movies in the roaring ’20s

Movies in the Roaring

’20s By: Molly Marmion and Rachel Jungkind

Objectives:Film making Giants

Silent films

Synchronized sound

Jazz singer

Expressionism

Movie theatres

Ushers

Walt Disney

High demand

Filmmaking GiantsMajor film making companies were founded in

the early ’20s such as MGM, Warner Brothers, and Columbia pictures

In the early ’20s America was the leading producer of films in the world.

THE BIG 5

Warner Brothers Paramount RKO

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 20th century Fox

The greatest output of feature films occurred in the 1920s (about 800 film releases in a year) - nowadays, production doesn't exceed 500 films a year.

silent films were the predominant product of the film industry

Synchronized Sound

Early silent films were often accompanied by live piano or organ music to set the mood of the scene.

This was the first full movie ever filmed with sound.

Expressionism Expressionism was marked by stylization, dark shadows and dramatic lighting, visual story-telling, grotesque characters, distorted or slanted angular shots (of streets, buildings, etc.) and abstract sets.

Movie theatres were built, including, the Egyptian, and the now-famous Chinese Theater in Hollywood.Impresario Sid Grauman established the tradition of stars placing their prints in cement in front of the theater.

Many of the movie theatres of the 1920s were so grand that people nicknamed them "picture palaces." Exteriors were gaudy, and electrical extravaganzas were held.

They were aiming to encourage movie goers to see movies more frequently.

Movie Theaters

In the large theatres of the 1920s ushers were essential. Not only did they show people to their seats, but they were charged with handling large crowds.

To be an Usher was a desirable job

Walt DisneyThe famous film maker, Walt Disney began career in the 1920s starting with Steamboat Willie which was the premier of America’s favorite mouse! MICKEY!

The films were in major demand during this era. Silent theaters where packed every night. The stock market crash or the end of the Great War did not affect film theaters and studios.