The 9 Years (Intro teaser)

As we are now in 2009, we can expect to see a great many articles trumpeting the 70th anniversary of the fabled "Best Movie Year," 1939. This is tradition, dating back probably to every 9 year of every decade.

But is 1939 really the best year for movies? I don't know about that. It was great, but after the watershed year 1979, I started having my doubts. In 1989, I started noticing a trend. And in 1999, I was sure I was on to something.

I have a theory: that the 9 year in every decade is the best of that period. Why? I can only surmise that filmmakers working during the decade in question want to get out their final word on the era, and thus save their best for last. But, in the end, who really knows why: maybe it's simply just chance working here. Still, it's a very definable trend.

Over the next few articles, I'll be looking in detail at the film output for the final year in every decade, starting with 1939 and ending with 1999. At the end of each article, I'll tally up the numbers and you can decide for yourself which is truly the greatest movie year

As film fans, I ask you: think about the 9 years. 1939, 1949, 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989, 1999. Think about them.