...THE COST OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM: CENSORSHIP vs. LIBERALISM IN HOLLYWOOD, 1940 – 1960 Destiny Adams History 734 – Seminar in American History Dr. Wintz – Texas Southern University Spring 2009 Table of Contents Part One 1.1 – Introduction – p. 3 1.2 – Social and Political Climate pp. 3-11 1.3 – Production Code Resolutions pp.11-15 Part Two 2.1- Production Codes – I, II, III and IV pp.16 2.2 – Production Codes V, VI, VII and VIII pp.17-18 2.3 - Production Codes IX, X, XI and XII pp.18 Part Three 3.1- Hollywood and Film making – 1940-1949 pp.18-21 3.2- Movies – Awarded, Nominated, Not Nominated pp.21 Part Four 4.1- Hollywood and Film making – 1950-1959 pp.22-26 4.2- Movies – Awarded, Nominated, Not Nominated pp.26 Part Five 5.1- Synopsis of Film making in the 1960’s – New Era pp. 27-28 5.2- Conclusion pp.28-29 The Red Scare of 1917-1920, was the primary influence for the emergence of censorship through McCarthyism and Anti- Socialist sentiments in filmmaking during 1940-1960. McCarthyism and three international wars enhanced Anti – Communist resentments within the United States. A brief emergence of Socialist organizations in America heightened the fervor of conservative versus liberal views within cinematography. Motion Movie producers and Distributors, in Hollywood, California were heavily encouraged to influence film directors, screenwriters and actors by incorporating strict codes within their artistic expression...
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...Massachusetts, United States. William Moulton Marston died May 2, 1947 in Rye, New York, United States. In 1913 his name Marston was know in his lifetime. He was a professor at universities until he went to Hollywood. Marston was interested in the lie Detector test and he quite practicing law. Wonder Woman was the first female superhero that was created (William Moulton Marston.” Encyclopedia of world Biography). In the 1940s the United States entered World War II. The aspect of life that was...
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...allocated money to Greece and Turkey was also in need of assistance. One of the primary objectives of the foreign policy of the United States is the creation of conditions in which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from intimidation (The Truman Doctrine, n.d.) . Red Scare The late 1940's would see the rise of the new Red Scare (Brinkley, 2007). He reintroduced America to the Red Scare, it stayed in the spotlight due to the coverage of Senator McCarthy, and the movement deemed McCarthyism keeping communism in minds of Americans (Tyrer, 2009). Many in Hollywood were "blacklisted" and never again worked in Hollywood. Red Scare in America struck fear into so many, and how one man could single handedly stir such controversy in Hollywood and for those in power in America. Senator Lehman stated, "This is not between Britain and the United States, but between McCarthyism and America's role of leadership in the free world Communism must be attacked with equal force since both seek national disunity and destruction of freedom (Tyrer, 2009).” B.I. (1975), wrote “the HUAC’s Hollywood investigation was the most publicized and remembered.” In Hollywood by assumption that Communist and sympathizers had managed to spread into the motion picture industry which led to subpoenas of many actors, writers, and directors (B.I., 1975). The Democratic Senator from New York, Herbert Lehman stated, "These reactionary elements would rather wage cold war against our allies...
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...Why couldn’t it have been Adam that caused such scandal, and was the cause for destruction, and crime in the world, and not Eve? From the believed beginning of time, to present day, women have really only progressed a small amount up the social ladder. Today, women are looked down upon, if they are slightly more over weight then what is considered “normal,” if they are “underweight”, “darker skin color”, too “pale”, “flat chested”, big boned, “thick,” or because of their ethnicities and backgrounds. So what exactly defines the “perfect female?” Is it the girls featured on “Girls Gone Wild” in Cancun, or the half naked models posing for Victoria’s Secret? Or is it the perfectly put together “Miss America” pageant queens? Or is it the Hollywood actresses with billion dollar dresses, and priceless jewelry? Or the well toned, well defined professional team cheerleaders, and dancers we watch? WE, speaking for us “average” women, who often tend to idolize, and carry pieces of all these girls within us, and envy them, for not being able to ever look like one of them…so damn perfect in every single way. These women, among many others all contribute to the foundations, of media, public relations, and entertainment sectors. Women are usually seen as the sex symbol in the media world, and do whatever they have to do, to earn and keep their image, and title....
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...Oscar-awarded actresses. The woman who would be one of the top stars in Hollywood in the 1940s had decided to become an actress after finishing her formal schooling. She had had a taste of acting at age 17 when she played an unaccredited role of a girl standing in line in the Swedish film Landskamp (1932). It would be three more years before she would have another chance at a film. When she did, it was more than just a bit part. The film in question was Munkbrogreven (1935), where she had a speaking part as Elsa Edlund. After several films that year that established her as a class actress, Ingrid appeared in Intermezzo (1936/I) as Anita Hoffman. Luckily for her, American producer David O. Selznick saw it and sent a representative from Selznick International Pictures to gain rights to the story and have Ingrid signed to a contract. Once signed, she came to California and starred in United Artists' 1939 remake of her 1936 film, Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939), reprising her original role. The film was a hit and so was Ingrid. Her beauty was unlike anything the movie industry had seen before and her acting was superb. Hollywood was about to find out that they had the most versatile actress the industry had ever seen. Here was a woman who truly cared about the craft she represented. The public fell in love with her. Ingrid was under contract to go back to Sweden to film En enda natt (1939) in 1939 and Juninatten (1940) in 1940. Back in the US she...
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...McCarthyism McCarthyism originated in the late 1940’s during the Second Red Scare period when Senator Joseph McCarthy began making rash accusations of treason and such crimes in fear of Communist influence on American culture. A spectrum of actions resulted from this irrational, growing fear of Communism. The Red Scare began after World War II and carried out tensions from the Cold War between the two world superpowers. The House Un-American Activities Committee was created in 1938 to monitor Communist actions. This committee sought to expose any suspected Communist supporters living in the United States. Many suspected communists lost their jobs, homes, families and were even imprisoned. Government officials, Hollywood stars, and educators were targeted mostly by these exaggerated accusations. Many well-known and appreciated people were subjected to testify their beliefs, involvement with and general knowledge of the Communist Party in the United States. The Hollywood “blacklist” included those who could not be employed due to their supposed affiliations with the Communist party. The “Hollywood Ten” were a group of ten hollywood stars subpoenaed by the HUAC that took a stand and tried to defend their first amendment rights to freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble. The Committee failed to see the value in their argument and sentenced them all to six to twelve months of imprisonment. All those who were accused after the Hollywood Ten case plead the fifth and became known...
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...It's the 1940's in the magical far away land of Harlem-- Well, maybe not so magical for eighteen-year-old Marguerite La Bowie. She’s the protagonist of my book "Fish Out of Water". It's a 1066 word count, character-driven picture book written in verse. Meg’s a hopeful jazz age Cinderella who slaves away as a fishmonger working for her big bad uncle Earl because she's too timid to pursue what her heart yearns to do; be a trumpet player. like her hero the great Satchmo himself. Unfortunately, when her animal pals, a dog, three birds and a rat she named Ratt, attempt to help her enter a nightclub contest for a big band leader, her world comes crashing down around her. It's only then that a little magic points the way for this fish out of water...
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...own, and even surpass, the heavy hitters of his day. His career seemed to be on a steady incline for almost a decade; however, did his talent and work hit a plateau? Welles was always seen as an active political figure that was not afraid to voice or project his own viewpoints in the public, but did this have a negative or lasting affect on his later career? Critics argue the best work Welles produced was before he hit thirty years old, so was this a direct result from the negative attention he attracted from media magnates, specifically William Randolph Hearst, Hollywood elite, and most importantly the United States government? Also, Welles left the country at a time when the dreaded “blacklist” was starting to funnel through Hollywood (“Orson” 17). Whether this was coincidence or intentional is debatable, but either way the ramifications may have helped account for the different direction he took with his post-Hollywood career. Did Orson’s fame draw too much attention and lead to his downfall? The Orson Welles we all know was an American writer, director, producer, and actor. He was known for his innovative productions, unique voice and personality, and was acclaimed as one of the most successful artist of the twentieth century (“Orson” 1). Welles expanded many medias, working in radio, television, film, and theatre (which is how Welles got his start). Welles made his stage debut in...
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...1950s and 1960s? What forced these changes? During the 1950’s and 60’s there were so many changes that occurred which transformed the film industry forever. After World War II, soldiers came home and began to have families. People began moving to the suburbs, away from urban centers. The baby boomers began to be born and a whole new generation was formed. Studio control of when and where movies were viewed began to slip away from the moguls. The whole American movie audience after the war had changed. People liked to see a more common man, and they also began to like darker films. Television was also at first a major issue that the moguls were battling. They thought that no one would want to sit at home and watch such a tiny screen. However, they were proved wrong. The movies had also always been driven by the stars, and now it seemed independence was becoming popular. Censorship began to become lenient and many more movies with sex began to sell. Hollywood was completely changing as the founding generation was beginning to fade away. 2. The Hollywood studio system worked tireless to support the American war effort during World War II. Exactly what did they do? During World War II moguls and movies stars worked hard to support the American war effort. They could be seen waving the American flag on movie screens and raising money. Many stars even decided to fight for their country. Hollywood contributed much entertainment for the people back home and...
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...The birth of cinematography started with short films, but these were simple pictures such as a group of guy’s playing cards or a car passing by on the street. It was not until the rise of Hollywood in 1900’s, did the movies we see today come to motion. David Wark Griffith was the first director to make a more modern day full-length film that theaters today show. Costing a whopping $100,000 dollars to make, the film brought in $18 million dollars of revenue. After the small infant industry saw the potential of creating films it took off. Moviemakers made sure films avoided controversial topics and offensive content fearing government regulations. The infancy of cinematography, a race of people thirsty for entertainment, mixed with a visual oriented guy with an interest in crime and a broad view of the world helped create a director to influence movies into countless generations. Born in London’s East End, on August 13, 1899, was Alfred Hitchcock. The beginnings of the world famous director were humble beginnings. His father worked tirelessly as a grocer, with long hours that paid very little. As a child, Hitchcock found himself interested in theater and the early beginnings of film. As a child, Hitchcock had an intense interest in crime, particularly British crime. After committing a minor crime, his father made him go to jail for....
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...crossing over form one millennia to the next, he is iconically global and can be viewed in many languages in thousands of homes. True to form the creation of this character has spawned within our culture a love for such a character that he has become not only a welcomed spokes person but an undying legend whose roots can possibly be traced back hundreds of years he is everybody’s hero we laugh and cheer when he is victorious and are shocked and somewhat upset when he “loses.” Warner Bros., released his first cartoon over sixty years ago. Since “There have been over 150 Bugs Bunny cartoons, and all but about twelve are still shown rather frequently on television today. Bugs has had a more diverse and accomplished career than many Hollywood actors ever have, and some of the zaniest and funniest performances ever in film history. This did not happen overnight, by any means. Bugs Bunny's cartoons were directed over the years by such creative geniuses as Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Bob Clampett, Robert McKimson, Frank Tashlin, and others, all of whom left their mark in film history with these animated films, and Bugs was only one of the dozens of classic creations these men worked with and created. Also not to be forgotten are the creators of the Warner cartoon soundtrack, Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs) and musicians Carl Stalling, Milt Franklyn and William Lava” (Hunter). One can argue that legend all started in a cartoon short envisioned by then director...
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...Asian American men and women are some of the least represented ethnic groups in film and television. In a 2014 study, it was found that out of 30,000 Hollywood characters only 5.3% of the characters were Asian. This is an insanely small number of roles. When you do the math, this equals to only 1,590 out of 30,000 roles. Most Asian Americans, when asked if they know any famous Asian actors in film, have a hard time even thinking of anyone. The only names that really come up that are very well known are the likes of Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. These two are some of the pioneers when it comes to Asian people in American Cinema. Other than these two no one else really seems to stick out when it comes to very well-known actors. Even when it comes...
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...off in the 1920’s and continued to have an impact on women until the 60’s/70’s, which to a small extent gave women an increased sense of independence, through working and self-expression. Industrialisation and the growth of cities laid the platform for mass consumerism in America, by the 1920s, the development of downtown department stores gave accessibility to a vast array of new goods and cities became the centre of cultural change. Mass entertainment was also popular with amusement parks, dance halls and movie theatres resulting in a new visibility of women in the public sphere. The department and chain stores created accessibility to an array of new goods. Women...
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...raw talent in writing and encouraged him to continue doing so. Afterwards he went to Princeton University where he continued to hone his skills. Then after graduation he continued writing short stories in popular papers to live off of. Then finally in 1924 he wrote The Great Gatsby which was to be later know as his greatest novel although barely recognized in his time and wouldn't be until the time in between the 1950’s and 1960’s long after his death that it was considered one of the greatest american novels ever written. Eventually though his life unraveled due to the fact that he was a heavy drinker and despair of his wife illnesses and eventual death weakened him. After another two years lost to alcohol and depression, Due to increased moments of writer’s block he finally In 1937 decided to try to revamp his career as a writer in Hollywood, Eventually in 1939 He began work on another and his last novel, The Love of the Last Tycoon, and he had completed over half the manuscript when he died of a heart attack on December 21, 1940, at the age of 44, in Hollywood, California. And although he considered himself a failure in his career he is still important and talked about today due to his book The Great Gatsby and other novels which are now read in high schools and colleges all over the world being considered one of the greatest books of all time. ...
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...majority of them recent high school graduations – to join the military (United States General Accounting Office). To assist in this recruiting effort, the military services advertise on television, on radio, in print, and on the Internet; sponsor sports teams; and participate in other promotional activities. During World War II, the primary means of advertisement were posters, magazine and newspaper articles, and television and radio spots. Propaganda in the 40’s were predominantly the main source of advertising that the American’s used to increase support for the war and commitment to Allied victory. Their message was unambiguous; Consumers must economize on goods and services, recycle waste and scrap, plant Victory Gardens and can the vegetables, comply with the price controls and rationing laws, and put discretionary income into war bonds. Television, radio and movie theatres were the main sources utilized to get the message out to people in a rapid manner. However, television wasn’t widely available in the 1940’s because it was still a relatively new invention. Those that had money probably had one, but for the most part people had radios. In 1945, there were probably fewer than 10,000 sets in the country. This figure soared to about 6 million in 1950, and to almost 60 million by 1960 (The World Book Encyclopedia 119). Advertisements were aimed predominantly at men, as the voice of women was just beginning to be heard. It was a belief that the Department of Defense needed...
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