World War II, which began in 1939, was omnipresent in the films of the 40s. Despite shortages and ongoing rationing, Hollywood and its European counterparts released hundreds of films during the war, with the U.S., German, and British governments in particular using them for propaganda. Inspired by the widespread suffering caused by the War, the 1940s witnessed the advent of the film noir and neo- realism genres, which both spotlighted the dirty and seedy underbellies of society. Films were no longer just a means of escape, they were a reflection of reality. Top movie makers in this list include: directors Howard Hawks, John Huston, Michael Powell, Alfred Hitchcock, Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio de Sica & Walt Disney; actors Orson Welles, Bing Crosby, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart & Jimmy Stewart; and actresses Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman & Judy Garland.
How many of these perennial favorites have you seen?
