41. Modern Times (1937)
In 1937, cinema had long since moved past the silent age but Modern Times was almost completely silent. Charlie Chaplin's finest work, he thought his iconic character, The Tramp, would lose his mystery and appeal in foreign territories if he spoke. The humour of the film wouldn't necessarily translate brilliantly with a modern audience, but for me, Chaplin is funnier in Modern Times than he is in anything, including The Great Dictator and City Lights. Modern Times may have been the last Chaplin film to feature his most iconic creation, but it was a great way to bow out, with many scenes of the film being 'borrowed' by modern filmmakers. A reason for Modern Times and its easily identifiable central character still having great popularity today is the theme of simple idealism at the heart of the movie, which resonates with so many. It's not hard to see why Modern Times is so important and it is such a fine work that needs to be seen.
40. Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
With its enduring popularity, the historical importance of Snow White has gotten lost along the way. The first ever feature-length cartoon has always been popular with people of all ages - never losing its significance as the years have passed and technology has improved. There were many reservations before Snow White was released - not even Walt Disney's wife believed it would succeed. Huge box-office takings, seven Oscar's and an incredible legacy later and it's safe to say she was pretty wrong. Snow White was a pioneering film for the animated medium, being overwhelmingly entertaining and joyous. The unbelievable success of the film meant Disney could follow it up with more feature-length animated films, which he did with Pinocchio. The film, like so many of Disney's is enchanting, heart-warming and engrossing. Snow White's importance goes slightly underrated because it looks as if it were made yesterday and its greatness is so universally accepted.
39. Stagecoach (1939)
John Ford's seminal western birthed the legend that became John Wayne and revolutionised the western genre in the process. Stagecoach created a new mature western, with incredible scenery and riveting action scenes - mainly because of the extraordinary stuntwork of iconic daredevil, Yakima Canutt. Stagecoach was also a lot more intellectual than the westerns that came before it - it asked social questions as it was made during the Great Depression. Ford was also brilliant at creating realistically flawed characters - again uncommon for a western as numerous characters deal with sufferings such as alcoholism. The image of John Wayne standing with rifle in the one hand and saddle in the other is as iconic as any image in cinema history. Wayne needs no introduction to film fans, but it was his friend Ford that gave him the chance to be a star and well, the rest is history. Stagecoach is exciting, thrilling and interesting for the entirety of its running time. Its influence can be seen in some of the very greatest westerns. Orson Welles believed it was a perfect piece of filmmaking and is said to have watched it forty time whilst making Citizen Kane. I think it's safe to say it was a fairly important film.