Transcript Movies and Society

Movies and Society
Society was local and parochial
Society became more
homogenous
Movies reflect the makers’ society
Early Days
1920s
Post-World War I
A period of cynicism and
breaking with traditions following
the great upheavals in society
caused by World War I.
Movies used more and more of
what put butts in the seats –
sex and violence
Manslaughter – 1922
orgy scene
Metropolis – 1927
The Jazz Singer
1930s
The Great Depression
Movies created a sense of
community
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People would go to the movies on a regular
basis, usually once a week
Movies catered to their regulars
Door prizes like a set of dishes
 Sing-alongs
 Community announcements
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A full evening of entertainment
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A cartoon
A newsreel
A short subject, like a travelogue or a comedy
short
A movie, sometimes two
Palaces of Entertainment
Movies as morale builders
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Upbeat and optimistic
musicals
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town – 1936
Wizard of Oz – 1939
Frankenstein – 1931
King Kong – 1933
Gone with the Wind – 1939
1940s
War Propaganda
Wake Island – 1942
Destination: Tokyo – 1943
Mrs. Miniver – 1942
Since You Went Away – 1943
It’s A Wonderful Life – 1946
Best Years of Our Lives – 1946
1950s
The Blackboard Jungle – 1955
Day the Earth Stood Still – 1951
Them - 1954
1960s
Dr. Strangelove: or, How I Learned
to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
The Graduate - 1967
Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice
1970s
All the President’s Men – 1976
The Godfather – 1972
American Graffiti - 1973
Jaws – 1975
Star Wars - 1977
1980s
16 Candles
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Die Hard /
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Green Berets – 1968
Platoon
Full Metal Jacket
Young Sherlock Holmes – 1985
1990s
Schindler’s List /
Saving Private Ryan
Apollo 13
Dances with Wolves
JFK
Braveheart / Armageddon /
Jurassic Park
Avatar
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Beauty and the Beast
2000s
Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter
The Dark Knight / Spiderman
Transformers
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Matrix