BLOG Module 2: Late 1920s to 1930s--Technical Innovations and Industrial Transformation

Technical Innovations: Sound & Color

Vitaphone

The Vitaphone was known as the device Warner Bros used to sync recorded music with dialogue, which gave audiences one of the first looks at talking pictures (Lewis 100).

Warner Bros. and the talking pictures

Warner Bros took a risk by investing in sound as a way of competing with other studios. The success they found here led to the industry pushing for more sound technology (Lewis 100).

Al Jolson and The Jazz Singer

In 1927, Al Jolson performed The Jazz Singer, which helped lead to talking pictures becoming more popular which marking an important shift away from silent films (Lewis 102).

Sound Engineering and Sound Design

The idea of sound design consisted of mixing, dialogue, music, and effects, while prioritizing the dialogue aspect as that was the most important part (Lewis 104).

Hand Tinting

Hand tinting was one of the first attempts to introduce color into films. This time consuming process consisted of dipping the strips in dye or hand painting each frame (Lewis 105).

Charles Urban and Kinemacolor

Charles Urban introduced Kinemacolor, which was another attempt at adding color in film by using a two color system. However, this method did not capture a wide range of colors (Lewis 105).

Technicolor

Technicolor was another coloring method. This advanced process gave vivid colors, which became the standard for big Hollywood films (Lewis 105).

Theoretical foundation of color

Since audiences did not think color in film was there to add realism, studios began adding more natural colors (Lewis 105).

The Studio System and Genre

Contract System/Star System

As an attempt to build up stars and create better efficiency in filmmaking, studios began signing actors and directors to long-term contracts (Lewis 107).

Studio Style

Studios began creating their own style, which distinguished them from their competitors. For example, MGM films used a more glamorous look (Lewis 104).

Classical Hollywood Cinema

Hollywood cinema used smoother editing along with clearer sounds and better storytelling to keep the audience engaged, making the films easier to watch (Lewis 104).

Irving Thalberg

Irving Thalberg was widely recognized at MGM for his ability to manage large productions and turn them into hit films, ultimately setting an example for what Hollywood producers could become (Lewis 110).

Hollywood Genres: Gangster

Hollywood gangster films showed realistic social tensions by displaying power, crime, and downfalls during an urban change (Lewis 120).

Hollywood Genres: Melodrama

Melodrama films highlighted the emotional struggles of a character primarily through the pressures faced in society. This ultimately allowed audiences to build a connection with these stories of hardships (Lewis 124).

Hollywood Genres: Horror

Horror became a popular film, especially with hits like Dracula. These films featured scary atmospheres and allowed audiences to feel fear in a safe and thrilling way (Lewis 128).

Hollywood Genres: Musical

Musicals became popular in Hollywood because of the sound. This combined music with dancing and performances, which allowed audiences to feel joy and excitement (Lewis 131).

Hollywood Genres: Comedy

The comedy genre heavily relied on playful characters and clever jokes to entertain audiences on another level (Lewis 138).

Censorship

Self-Censorship

In the 1920s, Hollywood began censoring itself to avoid outside regulations. They set up their own rules as an attempt to control what was allowed to be shown while still prioritizing profits (Lewis 113).

Will Hays and “Don’ts/”Be Carefuls” list

Will Hayes and the MPPDA created the don’ts/ be carefuls list as a way of creating rules against immoral content such as nudity (Lewis 113).

Motion Picture Production Code

In 1934, the Production Code set rules on the way sex, crime, and religion could be shown, ultimately resulting in major changes in the content of Hollywood films for decades (Lewis 114).