Hollywood and Cinema

By: Megan, Michelle, and Celin

Vaudeville• Vaudeville was a theatrical genre

of variety entertainment in the United States from the early 1880s to the 1930s.

• Each performance was made up of a series of separate acts, which included musicians, dancers, comedians, etc.

• Vaudeville was called the “Heart of American show business”. Vaudeville was on of the most popular types of entertainment in North America for Several Decades.

Silent Films

• A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially spoken dialogue.

• The acting and dialogue is commuted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards.

• The majority of films which were first made were silent films. The first era of film making was known as the Silent Film Era.

• A few famous examples are almost all of Charlie Chaplin’s films and “It”.

The Rise of the Cinema• The First Narrative film, ‘The Great Train Robbery’ was

made in 1903. It was 10 minutes long. • Averagely, films were about 20 minutes long. • During the WW1, ‘epics’ were made. This started the big

boom for the movie industry.• The 1920s and 1930s, was the 'Golden Age of Hollywood'.

Nearly 100,000,000 people went to see a movie each week.

• The cinema was seen as an escape. It could open up whole new worlds for just a few cents. Advertising began.

The Rise of Hollywood

• Movies were originally made in New York.

• Many film makers moved to other places because of camera issues.

• Hollywood started and became an unchallenged centre of the film industry.

•The first film was made on October 29, 1911.• One of the reasons for its success was its climate.

Talkies• In 1927 the first talkie was

produced, 'The Jazz Singer'. Only 10 minutes was sound.

• This was seen as the end of the 'silent screen'.

• The Jazz Singer was a musical film about a Jew who becomes a Jazz Singer. The movie stars Al Jolson, who performs six songs.

The Jazz Singer

• http://www.wildscreen.tv/videos/4392989/Trailer-zu-Al-Jolson-und-The-Jazz-Singer-

Greta Garbo (1905-1990)

• Swedish actress known for her work in the United States during Hollywood's silent film period and part of its Golden Age.

• Regarded as one of the greatest and most inscrutable movie stars ever.

• Most well received of Garbo's silent movies were Flesh and the Devil (1927) & Love (1927)

• Famous for her sombre, emotional and serious roles.

• Very reclusive, gave the shortest interview every published.

• Was one of the few who made a successful transition from silent to sound.

Queen Christina (1933)

• The movie is based on life on 17 century Queen Christina of Sweden

• The Queen falls in love during her reign but has to deal with stupid politics

• It was known as Garbo’s return to cinema, after an 18 month hiatus, and was her 4th last film.

• Was the last romance movie made with Garbo and John Gilbert.

Queen Christina

Clara Bow

• Star in 1920s. • premier flapper and the film It (1927) made her

world famous. • Bow came to personify the "roaring

twenties"and is described as its leading sex symbol.

• Before, Bow was true to her ‘tomboy’ identity.• She was considered a social taboo – bad

mannered.

Charlie Chaplin(April 16, 1889- December 25, 1977)

"Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot.”

• Famous Comedian. The biggest success of the 1920s.

• Known as “The man with the toothbrush mustache, bowler hat, bamboo cane, and a funny walk.”

• Famous for his versatility and for writing, acting, directing and producing" The Circus (1928)

• Disagreed with talkies in 1930 because he believed that “actions were louder than words”

• Refused to make a lot of films throughout the 1930s.

Charlie Chaplin- Smile• http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTMwNDk0ODI0.html

Impact of Hollywood on culture

• It made films more important in people’s life.• It started the advertising industry.• Increased forms of entertainment – Music,

theatre etc.• Due to the many women involved, some became

known as ‘sex symbols’. • Brought new ideas to people. • Gave people an ‘ideal life’. • People’s ideals became more flexible.