Blockbusters

• Why did Cinema attendances grow 1920s- 40s?

Hollywood's success grew during the Great Depression because films offered an escape from reality. Few other sources of entertainment. 

These factors led to an increase in cinemas as a commercial activity. Allowed early adopters a chance to form a monopoly. Five major film corporations; Fox Film, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount, RKO Radio and Warner Bros. 

Block booking was used as a system of selling multiple films to theatres as units. They also could control near every aspect of a star's life and would contract them long-term to allow A class feature films to be made.

Came to an end with the Paramount Decree 1948. Decision of the Supreme Court that the studios had to sell their cinemas and lose their control of distribution. The end of Studio era.

• What is it?

1948 Supreme Court decision in U.S. vs. Paramount Pictures et al, the verdict was to abolish block booking and the forced divestiture of the studios to sell off their theatre chains.

• Negative effects:

Fewer cinemas: when studios were forced to sell their cinemas, the result was higher rental rates charges for films so stuidos could recoup their expenses - so theatres went out of business.

Fewer movies made: the inability to block-book meant that studios had to be more selective with the films they made, resulting in higher production costs and dramatically fewer movies made. Caused studios to furthwer raise their theatre rates.

• Positive effects:

More independant producers and studios. - The eventual rise of the director as the controlling creative force. - The beginning of the end of the old Hollywood studio system. - The weakening of the Hays Production Code.

RIgid set of guidelines developed around 1920s that strictly policed how morality and immorality was depicted.

Controlled aspects like Crimes, Sex, Vulgarity, Obscenity, Dancing, Profanity, Costume, Religion, National Feelings, Titles, & Repellent Subjects.

e.g. 'No film or episode may throw ridicule on any religious faith'

'Complete nudity is never permitted.'

'Dances which emphasize indecent movements are to be regarded as obscene.'

'The use of liquor in American life, when not required by the plot or for proper characterization, will not be shown'.

Collapse of the Hayes Code came when it was formally laid to rest 1967. Bonnie and Clyde was the commencement of the rebellion that brought down the Hayes Code. The films editing and tone and moral choices of the characters were sharp breaks from the Hollywood norm.