EXPRESSION & REPRESSION in the motion picture industry

Question 1

What were early films like?

Answer 1

1. At first (1894-1895), very short, sometimes only a few minutes or less.
2. shown at fairgrounds, music halls
3. Subjects included local scenes and activities, views of foreign lands…
4. Usually accompanied by lectures, music and a lot of audience participation.

Question 2

Film industry

Answer 2

Rise of the film industry (by 1914, several national film industries were established)

• At this time, Europe, Russia and Scandinavia were the dominant industries
• America was much less important.
• Films became longer and storytelling, or narrative, became the dominant form.

Question 3

1930s & type of movies

Answer 3

• early 1930s, feature-length movies were presented with synchronised sound
• mid-1930s, some were in full colour too.
• The advent of sound secured the dominant role of the American industry
  = > rise to the so-called ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’

Question 4

LANDMARK

Answer 4

The Great Train Robbery (1903)
Edwin Stanton Porter (1870-1941)
Silent movie
12 minutes

Scarface (1932) Howard Hawks

Psycho (1960), Alfred Hitchcock

Bonnie & Clyde (1967), Arthur Penn

Question 5

NOTIONS

Answer 5

1. From the cowboy/pioneer to the
   gangster
2. From rags to riches
3. The self-made man/woman
4. Individualism

Question 6

Other key notions p. 14-17

Answer 6

• American Old West
• American Frontier
• Manifest Destiny
• Moralism and Government
• Self-Reliance
• Pragmatism
• Individualism and US history
• The American Revolution
• The Melting Pot

Question 7

Expression (def)

Answer 7

1.the act or an instance of transforming ideas into words
2.a manifestation of an emotion, feeling, etc, without words
3.communication of emotion through music, painting,
movies etc
4.a look on the face that indicates mood or emotion
5.a particular phrase used conventionally to express
something

Question 8

Repression def

Answer 8

the act or process of repressing or the condition of being
repressed
– To repress = to check or inhibit (actions or desires)
– to hold down and control (persons) unfairly or evilly (ex: to
repress one’s civil rights).
– Psychologyto keep down or hold back (memories,
emotions, or impulses) unconsciously

■ the subconscious rejection of thoughts and impulses that
conflict with conventional standards of conduct

Question 9

Public enemies

Answer 9

The gangster
the woman / the temptress

Question 10

The gangster: public enemy n 1

Answer 10

The Public Enemy
1931 American all-talking pre-Code gangster film
=> the grapefruit scene

Question 11

Public enemy n 2:
the woman / the temptress

Answer 11

an attractive young woman
uses everypossible means
to advance her social and
financial status.

Jean Harlow 1911-193
portrayal of “bad girl” characters
“Blonde Bombshell”
“Platinum Blonde
→ Hell’s Angels
(1930),
first major
appearance

Baby Face (1933)
Alfred Green (1889-
1960)

Question 12

CONTEXT &
STARTING POINT 1920s

Answer 12

The 1920’s
Prohibition
Pre-code movies

Question 13

Context 1920s

Answer 13

Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished

Interdiction Prohibition
Repression
=> Illegal & criminal activities
Repealed by 21st Am, 1933

Question 14

Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished

Answer 14

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture,
sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation
thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited

An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress,
The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures
=> Very unusual