Join us for the blogathon January 12-14, 2014!
This is an introduction to the 1927-1938 “era” of the upcoming Classic Movie History Project Blogathon.
It was already an uncertain world during the tail end of the 1920s, but North America didn’t know it yet. The 1920s was the Jazz Age – a time of short skirts, innovative music, and money-making speakeasies.
But a very different world was about to appear.
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Uncertainty blanketed the globe. Germany was seething under the imposition of World War I reparations. The Japanese army unilaterally decided to invade Manchuria. Joseph Stalin enforced his Five-Year plans while millions died of starvation. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy imploded due, in part, to unmanageable credit and unsavoury banking practices.
Things were uncertain in Hollywood, too. Warner Brothers released a talking picture in 1927 that was to bring about the end of the incredibly artistic silent era. Then, in 1930, the Hollywood Production Code was introduced, which intended to foster “…correct entertainment [that] raises the whole standard of a nation.” [Italics in original text.] The Code was strictly enforced starting in 1934, which shaped Hollywood filmmaking for more than two decades.
It was the time of the Great Depression and the stirrings of World War II. But it was also a time of terrific cinema – in the United States and around the world.
Join us on January 13 as we explore this fascinating period of Hollywood film history (1927-1938). Below is a list of contributors who will be exploring this period of intense creativity during global uncertainty.
Movies, Silently is hosting the years 1915-1926 on January 12. Please click HERE for the list of participants covering those years.
Once Upon a Screen is hosting the years 1939-1950 on January 14. Click HERE for the participants looking at the War Years.
1927-1928: THE CONTRIBUTORS
1927: Goregirl’s Dungeon looks at the year in film.
1928: Self-Styled Siren on King Vidor’s realization that talking pictures were here to stay.
1929: Your host reviews They Had to See Paris as a barometer of 1929.
1930: The Artistic Packrat reviews Animal Crackers as a demonstration of improvements in motion picture sound.
1931: Immortal Ephemera looks at the movie cycles of 1931 and includes a review of City Streets.
1932: Ann Dvorak presents “Oh, what a Pre-Code year it was!”
1933: Outspoken & Freckled explores a magical year in cinema.
1934: Nitrate Diva examines censorship in post-Code Hollywood.
1935: Absolutely Merle looks at five films that brought about significant “firsts” in 1935.
1936: Lasso the Movies presents “1936: The Power of Hindsight.”
1937: The Motion Pictures details the most popular films of the year.
1938: Speakeasy looks at heroes and villains of 1938.
Be sure to join us January 12-14, 2014!
Silver Screenings 
Hurrah! Loved the era breakdown! Can’t wait! 😀
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Thanks, Fritzi. I think we could almost publish a film history book by the time we’re done! 🙂
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I think so!
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So excited to see everyone’s posts. To Anna Dvorak, you’re article title made me giggle in the best possible way.
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This is going to be great!
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Yay! I am so excited!
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Me too! I’m looking forward to your post. 🙂
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WOWZA!!! Those topics!! What a fantastic introduction and way to get people excited!! This will be fantastic!! Did I use enough ‘!!’s’ ?
Aurora
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A person can never use enough “!!s”.
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Wow, this will be epic, and it’s only Chapter One! I look forward to following this blogathon! Good luck, everyone!
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This IS epic! Holey moley!
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I cannot wait to read everyone’s contributions. This is truly a huge undertaking… you’ve all pulled it together smashingly-Brava!!!- What a grand idea for a blogathon, and a tradition that is sure to follow since the possibilities are endless… Cheers to you, Fritzi and Aurora… so glad to be joining in
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Fritzi is the mastermind behind all this, and what a terrific idea it is. I’m really very excited about it. 🙂
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I enjoyed every post. Thank you to the bloggers and thank you to our dedicated hosts.
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Really great idea! I am looking forward to reading each one.
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The entries are fantastic. I’ve learned so much about film history!
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