The Grapes of Wrath
Based on the classic John Steinbeck novel, The Grapes of Wrath follows a poor family looking for a better life in California, only to find that the promised land isn't what they had hoped. Despite his usual conservativism, John Ford accurately captured Steinbeck's depiction of the Great Depression and its impact on migrant farmworkers during the Dust Bowl.
Sweet Smell of Success
Sweet Smell of Success follows the story of a newspaper columnist J.J. Hunsecker (Burt Lancaster) who disapproves of his sister's relationship with aspiring jazz musician Steve Dallas (Marty Milner). Hunsecker then hires P.R. specialist Sidney Falco (Tony Curtis) to meddle his way into the relationship and drive the two apart. It is considered one of the best films ever made about the seedy underbelly of Broadway.