The social impact of cinema, 1917-45

Question 1

What was the biggest entertainment media in the USA?

Answer 1

Movies

Question 2

Until the 1920s, how were movies produced?

Answer 2

• No sound recording and were silent
• Used pianists, orchestras to accompany the scenes

Question 3

What was the first ‘talkie’?

Answer 3

The Jazz Singer

Question 4

By 1941, how many movie theatre seats were there?

Answer 4

10,500,000 (1 for every 12.5 people)

Question 5

What did movies lead to a boom in?

Answer 5

Magazines

Question 6

What did magazines publish about?

Answer 6

Devoted to the lives of Hollywood stars

Question 7

How many magazines were there in the late 1930s?

Answer 7

20 fan magazines

Question 8

How much circulation did these magazines get?

Answer 8

200,000 to 1million readers

Question 9

Why did many people watch movies?

Answer 9

A form of escapism

Question 10

Who was known as the ‘It’ girl?

Answer 10

Clara Bow

Question 11

What did Clara bow specialise in?

Answer 11

Flapper roles

Question 12

In the 1930s and 1940s, what percentage of movies were made in Hollywood?

Answer 12

90%

Question 13

B-movies budget:

Answer 13

$50,000 - $100,000

Question 14

A-movies budget

Answer 14

$200,000 - $500,000

Question 15

How many movies did Clara bow make in 1925?

Answer 15

15

Question 16

How many movies did Clarke Gable make in 1924, 1925 and 1931?

Answer 16

1924 - 2
1925 - 8
1931 - 12

Question 17

How were stars expected to act?

Answer 17

• In a way that fitted their screen image for example ‘handsome bachelors’ not marrying in case female fans were put off
• Partying, clubbing where drinking, taking drugs and having casual sex was forbidden

Question 18

How much was Shirley Temple earning a week in the 1930s?

Answer 18

$5,000 a week

Question 19

What was the average wage a week in the 1930s?

Answer 19

Under $2,000 a year

Question 20

How would stars also make money?

Answer 20

Advertising

Question 21

Why did many complain about the movie industry?

Answer 21

• Many female stars were too scantily dressed and they drank and smoked all the time
• The gangster genre of film made both crime and violence look attractive

Question 22

When was the Motion Picture Production Code (Hays Code) in place?

Answer 22

From 1930 to 1966

Question 23

The Hays Code (7)

Answer 23

• Crime should not be shown in much detail
• Drug trafficking should never be shown, nor methods of smuggling
• White Slave Trade never be shown
• Family life should be portrayed as a good thing
• Lustful kissing should be kept to a minimum
• No swearing (NOT EVEN DAMN?!?!?!)
• No nudity