1982: The movies' best summer

1939 is often called Hollywood's Golden Year, for seeing the release of such classics as "Gone With the Wind," "The Wizard of Oz," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and a sea of others. But for summertime releases, no year may compare with 1982, which saw a bevy of stylish action flicks and memorable comedies, as well as one of the best science fiction lineups ever.

Left: Mel Gibson had made a splash in the low-budget action flick "Mad Max," about a cop seeking revenge against the scum who destroyed his family. The stakes were higher in the sequel, "The Road Warrior" (a.k.a. "Mad Max 2"), set in a post-apocalyptic future in which marauding gangs fight to the death over dwindling supplies of gasoline. Gibson plays the loner who rides out of the wilderness to help a band of settlers. It was not just stylish sci-fi, but a revisionist western - "Shane" with motorcycles and hot rods.

By CBSNews.com senior editor David Morgan

Credit: Warner Brothers