The 1940's brought about new advancements in the film industry. Film makers introduced new ideas such as sound recording, special effects, color use, and lighting, that made movies more popular and enjoyable to watch. Horror films used techniques such as fog and stop motion to capture their audience and pull them into the terror. In order for the film producers to successfully do stop motion, the actress/actor would have to sit still for hours, upon hours while the makeup was gradually applied. Can you imagine the patience and discipline that would take! They used this in films such as The Wolf Man to make it appear as if the man was really turning into a werewolf. Early 1940's horror films used the effect of what you don't see is scarier than what you do see, to place fear in their audience. In addition, as they did in noir films, dim lighting and thematic scenes were used in many 1940's films to scare the audience. Tricks which are still used in today's films. An orchestra plays in the background to set the thematic scenes of all different types of movies. Of course, films back in these days were not nearly as advanced, and did have the issue of continuity. In other advancements, film director Orson Welles, was the first to use tighter apertures which created a large depth of field in his film. This rendered every detail of the background and created a sharp focus. This practice became known as deep focus, and was popular from the 1940's onward.
Despite these advancements, the film industry did not look promising in the early 1940's due to the attack on Pear Harbor in 1941. As many other things were, the film industry was also effected by the war. Due to World War II, film producers were forced to cut back on their stage equipment and props during the hard times of the war. With the invention of sound film production, the film industry made a rather quick rebound in 1943 until 1946, earning $4.5 billion in box-office tickets, reaching its highest profitable peak. Many Americans liked to spend there free time at the theater. It was considered the place to be seen. In 1946, the theaters reached their all-time highest attendance record, proving that the film industry was making big strides. Styles such as film noir, war films, and animations grew in popularity. However, advancements were not made in the prejudice sense of roles for women and African Americans. Although white woman received better roles than African American, both faced some amount of discrimination in the film industry. Advancements were made, but many more were to come.
Be sure to click on the link to watch the film!
Despite these advancements, the film industry did not look promising in the early 1940's due to the attack on Pear Harbor in 1941. As many other things were, the film industry was also effected by the war. Due to World War II, film producers were forced to cut back on their stage equipment and props during the hard times of the war. With the invention of sound film production, the film industry made a rather quick rebound in 1943 until 1946, earning $4.5 billion in box-office tickets, reaching its highest profitable peak. Many Americans liked to spend there free time at the theater. It was considered the place to be seen. In 1946, the theaters reached their all-time highest attendance record, proving that the film industry was making big strides. Styles such as film noir, war films, and animations grew in popularity. However, advancements were not made in the prejudice sense of roles for women and African Americans. Although white woman received better roles than African American, both faced some amount of discrimination in the film industry. Advancements were made, but many more were to come.
Be sure to click on the link to watch the film!
I find it fascinating that during the war people were still going to the movies. There was a shortage of supplies and food therefore there wasn't much extra money floating around for people. It surprised me that the little money people had they would spend to go see a show. Also, I didn't know the film industry didn't really allow women to act. It kind of makes me mad that both women and African Americans weren't allowed to take part in this because it was an important time in America. It’s crazy to think how much we have advanced since then.
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting how the theatre was the place to be. I for myself have never found the theatre to be that popular for myself. It shocks me that in the middle of a war that people would still spend money on watching movies when everything else they would need like gas is on a premium because the war consumes more gas and the tax is higher. It also surprises me how horror movies only started using fog at that time. Id figure that those kinds of simple special effects would already have been in effect.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting that the theater was where everyone wanted to be. Because of the war, I think everyone would have been trying to cut back on everything. But I guess not! Films are very entertaining to everyone and everyone wanted to go see them. Even today millions of people go to see films or movies the first day they come out. I am sure many people think that film in the 1940s is not very important because they didn’t have very much equipment back then. Those people are wrong because it is where it all started. Before reading this I didn’t know anything about the film industry then.
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