The year 1939 is often cited as Hollywood’s finest moment, as proof positive that mercantilism (the studio system) and aesthetics (good movies) are mutually compatible. Give a casual movie-goer half a tick and he’ll come up with examples like “The Wizard of Oz” or “Gone With the Wind.” Scratch a little harder and you might hear about “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” or “Stagecoach.” The list is long and deep.