“Everybody comes to Hollywood; they wanna make it in the neighborhood. They like the smell of it in Hollywood (…)”, lines of a famous Madonna song from last year. Hollywood, the purpose-built dream factory at the West Coast of the United States and the filmic center of the world produces countless films and movies every year. The unprecedented success story of the Californian film industry is a summary of work, imagination, hopes, and dreams of many talented and gifted human beings. The HOLLYWOOD sign atop of Mount Lee was erected in 1923. Originally, it read HOLLYWOODLAND and intended to draw attention to new housing developments in the nearby Hollywood Hills. Nowadays, the sign symbols the world’s gateway for fantasies and dreams. In the United States, the film industry started to emerge in New York City and was later joined by steadily growing and stronger forces in California. Over time, the center of the industry moved across the country and set foot in Los Angeles. Films started out with static, silent pictures and without sound. In 1928, sound was added to movies for the very first time, in that way giving birth to the film musical. Film musicals further encouraged fantasies and became one of the industry’s largest and most successful genres at the beginning of a new era. In the following paragraphs, I want to explain the formation of the talkies by means of one of its most successful divisions – the film musical. Altogether, when things happened, where, why, and in which order is not clearly recognizable any more. For these causes, I want to develop a strongly intertwined scheme of a cycle of histories as well as analyzing sociological, political, technological, ideological and other relevant factors of the time to describe the evolution and outstanding success of the Hollywood musical. First, technical advancements at the beginning of the last century and the birth of Hollywood have to be given a close look to examine the entertainment industry which grew rapidly around and after the turn from the 19th to the 20th century. The reason for this shift towards more time for leisure activities went hand in hand with the fewer hours workers had to spend for their duties, tasks and responsibilities. Originally intended to save labor capacity, industrial innovations like the assembly line and other new, time-saving technologies passed their ways through in the employment market. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Technical advancements at the beginning of the 20th century and the birth of Hollywood.
- The entertainment industry grew rapidly around 1900.
- The birth of the film industry in California.
- Vertical integration was the final accomplishment of the business.
- Visionaries and Specialists in the film industry in the years 1930 to 1933.
- Demographic and sociological facts play an important role in the success story of the film industry.
- A combination of inner and outer factors paved the way for the tremendous success of Hollywood and the film industry.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the evolution of the film musical genre, tracing its development from its roots in Broadway theater to its triumph in Hollywood. It examines the key factors that contributed to the genre’s success, including technological advancements, social and economic conditions, and the emergence of the studio system.
- The rise of the entertainment industry in the early 20th century
- The migration of the film industry from New York to Hollywood
- The impact of technological innovations on the development of film musicals
- The role of social and demographic factors in the success of the film industry
- The integration of Broadway talent into the Hollywood film industry
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- The chapter begins by exploring the rapid growth of the entertainment industry around the turn of the 20th century. It discusses the development of new technologies, such as the motion picture camera and the radio, which significantly impacted the way people consumed entertainment. The chapter then focuses on the birth of the film industry in California, detailing the migration of independent film companies from New York to Hollywood and the establishment of the studio system. It explores the reasons for this westward shift, including the desire to escape the control of the Motion Picture Patents Company and the favorable conditions offered by California.
- This chapter examines the contributions of visionaries and specialists to the film industry in the 1930s. It highlights the advancements in sound technology, the emergence of innovative professionals in Hollywood, and the collaboration between Broadway songwriters and film studios. It explores the success and challenges faced by studios after 1930, focusing on the contributions of figures like Busby Berkeley, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers.
- The chapter analyzes the demographic and sociological factors that contributed to the success of the film industry. It examines the role of immigration, urbanization, and the changing leisure activities of Americans in the early 20th century. It discusses the impact of the emerging star system and the growing influence of mass media on the industry's popularity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This text focuses on the evolution of the film musical genre, exploring its origins, key figures, technological advancements, and social impact. It examines the role of Broadway and Hollywood in shaping the industry, the influence of the studio system, and the significance of technical innovations like the Kinetophone. The text also emphasizes the importance of sociological and demographic factors in the success of the film industry, including the impact of immigration, urbanization, and the changing nature of leisure activities in the early 20th century. Key themes include the development of sound technology, the rise of the star system, and the integration of Broadway talent into Hollywood.
- Quote paper
- Christian Simon (Author), 2004, From Broadway to Hollywood - The Evolution of Sound in Film Musicals, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/30308