Hollywood pre and post 1948

Film Studies AS

Background

» Invention of “talkies”» Jazz Singer » 1927» First full length synchro sound» Needed to upgrade cinemas» Quickly became the norm

» Invention of “talkies”» Jazz Singer » 1927» First full length synchro sound» Needed to upgrade cinemas» Quickly became the norm

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Hollywood heyday

» 1930’s and 1940’s» Emergence of the major film

companies Paramount Loew’s = MGM Fox Warner Bros RKO

» All had similarities and differences

» 1930’s and 1940’s» Emergence of the major film

companies Paramount Loew’s = MGM Fox Warner Bros RKO

» All had similarities and differences

Vertical integration

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Studios controlled all

» Autocratic leaders» Very powerful» Collusion» Oligopoly

» Autocratic leaders» Very powerful» Collusion» Oligopoly

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Result

» Studios controlled Writers Producers Directors Stars Distribution Exhibition

» Studios controlled Writers Producers Directors Stars Distribution Exhibition

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Cinema ownership

» Although studios owned under 20% of cinemas

» Packaged deals meant that as the sole suppliers to the market they had effective control over exhibition

“we will only supply you with films if you do not show films from studios of which we do not approve”

» Although studios owned under 20% of cinemas

» Packaged deals meant that as the sole suppliers to the market they had effective control over exhibition

“we will only supply you with films if you do not show films from studios of which we do not approve”

1940s

» Increasing interest in anti-trust legislation

» Film industry identified 1940» Industry given time and guidance

on changes» Second World War delayed change

» Increasing interest in anti-trust legislation

» Film industry identified 1940» Industry given time and guidance

on changes» Second World War delayed change

Paramount Decree 1948

» US government ran out of patience for change

» Anti trust legislation used» Distribution and exhibition had to

be separated

» US government ran out of patience for change

» Anti trust legislation used» Distribution and exhibition had to

be separated

Post 1948

» Freelance Directors Producers Actors etc

» Freelance Directors Producers Actors etc

Post 1948

» Emergence of new players in the markets

» New technology allowed and flourishes

» Many more independent films made - many are poor but they fail

» Healthier» More competitive

» Emergence of new players in the markets

» New technology allowed and flourishes

» Many more independent films made - many are poor but they fail

» Healthier» More competitive

Result

» Little or no independent film production

» Stars exploited through contracts» High output of poor films - with

exceptions» Very profitable» Suited the war time society

» Little or no independent film production

» Stars exploited through contracts» High output of poor films - with

exceptions» Very profitable» Suited the war time society

Hollywood pre and post 1948

Film Studies AS