Key Question 6: Popular Entertainment

Question 1

What method of entertainment was popularized at this time?

Answer 1

The cinema

Question 2

How did movies sound in the early 1920’s?

Answer 2

They were silent. Frequently accompanied by piano or organ.

Question 3

What location did the movie industry develop?

Answer 3

Hollywood due to its location near Los Angeles and dry and sunny climate.

Question 4

Name some movie companies.

Answer 4

Paramount, Warner Brothers and MGM.

Question 5

How would it feel to be in a cinema?

Answer 5

Luxurious, a place to socialise with easy car access.

Question 6

Who was Rudolph Valentino?

Answer 6

A popular actor and sex symbol.

Question 7

Name a film Rudolph Valentino starred in?

Answer 7

The Sheik in 1921

Question 8

When was and what was the impact of Rudolph Valentino’s death?

Answer 8

His suicide in 1926 led to fans, mainly grief-stricken women, committing suicide.

Question 9

Who was Charlie Chaplin?

Answer 9

An influential silent movie actor and founder of the film company Douglas Fairbanks in 1919.

Question 10

Name some films Charlie Chaplin starred in?

Answer 10

The Tramp in 1915 and The Kid in 1921

Question 11

Who was Clara Bow?

Answer 11

Popular Actor, flapper and social influencer

Question 12

Name a film Clara Bow starred in?

Answer 12

The It Girl

Question 13

When was Clara Bow the most popular actress?

Answer 13

1928-1929

Question 14

How did Clara Bow influence society?

Answer 14

By playing the pats of flappers she encouraged many young girls to behave similarly.

Question 15

Name some Film Stars in the 1920’s?

Answer 15

Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, Clara Bow and Buster Keaton.

Question 16

How did the number of Americans visiting cinema’s change from 1927 to 1929?

Answer 16

60 million by 1927 to 110 million by 1929

Question 17

What was the first ‘talkie’?

Answer 17

The Jazz Singer in 1927 starring Al Jolson- the first audio film.

Question 18

By 1927, how many films did Hollywood produce each year?

Answer 18

500 films per year

Question 19

When was the Hays Code drawn up?

Answer 19

1930

Question 20

Why was the Hays Code drawn up?

Answer 20

People began to dislike the content of new films declaring them inappropriate.

Question 21

What were the terms of the Hays Code?

Answer 21

Nudity and sexual dancing was prohibited, a kiss could last no longer than 7 metres of film, adultery could not be shown in a good light, clergymen could not be ridiculed and they should not condemn killing.

Question 22

How many people had radio sets by the 1920’s?

Answer 22

50 million people

Question 23

Why were radios so important?

Answer 23

They offered a simple means of communication as not everyone could read.

Question 24

What caused a growth in the purchase of gramophone’s and radio’s?

Answer 24

The listening of Jazz or sports events through radio or record. Companies also advertised the products.

Question 25

Name some dances which developed in the 1920’s.

Answer 25

Swing Style, Black Bottom or Charleston

Question 26

What were some problems with modern dancing in the 1920’s?

Answer 26

Parents viewed the dances as sexually suggestive

Question 27

What inspired the Lindy Hop?

Answer 27

Charles Lindbergh’s Atlantic crossing by air in 1927.

Question 28

Where was Jazz played?

Answer 28

Frequently in speakeasies as it was prohibited in cities like New York or Detroit, spawning youthful rebellion.