BLOG Module 3: Early 1940s Hollywood in Transition - World War II

Big Eight Studios

By the 1940s, Hollywood had become highly successful, with the big eight studios controlling the industry. These studios consisted of Columbia, MGM, Paramount, RKO, 20th Century-Fox, United Artists, Universal, and Warner Bros. These studios produced 75% of American films and brought in 90% of the industry's revenue. Out of these eight, MGM, Paramount, and Fox were the most successful as they brought in $100 million of revenue (Lewis 151).

Gone with the Wind

Victor Fleming’s Gone with the Wind was produced by David O. Selznick. It tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara and her resilience as the Old South collapses during the Civil War. This film is widely known for its large production, which included scenes like the burning of Atlanta that used real fire. This film won eight Academy Awards and was the highest-grossing film until 1972 (Lewis 155).

Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane by Orson Welles made a large impact on American film. The film was inspired by William Randolph Hearst and told the story of Charles Foster Kane through flashbacks, narrators, and different perspectives. Along with its story, the film is also known for its cinematography. Done by Greg Toland, his focus on cinematography resulted in action shots to stay sharp throughout the film (Lewis 161.

Frank Capra and Why We Fight Series

During the World War II era, Hollywood storytelling was used by the government to produce propaganda. Frank Capra, who was already popular, was recruited to create the Why We Fight series. This was a series of documentaries that used newsreels and enemy footage as a way of explaining why America was in this war. One important film was The Negro Soldier, which was used to convince African Americans to fight despite discrimination (Lewis 166).

Now, Voyager

Now, Voyager by Irving Rapper became an important film amongst women as it showed women being independent and exploring their identity during the war. The film featured Bette Davis, who plays a character who goes from an ugly duckling to a more confident and stylish woman. The film ultimately served as reassurance for women as they were experiencing many sacrifices and limitations during the war (Lewis 174).

Preston Sturges

Preston Sturges is widely known as one of the first writers to direct their own script. His films introduced a new style of comedy where he used Hollywood, politics, and everyday life as comedy while entertaining audiences. His ability to combine this comedic social criticism with witty dialogue allowed him to become one of the first screenwriters to become a director (Lewis 176).

Early Film Noir

During the war, a new type of film called film noir was introduced. This featured darker lighting and cinematography, along with crime plots and ambiguous characters. The film Double Indemnity is an example of this style as it featured darkness, betrayal, and murder, along with shadowy visuals and voice over narration. This style of film reflected the anxieties and darkness that came during the war through unsettling stories (Lewis 184).

Casablanca

Casablanca was another film that showcased the atmosphere during the war. This love story film combined romance and politics. In the film, Rick has to decide if he should fight against fascism or put his love for Ilsa first. This sacrifice served as a symbol to show audiences how necessary sacrifice was during this war era (Lewis 188).

Meet Me in St. Louis

Meet Me in St. Louis is another film that was released during the war. It was a Technicolor musical, and instead of highlighting something negative or unsettling, it gave people comfort during this difficult time. In the film, Judy Garland performed “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” which gave audiences who were experiencing separations and hardships a sense of hope (Lewis 191).

The Best Years of Our Lives

The Best Years of Our Lives, by William Wyler, came after the war showed the challenges veterans faced when returning. The film followed three men from after the war who experienced trauma, disabilities, and the challenges of adjusting to civilian life. The film features a real war veteran who lost both hands, making the film feel more emotional and authentic. This film would go on to win Academy Awards and be widely recognized as one of the most powerful post-war films (Lewis 193).