences of his choices.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 21
The Front PageMovie · 1931 · 101m · Comedy, Crime, DramaHildy Johnson, an experienced investigative reporter, seeks a significant story to advance her career. When a convicted murderer escapes, Hildy sees a chance to expose possible errors in the justice system and build her reputation. Following the fugitive's path, she uncovers evidence suggesting he may be innocent. With her editor's backing, Hildy plays a dangerous game to protect the convict, investigate the case's hidden conspiracy, and publish a major exposé that could change public perception. This suspenseful story combines journalistic drive, legal complexities, and a desperate search for truth as she races against time.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 22
The Criminal CodeMovie · 1931 · 97mFollowing a drunken defense of his girlfriend that results in a murder, young Robert Graham is convicted and given a ten-year prison sentence by ambitious prosecutor Mark Brady. Six years later, Brady becomes the prison warden and offers Robert a job as his chauffeur. Robert makes progress in reforming his life, but on the night before his scheduled release, his cellmate pulls him back into a violent lifestyle, forcing him to make a tough decision with potentially serious consequences.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.0
