Film recommendations set in the early 1900's?

December 8, 2010 9:06 PM

After a recent trip to Walt Disney World in Florida and inspired by the Main Street USA part of the park, I'm suddenly urged to immerse myself in films set in the early 20th century, preferably made in the 50s/60s/70s. The big one that comes to mind is The Music Man, but can anyone help me find any others? Disney flicks are a plus!
posted by onanon to media & arts (22 answers total)

Meet Me In St. Louis, Oklahoma!, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown come to mind, though they were made in the 40's, 50's, and 60's, respectively.
posted by Sara C. at 9:15 PM on December 8, 2010 [2 favorites]

Avalon may be worth a look though it was made in 1990. I remember it as being very atmospheric & poignant.
posted by BoscosMom at 9:20 PM on December 8, 2010

Pollyanna
posted by artychoke at 9:21 PM on December 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Hello Dolly!
posted by TooFewShoes at 9:25 PM on December 8, 2010

The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Kurt Russell!

The Absent Minded Professor Flubber!

The Seven Faces of Dr Lao (oh, good lord, such a great film! Tony Randall for the win!)
posted by SPrintF at 9:29 PM on December 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Perfect, folks, keep 'em coming!
posted by onanon at 9:29 PM on December 8, 2010

Also, Summer Magic. I'm going to have to go watch some Hayley Mills movies.

Thoroughly Modern Millie
posted by artychoke at 9:29 PM on December 8, 2010

My Fair Lady

If the mefites run out of suggestions, there's a films set in the 1900s (and 1890s, and 1910s) category at Wikipedia.
posted by vespabelle at 9:31 PM on December 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Paper Moon
posted by hermitosis at 9:36 PM on December 8, 2010

If Hello, Dolly! qualifies, then so do Funny Girl and Ragtime (I initially wasn't sure if turn of the century New York City was close enough to "Mainstreet USA").

What about McCabe & Mrs. Miller? In my opinion it's more of a western than a Turn Of The Century All-American Small Town type thing, but it definitely takes place at the turn of the century.
posted by Sara C. at 9:37 PM on December 8, 2010

Mary Poppins!
posted by carsonb at 9:38 PM on December 8, 2010

(hate to be pedantic, but Thoroughly Modern Millie takes place in the 20's, and Paper Moon takes place during the Great Depression.)
posted by Sara C. at 9:38 PM on December 8, 2010

If The Music Man qualifies, then Calamity Jane might as well. It also has Doris Day being completely adorable.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 9:48 PM on December 8, 2010

If the '20s aren't too late, then don't forget the glorious Singin' in the Rain!
posted by scody at 10:11 PM on December 8, 2010

Cheaper By The Dozen (the 1950 film, not the more recent one)
posted by SisterHavana at 11:02 PM on December 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Pete's Dragon.
posted by SomeTrickPony at 4:16 AM on December 9, 2010

Dick Van Dyke had a lock on these. In addition to Mary Poppins, see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
posted by alb at 5:45 AM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

The movies I thought of have been suggested, but here's my wildcard: Young Indiana Jones. It's a series of tv movies from the 90s, but it does take place in the early 20th Century. I'm quite fond of that series.
posted by Kattullus at 6:01 AM on December 9, 2010

The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band takes place in 1888, if that counts. I saw it in the theater as a youngster and can still hum the song about Grover Cleveland....
posted by Oriole Adams at 9:27 AM on December 9, 2010 [1 favorite]

wow, thanks folks. Loving these suggestions, gonna start adding to my queue ASAP!
posted by onanon at 11:27 AM on December 9, 2010

Maybe Something Wicked This Way Comes. Not sure exactly when it's set, and it was made in the 80s, but it's Disney! They also prooduced Follow Me Boys in 1966 which you'd probably like as well although again, not sure about its exact time-period but these both may be inter-war, so don't qualify.
posted by Rash at 1:45 PM on December 9, 2010

Summer Stock (1950) with Gene Kelly and Judy Garland (cause Gene Kelly is really hot in it and the dancing is fantastic) and High Society (1956) with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra (it's fun, with some hilarious scenes - Grace Kelly and Sinatra's drunken shenanigans are amazing).

They're 2 of my favourite fun movies from the 50s - hope you enjoy!
posted by blake137 at 12:21 PM on December 10, 2010