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And we finally reach the conclusion of the 1937 race for Best Picture. It's been a long road (the longest since I started this project) but quite a satisfying one. Lots to admire with this pack, but my favourite was relatively easy to single out.
The nominees for Best Picture of 1937 are:
- The Awful Truth
- Captains Courageous
- Dead End
- The Good Earth
- In Old Chicago
- The Life of Emile Zola
- Lost Horizon
- One Hundred Men and a Girl
- Stage Door
- A Star Is Born
I managed to discover something inspiring in each of these ten nominees, but for some, the inspiration was limited to a few scenes. The Good Earth is clearly at the bottom of the pack for me. Heavily superficial, even the engaging riot scene doesn't redeem it. Similarly, Dead End contained one gripping sequence, but otherwise, it pales in comparison to greater film noir stories.
The rest of the nominees utterly deserve their place on this prestigious list, featuring some truly engrossing or entertaining (or both) cinematic elements. Stage Door's lightning comic style is particularly captivating, even though it feels a little samey. Lost Horizon and Captains Courageous have very compelling beginnings. In Old Chicago and A Star Is Born have very compelling endings. And the Awful Truth nails the screwball comedy genre.
Nearly taking my top spot, One Hundred Men and a Girl was a thoroughly beguiling piece of light-hearted entertainment. But ahead of it, in my estimation, is the consistently engaging The Life of Emile Zola. Not without its flaws, its depth and emotion were enough to sway the Academy to give it their seal of approval, and likewise, I am naming it my favourite Best Picture nominee from 1937.
Best Picture of 1937 | |
Academy's choice: The Life of Emile Zola ![]() | Matt's choice: The Life of Emile Zola ![]() |
Your choice:
Vote for your own favourite with the poll above. Selecting the next Best Picture race for Matt vs. the Academy has required a touch of controversy. After my call earlier this week to resolve the tie that had emerged between 1970 and 1975, a few more votes trickled in. Unfortunately, both years picked up an extra vote and so the tie prevails. Hence, I will make the executive decision to go with the year that my beautiful wife voted for.
And the nominees for Best Picture of 1975 are:
- Barry Lyndon
- Dog Day Afternoon
- Nashville
- Jaws
- One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
Once again, an impressive collection of cinema to look forward to over the next couple of weeks.