🎞️American Cinema – Before 1960 Unit 14 – Final Exam and Course Wrap–up

Key Topics and Themes

• Explored the evolution of American cinema from its early beginnings through the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1950s
• Examined the impact of historical events (Great Depression, World War II) on the film industry and the content of movies
• Analyzed the development of various film genres (westerns, musicals, film noir) and their defining characteristics
• Discussed the studio system's rise and fall and its influence on film production, distribution, and exhibition
• Investigated the role of censorship (Hays Code) in shaping the content and themes of American films during this period
• Studied the emergence of new cinematic techniques (sound, color, widescreen) and their impact on storytelling and audience experience
• Considered the representation of race, gender, and class in American films and how these portrayals reflected and influenced societal norms

Major Films and Directors Covered

• Explored the works of pioneering filmmakers (D.W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton) and their contributions to the development of cinematic language
• Analyzed the films of major directors from the studio era (John Ford, Howard Hawks, Alfred Hitchcock) and their distinctive styles and themes
• Studied the emergence of film noir in the 1940s and its iconic films (Double Indemnity, The Maltese Falcon)
• Examined the musicals of the 1930s and 1940s (Top Hat, Singin' in the Rain) and their role in providing escapism during difficult times
• Discussed the impact of Orson Welles' Citizen Kane (1941) on cinematic storytelling and technique
• Explored the social problem films of the 1950s (On the Waterfront, Rebel Without a Cause) and their reflection of changing societal attitudes
• Considered the influence of international cinema (German Expressionism, Soviet Montage) on American filmmakers and their works

Critical Concepts and Theories

• Examined the concept of auteur theory and its application to the works of major directors from this period
• Explored the role of genre theory in understanding the conventions and expectations of different film genres
• Analyzed films using feminist film theory to investigate the representation and treatment of women in American cinema
• Applied psychoanalytic film theory to interpret the underlying themes and symbolism in films
• Studied the impact of the star system on film production and reception and the creation of iconic screen personas
• Discussed the concept of the male gaze and its influence on the portrayal of women in American films
• Considered the role of Marxist film theory in examining the representation of class and power dynamics in cinema

Historical Context and Influences

• Explored the impact of the Great Depression on the film industry and the rise of escapist genres (musicals, screwball comedies)
• Examined the influence of World War II on Hollywood and the production of propaganda films and war-themed movies
• Analyzed the effects of the Cold War and the Hollywood blacklist on the content and themes of American films in the 1950s
• Discussed the impact of post-war prosperity and the rise of suburbia on American society and its representation in cinema
• Considered the influence of social and political movements (civil rights, women's liberation) on American films in the late 1950s and early 1960s
• Studied the relationship between Hollywood and the U.S. government and the role of cinema in shaping public opinion and promoting American values
• Explored the impact of international events (Korean War, Cuban Revolution) on the content and themes of American films

Technological Developments

• Examined the introduction of sound in the late 1920s and its impact on film storytelling, acting, and production techniques
• Studied the adoption of color cinematography and its influence on film aesthetics and genre development (Technicolor musicals, Kodachrome westerns)
• Analyzed the emergence of widescreen formats (CinemaScope, VistaVision) in the 1950s and their effect on film composition and spectacle
• Discussed the development of special effects techniques (matte paintings, rear projection) and their use in creating cinematic illusions
• Explored the impact of television on the film industry and the strategies employed by studios to compete with the new medium (3D, epic films)
• Considered the role of technological innovations (zoom lenses, lightweight cameras) in enabling new styles of filmmaking and the rise of independent production
• Studied the influence of advances in film sound (stereo, surround) on the audience experience and the creation of immersive cinematic environments

Industry Changes and Trends

• Examined the rise of the studio system in the 1920s and its impact on film production, distribution, and exhibition
• Analyzed the effects of the 1948 Paramount Decision on the breakup of the studio system and the rise of independent production
• Discussed the influence of the Hays Code on film content and the strategies employed by filmmakers to circumvent censorship
• Explored the impact of the Hollywood blacklist on the careers of filmmakers and actors and the rise of independent production in the 1950s
• Studied the emergence of drive-in theaters and their role in changing film exhibition and audience demographics
• Considered the impact of the rise of television on studio profits and the strategies employed to compete with the new medium (widescreen, color, spectacle)
• Analyzed the influence of changing audience tastes and demographics on the types of films produced by Hollywood studios

Exam Format and Structure

• Multiple choice questions testing knowledge of key films, directors, and historical events covered in the course
• Short answer questions requiring analysis and interpretation of specific scenes or sequences from films studied in class
• Essay questions asking for in-depth discussion and application of critical concepts and theories to selected films or directors
• Identification of stills or clips from films covered in the course and their significance to the development of American cinema
• Questions testing understanding of technological innovations and their impact on film production, distribution, and exhibition
• Comparative analysis of two or more films or directors in relation to a specific theme, genre, or historical context
• Evaluation of the impact of industry changes and trends on the content, style, and reception of American films during this period

Study Tips and Strategies

• Review class notes, readings, and assigned films regularly to reinforce understanding of key concepts and themes
• Create timelines or charts to visualize the chronological development of American cinema and the relationships between films, directors, and historical events
• Analyze selected scenes or sequences from films in depth, paying attention to cinematic techniques, narrative structure, and thematic elements
• Practice applying critical concepts and theories to specific films or directors, using examples from the course to support your arguments
• Participate in study groups or discussions with classmates to share insights, interpretations, and questions about the course material
• Watch additional films from the period covered in the course to broaden your understanding of the diversity and richness of American cinema
• Attend review sessions or office hours with the instructor to clarify any questions or concerns about the exam format or content
• Create flashcards or study guides to memorize key facts, dates, and definitions related to the films, directors, and historical events covered in the course