The Great Escape

A Way to Forget the Hardships of Life in the Great Depression

The Golden Age of Hollywood

The Golden Age of Hollywood

Forget the harsh realities of life for 25 ¢Popular films:

Gone With the WindWalt Disney’s Mickey Mouse filmsKing KongThe Wizard of Oz

There were a number of Canadian stars who became internationally renown

King Kong (1933)

One of the first horror/adventure filmsMovie director meets a young girl stealing

an apple during the DepressionOffers her a starring role in a film

Filmmakers encounter a giant gorilla named “Kong” on a mysterious islandThey capture him and bring him to NYC

Made a hit for its special effects

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Ahead of its time: musical fantasy, filmed in colour

Dorothy (and Toto) are whisked away from her aunt’s farm by a tornado to the magical and mysterious kingdom of Oz

Dorothy has many adventures as she tries to reach the Wizard who is supposed to help her get back home

Do You Know Who This Is?

Shirley Temple

Beloved child star of the 1930s1934: her first film – at the age of 4!

She was the box office hit for the next 4 years!

She sang and danced her way into the hearts of North Americans

Shirley Temple dolls, doll clothes, soaps, books, and ribbons added to her salary

The Radio Reinvented

1930s: people gathered around the radio to listen to popular programs

Most radio programming originated in the USA: left many Canadians concerned about the amount of American contentCreation of the CRBC (CDN Radio

Broadcasting Commission) in 1932 by BennettDesigned to broadcast CDN radio programs in

French and English and to regulate broadcasting

The Radio – Cont’d

1936: the CRBC evolved into the CBC (CDN Broadcasting Corporation) as designed by PM KingThe CBC demonstrated its power in 1939 when

it broadcasted – to even the most remote areas – the first royal visit to Canada by England’s monarchs, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

It demonstrated its ability to establish a sense of national unity in Canada

Canadian Radio

CDN-made radio programs copied the formats of popular American shows: The Happy Gang: comedic entertainment with easy-listening

music

Other uniquely CDN shows: Hockey Night in Canada: first broadcast from Toronto’s Maple

Leaf Gardens in 1931

Musical Trends

“Big Band” sound by artists such as Guy Lombardo, Glenn Miler, and Jimmy DorseySome songs reflected the harsh economic

times:“I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”“Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”

Others offered an escape from reality:“Walking in a Winter Wonderland”“Moonlight Serenade”

Musical Trends – Cont’d

Artists of African-American descent began to make their markBillie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald: soulful blues,

powerful religious songs

Singers and songwriters of African-American descent had a profound influence on the development of modern North American pop music

Newspapers and Magazines

Daily life in CAN was looking more like daily life in the USA

American publications dominated the magazine industry in CAN1931: Bennett responded by issuing a hefty

tariff on US magazines1935: King takes office and cuts the tariff as

part of a trade agreement with the USAmerican magazine sales rapidly increase and

easily outsell CDN magazines

Newspapers – Cont’d

American press services provided most foreign news coverage: news stories always had an American slantLittle or no coverage about CAN or CDNs

The influence of the US on CAN through films, radio, magazines, and fads did not really become an important political issue until the 1960s

The most popular magazines during the Depression reported on the lives of the rich and famous. Why do you think these magazines were so popular? Is this type of magazine popular today?

A Media Sensation

Newspapers of the 1930s downplayed the harsh conditions of the Depression: people had become tired of reading bad newsLots of space for human interest stories

Birth of the Dionne quintuplets in Corbeil, ON in 1934 – first quintuplets to survive!Quickly became a major tourist attraction: were

looked at through a one-way screenProvided upbeat stories about the girls’ progress

Questions

The movies discussed are Hollywood classics. Why do you think each one was so appealing in the 1930s? Why do you think some movies are able to maintain their appeal across generations?

What is escapism? Many forms of 1930s’ entertainment falls under this category.

Answer the following questions in your notes. These will be checked on Wednesday and will go towards your letter grades.

Questions Continued

How have the changes and developments in movies, radio, music, and news print that we see in the 1930’s shaped the Canada we see today?