The following is an overview of 1930 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.
Events[]
March 10: Release of Goodbye Argentina (Adiós Argentina), the first Argentine film with a (musical) soundtrack. Ada Cornaro has her first starring role and Libertad Lamarque makes her film debut. November 1: The Big Trail featuring a young John Wayne in his first starring role is released in both 35mm and a very early form of 70mm film. It is the first large scale big-budget film of the sound era costing over $2 million. The film is praised for its aesthetic quality and realism that will not become commonplace until many decades later. However, due to the new film format and the film's release during the Great Depression, the film will go on to become a financial failure at the box office.
Top-grossing films[]
| Rank | Title | Actors | Studio | Gross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hell's Angels | Jean Harlow, Ben Lyon, and James Hall | United Artists | $8,000,000 |
| 2. | All Quiet on the Western Front | Louis Wolheim and Lew Ayres | Universal | $3,000,000 |
| 3. | Whoopee! | Eddie Cantor | United Artists | $2,655,000 |
| 4. | Animal Crackers | Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, and Zeppo Marx | Paramount | $1,500,000 |
| 5. | Anna Christie | Greta Garbo, Marie Dressler, and Charles Bickford | MGM | $1,500,000 |
| 6. | Feet First | Harold Lloyd | Paramount | $1,300,000 |
| 7. | The Rogue Song | Lawrence Tibbett | MGM | Unknown |
| 8. | The Life of the Party | Winnie Lightner | Warner Bros. | Unknown |
| 9. | Hold Everything | Winnie Lightner, Joe E. Brown | Warner Bros. | Unknown |
| 10. | Sunny | Marilyn Miller | MGM | Unknown |
Academy Awards[]
Best Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front - Universal Studios Best Actress: Norma Shearer - The Divorcee Best Actor: George Arliss - Disraeli Best Director: Lewis Milestone - All Quiet on the Western Front
Notable films released in 1930[]
Serials[]
Across the World with Mr & Mrs Martin Johnson Hunting Tigers in India The Indians Are Coming The Jade Box The Lightning Express The Lone Defender, starring Rin Tin Tin Terry of the Times The Voice from the Sky
Short film series[]
Buster Keaton (1917–1941) Our Gang (1922–1944) Laurel and Hardy (1921-1943)
Animated short film series[]
Felix the Cat (1919-1936) Aesop's Film Fables (1921–1933) Krazy Kat (1925–1940) Mickey Mouse (1928–1953) Just Mickey The Barnyard Concert The Cactus Kid Wild Waves The Fire Fighters The Shindig The Chain Gang The Gorilla Mystery The Picnic Pioneer Days Minnie's Yoo-Hoo
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Silly Symphonies Summer Autumn The Cannibal Capers Night Frolicking Fish Arctic Antics Midnight in a Toyshop Monkey Melodies Winter Playful Pan
Screen Songs (1929–1938) Talkartoons (1929–1932) Dizzy Dishes (first Betty Boop cartoon) Barnacle Bill (second Betty Boop cartoon)
Looney Tunes (1930-1969) Sinkin' in the Bathtub Congo Jazz Hold Anything The Booze Hangs High Box Car Blues
Flip the Frog (1930-1933) Terrytoons (1930-1964) Toby the Pup (1930-1931)
Beary Bear (1930 - 1970) 1.Dirty Dishes (May, 23, 1930) 2.The Picnic (May, 23, 1930) 3.Happy Follies (June, 1, 1930) 4.Garden Isle (June, 21, 1930) 5.The Plane (June, 30, 1930) 6.The Haunted House (July, 16, 1930) 7.Beary's Lunch-Room (July, 27, 1930) 8.The Beanie Buggies (August, 18, 1930)
Births[]
Deaths[]
Film debuts[]
Pat O'Brien - Compliments of the Season James Cagney - Sinners' Holiday Buster Crabbe - Good News Laurence Olivier - The Temporary Widow Bing Crosby - King of Jazz Irene Dunne - Leathernecking Rex Harrison - The Great Game Ruby Keeler - Show Girl in Hollywood Ethel Merman - Her Future Spencer Tracy - The Strong Arm