ENTERTAINMENT IN 1920’s

CINEMA & THEATRE

1. Cinema.
Cinema was the most influential part of popular culture.
During the early 1920s, every movie was silent. But in 1927 it all changed with the realise ‘’talking
pictures” or "talkies’’ of The Jazz Singer. It was the first major motion picture with sound. The movie
only had about two minutes of spoken dialogue, as well as five songs, yet audiences were enthralled.
Cinema became the main form of popular entertainment.
Ticket sales went from 40 million per week in 1920 to 100 million in 1930. People went several times
a week, and long queues outside were normal.
Another breakthrough in film came the following year. An animated short film titled “Steamboat
Willie” became the first animated film with sound. It also featured the debut of Mickey Mouse and
helped to launch the success of Walt Disney and his animation studio.
The cult of the film star began. Actors like Charlie Chaplin, Charles Lindbergh and Clara Bow
became household names.
The reason why films became so popular was because they led to a feel-good attitude which helped
some deal with the realities of life.

2. Vaudeville.
Vaudeville was a type of inexpensive variety show that first appeared in the 1870s. Vaudeville
performances consisted of comic sketches, song and dance routines, magic arts etc. There was
nothing else like it anywhere in the world, so it attracted many people.
Vaudeville shows educated audiences about what behaviour was acceptable for the middle class.