John M. Stahl

Films in our library, ranked

Ranked by composite canon score across 20+ authoritative lists, awards and polls — our ordering, with every placement citing its evidence on the film's page.

1. 1
   Imitation of Life

   1934 · United States · romance, drama

   Oscar Best Picture nominee 1934 · National Film Registry (inducted 2005) · Criterion Collection spine #1167

   0.843 citations
2. 2
   Leave Her to Heaven

   1945 · United States · drama, film-noir

   National Film Registry (inducted 2018) · Empire 500 (2008) #346 · Criterion Collection spine #1020

   0.573 citations
3. 3
   The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg

   1927 · United States · comedy, romance, drama

   Kinema Junpo Best Ten (International) 1929 #9

   0.301 citation

Complete filmography

All 43 directorial credits recorded on Wikidata, in chronological order; films in our library link to their canon-score page.

• 1917The Lincoln Cycle
• 1918Suspicion
• 1918Wives of Men
• 1919Greater Than Love
• 1919Her Code of Honor
• 1919The Woman Under Oath
• 1920The Woman in His House
• 1920Women Men Forget
• 1921Sowing the Wind
• 1921The Child Thou Gavest Me
• 1922One Clear Call
• 1922The Song of Life
• 1923The Dangerous Age
• 1923The Wanters
• 1924Husbands and Lovers
• 1924Why Men Leave Home
• 1925Fine Clothes
• 1925The Gay Deceiver
• 1926Memory Lane
• 1927In Old Kentucky
• 1927Lovers
• 1927The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg
• 1930A Lady Surrenders
• 1931Seed
• 1931Strictly Dishonorable
• 1932Back Street
• 1933Only Yesterday
• 1934Imitation of Life
• 1935Magnificent Obsession
• 1937Parnell
• 1938Letter of Introduction
• 1939When Tomorrow Comes
• 1941Our Wife
• 1943Holy Matrimony
• 1943Immortal Sergeant
• 1944The Eve of St. Mark
• 1944The Keys of the Kingdom
• 1945Leave Her to Heaven
• 1947Forever Amber
• 1947The Foxes of Harrow
• 1948The Walls of Jericho
• 1949Oh, You Beautiful Doll
• 1950Father was a Fullback