Classic Film : Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

If you can't think of "great", a good movie is better than nothing.

I was just thinking of the movie, "Le Jour Se Leve" and think it's an independent movie from the 1930s, because it stands out. It starts at the present with some flashbacks, but it's rare to find any movie in the classic era where a movie's setting mostly takes place in one bedroom.

"Shadows" by John Cassavetes in 1959, the same year France started with their New Wave which soon spread out all over Europe, and even countries like Japan later. It took a while for the US to have enough independent movies/directors but when it did in the 70s, I think they passed foreign movies, which seems to have hit their peak in the 60s. Interesting, because I remember reading a European director who credited "The Little Fugitive" (1953) influencing the French New Wave, which would be another example of a great movie that stands out for that era and is available on YouTube for free!



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Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

I'm not sure I know enough to determine what films were independent or studio produced, Mort. It's tricky. And picking great ones is even harder. I can honestly say, however, that I loved The Little Fugitive! Saw it when I was a young teenager and fell in love with it. Haven't seen Shadows yet, but another Cassavetes film that might fit the bill and that I also loved is Faces (1968) – – the first of his films I saw, and in a theatre! Pretty sure that was an independent.

Another that comes to mind, which has gotten a lot of praise through the years, though I haven't see it yet, is Barbara Loden's Wanda (1970). I've been meaning to see it for years and just haven't gotten around to it. Loden was married at the time to Elia Kazan, my favorite director.

Oh, and this one, which I just saw and was blown away by: Salt of the Earth (1954) – an incredibly historically significant film. It was certainly an independent film, because it was made by Blacklisted filmmakers. And it's the only American film that was itself Blacklisted! Its writer was Michael Wilson, who posthumously (in the 1984) received the Oscar for his screenplay for The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), which, because he was Blacklisted, had gone at the time to the author of the novel, Pierre Boulle. What a shameful time that was! Anyway, if you get a chance to see this film, I highly recommend it. It's available on

The only other I can think of that might apply is Truffaut's masterpiece, The 400 Blows (1959). One of my all-time favorites, and definitely a great film.

Here's the trailer for Salt of the Earth.

Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

I've seen all those movies, and love every one, except for "The Bridge on the River Kwai", but I don't like any of David Lean's non-lean movies.

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Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

Well, I'm impressed! In particular, I'm thrilled that you saw "Salt of the Earth." I've wanted to see that film for decades and finally got to see it very recently. What a film. It made me proud, and happy to know that that kind of art could be done under such difficult circumstances.

And I'm not much of a fan of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" either (though I didn't dislike it), but I thought it was important to tell the story about its writer, Michael Wilson, who also wrote "Salt of the Earth." Wilson had already won an Oscar for "A Place in the Sun" before he was Blacklisted, and I'm glad he was finally acknowledged for his writing of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" ("fronted" by novelist Pierre Boulle), and posthumously received the Oscar he deserved for that screenplay, so that history was set right, even though Wilson didn't live to see it. [Along with, by the way, Carl Foreman, who was the film's co-writer and had also been Blacklisted. He also posthumously received his Oscar for writing the film.]

Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

Yeah, I think the blacklist left permanent scars. "Middle-of-the-road" kind of movies; nothing like "The Battle of Algiers".

I've actually been on the bridge of the (real) River Kwei (movie was shot in Sri Lanka), which is how it's spelled in Kanchanaburi, where "The Deer Hunter" was also shot. I'd wait until after midnight when it wasn't so chaotic, and get in this rented motor-bike and ride it for an hour or two. In fact, the girl I was traveling settled for just an average room, while I got one with a balcony on the river kwei. A friend bet us we wouldn't jump in, so we did, lol.

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Re: Bridge on the River Kwai

Wow! What a great story – and experience. Now I want to see the film again. It's only been about 60 years!

Re: Bridge on the River Kwai

Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

Nice to see The Little Fugitive among your choices. It's an acknowledged Independent Classic that doesn't get a lot of attention on the boards.

I saw it in '53 when I was 6 and forgot the title over the years although I remembered parts of it, especially the boy "killing" his brother before running off.

For many years I wondered what ever happened to Richard Andrusco until I tracked him down via the internet. He had been doing interviews at various Independent Film forums that were showing the movie and was quite the celebrity.

The movie is a real treasure. Your link is blocked, but I found a decent copy on Youtube some time back. It may still be there.

And This, Too, Shall Pass Away

Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

Couldn't agree more about "The Little Fugitive." It's a beauty.

Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

Have you seen "On The Bowery"? Another good one with a similar style, just different in content. Influenced John Cassavetes, who actually started The American New Wave, although the studio system got him for two very good movies - "Too Late Blues" - which is the best movie on music/integrity, and "A Child Is Waiting", featuring Burt Lancaster, and what is a great performance by Judy Garland in a movie that could have been written about her. She's fragile, but loving, and gets a job working with developmentally challenged children, since she can play the piano, but she's considered old (since she's 35 and not married), and "aimless".

Just found this while searching for similar movies on IMDB but found this:
"François Truffaut was inspired by Little Fugitive's spontaneous production style when he created The 400 Blows (1959), saying long afterwards: "Our New Wave would never have come into being if it hadn't been for the young American Morris Engel, who showed us the way to independent production with [this] fine movie.'"

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Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

Have you seen "On The Bowery"? Another good one with a similar style, just different in content. Influenced John Cassavetes, who actually started The American New Wave, although the studio system got him for two very good movies - "Too Late Blues" - which is the best movie on music/integrity, and "A Child Is Waiting", featuring Burt Lancaster, and what is a great performance by Judy Garland in a movie that could have been written about her. She's fragile, but loving, and gets a job working with developmentally challenged children, since she can play the piano, but she's considered old (since she's 35 and not married), and "aimless".


I haven't seen On the Bowery. I checked YouTube but it isn't available, although the trailer looks intriguing. These films come and go quickly, but I'll keep my eyes open for it. Thanx for the heads up.

It has been years since I last saw A Child is Waiting. It's difficult separating Garland the actress nearing the end of her life from the fragile character in the film. She was always an emotional actress. The role must have had a great effect on her.

And This, Too, Shall Pass Away

Re: Great Independent Movies of the 1930-70s?

I highly recommend checking out "On The Bowery" - very realistic, gritty movie about the slums of NY, and the relationships between the people who live in squalor, and how they survive.

And yes, Garland seemed vulnerable enough to feel her character while others can unplug the minute they're off the clock.

if its on JustWatch.com it will tell you every platform its on.. Free, Pay, etc.

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