Jazz Age Entertainment

1. Jazz Age Entertainment By: Amilcar Bautista, Carlos “Charlie” Miranda, Alejandro Enciso

2. Radio in The Jazz Age • The first radio broadcast was in November 2,1920 • The first in the U.S. done by KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • KDKM was the first commercial radio station • There were many radio broadcasts before KDKA • But they were solely experimental • In the beginning not many people actually heard radio broadcasts due to low fidelity (Example) • After the first broadcast there was a high demand for radio receivers

3. Radio (continued) • Between 1923-1930 almost 60% of Americans had a radio in their homes • Families would gather round the radio for night entertainment • By 1922 600 stations were broadcasting radio signals • Radios would broadcast things like: popular music, classical music, sporting events, lectures, fictional stories, newscasts, weather reports, market updates, and political commentary. • Radio stations helped create a sense of community. • Different ethnic groups could come together to listen to broadcasts of their interests

4. Radio (continued) • The public, private businesses and government saw the radio as public service. • It was late in the 1920’s that broadcasts were made for monetary gain • In 1926 the government steps in to keep radio broadcasts in check and makes the “Federal Radio Commission”. • In 1927 the Radio Act is made to regulate the airwaves. ( the same regulations that were later adopted

5. Movies In The Jazz Age • Movies were silent until 1923 • 1923 the first commercial was made with sound • Nickelodeons were the first theaters • In the year 1927 synchronized sound started to appear • Hollywood had 85% of the movie production • Approximately 800 movies were made each year

6. Movies (continued) • Don Juan, the first talking picture, starring John Barrymore premiered on Broadway in 1926. Movies became big business. • The first Oscars were given in 1927. the first Oscar movie was a Paramount Picture, called Wings, and Emil Jennings and Janet Gaynor won best acting awards. • Metro Goldwyn Mayer film making studio is founded • First Walt Disney cartoon was created during these years. "Plane crazy" (first movie he appeared in)

7. Movies (continued) • 35 million Americans saw a movie weekly during the 1920's • Caption Cards were used to tell the story • Those who were unable to read went with someone who could. • The usual theme of movies was a poor young man trying to attain wealth • Movie example: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nTlUxNzt5Kw

8. Fun Facts • October 2, 1925 John Baird a Scottish inventor creates the first television • Charlie Chaplin inspired actors like Buster Keaton and Jackie chan. • The usual theme of movies was a poor young man trying to attain wealth ( James Gatz to J. Gatsby)

9. Bibliography • Anna Robertson, Steve Garfinkel and Elizabeth Eckstein , "The Radio in 1920s". The University of Virginia. 04/21/08 <http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug00/3on1/radioshow/1920radio.htm>.Ma'ayan, Barbara. "The 1920's The Roaring 20's". Kyrene de las Brisas Elementary . 04/24/08 <http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/decade/1920.htm>The West Springfield High School, "The Great Gatsby Entertainment". The West Springfield High School. 04/24/08 <http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/westspringfieldhs/academic/english/1project/99gg/99gg2/enter.htm>.