Great Depression

Definition

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s, profoundly impacting various aspects of life, including the film industry. This era created an environment of economic struggle that shaped the themes and styles of films, leading to significant changes in storytelling, character development, and audience expectations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Depression began with the Stock Market Crash of 1929, leading to massive unemployment and widespread poverty across the United States.
2. Films during this time often reflected the struggles of everyday people, with themes of resilience and hope becoming central to narratives.
3. The Hays Code was implemented partly as a response to societal concerns during the Great Depression, aiming to create morally uplifting content in films.
4. The economic downturn encouraged innovation in filmmaking, leading to genres like film noir that explored darker themes and complex characters.
5. Musicals emerged as a popular genre during the Great Depression as they provided escapism and joy amidst the pervasive hardship.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Depression influence the themes and styles of films produced during its duration?
  • The Great Depression significantly influenced film by pushing filmmakers to explore themes of struggle, resilience, and social issues. As audiences faced economic hardship, movies often depicted relatable characters facing adversity. This led to a rise in genres like musicals that offered escapism and hope while still addressing reality through narratives of survival and human connection.
• Analyze how the implementation of the Hays Code was affected by societal changes during the Great Depression.
  • The Hays Code was implemented in part as a reaction to societal challenges posed by the Great Depression. With audiences dealing with economic distress, there was a demand for films that provided moral guidance and positive messages. The code aimed to ensure that films reflected societal values and did not portray actions that could be deemed immoral or harmful, further shaping content to align with public sentiment during this turbulent time.
• Evaluate the impact of the Great Depression on the evolution of gender roles in films made before 1960.
  • The Great Depression played a pivotal role in transforming gender roles depicted in films prior to 1960. As women increasingly entered the workforce out of necessity, films began to reflect more complex female characters who embodied independence and resilience. This shift contributed to evolving portrayals of women on screen, breaking traditional stereotypes and paving the way for future representations that challenged societal norms about gender roles.

Related terms

Stock Market Crash of 1929: A catastrophic collapse of stock prices in the United States that marked the beginning of the Great Depression, leading to widespread financial instability.

New Deal:

A series of programs and reforms introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at recovering the economy and alleviating the hardships caused by the Great Depression.

Hollywood Studio System:

The organizational structure of major film studios in Hollywood during the early 20th century that controlled production, distribution, and exhibition of films.