The Great Depression began soon after the stock market crash of October 1929 which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Consumer spending and investment dropped which in turn caused large declines in industrial output and increased levels of unemployment as failing companies laid off workers. By 1933, when the Great Depression reached its lowest point, some 13 to 15 million Americans were unemployed and nearly half of the country’s banks had failed (history.com).
The Great Depression was a powerful unifying experience. A new phrase, "the American way of life," entered the American vernacular (digitalhistory.uh.edu). As unemployment reached an all time high in 1933, this decade was marked with dismal consequences of the Great Depression. From failed farmers to discouraged businessmen to working mothers to displaced children, the Great Depression invaded homes across the nation. Twenty-five percent of the country was unemployed at the peak of the Great Depression in 1933 while even more just barely made ends meet (xroads.virginia.edu).
Despite the hardships that faced nearly half the country, 60 to 80 million people still packed into the theaters each week. Hollywood performed a valuable psychological and ideological role, providing reassurance and hope to a demoralized nation (nssc.org). In the face of doubt and despair, films helped to sustain national morale. To help boost attendance, theaters used gimmicks such as lower admission prices (cut by as much as 25 cents), double bills, giveaways of free dishes, and “bank night” (in which customer who received a lucky number won a cash prize). Why did Depression America go to the movies? For escapism. At the movie theaters, people could forget their troubles for a few hours. Comedies were the most highly attended of all genres. The Marx Brothers became huge stars, often appearing in farcical productions depicting get-rich-quick schemes (spark notes.com). Films were also grounded in the social realities of the time. The most realistic films were social problem films. For instance, Paul Muni portrayed an ex-convict in I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang which was “torn from the headlines," usually by Warner Brothers or Columbia Pictures. Even recognizable Depression backdrops were used as sets for the most outrageous Busby Berkeley musicals which depicted chorus girls as flowers or mechanical windup dolls.
Films reflected American desires just as American desires reflected films--making it impossible to ignore the significance of Hollywood during the 1930's (xroads.virginia.edu). Hollywood musicals often reflected America's growing need and desire for escapism. In addition to the magical worlds of Oz, musicals painted more familiar scenes such as Depression-stricken cities and burdened homes. Audiences were able to relate to the harsh times but were manipulated with a positive turn of events at the end. Subsequently, without asking for anything in return, musicals boosted morale and lightened the burden of their audiences (xroads.virginia.edu).
The Great Depression was a powerful unifying experience. A new phrase, "the American way of life," entered the American vernacular (digitalhistory.uh.edu). As unemployment reached an all time high in 1933, this decade was marked with dismal consequences of the Great Depression. From failed farmers to discouraged businessmen to working mothers to displaced children, the Great Depression invaded homes across the nation. Twenty-five percent of the country was unemployed at the peak of the Great Depression in 1933 while even more just barely made ends meet (xroads.virginia.edu).
Despite the hardships that faced nearly half the country, 60 to 80 million people still packed into the theaters each week. Hollywood performed a valuable psychological and ideological role, providing reassurance and hope to a demoralized nation (nssc.org). In the face of doubt and despair, films helped to sustain national morale. To help boost attendance, theaters used gimmicks such as lower admission prices (cut by as much as 25 cents), double bills, giveaways of free dishes, and “bank night” (in which customer who received a lucky number won a cash prize). Why did Depression America go to the movies? For escapism. At the movie theaters, people could forget their troubles for a few hours. Comedies were the most highly attended of all genres. The Marx Brothers became huge stars, often appearing in farcical productions depicting get-rich-quick schemes (spark notes.com). Films were also grounded in the social realities of the time. The most realistic films were social problem films. For instance, Paul Muni portrayed an ex-convict in I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang which was “torn from the headlines," usually by Warner Brothers or Columbia Pictures. Even recognizable Depression backdrops were used as sets for the most outrageous Busby Berkeley musicals which depicted chorus girls as flowers or mechanical windup dolls.
Films reflected American desires just as American desires reflected films--making it impossible to ignore the significance of Hollywood during the 1930's (xroads.virginia.edu). Hollywood musicals often reflected America's growing need and desire for escapism. In addition to the magical worlds of Oz, musicals painted more familiar scenes such as Depression-stricken cities and burdened homes. Audiences were able to relate to the harsh times but were manipulated with a positive turn of events at the end. Subsequently, without asking for anything in return, musicals boosted morale and lightened the burden of their audiences (xroads.virginia.edu).