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Films in the 1930's

Films in the 1930's. Way Out West & A Night at the Opera. Pre 1930’s Film:. Single reel Silent Use of the crank camera. 1930’s. What’s happening historically? Why would people need a diversion? What types of people can see movies?. Golden Age of Hollywood. 1920’s-1950’s

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Films in the 1930's

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  1. Films in the 1930's Way Out West & A Night at the Opera

  2. Pre 1930’s Film: • Single reel • Silent • Use of the crank camera

  3. 1930’s • What’s happening historically? • Why would people need a diversion? • What types of people can see movies?

  4. Golden Age of Hollywood • 1920’s-1950’s • The Jazz Singer-1927 ends silent era • Specific genres: • Western • Slapstick • Musical • Animated cartoon • Biography • MGM—Metro Goldwyn Meyer—premier studio

  5. Golden Age of Hollywood Actors: • Clark Gable • Norma Shearer • Greta Garbo • Jeanette MacDonald and husband Gene Raymond • Spencer Tracy • Judy Garland • Gene Kelly • Marx Brothers • Laurel & Hardy Films: • Gone With the Wind • Wizard of Oz • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington • Casablanca • It’s a Wonderful Life • King Kong • Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

  6. Technological Advances • “Talkies”—use of sound • At first, cumbersome • Use of portable microphones • Beginning of major studios: Fox, Paramount, Warner Brothers • Technicolor—red, blue and yellow film strips • Exaggerated color: • Gone With the Wind • The Wizard of Oz • Double reel filming= Full length feature films

  7. Hay’s Code • 1st rating system • “general principles”—morality • “particular applications”—what could not be shown: • Mixing of races • Specific curse words • No homosexuality • Religious figures depicted with respect • Crime can’t appear pretty • Later morphs into MPAA film rating system

  8. Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy

  9. Laurel & Hardy’s Comedy • Visual with slapstick used for emphasis • Use of exaggerated violence and actions that go over boundaries of common sense • Physical arguments—highly involved with cartoon violence • Very little progress on task at hand • Jokes last several scenes, minutes—milking • Extended sequences revolving around a single problem (not a much plot focus) • “Tit-for-tat” fight • “White Magic” • Hardy trying to copy Laurel’s invisible lighter • Use of sound effects—don’t show actual event

  10. Laurel and Hardy Characteristics • Hardy breaks the fourth wall • Loveable and devoted=big kids • Use of hair • Laurel removes heels for flat-footed walk • Fitting of “costume” (suit) • Faces filmed flat—no shadows or dramatic lighting= use of light foundation=clown effect

  11. Way Out West • 1937 • Director-James Horne • One of Laurel & Hardy’s greatest works • Woman is about to loose her claim (deed) to father’s land because of land grabbers. L & H arrive to help, but end up aiding wrong woman in distress. • Set in the Wild West

  12. The Plan: • Watch Way Out West • Watch A Night at the Opera (Marx Brothers) • Compare the two films: • Contrast the comedy in the two films. • Contrast the use of “new” technology in the two films.

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