1931 in film


The following is an overview of 1931 in film, including significant events, a list of films released and notable births and deaths.

Top-grossing films (U.S.)

The top ten 1931 released films by box office gross in North America are as follows:
RankTitleDistributorDomestic rentals
1City LightsUnited Artists$2,000,000
2Trader HornMGM$1,642,000
3Palmy DaysUnited Artists$1,601,000
4The Man Who Came BackFox Film$1,400,000
5Merely Mary AnnFox Film$1,300,000
6Arrowsmith
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde		United Artists
Paramount		$1,250,000
7A Connecticut YankeeFox Film$1,200,000
8CimarronRKO$1,122,000
9Bad GirlFox Film$1,100,000
10PossessedMGM$1,030,000

Events

  • January 5: RKO acquires the producing and distribution arm of Pathé for $4.6 million.
  • March 14: Alam Ara, the first Indian-made sound film, premieres at the Majestic Cinema in Bombay.
  • June 20: Monogram Pictures releases its first film, Ships of Hate.
  • July 7: Anti-competitive practices disclosed about certain distributors and producers in Canada.
  • November 17: E. R. Tinker elected president of Fox Films replacing Harley L. Clarke.
  • December 14: RKO refinancing plan approved.

Best money stars

Variety reported the following as the biggest male stars in the U.S. in alphabetical order although grouped George Arliss and Ronald Colman together as having equal ranking.
Actor
George Arliss
Ronald Colman
Wallace Beery
Maurice Chevalier
Clark Gable
Edward G. Robinson
Will Rogers

The following were the biggest women names in the U.S. in alphabetical order but again grouped two actresses together to denote they were ranked the same.
Actress
Constance Bennett
Joan Crawford
Marlene Dietrich
Greta Garbo
Marie Dressler
Janet Gaynor
Norma Shearer

Academy Awards

The 4th Academy Awards were awarded to films completed and screened released between August 1, 1930, and July 31, 1931, by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Most Nominations: Cimarron – 7
Major Awards
Most Awards: Cimarron – 3
Cimarron was the first Western to win Best Picture, and would remain the only one to do so for 59 years. It received a then-record seven nominations, and was the first film to win more than two awards.
The 5th Academy Awards were conducted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on November 18, 1932, at a ceremony held at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony was hosted by Conrad Nagel. Films screened in Los Angeles between August 1, 1931, and July 31, 1932, were eligible to receive awards.
Most nominations: Arrowsmith and The Champ – 4
Major Awards
Most Awards: Bad Girl and The Champ – 2
Note: The Academy Award for Best Picture went to 1932's Grand Hotel.

Notable films

unless stated

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1931 film releases

The Viking. 70 minutes. The Viking, also known as White Thunder and Vikings of the Ice Field, is a 1931 Newfoundland/American adventure film about sealing directed by George Melford. Starring Charles Robert Starrett. The Viking was the first film to record sound and dialogue on location, with the use of magnetic wire recording. Release dates March 5, 1931 June 21, 1931

January–March

April–June

July–September

October–December

Serials

Short film series

Animated short film series

Births

Deaths