During the mid-twentieth century, American society was in a major transformation. Many factors contributed to the change. Political movements, social norms, economic conditions, and other factors changed how people lived and acted. This was reflected in the themes of movies.
A film is a form of artistic expression that simulates real experiences. In addition to giving a sense of movement, a movie also communicates ideas and emotions. The main purpose of a movie is to entertain or educate the viewer. Themes can be nostalgic or contemporary.
Movies were one of the few businesses that had a profit during the Great Depression. In the 1930s, movies were usually humorous mishaps and had a sense of emotional optimism. Movies also featured rich socialites and unemployed artists.
The mid-twentieth century saw a dramatic change in the role of women in movies. The role of women in movies became more powerful and was influenced by second-wave feminism. During this time, women no longer needed male support. Women were also no longer regarded as defenseless.
Movies were shown on television and in theatres, and were also shown on peep show devices. They were also projected on large screens for theatre audiences. They were often shown to one person at a time, as in the earliest films. A movie may be ten minutes or more, and is often made to entertain or educate.
The film image is created through a nonhuman, scientific process. The images are often accurate and compelling. It also has a powerful effect on the audience. In some cases, the illusion of motion may help lower the critical resistance. However, it is important to keep in mind that this illusion is a hypnotic effect, and may cause people to pay more attention.
The themes of movies can be very specific, but in general, they reflect a particular time period. Often, society’s climate dictates the themes that are prevalent. During the mid-twentieth-century, themes were more realistic and included characters with faults. These themes were also products of the economic climate. During the early 1960s, there were numerous political movements, such as the Second Red Scare, McCarthyism, and the Korean Conflict.
Movies were also influenced by political movements, such as the Vietnam Conflict and protests against American government actions. Antagonism toward the Vietnam Conflict and protesting the American government’s actions grew along with the growing animosity toward corporate management.
Another example is the mid-twentieth-century movies that depicted family life. These movies often showed a strong, united family unit. But there were also many movies that showed family life as divided, as in the case of Jack and Suzie. They live in a small town near a big city and have children. Their children are married, and they are preparing to retire early.
Another example is the 1960s movie Chinatown, which was conceived by Robert Towne and Roman Polanski, and ended with a shot of the town as a real dream. The town, though, is actually in Los Angeles.