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1940s Biographical Movies

Public list by WPS with 65 movies or TV shows/series

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62 movies found (page 1/3):

Sergeant York(1941)

FSK: 12+ years
| 2h 14min | History, Romance / Love, War
3.7/5 (with 82 votes)

Alvin York a hillbilly sharpshooter transforms himself from ruffian to religious pacifist. He is then called to serve his country and despite deep religious and moral objections to fighting becomes one of the most celebrated American heroes of WWI.

They Died with Their Boots On(1941)

FSK: 16+ years
| 2h 20min | Drama, Romance / Love, War, Western
3.3/5 (with 50 votes)

The story follows General George Armstrong Custer's adventures from his West Point days to his death. He defies orders during the Civil War, trains the 7th Cavalry, appeases Chief Crazy Horse and later engages in bloody battle with the Sioux nation.

Night and Day(1946)

2h 8min | Drama, Music
2.8/5 (with 12 votes)

Swellegant and elegant. Delux and delovely. Cole Porter was the most sophisticated name in 20th-century songwriting. And to play him on screen, Hollywood chose debonair icon Cary Grant. Grant stars for the first time in color in this fanciful biopic. Alexis Smith plays Linda, whose serendipitous meetings with Cole lead to a meeting at the alter. More than 20 Porter songs grace this tail of triumph and tragedy, with Grand lending is amiable voice to "You're the Top", "Night and Day" and more. Monty Wooley, a Yale contemporary of Porter, portrays himself. And Jane Wyman, Mary Martin, Eve Arden and others provide vocals and verve. Lights down. Curtain up. Standards embraced by generations are yours to enjoy in "Night and Day.".

Edison, the Man(1940)

1h 47min | History, Drama
3.4/5 (with 9 votes)

In flashback, fifty years after inventing the light bulb, an 82-year-old Edison tells his story starting at age twenty-two with his arrival in New York. He's on his way with the invention of an early form of the stock market ticker.

Till the Clouds Roll By(1946)

2h 12min | Music
2.8/5 (with 9 votes)

Light bio-pic of American Broadway pioneer Jerome Kern, featuring renditions of the famous songs from his musical plays by contemporary stage artists, including a condensed production of his most famous: 'Showboat'.

A Scandal in Paris(1946)

3.1/5 (with 12 votes)

A smooth-talking French thief wangles his way into an important position as prefect of police.

The First of the Few(1942)

1h 58min | War
3.4/5 (with 16 votes)

This 1942 fictionalized biopic chronicles the true story of how two of the most remarkable men in aviation history - visionary Spitfire designer R.J. Mitchell and his test pilot Geoffrey Crisp - designed a streamlined monoplane that led to the development of the Spitfire.

Scott of the Antarctic(1948)

3.6/5 (with 14 votes)

The true story of the British explorer Robert Falcon Scott and his ill-fated expedition to try to be the first man to discover the South Pole - only to find that the murderously cold weather and a rival team of Norwegian explorers conspire against him.

Los últimos de Filipinas(1945)

1h 30min | War, Drama, History
2.9/5 (with 2 votes)

The Philippines, 1898, during the Spanish-American War. Fifty Spanish soldiers guarding the outpost established in the small village of Baler endure the cruel siege of the Filipino rebels for eleven months, although the war is almost lost….

Friedrich Schiller – Der Triumph eines Genies(1940)

1h 42min | Drama
3.4/5 (with 1 vote)

The young Schiller, whose heart and soul are writing and poetry, is forced into the military academy (the pride and joy of the Duke of Württemberg). Schiller is disgusted by the everyday routine of the military, always back and forth between breeding and drills. Conversation, conflict or even critique are discouraged – the oppression insufferable for the young rebel. Disgusted by the brutality, he writes his drama "The Bandit", which he would later publish anonymously. But following a frank conversation with the Duke, Schiller is dishonored and must leave the land.

Story of G.I. Joe(1945)

1h 48min | Drama, War
3.2/5 (with 14 votes)

War correspondent Ernie Pyle joins Company C, 18th Infantry as this American army unit fights its way across North Africa in World War II. He comes to know the soldiers and finds much human interest material for his readers back in the States.

Kit Carson(1940)

2.9/5 (with 4 votes)

Frontiersman Kit Carson fights off Indian attacks on the trail to California.

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Die schwedische Nachtigall(1941)

1h 36min | Romance / Love, Music
3.0/5 (with 1 vote)

- No description / details available yet. -

La Symphonie fantastique(1942)

1h 35min | Drama, History
2.6/5 (with 3 votes)

The film is biographical, telling the story of the life and artistic struggles of the French composer Hector Berlioz. Berlioz is shown as a recalcitrant medical student in an anatomy class dreaming of becoming a composer; at a demonstration during a performance at the Paris Opéra conducted by Habeneck; at supper with other young artists (Hugo, Janin, Dumas, Mérimée, Delacroix); and chasing after his future wife Harriet Smithson, after a performance of Hamlet. Also depicted are his life in a garret, while suffering from an illness due to an abscess in the throat; a visit from his mother who curses him; and the composition of the Symphonie fantastique. The film then shows his marital breakdown, the premiere of his opera Benvenuto Cellini, his travels throughout Europe, his second marriage to Marie Recio (called "Marie Martin" in the film), public acceptance in old age and reconciliation with his son.

The Jolson Story(1946)

2h 8min | Drama, Music
3.4/5 (with 7 votes)

This movie shows the idealized career of the singer Al Jolson, a little Jewish boy who goes against the will of his father in order to be in showbiz. He becomes a star, falls in love with a non-Jewish dancer, and marries her. In the end he chooses success on the stage.

Jack London(1943)

1h 34min | Drama, Adventure
2.9/5 (with 3 votes)

The adventurous and remarkable life of the US writer Jack London (1876-1916).

The Fabulous Dorseys(1947)

1h 28min | Drama
2.9/5 (with 5 votes)

The story of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey from their boyhood in Pennsylvania through their rise, their breakup, and their personal reunion.

My Gal Sal(1942)

3.3/5 (with 4 votes)

Biopic chronicling the early life of gay nineties-era songwriter Paul Dresser as he outgrows his job as carnival entertainer and moves up into New York society, writing one hit song after another. Despite his egotistical behavior, he manages to woo and win Sally Elliott, one of the more popular songstresses of the day.

Words and Music(1948)

2h | Drama, Music
2.8/5 (with 8 votes)

Encomium to Larry Hart (1895-1943), seen through the fictive eyes of his song-writing partner, Richard Rodgers (1902-1979): from their first meeting, through lean years and their breakthrough, to their successes on Broadway, London, and Hollywood. We see the fruits of Hart and Rodgers' collaboration - elaborately staged numbers from their plays, characters' visits to night clubs, and impromptu performances at parties. We also see Larry's scattered approach to life, his failed love with Peggy McNeil, his unhappiness, and Richard's successful wooing of Dorothy Feiner.

Belle Starr(1941)

1h 23min | Western
2.8/5 (with 6 votes)

After her family's mansion is burned down by Yankee soldiers for hiding the rebel leader Captain Sam Starr (Scott) Belle Shirley (Tierney) vows to take revenge. Breaking Starr out of prison, she joins his small guerrilla group for a series of raids on banks and railroads, carpetbaggers and enemy troops. Belle's bravado during the attacks earns her a reputation amongst the locals as well as the love of Starr himself. The pair get married, but their relationship starts to break down when Sam Starr lets a couple of psychotic rebels into the gang, leaving Belle to wonder if he really cares about the Southern cause.

Wen die Götter lieben(1942)

1h 52min | Drama, Music, History
3.8/5 (with 1 vote)

Biography of Mozart.

The Adventures of Mark Twain(1944)

2h 10min | Adventure, Drama
3.3/5 (with 4 votes)

A dramatised life of Samuel Langhorn Clemens, or Mark Twain.

The Legend of Johnny Appleseed(1948)

19min | Animation
3.0/5 (with 7 votes)

Dennis Day tells the story of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman), narrated by The Old Settler. He's an apple farmer who sees people going west and thinks he can't join them, until an angel appears to him and sings the virtues of apples, convincing Johnny he has a mission. He sets off without a knife or gun; at first, the animals mistrust him, but when he even treats a skunk kindly, they all take to him.

Directed by Wilfred Jackson

Wilson(1944)

2.9/5 (with 9 votes)

The political career of Woodrow Wilson is chronicled, beginning with his decision to leave his post at Princeton to run for Governor of New Jersey, and his subsequent ascent to the Presidency of the United States. During his terms in office, Wilson must deal with the death of his first wife, the onslaught of German hostilities leading to American involvement in the Great War, and his own country's reticence to join the League of Nations.

Roughly Speaking(1945)

1h 57min | Comedy, Drama
3.4/5 (with 2 votes)

In the 1920s, enterprising Louise Randall is determined to succeed in a man's world. Despite numerous setbacks, she always picks herself back up and moves forward again.

Devotion(1946)

1h 47min | Drama
3.1/5 (with 4 votes)

In Victorian England, literary siblings Emily and Charlotte Brontë vie for the affection of the Rev. Arthur Nicholls. Along with their sister Anne, Emily and Charlotte also try to help their tormented brother Branwell, a gifted artist whose life is being destroyed by alcohol.

Jolson Sings Again(1949)

1h 36min | Drama, Music
3.1/5 (with 5 votes)

In this sequel to The Jolson Story, we pick up the singer's career just as he has returned to the stage after a premature retirement. But his wife has left him and the appeal of the spotlight isn't what it used to be. This time Jolson trades in the stage for life in the fast lane: women, horses, travel. It takes the death of Moma Yoelson and World War II to bring Jolson back to earth - and to the stage. Once again teamed with manager Steve Martin, Jolson travels the world entertaining troops everywhere from Alaska to Africa. When he finally collapses from exhaustion it takes young, pretty nurse Ellen Clark to show him there's more to life than "just rushing around".

Porfirio Díaz(1944)

1h 41min
2.5/5 (with 2 votes)

Mexican movie.

God Is My Co-Pilot(1945)

1h 30min | Action, Adventure, War
3.8/5 (with 3 votes)

Robert L. Scott has dreamed his whole life of being a fighter pilot, but when war comes he finds himself flying transport planes over The Hump into China. In China, he persuades General Chennault to let him fly with the famed Flying Tigers, the heroic band of airmen who'd been fighting the Japanese long before Pearl Harbor. Scott gets his chance to fight, ultimately engaging in combat with the deadly Japanese pilot known as Tokyo Joe.

The Battle of Stalingrad(1949)

3h 3min | Drama, War, Action, History
2.8/5 (with 2 votes)

- No description / details available yet. -

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