re: Was 1939 the greatest year for new movie releases in film history?

Tastes change, what is in vogue now might not have been back then and vice versa. That having been said 1939 is loaded to an astounding degree. There have been some years that match it but '39, before Hollywood went into the war business, was a majestic year.

You could spend a comfortable week watching the best of 1939.