Irving Thalberg

Cavalcade of the Academy Awards

Carey Wilson, Janet Gaynor

This 1940 presentation features highlights of earlier (1928 onward) Oscar ceremonies including Shirley Temple and Walt Disney, plus acceptance speeches for films released in 1939 with recipients and presenters including Vivien Leigh, Judy Garland, Hattie McDaniel, Fay Bainter, Mickey Rooney, Thomas Mitchell, Sinclair Lewis, and more, with host Bob Hope.

Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces

Kevin Brownlow

Kenneth Branagh, Forrest J. Ackerman

Lon Chaney, the silent movie star and makeup artist, renowned for his various characterizations and celebrated for his horror films, becomes the subject of this documentary.

Greta Garbo: The Temptress and the Clown

Dan Säll

Greta Garbo, Bibi Andersson

Two part biography of Greta Garbo - 1. The Temptress 2. The Clown. Reminiscences of her early life in Stockholm, with excerpts from her films. Narrated by Bibi Andersson.

Complicated Women

Hugh Munro Neely

Jane Fonda, Frances Dee

Looks at the stereotype-breaking films of the period from 1929, when movies entered the sound era, until 1934 when the Hays Code virtually neutered film content. No longer portrayed as virgins or vamps, the liberated female of the pre-code films had dimensions. Good girls had lovers and babies and held down jobs, while the bad girls were cast in a sympathetic light. And they did it all without apology.

Frank Capra's American Dream

Kenneth Bowser

Ron Howard, Robert Altman

A documentary looking at the life and career of film director Frank Capra. Hosted by Ron Howard.

So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM

Christopher Bird, Kevin Brownlow

James Karen, Buster Keaton

A Turner Classic Movies (TCM) documentary about Keaton's discontented relationship with MGM and the events that eventually led to his career downfall.

1925 Studio Tour

Carey Wilson, Howard Hawks

A tour of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio in 1925 shows the people who make the movies there, and gives viewers a glimpse at how movies are made.

Hollywood: The Dream Factory

Dick Cavett, Bud Abbott

A documentary about the glorious history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and its decline leading to the sale of its back lot and props. By extension this provides a general history of Hollywood's Golden Age and the legendary studio system.