Movies and Movies and SocietySociety

Society was local and Society was local and parochialparochial

Society became more Society became more homogenoushomogenous

Movies reflect the Movies reflect the makers’ societymakers’ society

Early DaysEarly Days

1920s1920s

Post-World War IPost-World War I

A period of cynicism and A period of cynicism and breaking with traditions breaking with traditions

following the great following the great upheavals in society upheavals in society

caused by World War I.caused by World War I.

Movies used more and Movies used more and more of what put butts in more of what put butts in

the seats –the seats –sex and violencesex and violence

Manslaughter – 1922Manslaughter – 1922orgy sceneorgy scene

Metropolis – 1927 Metropolis – 1927

The Jazz Singer

1930s1930s

The Great The Great DepressionDepression

Movies created a sense of Movies created a sense of communitycommunity

People would go to the movies on a People would go to the movies on a regular basis, usually once a weekregular basis, usually once a week

Movies catered to their regularsMovies catered to their regulars Door prizes like a set of dishesDoor prizes like a set of dishes Sing-alongsSing-alongs Community announcementsCommunity announcements

A full evening of A full evening of entertainmententertainment

A cartoonA cartoon A newsreelA newsreel A short subject, like a travelogue or A short subject, like a travelogue or

a comedy shorta comedy short A movie, sometimes twoA movie, sometimes two

Palaces of EntertainmentPalaces of Entertainment

Movies as morale Movies as morale buildersbuilders

Upbeat and Upbeat and optimisticoptimistic

musicalsmusicals

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Mr. Deeds Goes to Town – 1936 – 1936

Wizard of Oz – 1939 Wizard of Oz – 1939

Frankenstein – 1931 Frankenstein – 1931

King Kong – 1933 King Kong – 1933

Gone with the Wind – Gone with the Wind – 19391939

1940s1940s

War PropagandaWar Propaganda

Wake Island – 1942Wake Island – 1942

Destination: Tokyo – Destination: Tokyo – 19431943

Mrs. Miniver – 1942Mrs. Miniver – 1942

Since You Went Away – Since You Went Away – 19431943

It’s A Wonderful Life – It’s A Wonderful Life – 19461946

Best Years of Our Lives – Best Years of Our Lives – 19461946

1950s1950s

The Blackboard Jungle – The Blackboard Jungle – 1955 1955

Day the Earth Stood Still Day the Earth Stood Still – 1951– 1951

Them - 1954Them - 1954

1960s1960s

Dr. Strangelove: or, How I Dr. Strangelove: or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying Learned to Stop Worrying

and Love the Bomband Love the Bomb

The Graduate - 1967The Graduate - 1967

Bob and Carol and Ted Bob and Carol and Ted and Aliceand Alice

1970s1970s

All the President’s Men – All the President’s Men – 19761976

The Godfather – 1972The Godfather – 1972

American Graffiti - 1973American Graffiti - 1973

Jaws – 1975Jaws – 1975

Star Wars - 1977Star Wars - 1977

1980s1980s

16 Candles16 Candles

A Nightmare on Elm A Nightmare on Elm StreetStreet

Die Hard / Die Hard / Raiders of the Lost ArkRaiders of the Lost Ark

The Green Berets – 1968The Green Berets – 1968

Platoon Full Platoon Full Metal JacketMetal Jacket

Young Sherlock Holmes – Young Sherlock Holmes – 19851985

1990s1990s

Schindler’s List / Schindler’s List / Saving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan

Apollo 13Apollo 13

Dances with WolvesDances with Wolves

JFKJFK

Braveheart / Armageddon /Braveheart / Armageddon / Jurassic Park Jurassic Park

AvatarAvatar

Snow White and the Seven Snow White and the Seven DwarfsDwarfs

Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast

2000s2000s

Lord of the RingsLord of the Rings

Harry PotterHarry Potter

The Dark Knight / The Dark Knight / SpidermanSpiderman

TransformersTransformers

Pirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean

The MatrixThe Matrix