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Desirable Distractions: Entertainment of the 1930s
Many people have heard of Frankenstein, Dracula, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the Wizard of Oz. All of these classic movies come from the 1930s. The 1930s were filled with hardship as the country going through the Great Depression. Different forms of entertainment were used to distract people from their problems. In the well-known novel To Kill a Mockingbird children and adults use entertainment as a temporary solution until their problems are solved and their hardships are overcome. Entertainment such as movies, books, and music provided relief to Americans during the Great Depression.
In the 1930s, films became an escape for those hit hard by the Great Depression (Feinstein 22).
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In To Kill a Mockingbird, movies play a role in the lives of everyday people: “She gave the money to Dill, who went to the picture show twenty times on it” (Lee 9). Dill spends all his money to watch the same movie over and over again. This child and many others his age relied on movies for not only entertainment but also as an escape from the harsh reality around them. In fact, many Americans, both children and adults alike, went to the movies during these tough times. Horror, gangster, musicals, westerns, and comedies were made for people of all ages and interests: “Millions of Americans flocked to the movies during the Depression, and Hollywood provided a wide choice of fantasies - horror film such as Dracula (1931) … Frankenstein (1931) ... and King Kong (1933)” (Feinstein 22). Some of the most well-known movies were made in this time. Movies in the 1930s were growing in popularity as new developments were added to movies. Sound was now implemented into movies, increasing their popularity (Flanagan 1): “Now terror could be intensified with the creaking of a door, the howling of wolves, or the whistling of wind through Gothic manor towers” (Britten 185). Sound and the introduction of color to films in the 1930s blew the audience members away, these newly added effects made these movies even more immersive and popular (24). Though the entire country was struggling the American citizens never failed to find time to go to the theatre. Movies were not the only popular form of entertainment in the 1930s: books were also common forms of enjoyment. In To Kill a Mockingbird, books and reading are found in numerous places: “If you’ll concede to necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have” (Lee 41). In the quote Atticus is talking to his daughter, Scout. This little girl gets into trouble on the first day of first grade for being able to read because her father taught her before the teacher could. Books were not only used for reading and distraction but also learning purposes. Those who were not taught how to read in a school learned by copying books word for word, over and over again. Regardless of age many looked to novels to tell the stories that were not their own. Concerning authors and literature, Depression America states: “Literary authors who wrote during the Depression can be divided into two main groups- those who wrote about the Depression, and those who chose to write about subjects not directly associated with it,” (99). Many people read novels about those suffering and overcoming their misfortune. Books like those gave people something they may have not known they needed: hope. Whether or not books composed in the 1930s were stories of hope, the reality around them, or things not specifically linked to the Depression, many new novels were written. One of the most famous writers known today came from the Great Depression: “One of the best-known novelists who wrote about the experiences of people living in the Depression was John Steinbeck” (99). Most famous for writing The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck’s writings as greatly enjoyed now as they were in the 1930s. Whether it was reading for information, pleasure, or simply to escape their everyday lives, people in the 1930s never experienced a deficit of literature. Music was another popular form of entertainment in the 1930s.
Music was displayed in Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird: “‘Did you know he can play a Jew’s Harp?’” (120). Scout, disappointed in her father, is comforted by Miss Maudie telling her that her dad can play a Jew’s Harp. Music is something that is enjoyable for everyone, whether or not someone is a musician or simply a part of the audience. Music is a big part of people's lives and it was only getting bigger in the 1930s with new innovations: “Live radio broadcasts helped make the music popular” (Feinstein 29). Live radio broadcasts gave families something to look forward at the end of their day. Families could go and listen to the top hits of the week (29). As time goes on new music is introduced. According to Stephen Feinstein’s book, Decades of the 20th Century: The 1930s From the Great Depression to the Wizard of Oz : “For the next ten years, swing would be the most popular kind of music in America” (29). In the 1930s big bands were also very popular, in fact musicians of big bands and swing music were as popular as some movie stars (Flanagan 1). Although swing and big bands were the major genres of music in the 1930s according to Gilbert Seldes there are romantic, sentimental, and the happy songs that are popular (57). Music was and still is something meaningful that families can enjoy together whether or not times are
tough. The Great Depression was challenging for everyone involved, but people spent what money they had on an escape regardless of how long it lasts. Entertainment is a big part of everyday lives both today and back in the 1930s. Movies, novels, and music were just three entertainment methods used to escape the cruel world around them. How insignificant a song, a movie, or a single book may seem, it is these small things that help them get through the bad times.
The Great Depression is one of the worst time for America. Books, cartoons, and articles have been written about the people during the Depression and how they survived in that miserable period. For example, the book Bud not Buddy takes place in the time of the Great Depression. Bud is a ten year old orphan, who was on the run trying to find his dad. There are many feelings throughout the book like sadness and scarceness. There are many diverse tones in the book about what people were feeling at the time.
The Great Depression from 1929 to 1933 was perhaps one of the darkest times in the United States. The desperation had spread to every single corner of the nation. Millions of people had lost their jobs and savings, parents were not able to provide food for their children. In the meantime, this greatest despair was to become the best opportunity for many outstanding artists and their works to sparkle.
The 1930’s was dominated by the Great Depression. There was not much time of money for people to spend on entertainment, but there were a few pin pricks of light. People, especially kids, went to the movie theater. They could spend ...
The arts played a significant role in the Great Depression- not only as a means of escapism for some people, but also a psychological and ideological role that provided inspiration and optimism in a time of severe doubt and fear. For example, film provided an escape for a couple of hours, but also portrayed success during this time period. Many films focused on social realities of the time period, so that people could relate to these films. Films gave images of hope and success because they portrayed ordinary people, such as a girl winning a role in a play, or a man and a woman randomly meeting and falling in love. Andrew Bergman explains the effect of these films in his article Hollywood and the Great Depressi...
The Great Depression is a time in the history of the United States that people have learned and gained knowledge from. Its harsh times and conflicts have been written about in books, seen in movies, talked about on radios, and told to families throughout the generations. Seeing how life was during the 1930s in the movie, The Cinderella Man, was a great eye opener to how the people of this time truly survived and kept their true humanity in times of havoc. The time of the 1930s should be an inspiration to the nation and cause many to do well and live life smart and prosperous.
During the Great Depression, receiving an education was becoming more and more difficult for southerners. From not being able to afford the required supplies needed, to not being able to pay for the tuition, many people found it nearly impossible to attend school. The novel, To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee shows how the lack of education in society during the Great Depression affected Southerners lives, not allowing them to change their futures for the better. The public school system changed drastically during the Great Depression. Society started to notice the changes during the years of 1930 and 1931, when conditions were at their worst.
After World War I, America was going through an uplifting time of good fortune and prosperity. This period of freedom, known as The Roaring Twenties was a time for fun and disobeying rules. The 1920s brought new and exciting things to American culture. Music, entertainment, pop culture, and fads were greatly impacted during this time in history. The effects of each of these areas still influences America today.
The 1920s were known as carefree and relaxed. The decade after the war was one of improvement for many Americans. Industries were still standing in America; they were actually richer and more powerful than before World War I. So what was so different in the 1930’s? The Great Depression replaced those carefree years into ones of turmoil and despair.
Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment
The Great Depression was a very difficult time in American history. The Great Depression was the longest and most severe depression that was experienced in the Western World. The movie Riding the Rails is a good example of times during this depression. The movie presents a story of ten men and women in their youth, who gave their accounts about leaving their homes in search of a better life. I think Riding the Rails gives a very clear and accurate view of how life was for young teenagers during these historical times.
Music of the 40s was swing, blues, country, but above all the sixteen piece big band. World War II may have been the focus of the decade, but music was the focus of the war. Songs ranged from patriotic songs to songs for fun and dancing such as the Rumba, mambo, cha-cha, and conga line. These South American dances became very popular during the 1940s especially among the women (Popular and Social Dance). The war was a very emotional period for everyone, not just the soldiers, so the music of the war tapped into a lot of emotions. The songs were made for people to help get through their rough times. The emotions ranged from hope and love to loneliness and heartbreak. Music was an ionic symbol of World War II. Music continues to affect the modern-day world in positive ways (Rose,
In the late 1800's, American society began to burst with cultural activity. After the Civil War and the Reconstruction, Americans were eager to return to their normal lifestyles. The period that followed, however, was quite different from what the country was used to. During the war, many pushed hard for a rise in industry, leading to an explosive industrial revolution far beyond what people had expected. America's business and economy had boomed, and, as the new century approached, many had a new outlook on life. They were eager to escape the dull regiments of both the past Victorian era and the new urban lifestyle. This was easy for the upper and middle classes, both of which were growing due to the rapid increase in industry. It was great news for entrepreneurs and business people of the time, because there was money to be made in this desire for amusement. Of course, this was not the whole story of the new Gilded Age, but it was definitely an era of growing leisure time and the business that came along with it.
A variety of films were created during the Great Depression era. For the most part, the films created between 1929 and 1940 featured a better life. Although the Great Depression took a huge toll on many other industries, the film industry still managed to make large profits compared to other businesses. All these films were produced during the same time period however, they all provide different details about life during this time period; specifically, they provide a different look on how women were treated in the 1930s. Such movies include Room Service, Modern Times, and The Public Enemy. Every film is different from the next, though many have several similarities. Modern Times and Public Enemy are similar to each other because of how they feature women, while Room Service is completely different. In Room Service, women were portrayed as equal to man; while in Modern Times, no women were featured as workers in the factory.
After many of World War II’s harmful effects, the 1950s served as a period of time of musical change that reflected the dynamic of society as well as the traditional norms and values. Many factors contributed to this transformation. For example, the civil rights movement heightened many racial tensions, and the music produced consequently manifested this tension in itself. Rock-n-roll and R&B music universalized music typically associated with African-Americans, and many African-American musicians gained fame; however, as with any relatively-widespread success, there were many musicians as well who missed their opportunities due to the same racial segregation. While “radical” genres such as R&B and rock-n-roll laid the foundation for music future forms of music, the standard pop, jazz, and country music adhered to traditional values, and thus continued to maintain popularity amidst phenomena such as the Elvis craze.
Music was used as a critical instrument in the early 20th century in mobilizing and inspiring the civil rights movement by giving them more voice to bring out their grievances. According to Kerk (2007, p.18) Martin Luther King was the most prolific figure who utilized music to sensitize society, “we believe that freedom songs play a big and vital part in the struggle that we are going through” these words were also echoed by the Albany movement “music keeps us alive, it gives us a sense of unity, new courage every dawn, hope to move on that the future still holds something in our most daring and dreadful hours”. Development of Music The 20th century was a century in which the United States had great influence in the world of music across the globe. America was the birthplace of most influential music, from jazz to rock, which was promoted by the quality of technology like radio and phonographs. Advanced technology ensures fast distribution of music to Americans and all around the globe.