Unit III – A Modern Nation

Chapter 10 Section 3A New Popular Culture is

Born

The Main Idea

New technologies helped produce a new mass culture in the 1920s.

Reading Focus

• How did mass entertainment change in the 1920s?

• Who were the cultural heroes of the 1920s?

• How was the culture of the 1920s reflected in the arts and literature of the era?

A New Popular Culture is Born

Entertainment: The Movies, Radio, and Sports (06:30)Entertainment: The Movies, Radio, and Sports (06:30)

Radio Drives Popular Culture

Radio Station Boom• The growing popularity of

those simple broadcasts caught the attention of Westinghouse, a radio manufacturer.

• In October 1920, Westinghouse started KDKA, the first radio station.

• By 1922 the U.S. had 570 stations.

• Technical improvements in sound and size helped popularity.

• Americans now had a shared experience.

During the 1920s, the radio went from being a little-known novelty to being standard equipment in every American home.

Rise of the Radio

• Guglielmo Marconi invented the radio in the late 1800s, and by the early 1900s the military and ships at sea used them.

• In 1920, most Americans still didn’t own radios, and there was not any programming.

• In 1920, a radio hobbyist near Pittsburgh started playing records over his radio, and people started listening.

MoviesTalkies and Cartoons

• Another important innovation was the introduction of films with sound, or “talkies.”

• In 1927 filmgoers were amazed by The Jazz Singer, a hugely successful movie that incorporated a few lines of dialogue and helped change the movie industry forever.

• In 1928, the animated film Steamboat Willie introduced Mickey Mouse and cartoons.

Movies exploded in popularity during the 1920s for several reasons.

New Film Techniques

• In early years movies were short, simple pieces.

• During World War I, filmmaker D. W. Griffith produced The Birth of a Nation, a controversial film that some consider racist.

• The film nonetheless introduced innovative movie techniques and helped establish film as an art form and widened its audience.

• Woodrow Wilson, after seeing the movie, said, “it’s like writing history with lightning.”

By the end of the 1920s, Americans bought 100 million movie tickets a week, though the entire U.S. population was about 123 million people.

Film Star Heroes

• The great popularity of movies in the 1920s gave rise to a new kind of celebrity

—the movie star.

• One of the brightest stars of the 1920s was Charlie Chaplin, a comedian

whose signature character was a tramp in a derby hat and ragged clothes.

• Rudolph Valentino, a dashing leading man of romantic films, was such a big

star that his unexpected death in 1926 drew tens of thousands of women to the

funeral home where his body lay.

• Clara Bow was a movie star nicknamed the “It Girl.”

• Mary Pickford was considered “America’s Sweetheart” and was married to

Douglas Fairbanks Jr., a major star of action films.

• Their home, called “Pickfair,” was in Hollywood, the center of the motion picture

industry.

1920’s Movies

Fairbanks and Pickford

Janet Gaynor

• Rudolph Valentino

Charlie Chaplin

Buster Keaton- The Great Stone Face

Films really blossomed in the 1920s, expanding upon the foundations of Films really blossomed in the 1920s, expanding upon the foundations of film from earlier years. Most US film production at the start of the decade film from earlier years. Most US film production at the start of the decade occurred in or near Hollywood on the West Coast, although some films were still occurred in or near Hollywood on the West Coast, although some films were still being made in New Jersey and in Astoria on Long Island (Paramount). By the mid-being made in New Jersey and in Astoria on Long Island (Paramount). By the mid-20s, movies were big business (with a capital investment totaling over $2 billion) 20s, movies were big business (with a capital investment totaling over $2 billion) with some theatres offering double features. By the end of the decade, there were with some theatres offering double features. By the end of the decade, there were 20 Hollywood studios, and the demand for films was greater than ever. Most 20 Hollywood studios, and the demand for films was greater than ever. Most people are unaware that the greatest output of feature films in the US occurred in people are unaware that the greatest output of feature films in the US occurred in the 1920s and 1930s (averaging about 800 film releases in a year) - nowadays, it is the 1920s and 1930s (averaging about 800 film releases in a year) - nowadays, it is remarkable when production exceeds 500 films in a year. remarkable when production exceeds 500 films in a year.

Throughout most of the decade, silent films were the predominant Throughout most of the decade, silent films were the predominant product of the film industry, having evolved from vaudevillian roots. But the films product of the film industry, having evolved from vaudevillian roots. But the films were becoming bigger, costlier, and more polished. They were being manufactured, were becoming bigger, costlier, and more polished. They were being manufactured, assembly-line style, in Hollywood's 'entertainment factories,' in which production assembly-line style, in Hollywood's 'entertainment factories,' in which production was broken down and organized into its various components (writing, costuming, was broken down and organized into its various components (writing, costuming, makeup, directing, etc.). makeup, directing, etc.).

The major emphasis was on swashbucklers, historical extravaganzas, The major emphasis was on swashbucklers, historical extravaganzas, and melodramas, although all kinds of films were being produced throughout the and melodramas, although all kinds of films were being produced throughout the decade. Films varied from sexy melodramas and biblical epics by Cecil B. DeMille, decade. Films varied from sexy melodramas and biblical epics by Cecil B. DeMille, to westerns (such as Cruze's The Covered Wagon (1923)), horror films, to westerns (such as Cruze's The Covered Wagon (1923)), horror films, gangster/crime films, war films, the gangster/crime films, war films, the firstfirst feature feature documentary (Robert Flaherty's (Robert Flaherty's Nanook of the North (1922)), romances, mysteries, and comedies (from the silent Nanook of the North (1922)), romances, mysteries, and comedies (from the silent comic masters Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd). comic masters Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd).

Charles Lindbergh

• Charles Lindbergh was a daredevil pilot who practiced his skills as an airline pilot, a dangerous, life-threatening job at the time.

• Lindbergh heard about a $25,000 prize for the first aviator to fly a nonstop transatlantic flight, or a flight across the Atlantic Ocean, and wanted to win.

• He rejected the idea that he needed a large plane with many engines, and developed a very light single-engine craft with room for only one pilot.

• On May 21, 1927, Lindbergh succeeded by touching down in Paris, France after a thirty-three-and-a-half-hour flight from New York.

• Lindbergh earned the name “Lucky Lindy” and became the most beloved American hero of the time.

• A little over a year after Lindbergh’s flight, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, returning to the U.S. as a hero.

• She went on to set numerous speed and distance records as a pilot.

• In 1937 she was most of the way through a record-breaking flight around the world when she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean.

Pilot Heroes of the Twenties

Amelia Earhart

Charles Lindbergh: Aviation Pioneer, International Celebrity, and Hero Charles Lindbergh: Aviation Pioneer, International Celebrity, and Hero (02:27(02:27)

Charles Lindbergh• Lindbergh Does It! To Paris in 33 1/2 Hours; Lindbergh Does It! To Paris in 33 1/2 Hours;

Flies 1,000 Miles Through Snow and Sleet; Flies 1,000 Miles Through Snow and Sleet; Cheering French Carry Him Off FieldCheering French Carry Him Off FieldNew York Times, May 21, 1927, May 21, 1927

• Lindbergh, Charles Augustus (1902-1974), an Lindbergh, Charles Augustus (1902-1974), an American aviator, made the first solo nonstop American aviator, made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20-21, flight across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20-21, 1927. Other pilots had crossed the Atlantic 1927. Other pilots had crossed the Atlantic before him. But Lindbergh was the first person before him. But Lindbergh was the first person to do it alone nonstop. to do it alone nonstop.

• Lindbergh's feat gained him immediate, Lindbergh's feat gained him immediate, international fame. The press named him international fame. The press named him "Lucky Lindy" and the "Lone Eagle." Americans "Lucky Lindy" and the "Lone Eagle." Americans and Europeans idolized the shy, slim young and Europeans idolized the shy, slim young man and showered him with honors. man and showered him with honors.

• Before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Lindbergh campaigned against voluntary Lindbergh campaigned against voluntary American involvement in World War II. Many American involvement in World War II. Many Americans criticized him for his Americans criticized him for his noninvolvement beliefs. After the war, he noninvolvement beliefs. After the war, he avoided publicity until the late 1960's, when avoided publicity until the late 1960's, when he spoke out for the conservation of natural he spoke out for the conservation of natural resources. Lindbergh served as an adviser in resources. Lindbergh served as an adviser in the aviation industry from the days of wood the aviation industry from the days of wood and wire airplanes to supersonic jets.and wire airplanes to supersonic jets.

Amelia Earhart• the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, returning to the U.S. as a

hero.

• numerous speed and distance records as a pilot.

• In 1937.

Amelia Earhart: The World's Most Famous Female Aviator (02:49)

Sports HeroesRadio helped inflame the public passion for sports, and millions of Americans tuned in to broadcasts of ballgames and prize fights featuring their favorite athletes.

Helen Wills:

Played powerful tennis, winning 31 major tournaments and two Olympic gold medals. Her nerves of steel earned her the nickname “Little Miss Poker Face.”

Red Grange:

College football player who earned the nickname the “Galloping Ghost” for his speed. He turned professional after college, which was shocking at the time.

Babe Ruth:

Known as the “Sultan of Swat,” Ruth was legendary on the baseball field for his home runs. His legend lives on today in baseball circles and popular culture.

Bobby Jones:

Jones won golf’s first Grand Slam, meaning he won the game’s four major tournaments, and remains the only golfer to get a Grand Slam for matches in one calendar year.

1920’s Sports Up until 1922, no swimmer, male or female, had been able to

swim the 100 meters in under a minute's time. American Johnny Weissmuller (1904 - 1984), an exception to the record books, broke the record with 58.6 seconds swimming freestyle on July 9. This, however, was not Weissmuller's only feat. He went on to win three gold medals at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France, and two gold medals at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam. In his career, he claimed 52 U.S. titles and 28 world distance records. 1st “Tarzan” in the movies.

Gertrude Ederle (1906 - ), who was born on October 23, 1906, was a superb swimmer. Not only did she win three Olympic medallions and break several records, but to top it all off, she went on to become the first woman to swim across the English Channel. When she swam the 21 miles on August 6, 1926, Ederle was only nineteen. Her time: 14 hours and 31 minutes - good enough to beat the previously set men's record.

George Herman Ruth (1895 - 1948), often known to his fans as Babe Ruth, hit a total of 60 home runs in 1927. This record-breaker would remain a record itself until 1961, when Roger Eugene Maris (1934 - 85) hit 61 home runs. Babe Ruth, who earned more than $2 million in his career, was known by several other names as well. These included: the Bambino, the Behemoth of Bust, the Blunderbuss, the Colossus of Clout, the Mammoth of Maul, the Mauling Mastodon, the Mauling Monarch, the Prince of Powders, the Rajah of Rap, the Sultan of Swat, and the Wazir of Wham. Among all of his other accomplishments, this southpaw pitcher was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.

1920’s Sports• Like Babe Ruth is to baseball so is Man O' War is to Like Babe Ruth is to baseball so is Man O' War is to

horse racing. The horse they called Big Red burst onto horse racing. The horse they called Big Red burst onto the scene as a two year old and would win 20 of 21 races. the scene as a two year old and would win 20 of 21 races. As a three-year-old he did not lose when he did race he As a three-year-old he did not lose when he did race he often gave 30 pounds to his rivals. Although he did not often gave 30 pounds to his rivals. Although he did not win the Triple Crown it was only because he did not race win the Triple Crown it was only because he did not race in the Kentucky Derby.in the Kentucky Derby.

• Legendary Notre Dame Football coach Knute Rockne in Legendary Notre Dame Football coach Knute Rockne in 1924 featured one of the greatest backfields in college 1924 featured one of the greatest backfields in college football history. They were Harry Stuhldreher, Jim football history. They were Harry Stuhldreher, Jim Crowley, Don Miller and Elmer Layden. They got their Crowley, Don Miller and Elmer Layden. They got their nickname the four horseman by sports writer Grantland nickname the four horseman by sports writer Grantland Rice who compared them to those of biblical fame. " Rice who compared them to those of biblical fame. " Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the four Outlined against a blue-gray October sky the four horseman rode again”horseman rode again”

• Red Grange became a household name when he scored 5 Red Grange became a household name when he scored 5 touchdowns against Michigan. However his biggest touchdowns against Michigan. However his biggest accomplishment was probably establishing the pro game. accomplishment was probably establishing the pro game. Up to that point the NFL was in the same category as Up to that point the NFL was in the same category as monster truck shows are today. Well that changed when monster truck shows are today. Well that changed when Red Grange decided to go pro after his final college game. Red Grange decided to go pro after his final college game. “Galloping Ghost” “Galloping Ghost”

• Jack Dempsey was not just the greatest heavyweight of Jack Dempsey was not just the greatest heavyweight of the decade but usually makes anyone short list for the the decade but usually makes anyone short list for the best of all-time. He was a fierce fighter and usually best of all-time. He was a fierce fighter and usually awarded boxing fans with exciting fights. This made him awarded boxing fans with exciting fights. This made him very popular figure of the day, along with Babe Ruth he very popular figure of the day, along with Babe Ruth he was probably the most well known sportsmen of his time. was probably the most well known sportsmen of his time. He also took par in one of the most famous fights in He also took par in one of the most famous fights in boxing history " The Long Count fight in a rematch with boxing history " The Long Count fight in a rematch with Gene Tunney.Gene Tunney.

The four Horsemen

Man O’ War

Red Grange

1920’s Fads • His name was Alvin Kelly but he was best known as "Shipwreck" Kelly. Employed as a professional stuntman in Hollywood, Kelly decided to attempt to sit on a flagpole in response to a dare from a Hollywood friend. He sat upon the pole for 13 hours and 13 minutes and began a national spectacle.

• Kelly's stunt occurred in 1924 and within weeks hundreds of people were trying to call themselves the "King of the Pole." One man sat for 12 days, another for 17 and another for 21 days. Public fascination was phenomenal as huge crowds would gather to watch the participant. With such a large audience, the publicity-hungry Kelly decided that he must once again be King. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, Kelly sat atop a flagpole for a record 49 days in front of an audience of 20,000 admirers.

1920’s Fads • In the early 1930s, during the height of The In the early 1930s, during the height of The

Depression, young people across America Depression, young people across America gathered to participate in Dance Marathons. gathered to participate in Dance Marathons. These endurance contests offered the These endurance contests offered the unemployed hopes of temporary fame, small unemployed hopes of temporary fame, small fortune, and the opportunity to dance their fortune, and the opportunity to dance their cares away. Prizes ranged anywhere between cares away. Prizes ranged anywhere between $1000 to $5000, but many contestants $1000 to $5000, but many contestants participated solely for the promise of food participated solely for the promise of food and shelter. Serious competitors danced for and shelter. Serious competitors danced for days, even weeks at a time. The record days, even weeks at a time. The record stands at 5,148 hours and 28.5 minutes. The stands at 5,148 hours and 28.5 minutes. The contestants were usually allowed a mere 15 contestants were usually allowed a mere 15 minutes of rest for every hour of dancing. minutes of rest for every hour of dancing. Success came to those who had the ability to Success came to those who had the ability to keep their partner moving at all times; style keep their partner moving at all times; style was irrelevant.was irrelevant.

• Hot toys included the Hot toys included the erector set, , tinker toys, , and and lincoln logs. The . The Ouija Board became became popular. Sales of this game soared.popular. Sales of this game soared.

Babe Ruth - 5:37 min.Babe Ruth - 5:37 min.

Arts of the 1920s• The great economic and social changes of the 1920s offered novelists a rich

source of materials.

• F. Scott Fitzgerald helped create the flapper image, coined the term the “Jazz Age,” and explored the lives of the wealthy in The Great Gatsby and other novels and stories.

• Sinclair Lewis wrote about the emptiness of middle-class life.

• Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote poems on topics ranging from celebrations of youth to leading social causes of the day.

• Willa Cather and Edith Wharton produced notable works of literature.

• Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos were war veterans and, as part of the so-called Lost Generation, wrote about war experiences.

• Gertrude Stein invented the term Lost Generation, referring to a group of writers who chose to live in Europe after World War I.

• Bruce Barton’s novel compared Jesus to a modern business executive.

• George Gershwin was a composer best known for Rhapsody in Blue—which showed the impact of jazz—as well as popular songs written with his brother Ira.