1950’s Culture1950’s Culture

50s Culture50s Culture

New technological advances also New technological advances also came through in the entertainment came through in the entertainment industryindustry– TelevisionTelevision

One in most houses- 80% One in most houses- 80%

– News News Reached everyoneReached everyone

– Programs Programs Entertained everyoneEntertained everyone

– The Lone RangerThe Lone Ranger, Dragnet, Ed Sullivan, Quiz Show , Dragnet, Ed Sullivan, Quiz Show

1950s Culture1950s Culture

Hollywood adjusts to the TV BoomHollywood adjusts to the TV Boom– After a drop in viewers, they adaptedAfter a drop in viewers, they adapted

Bigger screensBigger screens Produced TV showsProduced TV shows Sold movie rights to TVSold movie rights to TV

TV and movies portrayed the ideals TV and movies portrayed the ideals of the timeof the time– No lead roles for African AmericansNo lead roles for African Americans– Showed the “typical” family lifeShowed the “typical” family life

1950s Culture1950s Culture

RadioRadio– After a short drop in listeners, they After a short drop in listeners, they

adapted alsoadapted also– Started playing music and talk showsStarted playing music and talk shows

Listeners doubledListeners doubled

1950s Culture1950s Culture

Not everyone followed main stream Not everyone followed main stream cultureculture

Rock n’ RollRock n’ Roll– Stemmed from African American rhythm Stemmed from African American rhythm

and blues songs and blues songs Very popular among teensVery popular among teens Elvis PresleyElvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly

– Adults did not like this musicAdults did not like this music Generation gapGeneration gap

1950s Culture1950s Culture

The Beat MovementThe Beat Movement– Artists who were “beat” down from societyArtists who were “beat” down from society– Wrote about conformity and emptiness of Wrote about conformity and emptiness of

popular culturepopular culture Alan Ginsberg, Jack KerouacAlan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac

African AmericansAfrican Americans– Found an outlet again through entertainmentFound an outlet again through entertainment

Musicians Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Ray Musicians Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Ray Charles Charles

– Gained notoriety and respect among white Gained notoriety and respect among white societysociety

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