The Golden Age of Hollywood is often credited for laying out the templates that modern movies are still using today. During this particular period, dozens of iconic movies were made, with many talented directors, writers, and actors indirectly giving masterclasses on how to bring fantasy and daily life to the big screen.
Many stories have been written about the Golden Age. Movies have been made too, but nowhere else have the tales been better told than in documentaries. Over the years, interviews, footage, and narrations have been combined to explore the era. But while the documentaries are numerous, a few stand out from the rest.
Scotty And The Secret History Of Hollywood (2017) - Stream On Vudu
Scotty And The Secret History Of Hollywood centers around the story of Scotty Bowers, who worked as a procurer in Hollywood at the height of the Golden Age, and spilled intimate secrets about the biggest stars of the era. The documentary is adapted from Bower's book, Full Service.
The documentary is distinctive because it isn't merely a sensationalistic exposé. The people mentioned aren't necessarily portrayed as brash wrongdoers either. Instead of taking a judgemental tone, the documentary focuses on storytelling and there's evidence to back up every little detail too.
Moguls And Movie Stars (2010) - Stream On Apple+
This Turner Classic Movies docies chronicles the growth of Hollywood from the early 20th century to the late '60s. It features relatives of the most influential studio heads, as well as historians.
What makes Moguls And Movie Stars brilliant is that it includes footage from almost every hit movie of the Golden Age. The story of almost every star in the era is granted a couple of minutes too, with the best tales being those of James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and Marylin Monroe. But what truly makes Moguls And Movie Stars a gem is the interview structure. Through the s by relatives, never-heard-before information comes out by the minute.
Tab Hunter Confidential (2015) - Stream On Vudu
Inspired by the similarly-titled autobiography, Tab Hunter Confidential concentrates on singer and actor, Tab Hunter, including his quick rise in Hollywood as well as his struggles with his sexuality.
Through Hunter's , viewers get to learn just how challenging it was to work with the no-nonsense studio heads of the time, like Jack Warner. The documentary also turns to somewhat of a love story at times, with Hunter reminiscing about his relationships with Pyscho star Anthony Perkins and Ronnie Robertson. This documentary perfectly highlights some of the challenges LGBTQ+ stars faced in the Golden Age.
Dial H For Hitchcock (1999) - Stream On Hulu
Dial H For Hitchock shines the spotlight on one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, Alfred Hitchcock. Surviving colleagues, collaborators, and directors recount what it was like to work with the man.
Hitchcock's peak years (1930-1965) fell right at the height of the Golden Age of Hollywood and Dial H For Hitchock perfectly describes how he managed to be so prolific. What's guaranteed to satisfy fans of the director is the huge amount of behind-the-scenes footage from some of Alfred Hitchcock's best movies. Everything is covered in such depth that, by the end, there are no more questions to ask about the director.
The Making Of A Legend: Gone With The Wind (1988) - Stream On Amazon Prime
This David Hinton film outlines the challenges and triumphs of making one of Gone With The Wind. The events here mostly focus on producer David O. Selznick.
The brilliance of The Making Of A Legend lies in how it explores many "What if?" scenarios. Analysts discuss how the movie would have turned out if some of the actors that were considered for roles had actually been cast. It isn't a celebration of a job well done but a perfect narration of how chaotic the whole process was.
Girl 27 (2007) - Stream On Vudu
Patricia Douglas, an extra working for a major studio in the ’30s, was more than thrilled when she and other girls were summoned to a casting call. However, it turned out to be a party for studio executives, during which she was raped. She then brought the crime to court.
With the talented David Stenn as the director, Girl 27 almost feels like a feature film. A perfect #MeToo vehicle, the documentary shows just how difficult it was (and still is) for women trying to make it in Hollywood. And it doesn't just stop with Patricia Douglas. The tragic stories of Eloise Spann and Loretta Young are examined too, and through them, viewers get to learn just how flawed the justice system can be.
Hollywood: A Celebration Of The American Silent Film (1980) - Stream On Amazon Prime
Historian Kevin Brownlow takes a look into some of the biggest silent films and the people that brought them to life in this docies. The show features interviews with surviving stars, stuntmen, writers, and studio employees.
This docies is wildly entertaining, but it also feels like one long but intriguing lecture on the making of old movies. Nothing is rushed, whether it's the narration of Rudolph Valentino and Chaplin's lives or the explanation of how dangerous it was to pull off slapstick stunts. The comical moments come in plenty too.
The Battle Over Citizen Kane (1996) - Stream On MUBI
The Oscar-nominated project explores the bitter rivalry between influential newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and Citizen Kane director Orson Welles. Hearst felt the movie indirectly portrayed him in a bad light, hence he tried to sabotage the production and release process.
What The Battle Over Citizen Kane does best is to emphasize the fact that success stories are always irable but the work done to get there is always painful and frustrating. Additionally, the more commonly known behind-the-scenes facts about Citizen Kane are ignored for fresher and more fascinating information.
Charlie: The Life And Art Of Charles Chaplin (2003) - Stream On MUBI
The biographical documentary by Richard Schickel takes viewers through the personal and professional life of renowned actor, Charlie Chaplin. It's one of the few documentaries to have a special premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
The fact that Chaplin was a big deal is underscored again and again throughout Charlie. Even stars who didn't personally know him, such as Martin Scorsese and Johnny Depp, are given the chance to explain how much they adored the comedian. The film is also boosted by insight from Chaplin's children, as well as his biographers.
Showbiz Goes To War (1982) - Stream On Amazon Prime
The 90-minute film dives into Hollywood during World War II. The fast-paced narration points out how everyone managed to maneuver or take advantage of the challenges set by the global conflict.
Viewers will enjoy the exclusive clips from '40s hit movies, as well as the newsreel footage. Showbiz Goes To War tries hard to be entertaining and it manages to do just that by diving into conspiracy theory territory, at times. For instance, there are suggestions that some of the Golden Age movies and actors influenced certain outcomes of the war. But even though some tales aren't believable, they are still entertaining.
