society and culture of change, 1918-80 - Pop culture Flashcards
popular culture
forms of music, drama or other artistic expressions that have large following among the people of a country
how did media change public connection
before 1920s - nation connected by early cinemas
changed when regular, licensed radio began broadcasting in 1920 (local and national radio stations)
how to Roosevelt change media
popular tune ‘happy days are here again’ when campaigning for presidency
introduced reforms of the New Deal through ‘fireside chats’
allowed people to make connection
social impact of cinema 1917-45
movies had significant influence on society in this period
by 1917 - biggest entertainment media in USA
1927 - first ‘talkie’ movie (The Jazz singer)
after war, movies boomed (especially 1920s) - entire evening out
KKK the birth of a nation - used as a recruitment tool
encouraged white supremacy
successful at the box office (grossed over $10 million)
Cinema before 1927
Charlie Chaplin - the kid
silent
overacting (‘slapstick’)
stereotypical characters
economic boom of 1920s - cinema and entertainment a luxury that can be bought
How did WW1 impact cinema
POST WW1 - Cinema form of escapism following war
had money to spend on outings to cinema
1925 - 49 million attending cinema viewings
1930 - 80 million
the hays code (regulating the movies) 1930-66
very clear rules set out for behaviours in movies
attempted to create morally good films to create better society
crimes shouldnt be shown in enough detail to be copied
white slave trade never shown (progression of mindset)
family shown positively
no swearing
from 1930-66 all movies had to conform to Hays code - thought movie should improve society by being morally improving films
due to complaints about movie industry towards end of 1920s
said films made crime and violence attractive and females smoked and drank too much
how did cinema evolve 1925-50
1927 - first ‘talkie’ movie
movies boomed after war
movies began to be reviewed in magazine - late 1930s fan magazines each with up to 1 million readers
gave people escapism
movie stars became influential (Clara Bow ‘it’ girl)
specialised flapper roles inspiring young women to behave and dress like her
the studio system
1930s and 40s - 90% of films internationally made in Hollywood
8 companies controlled Hollywood
A list movies coasted $200,000 - $500,000 to make
1925 - Clara Bow made 15 movies (busiest year(
Clark Gable (8 in 1925)
influence of the stars
expected to behave in a way fitting to their screen image (e.g., Clark Gable - handsome bachelor and not marrying, coming out as gay unthinkable)
stars earned a fortune - Shirley Temple earning $5000 weekly in 1930s
major studios’ chokehold on industry meant blacklisting someone from studio meant almost impossible to find work anywhere (e.g., 2nd red scare)
from 1930-66 all movies had to conform to Hays code
social impact of popular music 1917-45
jazz popular in cities
rise in record players - jazz sound spread to all parts of USA
many black - giving some racist reason for disliking it
popular dances sexually suggestive
by 1929 - almost 50% of homes had gramophone (record industry boom)
$75 million worth of records sold that year
by 1935 - sales dropped due to radio sales
records became more of luxury following depression
1920s - development of the radio
first commercial radio stations (KDKA) began broadcasting 2nd November 1920
presidential election day - broadcasted quicker than newspapers could print
by 1924 - 600 commercial stations
1926 - first national radio station (NBC) opened with American football game
radio ownership grew rapidly
mass production made radios more affordable
1920s - historical events and coverage
1920 - presidential election
1926 - NBC’s cover of American football inspired other radio stations to start up, causing airwaves to be jammed
led to 1927 Radio act - federal licensing of station and sharing of airwaves
father Coughlin criticising KKK
1930s - development of radio
drop of sales in 1935 (25 million) compared to 1929 (150 million)
mass production made radios cheaper and affordable
people who wanted radio had one
lower demand
1930s - historical events and coverage
by 1930 - Father Coughlin had about 40 million listeners
during depression - criticised bankers and supported Roosevelt
Great depression - Roosevelt fireside chats
