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Impact of TV shows and movies on society
Impact of TV shows and movies on society
Impact of TV shows and movies on society
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When you hear the name Judy Garland, you may think of ruby slippers, a blue and white gingham dress, and munchkins. Originally Frances Gumm, Judy Garland is much more than pig-tailed Dorothy from Kansas, she starred in 43 films, most of them being MGM major hits and breaking all box office attendance records (including hers).
On June 10, 1922, Frances Gumm was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the youngest of three sisters. At age two, her Mother had her performing Jingle Bells in the family theater, where Frances went by the name “Baby Gumm.” Shortly after Frances’s debut, the three girls became a sister act. They performed in the Grand Rapids area, until their mother Ethel moved the family to California in 1926. The girls performed on the radio, in theaters, and at nightclubs.
In the late 1920’s the three Gumm sisters appeared in several short films together. France’s oldest sister, nicknamed Suzie, got married and the sister act broke up. In 1934, at age 12, Frances changed her name to Judy Garland after the Hoagy Carmichael song, “Judy,” and film critic Robert Garland. In September of 1935, MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) signed her on and two months later, in November, Judy’s father died of meningitis.
Despite her personal loss she continued full speed ahead with her acting career. Her first feature film came in 1936 when she played the girl-next-door in Pigskin Parade. In 1937 she and Mickey Rooney co-starred in their first film together, Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry. After their first success, Judy and Mickey went on to star in 10 more popular films together. They became one of Hollywood’s biggest on-screen “power couples.”
In 1938 Judy Garland had just finished filming her sixth feature film, Listen, Darling, when she began f...
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...s an alcoholic, although there is no hard evidence. Judy also had frequent breakdowns and attempted suicide multiple times.
Judy Garland’s most important role during the 1920s and 30s was her movies and performances, as they were a distraction from the Great Depression. The movie, The Wizard of Oz, is probably the most important thing she brought to the era. Having Dorothy go from a black and white world into one in color could be seen as representing the United States coming of the Great Depression. Her song “Over The Rainbow” brought hope and good thoughts to a country still in a serious depression.
Judy Garland is a lasting legend. Her name is familiar to almost everyone in America, even though she died 45 years ago. Judy is remembered for her strong and clear voice, skills as an actor and performer, and, of course, her role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz.
Eleanora Fagan (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959), professionally known as Billie Holiday, was an American jazz artist and artist musician with a vocation traversing almost thirty years. Nicknamed "Woman Day" by her companion and music accomplice Lester Young, Holiday affected jazz music and pop singing. Her vocal style, firmly propelled by jazz instrumentalists, spearheaded another method for controlling stating and rhythm. She was known for her vocal conveyance and improvisational aptitudes, which compensated for her restricted range and absence of formal music instruction. There were other jazz vocalists with equivalent ability, however Holiday had a voice that caught the consideration of her crowd.
Moreover, she managed to get a lot of fame in the same movies in which she started off small. Another thing that we can draw on from her incredible career is the fact that she was able to diversify so much that her career span over a range of different genres including theater, film, music and others.
Shirley Temple Black continues to inspire children today. She has achieved great accomplishments in the world of politics and in the world of childhood fame. She was the world’s most popular star in the worst of times, and always brought smiles and happiness where ever she went, in her life and in her movies. Her name is still connected with fame, although it has been over 50 years since she has appeared in a movie, much less been a star. However, Shirley Temple Black continues to be a household name in homes across the world. The little girl with curls, who radiated enough happiness to bring a smile to everyone who saw her, even during the darkest days of the Depression, will never be forgotten.
Ethel Merman is described by PBS as the most successful musical comedy performer of her generation. Merman is known for contributing her loud and clear vocals to the Broadway stage and changing the way that people observed women on Broadway as well (PBS). Appearing and starring in several Broadway blockbusters, her acting career appeared to go through somewhat transitional phases to where she could act less and less like herself in character. Merman left her mark as an entertainer and her voice continues to be a spectacle.
The original cast of Gypsy summoned many people to see this new show. Ethel Merman starred as Rose, and this is the role that she became famous for. Without this admirable musical many actors would not have had their start on broadway, and the inspiring line, “sing out, Louise” would not inspire performers of all
Dorothy was just as famous as them but nobody gives her any recognition for her contribution to Hollywood. It’s of course because of her race. As a result, of the racial discomfort in the 60’s she couldn’t get as famous as Marilyn or Audrey. Like Betty Grable said, “Dorothy was the right person in the right place at the wrong time.” Racism was at an all-time high in the 60’s so of course even though Dorothy was a star she was shown some discrimination. At certain venues, she was not allowed to eat even though she was a performer. This contributed to her not being famous because she was not treated as an equal so, she was definitely not equal to white actresses. Dorothy also became involved with many white celebrities, one being a heated affair with Carmen Jones director, Otto Preminger.Her interracial relationships were not widely accepted in the 60’s, the first one only getting married in 1970, so Dorothy may have been looked as a harlot, weakening her chances at being a legendary star. Dandridge also had trouble finding strong leading roles that highlighted her beautiful melanin skin. In her demise she needed money so she was forced to either play small disrespectful and cliche roles or starve, she had no choice! Without powerful leading roles she was definitely not going to be as famous as other icons of the 60’s. It was not fair at all that Dorothy
Freda Josephine McDonald was born on June 3, 1906 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her father, Eddie Carson, a vaudeville drummer left Josephine’s mother Carrie McDonald soon after her birth. Her mother remarried an unemployed man named Arthur Martin, who was kind. Their family would grow to include a son and two more daughters. Josephine grew up cleaning houses and babysitting for wealthy white families. She got a job waitressing at The Old Chauffeur's Club when she was 13 years old. This is where she met her first husband, she decided to leave home and get married.
Judy is now married to George Cooper, who is also a writer. Judy currently has three grown up children. Judy has a single grandchild which makes her a grandmother. Judy lives on the east coast. Judy has a blog, her last post talked about her experience with breast cancer. Judy still get mails from fans and reads them all.
The movie Lady Day: The Many Faces Of Billie Holiday paints an interesting, and thought provoking portrait of one of jazz and blues most charismatic, and influential artists. The incomparable talent of Billie Holiday, both truth and legend are immortalized in this one-hour documentary film. The film follows Holiday, also referred to as “Lady Day” or “Lady”, through the many triumphs and trials of her career, and does it’s very best to separate the facts from fiction. Her autobiography Lady Sings The Blues is used as a rough guide of how she desired her life story to be viewed by her public. Those who knew her, worked with her, and loved her paint a different picture than this popular, and mostly fictional autobiography.
"Agnes De Mille :: Rodgers & Hammerstein :: Bio Details." Agnes De Mille :: Rodgers & Hammerstein :: Bio Details. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2013.
In 1929, Eleanor made her Broadway debut in Follow Thru. After being in a Broadway show, her stardom kept rising until she made it to Hollywood. In 1935 she appeared in her first movie, George White's 'Scandals of 1935'.From then on, she just got more and more successful. One of her more memorable performances was in ‘Broadway Melody in 1940’ dancing alongside Fred Astaire to “Begin the Beguine’.
Amelia Earhart has resonated in our society, ever since her death, but she was also a very prominent figure during the Great Depression.
At the age of nineteen she met and married Louis Jones. Together they had two children Gail and Teddy (who later died in 1970 from kidney failure). While trying to get used to raising a family and having a career, she received a call from an agent, who had seen her at the Cotton Club, about a part in a movie. Her controlling husband allowed her to be in “The Duke is Tops” and also the musical revue “Blackbirds of 1939."
Without a doubt there is one major performer that certainly stands out within our pop culture world. The name of this very famous American icon is, Dolly Parton. Dolly has surpassed any rags to riches story that ever lived. She has touched the lives of so many individuals over many decades through her many talents. Dolly started her career at a very young age and continued fulfilling her life endeavors through country music, pop music, and even acting. This American icon didn’t stop with just her talents, she also gave back to our society through charity, fundraising, and establishing her own theme park. Dolly Parton was brought up in a very poor family, however through much dedication she became the famous icon everyone idolized today.
Audrey Hepburn was an amazing woman who’s unique personality and iconic style touched the hearts of people all over the world. She was a sensible, goofy, personable actress who had everything in her life that she could desire, and still put her time and effort into helping those around the world who weren’t as fortunate. "If there was a cross between the salt of the earth and a regal queen," Shirley MacLaine told People; that would be Audrey Hepburn. Many people only know her as the beautiful Holly Golightly who sat on a window sill and touched the hearts of the world with her song, but some others will always remember her best as the fairy godmother of their lives who’s deep soul committed to life stepped in to help them when their lives seemed at their darkest and no one else could.