The Letter (1940, USA) – Bette Davis kills a man who tries to rape her, but, this being film noir, (the first in this marathon), there “is in existence a letter” which undermines that story. Features Davis at her manipulative best. The story is set in British Singapore, a place where the Chinese fall into one of two categories: Ingratiating crooks, and insidious Fu Manchus. Watched it all.

Where’s That Fire (1940, UK) – Will Hay is an incompetent fireman. Hilarity ensues. Watched: 7 minutes.

One Million B.C. (1940, USA) “Now keep in mind he can’t control / When the movies begin or end / Because he used the extra parts / To make his robot friends.” Watched: 12 minutes.

Kitty Foyle (1940, USA) – Women were much happier before they got the vote. Now they must work, and choose a husband, and even fight with men for a seat on the bus. Watched: 11 minutes.

The Blue Bird (1940, USA) – Yargh! It’s Mecha-Shirley Temple! Run! Watched: 37 seconds.

The Grapes of Wrath (1940, USA) – Starving farmers go on a road trip in post-apocalyptic America. The only place that treats them right is a collectivist farm run by a Department of Agriculture official who looks like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, after which both Tom Joad and his mother ascend, he to become the Spirit of the Revolution, she to become the Spirit of the American People. Watched it all.