To say the 1930s was a devastating decade is an understatement. The Great Depression is known as the worst economic downturns of the industrialized world, starting with a stock market crash in October 1929 that obliterated the accounts of millions of investors and created panic worldwide. It’s amazing that the entertainment industry thrived during that period.

Hollywood helped people from completely falling apart. Movies generated optimism and a sense of hope. Big bands and swing music were popular. Many of the films showcased bandleaders, such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller. I enjoyed compiling a list of movies of the 1930s during the Great Depression.