Comp 1A: Casablanca Production Context

Question 1

What was the Great Depression?

Answer 1

A severe worldwide recession from 1929 to 1941

It included significant economic downturns, including a stock market crash in 1929.

Question 2

What happened in the US in 1933 during the Great Depression?

Answer 2

Nearly half the banks failed, and unemployment reached 33%

There was no social welfare system at the time.

Question 3

What impact did the Great Depression have on smaller movie studios?

Answer 3

Many smaller studios went bust, allowing large studios to gain control

This led to a monopolistic environment in the film industry.

Question 4

What practices did unaffiliated movie theatres have to engage in with studios?

Answer 4

Block booking and blind bidding

These practices were used to negotiate film showings.

Question 5

What were the key elements that studios provided to audiences during the Great Depression?

Answer 5

Escapism, Entertainment, Glamour

These elements were crucial for attracting audiences during tough economic times.

Question 6

What was the significance of ‘The Jazz Singer’ released in 1927?

Answer 6

It was the introduction of sound in films

This innovation required expensive equipment for theatres.

Question 7

What was the first film in color?

Answer 7

Becky Sharp in 1935

This marked a significant technological advancement in filmmaking.

Question 8

What legal action was taken in 1938 regarding the film industry?

Answer 8

An antitrust lawsuit was filed by unaffiliated theatre chains

This was a push against the monopolistic practices of major studios.

Question 9

What was the outcome of the struggle between independent movie producers and big studios in 1948?

Answer 9

Independent producers triumphed, and studios were ordered to divest their theatres

This led to increased opportunities for smaller producers.

Question 10

What is referred to as the ‘Paramount decree’?

Answer 10

The order for studios to sell off their theatres

Paramount studios were the first to comply with this order.

Question 11

What was the impact of television in the 1950s on the studio system?

Answer 11

It compromised the power and profits of the studio system

This shift changed the landscape of entertainment consumption.

Question 12

Define the studio system.

Answer 12

A system where studios owned the lots and theatres

This included the Big 5 studios that controlled production, distribution, and exhibition.

Question 13

What does vertical integration mean in the context of the film industry?

Answer 13

Ownership and control across production, distribution, and exhibition

It allowed studios to dominate the market.

Question 14

What is an oligopoly?

Answer 14

A market or industry dominated by a small number of sellers

This applied to Hollywood’s control over the film industry.

Question 15

What are ‘assembly line’ films?

Answer 15

Films produced using a standardized process by studios

This method contributed to the efficiency of film production.

Question 16

What was the ‘7 Year Contract’ for actors?

Answer 16

Actors were attached to a studio and restricted from working outside it

Exceptions were made for “special one-off deals.”

Question 17

What was the Motion Picture Production Code / Hays Code?

Answer 17

A set of industry censorship guidelines from 1930 to 1968

It aimed to maintain moral standards in films.

Question 18

List three key guidelines from the Hays Code.

Answer 18

• No lowering of moral standards
• Correct standards of life must be presented
• Law shall not be ridiculed

These guidelines shaped the content of films produced during its enforcement.

Question 19

What were ‘The Little 3’ in the film industry?

Answer 19

Studios that were not vertically integrated

They produced films but lacked distribution capabilities.