List of American films of 1953 explained

The following is a list of American films released in 1953.

Donald O'Connor and Fredric March cohosted the 26th Academy Awards ceremony on March 25, 1954, held at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. This was the second year in which the ceremony was telecast, with viewership at an estimated 43,000,000.

The winner in the Best Motion Picture category was Columbia's From Here to Eternity. All of the major-category winners were black-and-white films.

The 11th Golden Globe Awards also honored the best films of 1953. There was no award for Best Picture in either the Musical or Comedy categories.

Spencer Tracy won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a drama film for The Actress, while David Niven won Best Actor in the Musical or Comedy genre for The Moon Is Blue. Audrey Hepburn won Best Actress for Roman Holiday, and Ethel Merman won for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy film for her role in Call Me Madam. The Robe won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture.

A-B

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
The 49th Man Film noirColumbia
99 River StreetUnited Artists
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. TMusical fantasyColumbia
Abbott and Costello Go to MarsComedy Universal
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeComedy Universal
Act of LoveDrama United Artists
The ActressDrama MGM
based on Ruth Gordon
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis Musical comedy MGM
became TV series
Affair with a Stranger Drama RKO
The All AmericanSports drama Universal
All Ashore Comedy, Musical Columbia
All I DesireDrama Universal
All the Brothers Were ValiantAdventure MGM
Ambush at Tomahawk Gap Western Columbia
Angel Face Film noir RKO
Appointment in HondurasAdventure RKO
Arena Drama MGM
ArrowheadAdventure Paramount
Back to God's Country Adventure, Western Universal
Bad for Each Other Film noirColumbia
The Bandits of Corsica Adventure United Artists
Bandits of the West Western Republic
The Band WagonMusical MGM
5 Oscar nominations
Battle CircusDrama MGM
The Beast from 20,000 FathomsScience fiction Warner Bros.
Beat the DevilComedy United Artists
Beneath the 12-Mile ReefAdventure 20th Century Fox
The Bigamist Drama Independent
The Big HeatColumbia
Big LeaguerComedy MGM
Blowing Wild Drama Warner Bros.
The Blue GardeniaWarner Bros.
A Blueprint for MurderThriller 20th Century Fox
Born to the Saddle Western Astor Pictures
Botany Bay Adventure Paramount
Bright Road Gerald Mayer Drama MGM
By the Light of the Silvery MoonMusical Warner Bros.
On Moonlight Bay sequel

C

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
The CaddyComedy Paramount
debut of song "That's Amore"
Calamity JaneMusical Warner Bros.
Oscar for Best Song
Call Me MadamMusical 20th Century Fox. Based on play; Golden Globe for Merman
Captain John Smith and PocahontasLew LandersAnthony Dexter, Jody LawranceHistoricalUnited Artists
Captain Scarlett Adventure United Artists
Cat-Women of the Moon Science Fiction Astor
Cease Fire!Owen Crump War Paramount
Champ for a DayCrime drama Republic
Charade DramaIndependent
The Charge at Feather RiverWestern Warner Bros.
China Venture War Columbia
City Beneath the SeaAdventure Universal
City of Bad MenWestern 20th Century Fox
City That Never Sleeps Republic
Clipped Wings Comedy Allied Artists
The ClownDrama MGM
Code Two Film noirMGM
Column South Western Universal
Combat Squad War Columbia
Confidentially ConnieComedyMGM
Conquest of Cochise Western Columbia
Count the Hours Crime RKO
Cow Country Western Allied Artists
Crazylegs SportsRepublic
Cruisin' Down the River Musical Columbia
Cry of the HuntedFilm noirMGM

D-G

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Dance Hall RacketDrama Film Classics
Dangerous Crossing20th Century Fox
based on the play Cabin B-13
Dangerous When WetMusical MGM
Decameron Nights Romance RKO
Desert LegionAdventure Universal
The Desert RatsWar 20th Century Fox
The Desert SongMusical Warner Bros.
based on the operetta
Destination GobiWar drama 20th Century Fox
Devil's Canyon Western RKO
The Diamond Queen Adventure Warner Bros.
Down Laredo Way Western Republic
Donovan's BrainHorror United Artists
Down Among the Sheltering PalmsMusical 20th Century Fox
Dream WifeComedy MGM
East of SumatraAdventure Universal
Easy to LoveMusical MGM
The Eddie Cantor StoryBiography Warner Bros.
El Alamein War Columbia
El Paso Stampede Western Republic
Escape from Fort BravoWestern MGM
Fair Wind to JavaAdventure Republic Pictures
Fangs of the Arctic Rex Bailey Western Allied Artists
The Farmer Takes a WifeMusical comedy 20th Century Fox
remake of 1934 play, 1935 film
Fast CompanyComedy MGM
Fear and DesireDrama Independent
Kubrick's first film
Fighter Attack War Allied Artists
Fighting Lawman Western Allied Artists
Flame of Calcutta Drama Columbia
The Flaming Urge Harold Ericson Drama Independent
Flight NurseWar drama Republic
Flight to Tangier Crime Paramount
Forever Female Paramount
Forbidden Universal
remake of 1932 film
Fort Ti Western Columbia
Fort Vengeance Western Allied Artists
Francis Covers the Big Town Comedy Universal
From Here to EternityDrama, war Columbia
based on James Jones novel; won 8 Academy Awards
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes20th Century Fox
based on stage musical
Geraldine Comedy Republic
The Girl Next DoorMusical 20th Century Fox
Haver's final film
The Girl Who Had EverythingDrama MGM
Girls in the Night Universal
The Girls of Pleasure IslandDon Taylor, Leo Genn, Audrey DaltonComedy Paramount
Give a Girl a BreakMusical comedy MGM
The Glass WallFilm noirColumbia
The Glass WebFilm noirUniversal
The Glory Brigade War 20th Century Fox
Glen or GlendaDrama Film Classics
The Golden BladeAdventure Universal
Goldtown Ghost Riders Western Columbia
The Great Jesse James RaidWestern Lippert
The Great Sioux Uprising Western Universal
Guerrilla Girl John Christian War United Artists
Gun Belt Western United Artists
Gun FuryWestern Columbia
Gunsmoke Western Universal
not related to TV series with same name

H-K

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Half a Hero Comedy MGM
Hannah Lee Western Independent
filmed in 3-D
Here Come the GirlsMusical comedy Paramount
The Hitch-HikerRKO
The Homesteaders Western Allied Artists
HondoWestern Warner Bros.
Hot News Crime Monogram
HoudiniParamount
story of Harry Houdini
House of WaxHorror Warner Bros.
How to Marry a MillionaireComedy 20th Century Fox
I ConfessDrama Warner Bros.
The I Don't Care Girl Biography 20th Century Fox
story of Eva Tanguay
I Love LucyComedy Desilu
feature-length version of TV series
I Love Melvin Comedy MGM
I, the JuryDrama United Artists
based on book by Mickey Spillane; remade in 1982
InfernoThriller, 3-D 20th Century Fox
Invaders from MarsScience fiction 20th Century Fox
Iron Mountain Trail Western Republic
Island in the SkyDrama Warner Bros.
It Came from Outer SpaceSci-fi, 3-D Universal
It Happens Every Thursday Comedy Universal
Jack McCall, Desperado Western Columbia
Jalopy Comedy Allied Artists
Jamaica Run Adventure Paramount
JenniferJoel Newton Thriller Allied Artists
JeopardyThriller MGM
The Joe Louis Story Sports United Artists
The Juggler Drama Columbia
Julius CaesarDrama MGM. Based on Shakespeare play; 5 Oscar nominations
Kansas PacificWestern Allied Artists
The Kid from Left Field Sports comedy 20th Century Fox
Remake of 1979 film
Killer Ape Adventure Columbia
King of the Khyber RiflesAdventure 20th Century Fox
Kiss Me KateMusical MGM
based on 1948 stage musical
Knights of the Round TableAdventure MGM
2 Oscar nominations

L-N

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
The Lady Wants MinkComedy Republic
Last of the Comanches Western Columbia
Last of the Pony Riders Western Columbia
The Last Posse Western Columbia
Latin LoversMusical comedy MGM
Law and OrderWestern Universal
The Lawless BreedWestern Universal
Let's Do It AgainMusical Columbia
LiliMusical MGM
5 Oscar nominations
A Lion Is in the StreetsDrama Warner Bros.
Little Boy LostDrama Paramount
Little FugitiveThree directors Richie Andrusco Drama Independent
The Lone HandWestern Universal
Loose in London Comedy Allied Artists
The Lost PlanetScience fiction Columbia
Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation Comedy Universal
fifth of a series
The Magnetic MonsterScience fiction United Artists
Main Street to Broadway Anthology MGM
many cameos
The Man Behind the Gun Western Warner Bros.
Man Crazy Drama 20th Century Fox
The Man from Cairo Crime Lippert
The Man from the Alamo Western Universal[1]
Man in the AtticDrama 20th Century Fox
Man in the DarkThriller Columbia
Man of ConflictHal R. Makelim Drama Independent[2]
Man on a TightropeThriller 20th Century Fox
The Marksman Lewis D. CollinsWestern Allied Artists
Marry Me Again Comedy RKO
Marshal of Cedar Rock Western Republic
The Marshal's Daughter Western United Artists
Martin LutherNiall MacGinnis, Pierre Lefevre Biography Independent
The MazeHorror Allied Artists
Meet Me at the FairDrama Universal
Mesa of Lost WomenRon Ormond, Herbert Tevos Science fiction Howco
Mexican Manhunt Rex Bailey Crime Allied Artists
Miss Sadie ThompsonMusical Columbia
remake of 1928 and 1932 films
Mission Over Korea War Columbia
The Mississippi GamblerWestern Universal
Mister Scoutmaster Comedy 20th Century Fox
MogamboAdventure MGM
2 Oscar nominations; Golden Globe for Kelly
Money from HomeComedy Paramount
10th Martin and Lewis film
The Moon Is BlueRomantic comedy United Artists
The MoonlighterWestern Warner Bros.
Murder Without Tears Crime Allied Artists
The Naked SpurWestern MGM
The Neanderthal ManScience fiction United Artists
The Nebraskan Western Columbia
Never Wave at a WAC Comedy RKO
NiagaraSuspense 20th Century Fox
No Escape Drama United Artists
Northern Patrol Rex Bailey Drama Allied Artists

O-S

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Off Limits Comedy Paramount
Old Overland Trail Western Republic
On Top of Old Smoky Western Columbia
One Girl's ConfessionDrama Columbia
Pack Train Western Columbia
Paratrooper War Columbia
Paris ModelComedy, drama Columbia
A Perilous Journey Adventure Republic
Perils of the Jungle Adventure Lippert Pictures
Peter PanAnimated Disney
Phantom from Space Science fiction United Artists
Pickup on South StreetThriller 20th Century Fox
Plunder of the SunAdventure Warner Bros.
Pony ExpressWestern Paramount
Port Sinister Adventure RKO
Powder River Western 20th Century Fox
The President's LadyBiography 20th Century Fox
story of Andrew Jackson
Prince of Pirates Adventure Columbia
Prisoners of the Casbah Adventure Columbia
Private Eyes Comedy Allied Artists
Problem Girls Drama Columbia
Project MoonbaseScience-fiction Lippert Pictures
Raiders of the Seven Seas Adventure United Artists
Rebel City Western Allied Artists
The Redhead from WyomingWestern Universal
Red River Shore Western Republic
Remains to Be Seen Comedy MGM
Return to ParadiseAdventure United Artists
Ride, Vaquero!Western MGM
Roar of the CrowdWilliam BeaudineHoward Duff, Helene StanleySports drama Monogram
Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue Adventure Disney
The RobeDrama 20th Century Fox
5 Oscar nominations, won 2
Robot MonsterScience fiction Astor Pictures
Rogue's March Drama MGM
Roman HolidayParamount
Oscars for Hepburn, screenplay, costumes; 10 nominations
The Royal African Rifles Adventure Allied Artists
Run for the Hills Comedy Realart
Saadia Drama MGM
Sabre Jet War United Artists
Safari Drums Adventure Allied Artists
Saginaw Trail Western Columbia
SalomeDrama Columbia
Sangaree Historical Paramount
San Antone Western Republic
Savage Frontier Western Republic
Savage Mutiny Adventure Columbia
Scandal at Scourie Drama MGM
Scared StiffComedy Paramount
8th Martin and Lewis film
Sea DevilsAdventure RKO
Sea of Lost Ships Drama Republic
Second ChanceThriller RKO
SeminoleWestern Universal
Serpent of the NileAdventure Columbia
Shadows of Tombstone Western Republic
ShaneWestern Paramount
6 Oscar nominations
Shark River Adventure United Artists
She's Back on Broadway Musical comedy Warner Bros.
The Silver Whip Western 20th Century Fox
Sins of Jezebel Drama Lippert Pictures
Siren of Bagdad Adventure Columbia
Sky Commando Adventure Columbia
Slaves of Babylon Adventure Columbia
A Slight Case of Larceny Comedy MGM
Small Town GirlMusical MGM
So BigDrama Warner Bros.
based on Edna Ferber novel
SombreroDrama MGM
Son of Belle Starr Western Allied Artists
So This Is LoveMusical Warner Bros.
South Sea WomanAdventure Warner Bros.
SpacewaysScience fiction Lippert Films
Split SecondThriller RKO
Stalag 17War Paramount
Academy Award for Holden
The Stand at Apache River Western Universal
The Stars Are Singing Musical
Star of Texas Western Allied Artists
The Steel LadyDrama United Artists
The Story of Three LovesAnthology
The Stranger Wore a Gun Western Columbia
The Sun Shines BrightDrama Republic
Sweethearts on ParadeDrama Republic
The Sword and the RoseAdventure Disney
Sword of Venus Adventure RKO
The System Film noir Warner Bros.

T-Z

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Take Me to TownComedy, Western Universal
Take the High Ground!War MGM
The Tall TexanElmo WilliamsLloyd Bridges, Lee J. Cobb, Marie Windsor, Luther AdlerWesternLippert
Tangier IncidentLew LandersGeorge Brent, Mari AldonThrillerAllied Artists
Target Hong Kong Action Columbia
Tarzan and the She-Devil Adventure RKO
Taxi Drama 20th Century Fox
Terminal StationDrama Columbia
Texas Bad Man Western Allied Artists
That Man from Tangier Luis María Delgado, Robert Elwyn Drama United Artists
Those Redheads from Seattle Musical, Western Paramount
Three Sailors and a Girl Musical Warner Bros.
Thunder BayAdventure, Drama Universal
Thunder Over the PlainsWestern Warner Bros.
Thy Neighbor's Wife Drama 20th Century Fox
Time Bomb Suspense MGM
TitanicBiography 20th Century Fox
Oscar for screenplay
Tonight We Sing Musical 20th Century Fox
Topeka Western Allied Artists
Torch SongDrama MGM
Trail Blazers ActionAllied Artists
Treasure of the Golden CondorAdventure 20th Century Fox
Tropic Zone Drama Paramount
Trouble Along the WayComedy Warner Bros.
Tumbleweed Western Universal
The TwonkyComedy United Artists
Valley of the Head Hunters Adventure Columbia
The Vanquished Western Paramount
The Veils of BagdadGeorge ShermanVictor Mature, Mari BlanchardAdventure Universal
Vice Squad United Artists
VickiCrime drama 20th Century Fox
I Wake Up Screaming remake
Vigilante Terror Western Allied Artists
Walking My Baby Back Home Musical Universal
War Paint Western United Artists
The War of the WorldsScience fiction Paramount
based on H. G. Wells novel
White LightningSports drama Allied Artists
White Witch DoctorAdventure 20th Century Fox
Wicked Woman Drama United Artists
The Wild One Drama Columbia
Wings of the HawkWestern Universal
Winning of the West Western Columbia
Woman They Almost Lynched Western Republic
Young BessBiography MGM

Serials

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
Canadian Mounties vs Atomic InvadersWilliam Henry, Susan MorrowSerial Republic
SerialRepublic
Jungle Drums of AfricaFred C. Brannon Adventure 12-part serial

Shorts

Title Director Cast Genre Notes
All My BabiesGeorge C. Stoney
Baby ButchAnimated
Ben and MeHamilton Luske Animation
Bully for BugsAnimation
Cat-Tails for TwoAnimation
Catty CorneredAnimation
Designs on JerryAnimation
Don's Fountain of YouthJack Hannah Animation
Duck DodgersLooney TunesAnimation
Duck! Rabbit, Duck!Animation
Johann MouseAnimation
Let's All Go to the LobbyAnimation Intermission advertisement
Life with Tom
Mouse for SaleAnimation
Pup on a PicnicAnimation
Puppy TaleAnimation
The Seafarers30-minute short
The Simple ThingsAnimation 7 minutes
Southern Fried RabbitAnimation
Spooks!Comedy short
The Tell-Tale HeartTed Parmelee Based on Poe story
Toot, Whistle, Plunk and BoomDisney educational film

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Man from the Alamo (1953).
  2. Web site: Man of Conflict. 4 November 1953.