What Is 1937 National Board of Review Awards

Overview

The 1937 National Board of Review Awards celebrated excellence in filmmaking during a pivotal year in Hollywood history. As one of the earliest film honors in the United States, these awards highlighted artistic and technical achievements in motion pictures released that year.

Established in 1929, the National Board of Review (NBR) aimed to promote films of cultural and educational value. The 1937 awards continued this tradition, recognizing both popular and critically acclaimed films that resonated with audiences and critics alike.

• The Life of Emile Zola was named Best Picture, a biographical film about the French writer who defended Captain Dreyfus during a controversial trial.
• William Dieterle received the Best Director award for his work on The Life of Emile Zola, praised for its moral clarity and historical significance.
• Spencer Tracy won Best Actor for his role in Captains Courageous, a performance that also earned him an Academy Award.
• Luise Rainer was honored as Best Actress for her dual role in The Good Earth and The Great Ziegfeld, showcasing her dramatic range.
• The awards were announced in December 1937 and formally presented in early 1938, preceding the first Academy Awards ceremony of 1938.

How It Works

The National Board of Review selects its annual winners through a voting process by a panel of film professionals, academics, and critics. The 1937 awards reflected the organization’s mission to recognize cinematic excellence beyond box office performance.

• Selection Process: A committee of film experts reviews eligible films released in the calendar year. The board then votes to determine the top honorees.
• Eligibility Period: Films released between January 1 and December 31, 1937, were considered. This included major studio productions and independent releases.
• Best Picture: The Life of Emile Zola won due to its powerful narrative, social commentary, and strong performances, particularly by Paul Muni.
• Best Director: William Dieterle’s direction was lauded for its pacing, visual storytelling, and commitment to historical accuracy in depicting Zola’s life.
• Acting Awards: Spencer Tracy’s win for Captains Courageous highlighted his ability to portray complex father figures, a recurring theme in his career.
• Historical Context: The 1937 awards occurred during the Golden Age of Hollywood, a time of studio dominance and rising international attention to American cinema.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1937 National Board of Review winners and their corresponding Academy Award outcomes.

The alignment between the National Board of Review and the Oscars was notable in 1937, especially for Best Picture and Best Actor. However, differences emerged in Best Director, where the NBR honored Dieterle while the Academy chose McCarey. This highlights how different voting bodies can interpret excellence in film uniquely, even in the same year.

Why It Matters

The 1937 National Board of Review Awards played a significant role in shaping early film criticism and award culture in America. As one of the first organizations to formally recognize cinematic achievements, the NBR helped legitimize film as an art form.

• The recognition of The Life of Emile Zola underscored the growing importance of socially conscious storytelling in mainstream cinema.
• Spencer Tracy’s dual win from the NBR and the Academy solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.
• The awards contributed to the rising prestige of Warner Bros., the studio behind The Life of Emile Zola.
• By honoring William Dieterle, the NBR spotlighted directors as key creative forces in filmmaking, a concept that gained traction in later decades.
• The 1937 awards occurred just before the Oscars became the dominant industry honor, giving the NBR significant influence in early film discourse.
• Today, the NBR remains a precursor to the Oscars, often predicting nominees and shaping awards season momentum.

The legacy of the 1937 awards endures through their role in recognizing films that combined entertainment with moral and historical depth, setting a standard for future generations of filmmakers.