The big difference between the average movie from then and what is coming out now is that the old movies were entertaining. I could see myself going to the movies a few times each week to get out of the house, away from the depression and war (or impending war) and walking out of the movie house feeling like I got my money's worth.
Today, the motive was "education" and "message" seems to have overwhelmed the profit motive tool of ensuring that the audience gets its money's worth.
Over 75% of my movie watching is pre-60s
Simpler plots, actual talent, and no children
I have no idea who most of the current generation of “stars” even are. Nor do I care
“I have found myself watching a lot of movies from the 1930’s and 1940’s. Back when the studios ran the process and one of the primary motives was to make a profit.”
The old movie studios back then told their writers, whether they were left of right, “You want to send a message? Call western union.”
As a boy of the 50s, I grew up on these movies. “The Horn Blows at Midnight,” “The Major and the Minor,” “Imitation General,” “The Best Years of Our Lives,” to name a few and there were so, so many more. Today’s movies don’t hold a candle to them, IMO. Just Woke BS.
You are absolutely correct.