Financing hollywood through the great depression from bank of. Jul 17, 2015 the term great depression refers to the severe worldwide economic depression of the 1930s. The great depression had a staggering impact on manufacturing, especially in particular industries. In the 1930s, during the great depression, the motion picture industry provided an escape for people and their problems. Most are pretty obvious, but if were looking to roll in new clients during the recent unpleasantness, these might be sectors to watch. The movie industry during the great depression 515 words. The movie industry s triumph in the 1930s lay in giving the public what it wanted to see. These events also had an impact on the arts, especially on the cinema. The depression and industry finances great depression. Hollywood during the great depression digital history. Within the overall upswing, the main expansion occurred during the 1922 to 1923 and 1928 to 1929 periods, and it was most pronounced in the automobile, electrical goods, and to 1926 construction. The great depression had a profound influence on the movie industry in various ways.
Though the movie industry met success during the great depression, it had to go through a period of adjustment in order to successfully adapt to the plummeting economy. If i were to curate a season of films that were made during the depression, these would be my top 10 picks. In new york city this month, movie fans have been taking a trip back in time, lining up to see the same movies americans escaped to during the last financial meltdown, the great depression. The great mass of people who were affected in some way by the economic crisis of the great depression, not only sought escape into the movies, but. The film industry during the great depression essays 749. As attendance sharply declined by 1932, the industry had to make major financial adjustments after having overextended themselves into debt by. The hays code was nicknamed the motion picture industrys magna charta of official decency and had a significant effects in the later movies during the golden age of hollywood. Industry, effects of the great depression onfrom a low point of recession in 1921 to its cyclical peak in 1929, the index of u. Its product was therapeutic diversion for millions of americans who needed to get away from their troubles. In the early 1930s, an american movie ticket would buy you a cartoon, a newsreel, a bfeature and the main film.
The great depression was an era that was extremely successful to the movie industry. Generally speaking, those companies that not only survived but did well and grew during the great depression werent representative of any one marketplace but, rather, were those that continued to act as though there was nothing wrong and that the public had money to spend on their serviceproduct. Black thursday 24 october and black tuesday 29 october were key moments in the collapse. Why did the motion picture industry continue to thrive.
In 1929 when the bottom fell out of the global economy, bankrupting millions. The preceding decade, known as the roaring twenties, was a time of relative affluence for many middle and. During the 1930s the empire film genre enjoyed considerable popularity. Some people actually made out pretty well during that era, which left its unforgettable. The second great war would ultimately end the depression as the war ended, but the effects of the depression would last forever. It was the longest and most severe depression ever experienced by the industrialized western world, sparking fundamental changes in economic institutions, macroeconomic policy, and economic theory. Monopoly, the popular board game about money and wealth, was first published by parker brothers in 1935 during the great depression. The preceding decade, known as the roaring twenties, was a. Unemployment hit a high of 25 percent and people were desperate for work and money.
Essayabout the film industry during the great depression. What businesses thrived during the great depression answers. Five industries that can thrive in a recession seeking alpha. Cinema during the great depression and world war 2 became a primary leader in this art form as an earmark of american society. However, the great depression left all industry, including the film industry, operating at half its. In addition to the advent of radio and record production during the 1930s, the great depression saw a boom in the movie musical industry. The industry had experienced an economic boon through the 1920s. Life for the average family during the great depression history.
In 1933, when the great depression reached its peak, close to a quarter of the united states was unemployed. Hollywood played a valuable psychological role during the great depression. Cinema during the great depression and world war 2 bartleby. Citizens crowded movie theaters weekly to attempt to cope with the disappointing reality of unemployment. Modern times is a 1936 american silent comedy film written and directed by charlie chaplin in which his iconic little tramp character struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The great depression was the biggest socioeconomic event of the 1930s, it is fitting that it had an important impact on a major aspect of american culture our films. Financing hollywood through the great depression from bank. The great depression is a major part of american history and had a significant role in the growth of the motion picture industry. Theatre arts during the great depression, special section. To celebrate the release of john hillcoats depression era america film lawless, out this week in the us.
Great depression definition, history, causes, effects. Some of the films display this very well for example modern times staring charlie chaplin. Industries that thrived during the great depression. The great depression 19291939 was the worst economic downturn in modern history.
The great depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930s, beginning in the united states. Life for the average family during the great depression. Even in the depths of the great depression, between 60 and 80 million. His commitment to financing film productions in hollywood was strong, even during the great depression. Movies were cheap and easy to make and the theatrical distribution network was well established across the nation. People regularly invested a few of their last cents to see movies that.
For instance, the automotive manufacturing industry closed many of its facilities between 1929 and 1933, putting skilled workers, such as welders, out of work. Even in the depths of the great depression, between 60 and 80 million americans went to the movies once a week or more, and back in those days they really got value for money. It began on october 24, 1929, black thursday, when the stock market crashed. Once the second world war began, americans had to find new ways to distract themselves from the horror overseas, immediately after having to overcome financial disparity for over a decade. The film is a comment on the desperate employment and financial conditions many people faced during the great depression conditions created, in chaplins view, by the efficiencies of modern. To say the 1930s was a devastating decade is an understatement. May 17, 2012 though the movie industry met success during the great depression, it had to go through a period of adjustment in order to successfully adapt to the plummeting economy.
Jun 28, 2018 the great depression caused distress across the united states. By the 1930s, at the height of hollywoods golden age, the movie industry was one of the largest businesses in the united states. During the 1930s the united states was facing its longest and deepest economic downturn, the great depression. Techniques developed during the 1930ssound and color. Even in the 1930s, during the great depression, 80 million movie tickets were sold every week. The great depression caused distress across the united states. The great depression is known as the worst economic downturns of the industrialized world, starting with a stock market crash in october 1929 that obliterated the accounts of millions of investors and created panic worldwide. How the great depression inspired hollywoods golden age. Nearly all of the hollywood studios except mgm suffered financially during the early 30s, and studios had to reorganize, request government assistance, cut budgets and employees, and close theatres when profits plummeted. The hays code was presented in 1930 but was not rigidly enforced by 1934. During the great depression, for example, the nascent movie industry greatly benefited as more unemployed folks paid a nickel to watch a movie and spend 3 hours of their time. During the great depression, foodstuffs, tobacco, amusements, public utility, and electrical equipment industries thrived. Listening to the prez talk about the current financialocalypse got me thinking about the great depression it was neither great nor depressing.
In the early days of the great depression, the movie industry was. Within the overall upswing, the main expansion occurred during the 1922 to 1923 and 1928 to 1929 periods, and it was most pronounced in the. How movies got us through the great depression best movies. From 1929 to 1939, america was in an economic recession that impacted most industries for the worse. Aug 31, 2018 the great depression 19291939 was the worst economic downturn in modern history.
The contributors to this book offer perspectives on the complex experience of the film industry and those working in it during the 1930s. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The movie industrys triumph in the 1930s lay in giving the public what it wanted to see. Dec 28, 2018 the great depression had a staggering impact on manufacturing, especially in particular industries. Feb 04, 2009 during the great depression, for example, the nascent movie industry greatly benefited as more unemployed folks paid a nickel to watch a movie and spend 3 hours of their time. The 1920s had been a decade of great advancement in film, delivering talking pictures and providing the public with grand, luxurious movie houses. Nearly all of the hollywood studios except mgm suffered financially during the early 30s, and studios. The great depression wasnt just bread lines and soup kitchens. Disney started the mickey mouse club in theaters in 1930. Seattle cinema in the depression university of washington. An industry that had still not come to terms with the costly advent of sound. It also contributed to a significant jump in industrial job skills as well as a more diverse work force. Why did the motion picture industry continue to thrive when.
One interesting aspect of cinema attendance is that during the great depression, which swept the united states in the 1930s, a higher percentage of the population went to the cinema each week than during the times of economic expansion and great prosperity the u. By providing this crucial relief, american film reached a pinnacle of influence, at a time when most other industries were struggling mightily. The great depression is when the film industry boomed with new types of movies like. Feb 26, 2009 if i were to curate a season of films that were made during the depression, these would be my top 10 picks. However, the great depression left all industry, including the film industry, operating at half its capacity from before the crash. In fact, the years of the 1930s are considered the golden era of hollywood cinema.
No matter the circumstance the people were determined to find a way to get their minds off of their current statuses. The effects of the depression on the film industry. How did the movie industry stay afloat during the great. The great depressions influence american film schoolworkhelper. The timing of the great depression varied across the world. Entertainment during the great depression wikipedia.
Eightyfive million people a week crowded movie theaters across america to escape their sometimes desperate financial situations. Although the dates of the depression may vary from country to country, 1929 was the year the crisis originated in the usa and end up causing an upset in the entire global order. From disheartened industrialists and unsuccessful farmers, to occupied mothers and troubled children, the depression from 1929 to 1939 struck the homes of many in america. Technology, popular culture, and the music and movie industries aligned during this decade to begin what would become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the united statesmovie musicals. To celebrate the release of john hillcoats depressionera america film lawless, out this week in the us. The term great depression refers to the severe worldwide economic depression of the 1930s.
How movies got us through the great depression best movies by. May 07, 2009 although the movie industry considered itself depression proof, hollywood was no more immune from the depression s effects than any other industry. It also contributed to a significant jump in industrial job skills as well as a more diverse. Great depression, worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939. How movies got us through the great depression best. In the 1920s, radio and cinema contributed to the development of a national media culture in the united states. In the early 1930s, an american movie ticket would buy you a cartoon. Although it originated in the united states, the great depression caused drastic declines in output. Dec 27, 2017 ever since that time, the film industry has been a booming business in the united states.
How did the film industry do during the great depression. This is dead on, and on a very related note, the movie industry hit new heights in the great depression. Starting with the kid in the 1920s, the bank went on to finance several other historically famous films including gone with the wind, snow white and the seven dwarfs, its a wonderful life, and west side story. In the meantime the movie industry, having expanded wildly in the 1920s, was in trouble. Jobs that prospered during the depression era synonym.
And what film suggestions do you have to reflect the return of the depression. As attendance sharply declined by 1932, the industry had to make major financial adjustments after having overextended themselves into debt by free spending. The great depression follows the second industrial revolution and the first world war. Ronald bergan on depressionera films film the guardian. Film and theateralthough many people and businesses suffered during the great depression 192941, the movie industry did not. Cartoons, matinees, double features, and newsreels became a part of american life well into the 50s. What companies thrived during the great depression. It was the longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century.
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