List of RKO Pictures films

here are all the RKO Radio Pictures films, which are fully in the hands of Embassy Pictures (1960-1985), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (1985-1986), Turner Entertainment (1986-1996), Universal Studios (1996–present), and Walt Disney Pictures (1953–present).
while Embassy, Turner and Universal took RKO's films, the Goldwyn films between 1941 and 1952 are in the hands of Samuel Goldwyn Pictures (MGM) and the Disney films between 1937 and 1953 are in the hands of The Walt Disney Company since 1953.
==1929==
RKO's first year of production resulted in the release of 13 films, highlighted by Syncopation, The Vagabond Lover, and Rio Rita. Two previous films titled Come and Get It (February 3, 1929) and The Drifter (February 8, 1929) were listed by AFI as RKO productions, but the copyright claimant is RKO's precursor, F.B.O. Productions, Inc.
Release date 	Film 	Notes/References
March 24, 1929 	Syncopation 	First film released by RKO, but second produced
July 30, 1929 	Street Girl 	First film produced by RKO; premiered in New York City with wide release on August 21, 1929
August 10, 1929 	Half Marriage 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on October 13, 1929
August 24, 1929 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on September 15, 1929
September 8, 1929 	Side Street 	
September 15, 1929	Rio Rita 	With Technicolor sequences
September 22, 1929	 	
October 27, 1929 	Night Parade 	
October 30, 1929 	Jazz Heaven 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on November 3, 1929
November 10, 1929 	Tanned Legs 	
November 26, 1929 	 	First talking film for Rudy Vallee; premiered in New York City, wide release on December 1, 1929
December 14, 1929 	Dance Hall 	Premiered in New York City, wide release December 27, 1929
December 25, 1929 	Seven Keys to Baldpate	Premiered in New York City, wide release on January 12, 1930
==The 1930s==
The first full decade for the fledgling film studio was a mixture of large successes and deep instability, as the studio went through numerous management changes. The studio produced many classic films, such as Gunga Din, Cimarron (the first Western film to win the best picture Oscar, and only one of two RKO films to win that award), King Kong, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, Top Hat, The Three Musketeers, Bringing Up Baby and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. During this decade, the studio owned the contracts of such notable talents as Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Mary Astor, Joel McCrea and Joan Fontaine, as well as off-screen talent such as Irving Berlin and John Ford. A major accomplishment for the studio came when they signed an exclusive distribution deal with Walt Disney Pictures.
===1930===
The studio released 29 films that year, although there were no major critical or financial hits.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 5, 1930 	Love Comes Along 	
January 14, 1930 	Hit the Deck 	With Technicolor sequences; premiered in New York, wide release on February 23, 1930
February 2, 1930 	Girl of the Port 	
February 9, 1930 	Second Wife 	
February 23, 1930 	 	Oscar nomination for Best Sound Recording
March 2, 1930 	Beau Bandit 	
March 16, 1930 	Framed 	
March 21, 1930 	Lovin' the Ladies 	Premiered in New York City, wide release April 6, 1930
April 11, 1930 	Alias French Gertie 	Premiered in New York City, wide release April 20, 1930
April 18, 1930 	He Knew Women 	Premiered in New York City, wide release May 18, 1930
April 25, 1930 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release May 4, 1930
May 4, 1930 	 	
May 30, 1930 	Midnight Mystery 	Premiered in New York City, wide release May 1, 1930
June 15, 1930 	 	
June 20, 1930 	She's My Weakness 	Premiered in New York City, wide release August 1, 1930
July 5, 1930 	Inside the Lines 	
July 11, 1930 	Lawful Larceny 	Premiered in New York City, wide release August 17, 1930
July 20, 1930 	Shooting Straight 	
August 1, 1930 	Dixiana 	With Technicolor sequences
August 10, 1930 	Conspiracy 	
September 1, 1930*	Escape 	
September 12, 1930	Leathernecking 	With Technicolor sequences; premiered in New York City, wide release September 22, 1930
October 4, 1930 	Half Shot at Sunrise 	
October 15, 1930 	 	
October 24, 1930 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on October 25, 1930
October 25, 1930 	Check and Double Check	
November 10, 1930 	Sin Takes a Holiday 	Produced by Pathé; might have been released on November 20, 1930
November 15, 1930 	Danger Lights 	Premiered Chicago, wide release December 12, 1930
December 24, 1930 	Hook, Line and Sinker 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on December 26, 1930
===1931===
RKO acquired Pathé in January, and released films under both the RKO and RKO Pathé labels. Combined, the studio would release 50 films during the year, with its film, Cimarron winning the Best Picture Oscar. By the end of the year, David O. Selznick took over as the head of production for the studio.
Release date 	Film 	Notes/References
January 15, 1931 	 	
January 16, 1931 	Beau Ideal 	Premiered in New York City, wide release January 25, 1931
January 18, 1931 	 	First talking film for Clark Gable
January 26, 1931 	Cimarron 	Academy Award for Best Picture, the first for a Western film; premiered in New York City, wide release February 9, 1931
February 6, 1931 	Millie 	Premiered in New York City, wide release February 8, 1931
February 22, 1931 	Lonely Wives 	
February 22, 1931 	Kept Husbands 	
March 8, 1931 	 	
March 15, 1931 	Behind Office Doors 	
March 15, 1931** 	 	
March 27, 1931 	Laugh and Get Rich 	Premiered in New York City, wide release April 20, 1931
April 1, 1931 	 	Aka Birds of Prey
April 4, 1931 	Cracked Nuts 	Premiered in New York City, wide release April 19, 1931
April 12, 1931 	Beyond Victory 	
April 15, 1931 	Bachelor Apartment 	
April 17, 1931 	Born to Love 	
April 18, 1931 	 	
May 22, 1931 	Everything's Rosie 	Premiered in New York City, wide release June 13, 1931
May 23, 1931 	Young Donovan's Kid 	Premiered in New York City, wide release June 6, 1931
June 6, 1931 	White Shoulders 	
June 12, 1931 	Transgression 	Premiered in New York City, wide release June 27, 1931
June 25, 1931 	Sweepstakes 	Premiered in New York City, wide release July 10, 1931
July 3, 1931 	Three Who Loved 	
July 8, 1931 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release August 7, 1931
July 17, 1931 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release July 24, 1931
July 18, 1931 	Too Many Cooks 	
July 31, 1931 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release August 1, 1931
August 3, 1931* 	 	
August 7, 1931 	Traveling Husbands 	Premiered in New York City, wide release August 15, 1931
August 7, 1931 	 	First all-Technicolor RKO production; premiered in New York City, wide release August 22, 1931
August 18, 1931 	High Stakes 	
August 22, 1931 	 	
August 28, 1931 	Rebound 	Premiered in New York City, wide release September 18, 1931
September 4, 1931 	 	
September 5, 1931 	Caught Plastered 	
September 11, 1931	Sundown Trail 	
September 12, 1931	Smart Woman 	
September 25, 1931	Devotion 	
October 2, 1931 	Bad Company 	
October 3, 1931 	Friends and Lovers 	
October 10, 1931 	Fanny Foley Herself 	Second all-Technicolor RKO production
October 15, 1931 	Consolation Marriage 	Premiered Hollywood, CA; wide release November 21, 1931
October 16, 1931 	 	
October 30, 1931 	Freighters of Destiny 	
November 13, 1931 	Are These Our Children?	Premiered in New York City, wide release November 14, 1931
November 13, 1931 	Way Back Home 	
November 14, 1931 	Secret Service 	
November 20, 1931 	Suicide Fleet 	
December 18, 1931 	 	
December 25, 1931 	Peach O'Reno 	Aka Peach-O-Reno
===1932===
46 films were produced and released by RKO during the year. Although Selznick was successful in signing major talent like Fred Astaire, Katharine Hepburn and George Cukor, financially, it was one of the worst years for the studio, as it was for many other studios as the Great Depression deepened. The RKO Pathé label was completely abandoned during this year.
Release date 	Film 	Notes/References
January 1, 1932 	 	First talking film for Pola Negri
January 8, 1932 	Men of Chance 	Released in January, after premiering in NYC on December 26, 1931
January 8, 1932 	Partners 	
January 15, 1932 	Girl of the Rio 	
January 19, 1932 	Panama Flo 	
January 22, 1932 	Prestige 	
February 5, 1932 	Ladies of the Jury 	
February 19, 1932 	Lady with a Past 	
March 10, 1932 	 	
March 19, 1932 	 	
March 19, 1932 	Carnival Boat 	
March 27, 1932 	Girl Crazy 	
March 29, 1932 	 	Distribution only, produced by Super-Film GmbH
April 8, 1932 	Young Bride 	
April 8, 1932 	 	Aka Sunshine Susie; distribution only
April 14, 1932 	Symphony of Six Million 	
April 28, 1932 	 	
May 5, 1932 	State's Attorney 	
May 13, 1932 	Ghost Valley 	
May 27, 1932 	Westward Passage 	
June 17, 1932 	Is My Face Red? 	
June 24, 1932 	What Price Hollywood? 	
July 8, 1932 	Beyond the Rockies 	
July 8, 1932 	Roar of the Dragon 	
August 12, 1932 	Bird of Paradise 	
August 19, 1932 	 	
August 19, 1932 	Bring 'Em Back Alive 	
September 9, 1932 	 	
September 16, 1932	Hold 'Em Jail 	
September 16, 1932	Thirteen Women 	
September 23, 1932	Hell's Highway 	
September 23, 1932	Come on Danger! 	
September 30, 1932	 	
October 7, 1932 	Strange Justice 	
October 14, 1932 	 	
November 4, 1932 	Little Orphan Annie 	
November 11, 1932 	 	
November 18, 1932 	Men Are Such Fools 	
November 18, 1932 	 	
November 25, 1932 	Renegades of the West 	
November 25, 1932 	Rockabye 	
November 25, 1932 	Men of America 	
December 2, 1932 	Secrets of the French Police	
December 9, 1932 	 	
December 16, 1932 	 	
December 23, 1932 	 	
===1933===
RKO produced and/or distributed 49 films during the year. Selznick left the studio early in 1933 due to in-fighting over production control. As a result of the record losses in 1932, the studio went into receivership. Through all the hardship, and while posting a net loss for the year of just over $4 million, the studio saw some large successes, such as King Kong, Little Women, Flying Down to Rio (the first pairing of Astaire and Rogers), and Morning Glory (which netted Katharine Hepburn her first Oscar for Best Actress).
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 6, 1933 	No Other Woman 	
January 13, 1933 	 	
January 20, 1933 	 	
January 20, 1933 	 	
January 27, 1933 	Goldie Gets Along 	
January 28, 1933 	Lucky Devils 	
February 17, 1933 	 	
February 23, 1933 	Our Betters 	
February 24, 1933 	Topaze 	
March 2, 1933 	King Kong 	
March 7, 1933 	Sailor Be Good 	
March 9, 1933 	Christopher Strong 	
March 10, 1933 	Scarlet River 	
April 14, 1933 	Sweepings 	
April 28, 1933 	India Speaks 	
April 29, 1933 	Diplomaniacs 	
May 5, 1933 	Son of the Border 	
May 5, 1933 	 	
May 24, 1933 	Man Hunt 	
June 2, 1933 	Tomorrow at Seven 	
June 9, 1933 	Professional Sweetheart 	
June 16, 1933 	Melody Cruise 	
June 24, 1933 	Emergency Call 	
June 29, 1933 	Bed of Roses 	
June 30, 1933 	Cross Fire 	
July 13, 1933 	Double Harness 	
July 14, 1933 	Flying Devils 	
July 28, 1933 	Headline Shooter 	
August 4, 1933 	Before Dawn 	
August 5, 1933 	 	
August 8, 1933 	No Marriage Ties 	
August 18, 1933 	Morning Glory 	
August 18, 1933 	Blind Adventure 	
August 18, 1933 	Deluge 	
September 1, 1933 	Rafter Romance 	
September 8, 1933 	One Man's Journey 	
September 22, 1933	Midshipman Jack 	
September 26, 1933	Ann Vickers 	
September 29, 1933	Flaming Gold 	
October 20, 1933 	Ace of Aces 	
October 26, 1933 	After Tonight 	
October 27, 1933 	Chance at Heaven 	
November 3, 1933 	Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men	
November 10, 1933 	Goodbye Love 	
November 16, 1933 	Little Women 	Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture
November 17, 1933 	 	
December 1, 1933 	If I Were Free 	
December 22, 1933 	Flying Down to Rio 	First film teaming of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
December 22, 1933 	Son of Kong 	
===1934===
RKO released 45 films in 1934. While the studio lost money, its losses were far less ($310,000) than they had been in the prior three years. The year saw George Stevens become a major director. Several highlights of the year were The Lost Patrol (the first RKO film directed by John Ford), Of Human Bondage, Anne of Green Gables, and The Little Minister.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 12, 1934 	 	
January 13, 1934 	Man of Two Worlds 	
January 19, 1934 	Long Lost Father 	
January 26, 1934 	Two Alone 	
February 2, 1934 	Hips, Hips, Hooray! 	
February 16, 1934 	 	
March 2, 1934 	Keep 'Em Rolling 	
March 8, 1934 	Spitfire 	
March 14, 1934 	 	
April 6, 1934 	Wild Cargo 	
April 13, 1934 	This Man is Mine 	
April 19, 1934 	 	
April 20, 1934 	Sing and Like It 	
May 3, 1934** 	Success at Any Price 	Some sources, including AFI, have the film opening in March, but the New York Times review is on May 4, which would coincide with the May 3 release date.
May 4, 1934 	Finishing School 	
May 11, 1934 	Strictly Dynamite 	
May 12, 1934 	Stingaree 	
June 14, 1934 	 	Premiered in New York City, general release date was June 22, 1934
June 15, 1934 	Murder on the Blackboard	
June 22, 1934 	Let's Try Again 	
June 28, 1934 	Of Human Bondage 	
June 29, 1934 	Cockeyed Cavaliers 	
July 13, 1934 	We're Rich Again 	
July 17, 1934 	His Greatest Gamble 	Premiered in New York City, general release date was August 10, 1934
July 26, 1934 	Hat, Coat and Glove 	Premiered in New York City, general release date was July 27, 1934
July 28, 1934 	Bachelor Bait 	
August 17, 1934 	Their Big Moment 	
August 17, 1934 	Adventure Girl 	
August 23, 1934 	 	
August 31, 1934 	Down to Their Last Yacht	
September 14, 1934	 	Premiered on September 1, 1934
September 21, 1934	 	
October 5, 1934 	Dangerous Corner 	
October 12, 1934 	 	Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture
October 26, 1934 	Gridiron Flash 	
October 26, 1934 	Wednesday's Child 	
November 2, 1934 	Kentucky Kernels 	
November 9, 1934 	By Your Leave 	
November 9, 1934 	Woman in the Dark 	
November 23, 1934 	Anne of Green Gables 	
December 7, 1934 	Lightning Strikes Twice 	
December 10, 1934 	 	
December 14, 1934 	Red Morning 	
December 27, 1934 	West of the Pecos 	Premiered in New York City, general release date was January 4, 1935
December 28, 1934 	 	
===1935===
RKO released 42 films in 1935, of which it produced 39. There was yet another shake-up in the management structure of the studio, but the company saw its first profit since 1930, albeit a small one of $684,000. Highlights of the year included Alice Adams, and Becky Sharp (the first full-length feature film in Technicolor). The studio also saw several major disappointments, including The Last Days of Pompeii. In addition to the films produced, RKO acquired the distribution rights for The March of Time newsreel series in June 1935, a relationship that continued until July 1942. Released monthly, each edition was approximately 20 minutes long.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 11, 1935 	Romance in Manhattan 	
January 18, 1935 	Grand Old Girl 	
February 1, 1935 	Enchanted April 	
February 14, 1935 	Murder on a Honeymoon 	Wide release date was February 22
February 15, 1935 	Gigolette 	Distribution only, produced by Select Productions
March 1, 1935 	Captain Hurricane 	
March 8, 1935 	Roberta 	
March 15, 1935 	 	Distribution only, produced by Select Productions
March 22, 1935 	 	
April 1, 1935 	Strangers All 	
April 5, 1935 	Laddie 	
April 11, 1935 	Star of Midnight 	Wide release date was April 19
May 3, 1935 	Chasing Yesterday 	
May 9, 1935 	 	Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture; wide release date was May 24
May 10, 1935 	Village Tale 	
May 16, 1935 	Break of Hearts 	Wide release date was May 31
June 7, 1935 	 	
June 13, 1935 	Becky Sharp 	First full-length feature entirely in three-strip Technicolor; wide release date was June 28; distribution only, produced by Pioneer Films
June 14, 1935 	Hooray for Love 	
June 28, 1935 	 	
July 12, 1935 	She 	
August 2, 1935 	Old Man Rhythm 	
August 9, 1935 	Jalna 	
August 15, 1935 	Alice Adams 	Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture; wide release date was August 23
September 6, 1935 	Hot Tip 	
August 29, 1935 	Top Hat 	Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture; went into wide release on September 6 In New York, the film premiered at Radio City Music Hall.
September 13, 1935	 	
September 27, 1935	Powdersmoke Range 	
September 29, 1935	His Family Tree 	
October 4, 1935 	Freckles 	
October 11, 1935 	Hi, Gaucho! 	
October 18, 1935 	 	
October 25, 1935 	 	
November 1, 1935 	 	
November 8, 1935 	To Beat the Band 	
November 15, 1935 	Annie Oakley 	
November 22, 1935 	In Person 	
November 27, 1935 	I Dream Too Much 	
December 13, 1935 	Seven Keys to Baldpate	
December 20, 1935 	Another Face 	
December 20, 1935 	Fang and Claw 	
December 27, 1935 	We're Only Human 	
===1936===
1936 was another profitable year for RKO, which released 39 films. The studio saw the arrival of producer Howard Hawks as well as George and Ira Gershwin. Although the studio did well overall, there were few outstanding pictures, Follow the Fleet and Swing Time, both Astaire and Rogers vehicles, being the exception. One of the biggest disappointments of the year was Sylvia Scarlett, starring Katharine Hepburn.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 3, 1936 	Sylvia Scarlett 	
January 10, 1936 	Two in the Dark 	
January 17, 1936 	Chatterbox 	
February 1, 1936 	Muss 'Em Up 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on February 14, 1936
February 7, 1936 	 	
February 21, 1936 	Follow the Fleet 	
February 22, 1936 	Yellow Dust 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on March 13, 1936
March 4, 1936 	Love on a Bet 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on March 6, 1936
March 6, 1936 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on March 27, 1936
March 20, 1936 	Silly Billies 	
April 3, 1936 	Two in Revolt 	
April 17, 1936 	Murder on a Bridle Path	
April 24, 1936 	 	
April 24, 1936 	Special Investigator 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on May 8, 1936
May 15, 1936 	 	
May 22, 1936 	Dancing Pirate 	
July 10, 1936 	 	
July 12, 1936 	Let's Sing Again 	
June 12, 1936 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on June 19, 1936
June 26, 1936 	Bunker Bean 	
July 27, 1936 	M'Liss 	
July 31, 1936 	Grand Jury 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on August 7, 1936
August 21, 1936 	Second Wife 	
August 28, 1936 	Mary of Scotland 	
September 4, 1936 	Swing Time 	
September 11, 1936	Walking on Air 	
September 18, 1936	Don't Turn 'Em Loose 	
October 2, 1936 	Mummy's Boys 	
October 9, 1936 	 	
October 17, 1936 	Daniel Boone 	
October 23, 1936 	Without Orders 	
November 6, 1936 	 	
November 13, 1936 	Make Way for a Lady 	
November 20, 1936 	Winterset 	
November 27, 1936 	Smartest Girl in Town 	
December 4, 1936 	Wanted! Jane Turner 	
December 11, 1936 	 	
December 18, 1936 	Night Waitress 	
December 25, 1936 	Rainbow on the River 	
===1937===
1937 was the most productive year in RKO's history, with the studio releasing 56 films, as well as entering into an agreement to distribute films produced by Walt Disney Productions. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first Disney film released by RKO, premiered in December 1937, although it underwent wide release in February 1938, and was a huge success. It was one of the few successes for the studio this year, which again went through yet another management change. Another bright spot for the studio was Stage Door, which while it was only a small financial success, received very good critical notices, including four Oscar nominations.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 1, 1937 	That Girl from Paris 	
January 8, 1937 	We Who Are About to Die 	
January 12, 1937 	Racing Lady 	Premiered in New York, wide release on January 29, 1937
January 15, 1937 	 	
January 26, 1937 	Criminal Lawyer 	Premiered in New York, wide release on January 29, 1937
February 5, 1937 	They Wanted to Marry 	
February 11, 1937 	We're on the Jury 	Premiered in New York, wide release on February 12, 1937
February 19, 1937 	When's Your Birthday? 	
February 19, 1937 	Sea Devils 	
February 26, 1937 	Park Avenue Logger 	
March 5, 1937 	Don't Tell the Wife 	
March 12, 1937 	China Passage 	
March 26, 1937 	Quality Street 	
April 2, 1937 	 	
April 9, 1937 	 	
April 9, 1937 	Too Many Wives 	
April 16, 1937 	 	
April 23, 1937 	 	
April 30, 1937 	You Can't Buy Luck 	
May 7, 1937 	Shall We Dance 	
May 14, 1937 	Behind the Headlines 	
May 21, 1937 	There Goes My Girl 	
May 28, 1937 	Hollywood Cowboy 	
June 4, 1937 	Border Cafe 	
June 4, 1937 	Meet the Missus 	
June 18, 1937 	Riding on Air 	
June 25, 1937 	You Can't Beat Love 	
July 2, 1937 	New Faces of 1937 	
July 9, 1937 	On Again-Off Again 	
July 16, 1937 	Super-Sleuth 	
July 23, 1937 	 	
July 30, 1937 	 	
August 6, 1937 	Windjammer 	
August 13, 1937 	Hideaway 	
August 20, 1937 	Flight from Glory 	
August 27, 1937 	Make a Wish 	
September 3, 1937 	 	
September 10, 1937	Annapolis Salute 	
September 24, 1937	Forty Naughty Girls 	
October 8, 1937 	Saturday's Heroes 	
October 8, 1937 	Stage Door 	
October 8, 1937 	Music for Madame 	
October 15, 1937 	Fit for a King 	
October 22, 1937 	Breakfast for Two 	
October 29, 1937 	There Goes the Groom 	
November 5, 1937 	Fight for Your Lady 	
November 11, 1937 	 	Distribution only; premiered in London, wide release on January 21, 1938
November 12, 1937 	Living on Love 	
November 12, 1937 	Victoria the Great 	Distribution only
November 19, 1937 	 	
November 26, 1937 	High Flyers 	
December 3, 1937 	Danger Patrol 	
December 10, 1937 	Quick Money 	
December 21, 1937 	Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs	Premiered in Los Angeles, wide release on February 4, 1938; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
December 24, 1937 	Hitting a New High 	
December 31, 1937 	Wise Girl 	
December 31, 1937 	She's Got Everything 	
===1938===
Profits for the studio fell again in 1938, on the release of 42 films, and the studio lost the talents of Katharine Hepburn, Joan Fontaine and Howard Hawks. However, they did gain the services of Garcon Kanin. One of the biggest disappointments of the year was Bringing Up Baby, which, while today it is considered to be one of the finest comedies ever produced, at the time it was a box office flop. One of the few bright spots for RKO was the establishment of the The Saint film series, which would run successfully through 1941.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 7, 1938 	Crashing Hollywood 	
January 14, 1938 	Everybody's Doing It 	
January 18, 1938 	Inside Nazi Germany 	Distributor, The March of Time short
January 28, 1938 	Double Danger 	
February 11, 1938 	Radio City Revels 	
February 18, 1938 	Bringing Up Baby 	
February 25, 1938 	Night Spot 	
March 4, 1938 	Maid's Night Out 	
March 11, 1938 	Hawaii Calls 	
March 18, 1938 	Condemned Women 	
April 8, 1938 	This Marriage Business 	
April 22, 1938 	Go Chase Yourself 	
May 6, 1938 	Law of the Underworld 	
May 6, 1938 	Joy of Living 	
May 13, 1938 	Vivacious Lady 	
May 13, 1938 	Gun Law 	
May 20, 1938 	Blind Alibi 	
June 3, 1938 	 	
June 17, 1938 	Blond Cheat 	
June 24, 1938 	Border G-Man 	
July 1, 1938 	Having Wonderful Time 	
July 8, 1938 	Crime Ring 	
July 22, 1938 	Sky Giant 	
July 29, 1938 	Mother Carey's Chickens 	
August 5, 1938 	I'm From the City 	
August 12, 1938 	Painted Desert 	
August 19, 1938 	Smashing the Rackets 	
August 26, 1938 	Breaking the Ice 	
September 2, 1938 	Carefree 	
September 9, 1938 	 	
September 16, 1938	 	
September 23, 1938	Fugitives for a Night 	
September 30, 1938	Room Service 	
October 7, 1938 	Mr. Doodle Kicks Off 	
October 14, 1938 	A Man to Remember 	
October 21, 1938 	The Mad Miss Manton 	
October 28, 1938 	Tarnished Angel 	
November 4, 1938 	Lawless Valley 	
November 11, 1938 	Annabel Takes a Tour 	
November 18, 1938 	 	
November 25, 1938 	Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus	
December 9, 1938 	Next Time I Marry 	
===1939===
One of the biggest events for the studio this year was the signing of an agreement for Orson Welles to produce films for RKO. Even though RKO had one of its most creative years, releasing 49 films, it ended the year showing a slight net loss. Highlights were Gunga Din, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Love Affair, Allegheny Uprising, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (the last Astaire/Rogers film), Five Came Back, In Name Only, Bachelor Mother, Nurse Edith Cavell, and The Flying Deuces.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 6, 1939 	Pacific Liner 	
January 13, 1939 	 	
January 20, 1939 	Arizona Legion 	
February 2, 1939 	Boy Slaves 	
February 3, 1939 	Fisherman's Wharf 	
February 17, 1939 	Gunga Din 	
February 24, 1939 	Beauty for the Asking 	
March 3, 1939 	Twelve Crowded Hours 	
March 10, 1939 	 	
March 24, 1939 	Trouble in Sundown 	
March 29, 1939 	They Made Her a Spy 	Premiered in New York, wide release on April 14, 1939
March 31, 1939 	Almost a Gentleman 	
April 7, 1939 	Love Affair 	
April 7, 1939 	 	
April 21, 1939 	Fixer Dugan 	
April 28, 1939 	 	
April 28, 1939 	 	
May 5, 1939 	Sorority House 	
May 12, 1939 	Panama Lady 	
May 26, 1939 	Racketeers of the Range 	
June 2, 1939 	 	
June 16, 1939 	 	
June 23, 1939 	Five Came Back 	
June 30, 1939 	Timber Stampede 	
June 30, 1939 	 	
July 7, 1939 	Career 	
July 21, 1939 	Way Down South 	
July 28, 1939 	 	
August 4, 1939 	Bachelor Mother 	
August 8, 1939 	 	
August 18, 1939 	In Name Only 	
August 23, 1939 	Conspiracy 	Premiered in New York, wide release on September 1, 1939
August 28, 1939 	Bad Lands 	
September 8, 1939 	Full Confession 	
September 15, 1939	 	
September 22, 1939	5th Ave Girl 	Aka Fifth Avenue Girl
September 22, 1939	Nurse Edith Cavell 	Premiered in New York, wide release on September 29, 1939
October 6, 1939 	Everything's on Ice 	
October 13, 1939 	Three Sons 	
October 27, 1939 	Sued for Libel 	
November 3, 1939 	 	
November 3, 1939 	 	Distribution only; produced by Boris Morros Productions
November 10, 1939 	Allegheny Uprising 	
November 17, 1939 	Meet Dr. Christian 	
November 24, 1939 	That's Right-You're Wrong	
December 1, 1939 	Reno 	
December 8, 1939 	Two Thoroughbreds 	
December 22, 1939 	Escape to Paradise 	
December 29, 1939 	 	
==The 1940s==
This decade saw a continuation of the revolving door policy regarding management and creative talent at the studio, although RKO made it out of receivership in 1940. The quality of the films also increased overall, the studio receiving its second Oscar for Best Film, for 1946's The Best Years of Our Lives, as well as producing what many consider the greatest film of all time, Citizen Kane in 1941. Howard Hughes' takeover of the studio in 1948 would begin a downward spiral for RKO.
===1940===
RKO released 55 pictures during this year, of which they produced 39. The studio also premiered two others, which did not go into wide release until 1941 and 1942: Little Men and Fantasia, respectively. The studio lost the services of director George Stevens this year, and despite emerging from receivership, RKO would post an almost $1 million loss in 1940. Highlights of the year included Abe Lincoln in Illinois, My Favorite Wife, Irene, and Kitty Foyle (which won an Academy Award for Best Actress for Ginger Rogers). In addition, the studio continued its successful Saint series, and released two major successes from Walt Disney: Pinocchio, in addition to Fantasia.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 5, 1940 	Legion of the Lawless 	
January 12, 1940 	Mexican Spitfire 	
January 19, 1940 	Married and in Love 	
January 26, 1940 	 	
February 9, 1940 	Vigil in the Night 	
February 16, 1940 	Swiss Family Robinson 	
February 23, 1940 	Pinocchio 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
March 1, 1940 	Little Orvie 	
March 7, 1940 	 	
March 8, 1940 	Isle of Destiny 	
March 15, 1940 	Millionaire Playboy 	
March 22, 1940 	Primrose Path 	
April 5, 1940 	 	
April 12, 1940 	Bullet Code 	
April 19, 1940 	Abe Lincoln in Illinois 	
April 26, 1940 	Curtain Call 	
May 3, 1940 	Irene 	
May 10, 1940 	Beyond Tomorrow 	
May 17, 1940 	My Favorite Wife 	
May 21, 1940 	You Can't Fool Your Wife 	
May 31, 1940 	 	
June 7, 1940 	 	
June 14, 1940 	Prairie Law 	
June 21, 1940 	Pop Always Pays 	
June 28, 1940 	Anne of Windy Poplars 	
July 5, 1940 	Dr. Christian Meets the Women	
July 12, 1940 	Cross-Country Romance 	
July 12, 1940 	Millionaires in Prison 	
July 19, 1940 	Tom Brown's School Days 	
July 26, 1940 	Stage to Chino 	
August 2, 1940 	Queen of Destiny 	
August 2, 1940 	Lucky Partners 	
August 9, 1940 	One Crowded Night 	
August 16, 1940 	Stranger on the Third Floor 	
August 16, 1940 	 	
August 23, 1940 	Wildcat Bus 	
August 30, 1940 	Dance, Girl, Dance 	
September 6, 1940 	Men Against the Sky 	
September 13, 1940	Dreaming Out Loud 	
September 20, 1940	I'm Still Alive 	
September 20, 1940	Triple Justice 	
October 4, 1940 	Wagon Train 	
October 8, 1940 	Too Many Girls 	
October 11, 1940* 	 	
October 18, 1940 	Laddie 	
October 25, 1940 	They Knew What They Wanted 	
November 1, 1940 	Li'l Abner 	
November 13, 1940 	Fantasia 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions; premiered in New York City, followed by a premiere in Los Angeles on January 29, 1941 and went into wide release on April 10, 1942
November 22, 1940 	You'll Find Out 	
November 29, 1940 	Remedy for Riches 	
November 29, 1940 	Mexican Spitfire Out West 	
December 6, 1940 	 	
December 7, 1940 	Little Men 	Premiered in New York city, wide release on January 10, 1941
December 13, 1940 	No, No, Nanette 	
December 27, 1940 	Kitty Foyle 	
===1941===
RKO's year most likely will always be remembered for its release of Citizen Kane, which many consider to be the greatest film of all time. While the company saw a modest profit for the year, RKO lost the exclusive services of Ginger Rogers, the last great star of the studio, and Garson Kanin departed. Even the one bright spot, the signing of an agreement with the Samuel Goldwyn studios to distribute their films, was a double-edged sword, since the financial arrangements left little room for profits to be garnered by RKO. The studio released 45 films during the year, of which they produced 33. Highlights of the year, other than Citizen Kane, included Mr. and Mrs. Smith (a comedy directed by Alfred Hitchcock), the continuation of RKO's successful Saint franchise, The Devil and Miss Jones, The Little Foxes, Ball of Fire and Suspicion. A bit of trivia occurred this year when Bing Crosby's younger brother Bob made his film debut in Let's Make Music.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 3, 1941* 	Convoy 	Produced by Ealing Studios and released in 1940 in Great Britain
January 17, 1941 	Let's Make Music 	
January 24, 1941 	 	
January 31, 1941 	Mr. & Mrs. Smith 	
February 7, 1941 	Along the Rio Grande 	
February 21, 1941 	Scattergood Baines 	
February 22, 1941*	It Happened to One Man 	Premiered in Great Britain in October 1940
March 7, 1941* 	Play Girl 	
March 14, 1941 	 	
March 21, 1941 	Footlight Fever 	
March 28, 1941 	Melody for Three 	
April 4, 1941 	Repent at Leisure 	
April 11, 1941 	 	
April 18, 1941 	Robbers of the Range 	
April 25, 1941 	They Met in Argentina 	
May 1, 1941 	Citizen Kane 	Co-produced with Mercury Theatre, premiered NYC, wide release on September 5, 1941
May 9, 1941 	 	
May 23, 1941 	Scattergood Pulls the Strings	
May 30, 1941 	Sunny 	
June 13, 1941 	Tom, Dick and Harry 	
June 13, 1941 	Cyclone on Horseback 	
June 13, 1941 	Hurry, Charlie, Hurry 	
June 27, 1941 	 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
June 27, 1941 	Jungle Cavalcade 	
July 11, 1941 	They Meet Again 	One of six films in the Dr. Christian series
July 18, 1941 	 	Distribution, The March of Time short
August 1, 1941 	My Life with Caroline 	
August 8, 1941 	Six-Gun Gold 	
August 22, 1941 	Scattergood Meets Broadway 	
August 29, 1941 	 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
September 12, 1941	Parachute Battalion 	
September 26, 1941	Lady Scarface 	
September 1941 	Norway in Revolt 	Distribution, The March of Time feature
October 3, 1941 	Father Takes a Wife 	
October 10, 1941 	 	
October 17, 1941 	 	Aka All That Money Can Buy
October 24, 1941 	 	
October 31, 1941 	Dumbo 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
November 7, 1941 	Unexpected Uncle 	
November 14, 1941 	Suspicion 	
November 21, 1941 	Look Who's Laughing 	
November 28, 1941 	 	
December 2, 1941 	Ball of Fire 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productionsreleased in December, before its premiere in NYC on January 9, 1942
December 12, 1941 	Weekend for Three 	
December 12, 1941 	Dude Cowboy 	
December 26, 1941 	Playmates 	
===1942===
In 1942, RKO was almost forced back into receivership, before Charles Koerner became head of production in March. The studio released 38 films in 1942, which included several films which they only distributed, such as Bambi. The year also saw the termination of the agreement between RKO and Orson Welles. There were few bright spots during the year, although one was the continuation of RKO's The Falcon series.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 16, 1942 	 	
January 23, 1942 	Four Jacks and a Jill 	
January 30, 1942 	Obliging Young Lady 	
February 6, 1942 	Valley of the Sun 	
February 13, 1942 	Call Out the Marines 	
February 20, 1942 	Joan of Paris 	
February 27, 1942 	Riding the Wind 	
March 6, 1942 	Sing Your Worries Away 	
March 13, 1942 	Mexican Spitfire at Sea 	
April 17, 1942 	Land of the Open Range 	
April 20, 1942 	Suicide Squadron 	Released June 27, 1941 in Great Britain as Dangerous Moonlight
April 24, 1942 	 	
May 1, 1942 	 	
May 8, 1942 	Scattergood Rides High 	
May 15, 1942 	 	
May 22, 1942 	Syncopation 	
May 29, 1942 	 	
June 5, 1942 	Come on Danger 	
June 12, 1942 	My Favorite Spy 	
June 19, 1942 	Powder Town 	
June 26, 1942 	Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost	
July 10, 1942 	 	Co-produced with Mercury Theatre
July 14, 1942 	Pride of the Yankees 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn ProductionsPremiered in New York City and went into wide release on March 5, 1943
July 24, 1942* 	Thundering Hoofs 	
September 4, 1942 	 	
September 11, 1942	Mexican Spitfire's Elephant 	
September 18, 1942	Wings and the Woman 	
August 21, 1942 	Bambi 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
September 25, 1942	Bandit Ranger 	
October 2, 1942 	Highways by Night 	
October 9, 1942 	Here We Go Again 	
October 16, 1942 	Scattergood Survives a Murder	
October 30, 1942* 	 	
November 6, 1942 	 	
November 6, 1942 	Red River Robin Hood 	
November 13, 1942 	Seven Days' Leave 	
November 18, 1942 	Seven Miles from Alcatraz 	Premiered in New York City and went into wide release on January 8, 1943
November 27, 1942 	Once Upon a Honeymoon 	
November 20, 1942 	Pirates of the Prairie 	
December 4, 1942 	Army Surgeon 	
December 17, 1942 	 	
December 25, 1942 	Cat People 	
===1943===
1943 was a very profitable year for the studio, with 43 of the 46 films that were released during the year showing profits. The year also saw a few critical successes, such as Mr. Lucky, They Got Me Covered, Hitler's Children, and Behind the Rising Sun.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 14, 1943 	Hitler's Children 	Premiered in Cincinnati, OH; wide release March 19, 1943
January 15, 1943 	Fighting Frontier 	
January 22, 1943* 	Cinderella Swings It 	
January 27, 1943 	They Got Me Covered 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions; premiered in San Francisco, wide release February 5, 1943
February 6, 1943 	Saludos Amigos 	World premiere in Rio de Janeiro, August 24, 1942; US premiere in Boston, with wide release on February 19, 1943; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
February 12, 1943 	Journey into Fear 	
February 19, 1943 	Tarzan Triumphs 	
February 26, 1943 	Two Weeks to Live 	
March 26, 1943 	Forever and a Day 	
March 26, 1943 	Ladies' Day 	Premiered in New York City, wide release April 9, 1943
April 1, 1943 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release May 7, 1943
April 2, 1943 	Flight for Freedom 	
April 2, 1943 	Sagebrush Law 	
April 21, 1943 	I Walked with a Zombie 	Premiered in New York City, wide release April 30, 1943
May 8, 1943 	 	
May 10, 1943 	Squadron Leader X 	Premiered March 1, 1943 in the U.K.
May 14, 1943 	Bombardier 	
May 20, 1943* 	 	
May 28, 1943 	Mr. Lucky 	
June 10, 1943 	Gildersleeve's Bad Day 	
June 12, 1943 	Spitfire 	Premiered in the U.K. (as the The First of the Few) on September 14, 1942
July 17, 1943* 	 	
July 17, 1943* 	Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event	
July 17, 1943* 	Petticoat Larceny 	
July 29, 1943 	 	
August 1, 1943* 	Behind the Rising Sun 	
August 17, 1943 	So This is Washington 	
August 19, 1943 	 	
August 20, 1943 	 	
August 21, 1943 	 	
September 2, 1943 	 	
September 15, 1943	 	
October 25, 1943 	 	
October 28, 1943* 	Gildersleeve on Broadway 	
November 4, 1943* 	 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
November 10, 1943*	 	
December 16, 1943 	Gangway for Tomorrow 	
December 24, 1943 	 	
December 26, 1943 	Tarzan's Desert Mystery 	
December 29, 1943 	Tender Comrade 	
November 24, 1943 	Around the World 	
December 1943* 	Rookies in Burma 	
May 7, 1943 	This Land Is Mine 	
===1944===
1944 was another profitable year for the studio, which released 36 films. In addition, there were quite a few notable occurrences for RKO that year. First, they entered into an agreement to release the films by the independent production house, International Pictures; second, two major stars would make their film debuts — Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck; and third, several notable writers would make their initial foray into directing: Clifford Odets, Howard Estabrook, and Herbert Biberman. The studio's film highlights of 1944 included Higher and Higher (Frank Sinatra's first film lead), The Princess and the Pirate, Tall in the Saddle, Murder, My Sweet, The Woman in the Window, and None But the Lonely Heart.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 1, 1944 	Higher and Higher 	
January 6, 1944 	Government Girl 	
February 14, 1944 	Escape to Danger 	World premiere in London on July 22, 1943
February 18, 1944 	Action in Arabia 	
February 17, 1944 	Up in Arms 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
February 25, 1944 	Passport to Destiny 	
March 2, 1944 	 	
March 17, 1944 	 	
April 13, 1944 	Yellow Canary 	World premiere in London on October 19, 1943
April 18, 1944 	Coastal Command 	
April 25, 1944 	Seven Days Ashore 	
May 10, 1944 	Show Business 	
June 8, 1944 	Days of Glory 	
June 9, 1944 	 	
June 30, 1944 	Marine Raiders 	
July 26, 1944 	Step Lively 	
July 28, 1944 	Mademoiselle Fifi 	
August 23, 1944 	Casanova Brown 	World premiere in Western France, just after its liberation in WWII, on August 5, 1944
September 1, 1944 	Youth Runs Wild 	
September 5, 1944 	Gildersleeve's Ghost 	
September 15, 1944	Bride by Mistake 	
September 28, 1944	Goin' to Town 	
October 6, 1944 	Music in Manhattan 	
October 8, 1944 	My Pal Wolf 	
October 17, 1944 	Tall in the Saddle 	
October 17, 1944 	None but the Lonely Heart	
October 18, 1944 	The Master Race 	
October 20, 1944 	Heavenly Days 	
October 25, 1944 	Girl Rush 	
November 3, 1944 	 	
November 4, 1944 	 	
November 17, 1944 	 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
December 8, 1944 	 	
December 9, 1944 	Murder, My Sweet 	
December 20, 1944 	Nevada 	
December 27, 1944 	Belle of the Yukon 	
December 29, 1944 	Experiment Perilous 	
===1945===
Hampered by an industry-wide strike, RKO released only 34 films in 1945, but managed another profitable year. Two more independents agreed to distribution deals with the studio: Rainbow Productions and Liberty Films (Frank Capra's film company). The studio signed numerous stars during the year, such as: John Wayne, Cary Grant, Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Rosalind Russell, Paul Henreid, and the return of Ginger Rogers to the studio. Some of RKO's cinematic highlights of 1945 included, Along Came Jones, The Three Caballeros, The Enchanted Cottage, Johnny Angel, The Spanish Main, and what would become the biggest grossing film in RKO's history, The Bells of St. Mary's.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 27, 1945 	What a Blonde 	
February 22, 1945 	 	World premiere in Mexico City on December 21, 1944; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
March 3, 1945 	It's a Pleasure 	
March 22, 1945 	Pan-Americana 	
April 12, 1945 	Having Wonderful Crime 	
April 13, 1945 	Two O'Clock Courage 	
April 24, 1945 	Betrayal from the East 	
April 26, 1945 	Zombies on Broadway 	
April 28, 1945 	 	
April 29, 1945 	Tarzan and the Amazons 	
May 10, 1945 	 	
May 24, 1945 	China Sky 	
May 25, 1945 	 	
June 8, 1945* 	Wonder Man 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
June 19, 1945 	Those Endearing Young Charms	
June 20, 1945 	Along Came Jones 	
June 25, 1945 	Back to Bataan 	
July 25, 1945 	 	
August 1, 1945 	Radio Stars on Parade 	
August 8, 1945* 	Mama Loves Papa 	
August 11, 1945 	West of the Pecos 	
September 7, 1945 	Isle of the Dead 	
September 11, 1945	First Yank into Tokyo 	
September 28, 1945	Wanderer of the Wasteland 	
October 4, 1945 	 	
October 10, 1945 	George White's Scandals 	
October 25, 1945 	Johnny Angel 	
November 14, 1945*	Sing Your Way Home 	
November 16, 1945 	Man Alive 	
November 23, 1945 	 	
December 6, 1945 	 	
December 20, 1945 	Dick Tracy 	
December 22, 1945 	Hotel Reserve 	World premiere in London on June 1, 1944
December 25, 1945 	Cornered 	
===1946===
Perhaps the best overall year for the studio, it would rake in over $12M in profits, and release 38 films, some of which received high critical acclaim. Unfortunately for RKO, studio head Charles Koerner, the man responsible for this success, died of leukemia early in the year. Highlights of the year included The Spiral Staircase, The Kid from Brooklyn, Till the End of Time, Notorious, The Best Years of Our Lives, It's a Wonderful Life and Nocturne.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
February 7, 1946 	 	
February 13, 1946 	Riverboat Rhythm 	
February 18, 1946 	Tarzan and the Leopard Woman	
February 20, 1946 	Tomorrow Is Forever 	World premiere in London on January 18, 1946; distribution only; produced by International Pictures
March 21, 1946 	 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
April 3, 1946 	Deadline at Dawn 	
April 15, 1946 	Ding Dong Williams 	
April 19, 1946 	From This Day Forward 	
April 20, 1946 	Make Mine Music 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on August 15, 1946; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
April 22, 1946 	 	
April 25, 1946 	Partners in Time 	
April 22, 1946 	Badman's Territory 	
May 10, 1946 	Bedlam 	
May 10, 1946 	Heartbeat 	
May 13, 1946 	Without Reservations 	
July 2, 1946 	 	
July 15, 1946 	 	
July 23, 1946 	Till the End of Time 	
July 26, 1946 	 	
August 15, 1946 	Notorious 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on September 6, 1946
August 30, 1946 	Step by Step 	
September 6, 1946 	Crack-Up 	
September 29, 1946	Sister Kenny 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on October 10, 1946
October 1, 1946 	Sunset Pass 	
October 15, 1946 	Child of Divorce 	
October 18, 1946 	Lady Luck 	
October 20, 1946 	Genius at Work 	
October 29, 1946 	Nocturne 	
October 30, 1946 	Great Day 	World premiere in London on April 13, 1945
November 12, 1946 	Song of the South 	Premiered in Atlanta, GA, wide release on November 20, 1946; Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
November 15, 1946 	Criminal Court 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on November 20, 1946
November 21, 1946 	 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
November 22, 1946 	Dick Tracy vs. Cueball 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on December 18, 1946
December 5, 1946 	San Quentin 	Premiered in Boston, wide release on December 17, 1946
December 10, 1946 	Vacation in Reno 	
December 13, 1946 	 	
December 20, 1946 	It's a Wonderful Life 	Distribution only; produced by Liberty Films
December 20, 1946 	 	
===1947===
This year saw the beginning of activity by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) in the film industry. Two of the infamous "Hollywood Ten" were the only director and producer among that group (Edward Dmytryk and Adrian Scott, respectively), and were also two of RKO's top talent. In addition, production costs were rising at the same time that revenues, both domestically and overseas, were declining. Despite those challenges, the studio saw another profitable year, releasing 35 films. Some of more notable films released during 1947 were: Trail Street, The Farmer's Daughter, The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, Crossfire (the last picture of Scott and Dmytryk before their blacklist), Out of the Past, The Bishop's Wife, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; while two of the largest disappointments (artistically and financially) were Mourning Becomes Electra and Tycoon.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 13, 1947 	Sinbad the Sailor 	
February 19, 1947 	Beat the Band 	
February 19, 1947 	Trail Street 	
February 20, 1947 	 	
February 20, 1947 	Code of the West 	
April 5, 1947 	Tarzan and the Huntress 	
April 16, 1947 	 	
May 3, 1947 	Born to Kill 	
May 14, 1947 	Thunder Mountain 	
May 15, 1947 	Banjo 	
May 17, 1947 	Desperate 	
May 17, 1947 	Honeymoon 	
May 25, 1947 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on May 26, 1947
June 7, 1947 	 	
June 28, 1947 	Riff-Raff 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on September 15, 1947
July 12, 1947 	Dick Tracy's Dilemma 	
July 16, 1947* 	They Won't Believe Me 	
July 22, 1947 	Crossfire 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on August 15, 1947
July 24, 1947 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on September 1, 1947
July 30, 1947 	Seven Keys to Baldpate 	Premiered in Los Angeles, wide release on October 1, 1947
August 1, 1947 	Under the Tonto Rim 	
August 4, 1947 	 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions; premiered in Chicago, wide release on September 1, 1947
August 6, 1947 	 	
September 26, 1947	Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome	
September 27, 1947	Fun and Fancy Free 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
October 7, 1947 	Magic Town 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on October 12, 1947
October 21, 1947 	Man About Town 	World premiere in Paris, May 21, 1947
November 4, 1947 	So Well Remembered 	Premiered in London on July 8, 1947
November 3, 1947 	 	
November 13, 1947 	Wild Horse Mesa 	
November 13, 1947 	Out of the Past 	
November 19, 1947 	Mourning Becomes Electra 	
December 9, 1947 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on February 16, 1948; distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
December 27, 1947 	Tycoon 	
===1948===
1948 marked the beginning of the slow end of the studio when Howard Hughes purchased enough stock to gain control of RKO. This precipitated another shake-up in the creative control at the production company, which in turn led to seventy-five percent of the studio's workforce being terminated in July, and production coming to a virtual standstill. RKO managed to release 32 films during the year, but most were either through distribution deals, or had been finished prior to Hughes' takeover. Despite the light release schedule, the studio did have a few highlights, which included Fort Apache, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, Rachel and the Stranger, A Song is Born, and Every Girl Should Be Married. In addition, I Remember Mama and The Pearl were critical, if not financial, successes. The biggest disappointment was Joan of Arc.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 20, 1948 	Night Song 	
January 24, 1948 	Western Heritage 	
February 7, 1948 	If You Knew Susie 	
February 17, 1948 	 	Spanish version premiered in Mexico City on September 12, 1947, English version premiered in New York City
March 11, 1948 	I Remember Mama 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on March 17, 1948
March 16, 1948 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on March 27, 1948
March 23, 1948 	 	
March 27, 1948 	Fort Apache 	World premiere in Phoenix, Arizona
April 13, 1948 	No Orchids for Miss Blandish 	
April 14, 1948 	Design for Death 	Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary of 1947
April 27, 1948 	Tarzan and the Mermaids 	Premiered in Los Angeles, wide release on May 15, 1948
May 7, 1948 	Berlin Express 	
May 27, 1948 	Melody Time 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
June 4, 1948 	Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House	
June 19, 1948 	Fighting Father Dunne 	
June 18, 1948 	Guns of Hate 	
June 22, 1948 	Race Street 	
July 1, 1948 	Mystery in Mexico 	
July 17, 1948 	Return of the Bad Men 	
August 21, 1948 	Variety Time 	
August 25, 1948 	 	
September 1, 1948 	Good Sam 	
September 4, 1948 	Bodyguard 	
September 18, 1948	Rachel and the Stranger 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on October 2, 1948
October 19, 1948 	Station West 	
October 19, 1948 	 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions; premiered in New York City, wide release on November 6, 1948
November 9, 1948 	Blood on the Moon 	
November 9, 1948 	Every Girl Should Be Married 	
November 11, 1948 	Joan of Arc 	
December 2, 1948 	 	Premiered in Chicago, wide release on March 22, 1949
December 11, 1948 	Indian Agent 	
December 11, 1948 	Enchantment 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
December 27, 1948 	 	
December 28, 1948 	Gun Smugglers 	
===1949===
This was not a banner year for the studio, as Hughes continued to interfere with the creative people underneath him. RKO only began production on 12 films during the year, although they would release 34. The few highlights of 1949 included The Set-Up, The Big Steal, Mighty Joe Young, and She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. A critical success, but box-office failure, was They Live By Night.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 19, 1949 	So Dear to My Heart 	Premiered in Indianapolis, wide release on January 30, 1949; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
February 5, 1949 	Tarzan's Magic Fountain 	
February 7, 1949 	 	
February 8, 1949 	Brothers in the Saddle 	
February 11, 1949 	Riders of the Range 	
February 14, 1949 	 	
March 29, 1949 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on April 2, 1949
April 19, 1949 	Adventure in Baltimore 	
May 4, 1949 	Arctic Fury 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on April 2, 1949
May 14, 1949 	Rustlers 	
May 17, 1949 	 	Premiered in Los Angeles, wide release on October 1, 1949
June 11, 1949 	 	
June 16, 1949 	Roughshod 	
June 27, 1949 	Stagecoach Kid 	
July 1, 1949 	 	
July 7, 1949 	Follow Me Quietly 	
July 26, 1949 	She Wore a Yellow Ribbon	Premiered in Kansas City, KS, wide release on October 22, 1949
July 27, 1949 	Mighty Joe Young 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on July 30, 1949
August 11, 1949 	Make Mine Laughs 	
August 18, 1949 	Roseanna McCoy 	Premiered in Wheeling, WV, wide release on August 20, 1949; distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
September 10, 1949	 	
September 17, 1949	Savage Splendor 	
September 29, 1949	Strange Bargain 	Premiered in New York, wide release on November 5, 1949
October 5, 1949 	 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
October 7, 1949 	 	Previewed in Los Angeles, wide release on June 3, 1950
October 8, 1949 	Easy Living 	
October 15, 1949 	Masked Raiders 	
November 3, 1949 	They Live by Night 	Premiered in London in August 1948
November 12, 1949 	Bride for Sale 	Distribution only; produced by Crest Productions
November 23, 1949 	Holiday Affair 	Premiered in New York, wide release on December 24, 1949
November 26, 1949 	 	
November 26, 1949 	 	
December 25, 1949 	My Foolish Heart 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions; premiered in Los Angeles, wide release on January 21, 1950
==1950s==
The decade would be the last for the original RKO Studio. The downward spiral which had begun upon Hughes' gaining control in 1948 continued. In addition, the studio suffered from a sequence of other difficulties, from which it was unable to overcome. These included a failed sale of the studio to several racketeers, the loss of RKO's chain of movie theaters (due to government regulation), and a multitude of lawsuits. The setbacks ultimately led, in 1955, to the studio's sale to General Teleradio, Inc., the entertainment subsidiary of General Tire and Rubber Company. Ironically, General Teleradio was basically a radio and television company, and it was competition with television which put the final nails in RKO's coffin, which ended production in 1958.
===1950===
Of the 30 films released by the studio during the year, approximately half were actually produced by the studio. In addition, not a single picture would generate profits greater than $100,000, the first time this happened in the history of RKO, and resulted in the first net loss for the studio ($5.8M) in over a decade. Hope was raised when Hughes hired what many considered the top producer-writer team in Hollywood, Jerry Wald and Norman Krasna, who were contracted to produce 60 films over the next five years. The few highlights were all films which were not produced by RKO: Cinderella, The Outlaw (Jane Russell's debut — and a re-release of the film which had seen limited release as an independent Hughes' production in 1943 and 1946, so is not included in the below list), and Treasure Island.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 28, 1950 	 	World premiere in Montreal, Quebec on January 19, 1950, premiered in New York City in the US, with wide release on February 4, 1950
February 9, 1950 	 	
February 15, 1950 	Stromboli 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on February 18, 1950
February 15, 1950 	Cinderella 	Premiered in Boston, wide release on March 4, 1950; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
March 18, 1950 	Tarzan and the Slave Girl	
April 8, 1950 	 	
April 8, 1950 	 	
April 22, 1950 	Wagon Master 	
April 22, 1950 	Storm Over Wyoming 	
May 27, 1950 	 	Distribution only
June 6, 1950 	Destination Murder 	
June 7, 1950 	Rider from Tucson 	
June 7, 1950 	Armored Car Robbery 	
June 15, 1950 	Dynamite Pass 	
June 24, 1950 	 	
July 8, 1950 	Where Danger Lives 	
July 15, 1950 	Born to Be Bad 	
July 27, 1950* 	Our Very Own 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
July 29, 1950 	Treasure Island 	World premiere in London on June 22, 1950; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
August 2, 1950 	Edge of Doom 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions; premiered in New York City, wide release on August 30, 1950
August 5, 1950* 	Border Treasure 	
September 1, 1950 	Bunco Squad 	
September 27, 1950	Outrage 	
October 14, 1950 	Walk Softly, Stranger 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on November 4, 1950
October 21, 1950* 	Rio Grande Patrol 	
November 21, 1950 	Experiment Alcatraz 	
November 21, 1950 	Never a Dull Moment 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on November 22, 1950
December 1, 1950 	Double Deal 	
December 25, 1950 	Vendetta 	
December 27, 1950 	Law of the Badlands 	
===1951===
The studio's slow slide to oblivion continued in 1951, exacerbated by the government requirement that they split off their theater operations from their film operations. The RKO Story, by Richard Jewell with Vernon Harbin, states that RKO had "... become the combination laughing stock and pariah of the entire industry." Barely showing a profit, the studio released 39 films, the highlights being: Payment on Demand, The Racket, The Thing from Another World (aka The Thing), Flying Leathernecks, and The Blue Veil. The biggest financial and critical disappointment was Disney's Alice in Wonderland, distributed by RKO.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 6, 1951 	 	
January 20, 1951 	Gambling House 	
February 3, 1951 	Payment on Demand 	
February 3, 1951 	Cry Danger 	
February 16, 1951 	Hunt the Man Down 	
March 10, 1951 	Tarzan's Peril 	
March 21, 1951 	Footlight Varieties 	
April 3, 1951 	Kon-Tiki 	Received Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature
April 20, 1951 	Saddle Legion 	
April 21, 1951 	My Forbidden Past 	
April 24, 1951 	Gunplay 	
April 29, 1951 	 	Co-produced with Winchester Pictures Corporation
May 4, 1951 	Jungle Headhunters 	
May 5, 1951 	Tokyo File 212 	
May 19, 1951 	Sealed Cargo 	
May 23, 1951 	Hard, Fast and Beautiful	Premiered in San Francisco, wide release on June 9, 1951
July 23, 1951* 	Lilli Marlene 	
July 8, 1951 	Happy Go Lovely 	World premiere in London on June 7, 1951; U.S. distribution only; produced by Excelsior Films
July 27, 1951 	Pistol Harvest 	
July 28, 1951 	Alice in Wonderland 	World premiere in London on July 26, 1951; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
July 30, 1951 	Roadblock 	
June 9, 1951 	Best of the Badmen 	
August 15, 1951 	His Kind of Woman 	Premiered in Philadelphia, wide release on August 25, 1951
August 28, 1951 	Flying Leathernecks 	
September 5, 1951 	 	
September 19, 1951	Behave Yourself! 	
September 28, 1951	On the Loose 	
October 4, 1951 	Tembo 	Documentary; premiered in Dallas, wide release on January 4, 1952
October 11, 1951 	Slaughter Trail 	
October 16, 1951 	Drums in the Deep South 	
October 24, 1951 	 	
October 25, 1951 	 	
October 30, 1951 	Hot Lead 	
November 1, 1951 	Two Tickets to Broadway 	
December 15, 1951*	Overland Telegraph 	
December 17, 1951 	On Dangerous Ground 	
December 22, 1951 	I Want You 	Distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
December 25, 1951 	Double Dynamite 	
December 25, 1951*	Rashomon 	Distribution only, produced by Daiei Film; received an Academy Honorary Award for Foreign Film
===1952===
According to The RKO Story, "... 1952 was the most tempestuous year in the history of an altogether tempestuous enterprise." The studio was plagued by lawsuits, and Howard Hughes would eventually sell his stock in the company. However, the group he sold it to was involved in scandal, and was forced to back out of the deal prior to year's end, leaving the studio virtually ownerless. RKO lost over $10 million on the release of 31 films, half of which were not produced by the studio. In fact, the studio only produced one film in the last five months of the year. 1952 saw few cinematic highlights, the only two being Rashomon (which had opened in December of the prior year) and Hans Christian Andersen.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 8, 1952 	 	
January 30, 1952 	 	
February 4, 1952 	At Sword's Point 	
February 13, 1952*	Trail Guide 	
February 14, 1952*	Road Agent 	
March 13, 1952 	 	Co-produced with Walt Disney Productions
March 14, 1952* 	Tarzan's Savage Fury 	
March 20, 1952* 	Whispering Smith vs. Scotland Yard	Premiered in London in January 31, 1952; aka Whispering Smith Hits London
March 21, 1952 	 	
March 23, 1952* 	Rancho Notorious 	
April 7, 1952* 	 	
April 11, 1952* 	Target 	
April 30, 1952 	Macao 	
May 2, 1952 	 	
May 4, 1952* 	 	
May 13, 1952* 	Desert Passage 	
May 28, 1952 	 	
June 16, 1952 	Clash by Night 	
July 29, 1952 	 	Premiered in Chicago, wide release August 19, 1952
July 21, 1952* 	One Minute to Zero 	
August 7, 1952* 	Sudden Fear 	
September 12, 1952	Beware, My Lovely 	
October 2, 1952* 	Under the Red Sea 	
October 10, 1952* 	Captive Women 	
October 24, 1952 	 	
October 30, 1952 	Androcles and the Lion 	Premiered in Los Angeles, wide release January 9, 1953
November 7, 1952 	Montana Belle 	Premiered in New York City, wide release November 11, 1952
November 14, 1952 	Face to Face 	
November 25, 1952 	Hans Christian Andersen 	Premiered in New York City, wide release December 19, 1952; distribution only; produced by Samuel Goldwyn Productions
December 24, 1952 	Blackbeard the Pirate 	
December 25, 1952 	No Time for Flowers 	Premiered in New York City, wide release January 31, 1953
===1953===
The year was another disaster for the studio, which was mired in lawsuits. The company returned to the control of Howard Hughes, but the studio released only 24 films during the year, the fewest total since their inaugural year of 1929, which had not been a full year. Of those 24 films, only 8 were actual RKO productions. Disney's Peter Pan, the Academy Award-winning documentary The Sea Around Us, and the 3-D Second Chance were the few highlights for the studio.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 13, 1953 	Decameron Nights 	Premiered London, wide release on November 16, 1953
January 21, 1953 	Sword of Venus 	Premiered Los Angeles, wide release on February 20, 1953
January 28, 1953 	Never Wave at a WAC 	
February 4, 1953 	Angel Face 	Premiered Los Angeles, wide release on February 11, 1953
February 5, 1953 	Peter Pan 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
March 20, 1953 	 	Premiered Boston, wide release on March 21, 1953
April 1, 1953 	Count the Hours 	
April 3, 1953 	Port Sinister 	Premiered Los Angeles, wide release on April 10, 1953
April 25, 1953* 	 	
May 2, 1953 	Split Second 	
May 23, 1953 	Sea Devils 	
June 8, 1953 	Tarzan and the She-Devil 	
June 20, 1953 	Affair with a Stranger 	
July 5, 1953* 	Night Without Stars 	
July 7, 1953* 	 	
July 18, 1953 	Second Chance 	
July 29, 1953 	Below the Sahara 	Premiered Los Angeles, wide release on September 1, 1953
August 8, 1953 	 	Distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
August 15, 1953 	Devil's Canyon 	
October 14, 1953 	Louisiana Territory 	Premiered in New Orleans, wide release on October 16, 1953
October 16, 1953 	Appointment in Honduras 	
October 22, 1953 	Marry Me Again 	
October 26, 1953 	Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue	Premiered London, wide release on February 27, 1954; distribution only; produced by Walt Disney Productions
December 29, 1953	 	Premiered London, wide release on February 8, 1954
===1954===
Although Howard Hughes purchased all the outstanding shares of stock of the company, becoming the first individual to own a major studio, the downward trajectory of RKO continued. Only 14 films were released, and there was not a single notable one among them.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 23, 1954 	Killers from Space 	
February 15, 1954*	She Couldn't Say No 	
February 25, 1954 	Dangerous Mission 	Premiered Salt Lake City, wide release on March 6, 1954
April 15, 1954 	 	
April 16, 1954 	Carnival Story 	
June 1954* 	Sins of Rome 	
June 24, 1954 	Silver Lode 	
July 14, 1954 	Susan Slept Here 	
September 28, 1954	Africa Adventure 	
October 6, 1954 	Passion 	
November 3, 1954 	This Is My Love 	Premiered Los Angeles, wide release on November 11, 1954
November 18, 1954 	Cattle Queen of Montana	
October 10, 1954 	Hansel and Gretel 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on December 25, 1954; distribution only
December 14, 1954 	Naked Sea 	Premiered Long Beach, CA, wide release on December 13, 1955
===1955===
Howard Hughes sold RKO to General Teleradio in the middle of the year. Teleradio was the entertainment arm of the General Tire and Rubber Company, and had purchased the studio to gain access to its film library, which it intended to air on its small network of television stations. RKO became a division in the new company, RKO Teleradio Pictures. While the studio came up with its own version of the wide screen format, called Superscope, they would only release 14 films during the year, the only one of which was notable was the musical, Oklahoma!, which RKO distributed.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 19, 1955 	 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on January 29, 1955
February 9, 1955 	Underwater! 	
February 16, 1955 	Tarzan's Hidden Jungle 	
March 26, 1955 	Rage at Dawn 	
April 9, 1955 	Escape to Burma 	
May 4, 1955 	Quest for the Lost City 	
June 1, 1955 	Son of Sinbad 	
June 29, 1955 	Wakamba! 	
July 4, 1955 	Pearl of the South Pacific	
September 14, 1955	Bengazi 	
September 21, 1955	Tennessee's Partner 	
October 11, 1955 	Oklahoma! 	Distribution only, and only for its first run; distributed for its second run by 20th Century Fox
October 19, 1955 	 	
November 30, 1955 	Texas Lady 	
===1956===
While the studio increased its number of releases to 20 in 1956, by year's end the fact that RKO was looking to sell part of its distribution arm was a signal that the death knell was tolling for the studio. There were, however, a few notable films released, such as Fritz Lang's final two American films, While the City Sleeps, and Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. The studio's highest-grossing film of the year, The Conqueror, was also its biggest financial flop, since its $4.5 million in North American rentals did not come close to covering its $6 million cost.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
January 11, 1956 	Glory 	
January 18, 1956 	Postmark for Danger 	Released in Great Britain as Portrait of Alison
January 25, 1956 	Cash on Delivery 	Released in Great Britain as To Dorothy a Son
February 8, 1956 	Slightly Scarlet 	
February 22, 1956 	 	Premiered Los Angeles, wide release on March 28, 1956
February 1956* 	 	
April 11, 1956 	The Way Out 	
April 18, 1956 	 	
May 16, 1956 	While the City Sleeps 	Premiered in New York City, wide release on May 30, 1956; distribution only
May 16, 1956 	Great Day in the Morning 	
May 30, 1956* 	Murder on Approval 	
August 15, 1956* 	 	
September 8, 1956 	Back from Eternity 	
September 13, 1956	Beyond a Reasonable Doubt	
October 3, 1956* 	Tension at Table Rock 	
October 17, 1956* 	Finger of Guilt 	Released in Great Britain as The Intimate Stranger
October 26, 1956 	 	
November 5, 1956 	Death of a Scoundrel 	
December 19, 1956 	Bundle of Joy 	
December 21, 1956 	Man in the Vault 	
===1957===
This was the end of production for the original RKO Radio Pictures. All production was halted in January, and distribution was handled by Universal-International. Only 11 films were released, and none were noteworthy.
Release date 	Film 	Notes
April 7, 1957 	 	
May 17, 1957 	Public Pigeon No. 1	Premiered in Los Angeles, wide release June 5, 1957
September 2, 1957*	Cartouche 	
July 25, 1957 	Run of the Arrow 	
September 25, 1957	Jet Pilot 	Premiered in Los Angeles, wide release October 4, 1957
August 22, 1957 	That Night! 	
October 1957 	 	
November 13, 1957 	All Mine to Give 	Premiered in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; wide release January 1958
November 27, 1957 	 	
October 17, 1957 	Escapade in Japan 	Premieredin San Francisco, wide release November 1957
1957 	Guilty? 	RKO's last film
==References==
Category:RKO Pictures films
Category:Filmographies
Category:Walt Disney Pictures films
Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films
Category:Hartnett Organisation films
Category:Universal Pictures films
Category:ListsCategory:Pages stolen off Wikipedia