BLOG Module 5: Late 1950s and 1960s--A New Hollywood

CinemaScope and VistaVision, Cinerama, 3-D

CinemaScope and VistaVision enabled screens to accommodate wider formats, which contributed to films feeling more cinematic. Cinerama enhances this experience by utilizing a curved projection that almost completely surrounds the viewers. 3-D films helped attract more audiences by giving people a more immersive experience while watching films (Lewis 241).

Stereophonic Sound

Stereophonic sound made sound more immersive as it allowed the audio to feel like the audio was coming from different directions. It was a major upgrade from the smaller built-in speakers on televisions (Lewis 242).

Alfred Kinsey’s two “reports” and censorship in Hollywood

Alfred Kinsey reported that sexuality was a part of life, and these reports inspired Hollywood to test the limits of the Production Code as audiences wanted to see more mature content rather than family-friendly stories (Lewis 240).

Mid-1960s European-made films

In the 1960s, audiences found interest in European cinema. Films such as Blow-Up by Michelangelo Antonioni did not follow strict censorship rules. The popularity of this film showed Hollywood that people wanted to see more artistic expression rather than fully censored and clean endings (Lewis 244).

Jack Valenti and the New MPAA

In 1966, Jack Valenti became the new president of the MPAA. He realized that the old censorship rules could not fit in Hollywood, while European films were making bolder films. He supported the idea of implementing a rating system rather than overall censorship (Lewis 244).

“For Mature Audiences” label

Hollywood tested out releasing films labeled “For mature audiences.” This came prior to the R and PG-13 ratings. The success of this new label showed Hollywood that audiences wanted more mature and realistic content (Lewis 245).

The Western

As America was becoming more suburban, Westerns gave audiences the opportunity to escape from modern life as these films focused on nostalgic fantasies about masculinity. In these films, men would solve problems with no clear right or wrong, and they lived in spaces where they didn't need someone to tell them how to live (Lewis 252).

John Ford

John Ford was a western filmmaker who had a great influence on its visuals and themes. His films featured valley landscapes along with themes of honor and duty through stoic heroes that all defined the western genre. (Lewis 253).

John Wayne

John Wayne represented American masculinity as he was a fearless and tough hero. His character brought a sense of comfort to audiences in the midst of a culture that was rebellious. However, Wayne’s old school character resonated well with viewers (Lewis 252).

Teenagers & Teen Movies

Around the 1950 and 60s, Hollywood realized that teenagers were a separate audience of their own and began producing films tailored towards them. They typically explored the theme of not being understood by adults, which captured the attention of many teens as these films successfully captured their struggles on screen (Lewis 254).

The Wild One

The Wild One is a story of a character played by Marlon Brando who is young and rebellious. The film portrayed a larger message about teen rebellion, which led to the idea that rebellion was tied to frustration (Lewis 254).

Rebel Without a Cause

Rebel Without a Cause discussed the theme of teen rebellion on a deeper level as the main character dealt with confusion and pain. With the film showing damaged families, it portrayed the message that teens were never truly the problem as they are searching for their own identities (Lewis 254).

West Side Story

West Side Story changed the musical genre as the characters danced and sang in the streets of New York rather than in perfect worlds. It didn’t embody neat Hollywood films as it explored themes of gang violence, racism, and even had a tragic ending (Lewis 264).

The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is a musical that embodied the fairytale and perfect world with catchy songs that everyone knew while using a widescreen format to add to the dreamy feeling. This film came at a time where adults still enjoyed its optimism, while teens turned to more rock and rebellion style music (Lewis 265).

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock made fear and horror films feel personal as he used suspense and psychology to tap into fear. His films would put audiences in uncomfortable places by making dark films that would feature unsettling and non-traditional scenes, such as killing off the main character early in the film (Lewis 266).

Jerry Lewis

In the midst of a time when Hollywood became more rebellious, Jerry Lewis stuck with comedy. His films would feature silly and goofy characters, and his success showed that audiences were still interested in slapstick comedies during this era of Hollywood (Lewis 275).

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was a famous figure who not only represented glam but also sexuality and being taken seriously as a woman. She challenged Hollywood's norms on the way they were objectified and shown in films (Lewis 277).

Doris Day

Doris Day represented wholesome and pure females as she provided comfort to audiences during this cultural shift. Day’s characters stood firm in traditional values as Hollywood was going through this shift (Lewis 280).

Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde gave criminal characters a charismatic look and featured violence that audiences had never experienced, which officially put an end to the old Production Code (Lewis 283).

The Graduate

The Graduate captured what many young adults were experiencing in the late 1960s, drifting after college. There are many quiet and awkward pauses in addition to a pop soundtrack that all capture the feeling of frustration and confusion (Lewis 285).