What is it that cinema-goers anticipate when flocking weekday nights to the Cinemaxxes and Cinestars throughout the world? And what expected the audiences of the 1920s during the heyday of the silent film area, when 100 million people a week were drawn to the movie palaces in America? Bare amusement? Weekend enjoyment? Or rather artistically challenging avant-garde films with politically provocative messages? What we mostly expect of the movies, is to satisfy a longing for something new and extraordinary. Still today and also at the beginning of the classic Hollywood era, movies have been attractive in that they have offered an alternative reality to that of actual ordinary life; be it through romance, action, exotic scenarios or mere entertainment. Especially in the 1920, with the establishment of Hollywood, movie-going became an enormously popular form of modern mass entertainment. King Vidor’s The Crowd (1928), however, is a rare exception. Its main interest is not the unknown or exotic, it does not function as an alternative reality. In contrast to the mainstream Hollywood productions of the 1920s, the film concentrates on ‘normality’ and plainness. Thus, what The Crowd offers is a stylized and satirized portrayal of the everyday lives of exactly the audiences who where watching the film. In doing so, the film does not charm or arouse passionate feelings. On the contrary, it functions as a mirror and leaves the spectators frustrated about the meaninglessness of modern life and their own ambitions for success and consumption. With its depiction of everyday middle class life and its critique of modern mass culture, The Crowd also challenges reductionist perspectives of the ‘roaring twenties’ as a permanent orgy, of wild flappers and frenzied Jazz parties, as is still prevalent in popular discourse today. The alternative view it offers, is that of a decade characterized by rising corporate power, the pressure to adjust and the powerlessness of the individual against an increasing standardization in the work and leisure sphere. Thus, in this paper I will examine, how the The Crowd differs from the mainstream Hollywood productions of the time and in what way Vidor’s film can be interpreted as a critique of 1920s mass culture. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Rise of Modern Mass Society
- The New Middle Class and the Changing Face of the American Dream
- Mainstream Trends in the American Cinema of the 1920s
- The Crowd as a Mirror of Lower Middle Class Life
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines King Vidor's The Crowd (1928) as a critique of 1920s mass culture, contrasting it with mainstream Hollywood productions of the time. It explores how the film portrays the everyday lives of the American middle class and challenges the romanticized view of the "Roaring Twenties."
- The rise of modern mass society in the 1920s America.
- The changing perception of the American Dream and its focus on leisure and consumption.
- The portrayal of lower middle-class life in The Crowd.
- A comparison of The Crowd with mainstream Hollywood cinema of the era.
- The film's critique of the standardization and homogenization of American culture.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by posing questions about audience expectations of cinema, both in the 1920s and the present day. It establishes The Crowd as an exception to typical Hollywood fare, focusing on the "normality" of everyday life rather than escapism. The chapter highlights the film's function as a social commentary, challenging the prevailing perception of the 1920s as a period of constant revelry and focusing instead on the rising corporate power and the individual's struggle against standardization. The author outlines the paper's objective: to analyze how The Crowd diverges from mainstream Hollywood cinema and critiques 1920s mass culture, previewing the subsequent examination of societal shifts, the evolving American Dream, and prevailing cinematic trends.
The Rise of Modern Mass Society: This chapter analyzes the societal context of The Crowd, exploring the emergence of a mass consumer culture in 1920s America. It uses the film as a case study, highlighting its portrayal of everyday life—from office environments to leisure activities—as a reflection of this transformation. The chapter discusses the impact of mass production industries, urbanization, and immigration on social life, noting both the increased individualism and anonymity. It contrasts the film's limited perspective, focusing primarily on the white, upwardly mobile middle class, with the broader societal complexities of the era, including ethnic and cultural diversity and the challenges faced by minorities. The chapter further engages with differing historical interpretations of the 1920s, comparing views emphasizing a post-war cultural break with those stressing the continuation of pre-existing modernizing trends. The discussion includes the role of political conservatism and corporate power in shaping the cultural landscape and the anxieties surrounding class conflict and national identity.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
King Vidor, The Crowd, 1920s, mass culture, American Dream, consumerism, Hollywood cinema, social realism, middle class, standardization, modernization, mass society.
King Vidor's "The Crowd": A Comprehensive FAQ
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes King Vidor's 1928 film "The Crowd" as a critique of 1920s American mass culture. It contrasts the film with mainstream Hollywood productions of the time, exploring how it portrays the everyday lives of the American middle class and challenges the romanticized view of the "Roaring Twenties."
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper examines the rise of modern mass society in 1920s America, the changing perception of the American Dream (with its focus on leisure and consumption), the portrayal of lower middle-class life in "The Crowd," a comparison of "The Crowd" with mainstream Hollywood cinema, and the film's critique of the standardization and homogenization of American culture.
What topics are covered in the different chapters?
The Introduction sets the context, highlighting "The Crowd" as a social commentary challenging the typical Hollywood fare and the prevailing perception of the 1920s. The chapter on The Rise of Modern Mass Society analyzes the societal context of the film, exploring the emergence of mass consumer culture and its impact on social life. The paper also includes chapter summaries for other sections, though their detailed contents aren't explicitly listed in the provided preview.
What is the overall argument or thesis of the paper?
The paper argues that "The Crowd" offers a unique perspective on the 1920s, diverging from the typical escapism of mainstream Hollywood cinema by realistically depicting the struggles and anxieties of the American middle class within a rapidly changing mass society. It positions the film as a critique of the standardization and homogenization of American culture during this era.
What kind of source material is used in the paper?
The primary source is King Vidor's film "The Crowd." The paper also utilizes secondary sources to analyze the historical and social context of the 1920s, including discussions of mass culture, the American Dream, and the evolution of Hollywood cinema.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
King Vidor, The Crowd, 1920s, mass culture, American Dream, consumerism, Hollywood cinema, social realism, middle class, standardization, modernization, mass society.
What is the intended audience for this paper?
The preview suggests the paper is intended for an academic audience interested in film studies, American history, and cultural studies of the 1920s. The structured format and detailed analysis indicate a focus on scholarly research and analysis.
Where can I find the full text of the paper?
The provided HTML is only a preview. The full text of the paper is not available here. Further information on accessing the complete paper would need to be sought from the publishing company.
- Quote paper
- Peter Brüstle (Author), 2005, Cinema of Mediocrity - The Representation of 1920s Mass Culture in King Vidor's The Crowd, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/70472