Hearts in Bondage 1936

Probably the Tora Tora Tora of its day in terms of the quantity and quality of model ship action, the movie tells the story of the meeting of the Merrimac and the Monitor, two iron clad ships that were the cutting edge of naval technology during the American civil war.

The miniature effects were supervised by Bud Thackeray with the other Republic Pictures effects staffers the Lydecker brothers (Howard and Theodore) also working on the project.

The Most Dangerous Game 1932

 Made by much the same visual effects and production people as went on to make King Kong in 1933, this film features a miniature luxury yacht which hits a reef, blows up and sinks. The style of the many matte paintings throughout are a precursor to those that appear in King Kong.