Important Eras in Cinema History

The cultural role of film in the United States

What do you know about ….?The 1920’s?The 1930’s?The 1940’s?The 1950’s?

In groups, brainstorm what you know about each of these decades. What was going on in politics, art, culture, etc. in each of these time periods? Focus mostly on the United States.

Breakdown by Decade

1920’s◦The silent era

1930’s◦The talkies◦The studio era

1940’s◦The “Golden Age” of

Hollywood◦The War Years◦Film Noir

1950’s◦Cold War◦Epic Films◦Television

1960’s◦End of Studios/Birth of the

Independents1970’s

◦American “New Wave”◦Blockbuster Era

1980’s◦Teen Films◦Sequels

1990’s◦Rise of the Independents

2000’s and beyond◦Computer-based

production

The 1920’s

The “Roaring 20’s”:◦Cultural revolution: extreme changes in fashion,

sexual roles, music, etc. Large break from tradition/older generations Jazz emerged Flappers

Women gained the right to vote in 1920Prohibition started in 1920 (alcohol was illegal)Gangland crime became prominent (Al Capone)The Great Migration (1916-1930)Beginning of the Harlem RenaissanceInflux of immigrants from Europe, etc.

Flappers

The 1920’s in Film

Silent films

Most films were either dramas or comedies

Birth of the movie studios (MGM, RKO, Paramount, Warner

Bros, Fox

Emergence of the movie star

Movie Palaces: huge, ornate movie theatres built all over the

country to serve the new entertainment of films

Chicago Movie Palaces

Charlie Chaplin

His character◦ the Tramp (slang for a

hobo/homeless person)◦ Similar to a clown (doesn’t speak,

physically amusing, sad, shy)

His Role as a Filmmaker◦ Kept control over most of his films◦ Produced and directed his own

films◦ Co-founded a film studio with other

early stars (United Artists)

What is the message of this image?

The 1930’s

The Great Depression◦The Works Progress

Administration◦Escapism

Movies Books, especially

mysteries (detective stories)

World War II◦Hitler rises to power in

Germany in 1933◦War in Europe begins in

1939

Film in the 1930’s

The Talkies◦First Talkie, The Jazz Singer (1927)◦All films would then have recorded soundtracks

The Hays Production Code◦1934 – late 1950’s◦Rules on what could be shown in movies◦ex: no cops killed, no long kisses, no drugs, bad

guy can’t get away with it

Walt Disney

• Steamboat Willie, 1928

• Snow White, 1937

(first feature length animation)

Film in the 1930’s

Escaping our worriesFrank Capra

◦Italian-American◦Directed many films that touched on everyday

people in heroic situations◦Extremely optimistic films about America;

inspiring patriotism and Musicals

◦Highly produced filmsMysteries

◦Detective stories based on popular books and radio shows

African-Americans in 1930’s Cinema

Stereotypical Roles◦The good-natured servant (mammy, maid, butler,

etc.)◦The comic

Race Films◦All-black cast and crew◦Small budget

Hattie McDaniel and Gone with the Wind (1939)◦Won Best Supporting Actress for her role as

Mammy

Ideas and Ideals in Film

You Can’t Take It with You◦Directed by Frank Capra◦1938◦Starring Jimmy Stewart, Jean Arthur, and Lionel

Barrymore

While you watch, think about ◦The different messages of the film.◦How they show different classes of people (rich

vs. poor/working).◦How they depict African-Americans

The 1940’s

World War II◦Begins for the US with

the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor

◦Many, many Americans fought in the war

◦Largely supported by the American people on the homefront, including rationing, etc.

The 1940’s

Women went to workSegregation existed

(in the army too)Art and

entertainment existed as propaganda◦Propaganda: the

spreading of ideas to support a cause, etc. – often in the form of images

For each poster, describe the character and the message in the image.

What do these posters have in common?

How would you describe the mood of these posters?

What are the goals of these posters?

Film in the 1940’s

Film as propaganda and document◦Supporting the war◦Inspiring for the homefront (those not at war)◦Celebrating those involved

Film Noir◦Mysteries (often gangster films)◦Shot in black and white; high key lighting (high

contrast)◦Created a formula for mysteries, etc.◦Offered an escape from the worries of war, restraint.

Golden Age of Hollywood◦Movie stars◦Many movies were made

A Sampling of 1940’s Films

Casablanca, 1942◦A love story set in

Northern Africa during the war; major themes of good vs. evil and self-sacrifice

The Best Years of Our Lives, 1946◦A story about men returning home after the

war, very dramatic. Many feel it captured the true spirit of those involved with the time.

The Maltese Falcon, 1941◦Film noir that

followed many aspects of the style’s formula; provided an escape from the worries of war, etc.

The 1950’s

Emergence of the middle class due to the GI Bill

Development of the suburbs; Baby Boom generation is born

Technological advances ◦atomic bomb◦plastic

Return to traditional gender roles

Film in the 1950’s

American Ideals◦ Supported the new middle class ideals of what was a respectable life

Battling against TV◦ new technologies (3-D, drive-in, etc)

Science Fiction◦ The role of science in people’s lives had changed

Teenage films◦ Rock and roll as a market (Elvis, etc.) was reflected in films for

teenagers too, often made with rock and roll stars in them The New Leading Lady

◦ Marilyn Monroe and others who became sex symbols within American culture

The growing emergence of artistic and independent film◦ More controversial subjects found their way into the mainstream◦ New style of acting created new stars (James Dean, Marlon Brando,

etc.) who were serious actors

Film in the 1950’s

Teenagers and Rock-n-Roll in Film

Film in the 1950’s

Marilyn Monroe as the Blonde Bombshell

(Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)

Film in the 1950’s

Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire

Directed by Elia Kazan, 1951

Set in New Orleans, Louisiana

Rebel without a Cause

1955Directed by Nicholas

RayStarring James Dean,

Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo