This is a list of science fiction films that premiered between 1 January 1930 and 31 December 1939. In Phil Hardy's book Science Fiction (1983), the 1930s were described as a period where both science fiction literature and cinema were "in turmoil" and that by examining films of decade that "it is clear that Science Fiction, in no sense, can be seen as an ongoing genre in the thirties".[1]
In the United States, films would use a science fiction plot device or character such as a mad scientist, but more closely resembled contemporary genres like horror, thriller and detective films.[1] The films enhanced other genres such as melodrama (Six Hours to Live), Westerns (The Phantom Empire) and most predominantly horror films such as Frankenstein or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.[1][2] Towards the middle of the decade, science fiction was prominent in low budget Poverty Row films and film series.[1] European films such as End of the World and F.P.1 antwortet nicht and Things to Come continued the line of prophetic speculation of Fritz Lang's film Metropolis.[1] Towards the end of the 1930s as the political climate was changing in Europe, films such as Bila Nemoc used science fiction elements to imagine the horrors of World War II.[1]
Few films from the era have been nominated or won awards, these include Fredric March winning an Academy Award for Best actor for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde while the film received nominations for best writing and cinematography.[3] Gilbert Kurland was nominated for Best Sound Recording for Bride of Frankenstein[3]
^"Der Herr der Welt". Filmportal.de. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
^Hunter, I. Q. (2002). British Science Fiction Cinema. Routledge. p. 28. ISBN 0-203-00977-0.
^Brennan, Sandra. "Once in a New Moon (1935)". AllMovie. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
^This was released in December 1934, and is frequently listed as a 1935 film. See:
Low, Rachael; Manvell, Roger; Richards, Jeffrey (2005). History of British Film. Routledge. p. 367. ISBN 0-415-15652-1.
^"The Return of Doctor X". American Film Institute. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
^Brennan, Sandra. "The Return of Doctor X". AllMovie. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
Referencesedit
Bock, Hans-Michael, ed. (2009). The Concise Cinegraph. Berghahn Books. ISBN 978-1-57181-655-9.
Bradley, Edwin M. (2005). The First Hollywood Sound Shorts, 1926–1931. McFarland. ISBN 1476606846.
Cline, William C., ed. (1997). In the Nick of Time: Motion Picture Sound Serials. McFarland. ISBN 078640471X.
Cusic, Don (2007). Gene Autry: His Life and Career. McFarland. ISBN 978-0786430611.
Hardy, Phil, ed. (1984). Science Fiction. New York : Morrow. ISBN 0-688-00842-9.
Hochscherf, Tobias, ed. (2011). British Science Fiction Film and Television: Critical Essays. McFarland. ISBN 978-0786484836.
Johnston, Keith M. (2013). Science Fiction Film. Berg. ISBN 978-1847884787.
Kinnard, Roy (1998). Science Fiction Serials. McFarland. ISBN 0786437456.
Kinnard, Roy; Crnkovich, Tony; Vitone, R. J. (2008). The Flash Gordon Serials, 1936–1940. McFarland. ISBN 978-0786455003.
Rainey, Buck (2015). Serials and Series: A World Filmography, 1912–1956. McFarland. ISBN 978-1476604480.
Rhodes, Gary Don (1997). Lugosi: His Life in Films, on Stage, and in the Hearts of Horror Lovers. McFarland. ISBN 0786402571.
Soister, John T. (2005). Of Gods and Monsters: A Critical Guide to Universal Studios' Science Fiction, Horror and Mystery Films, 1929–1939. McFarland. ISBN 1476604991.
This film-related list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2021)