Leisure and Travel in the USA Flashcards
Where did the film industry begin to develop in the USA and where did it move to?
It began to develop in New Jersey initially but poor weather conditions and issues regarding legality led to less affluent film studios moving to Southern California.
Who were the early pioneers that led to Hollywood becoming the Movie Capitol of the World?
Cecil B. Demille, Jesse L. Lasky and D.W. Griffith led to the significant development of Hollywood.
How did the Early film industry develop?
There were significant differences in the style of film made from region to region and and there a stark contrast in the quality and the number of cinemas in the North and the South.
What did early films focus on?
They often focused heavily on the American dream which provided a form of escapism for a society which was frequently disillusioned by the developing situation in the US.
However, some films often focused on social issues and highlighted the major problems within the US>
What was the first film shot in Hollywood and who produced it?
In Old Hollywood was the first movie shot in Hollywood by David Ward Griffith who pioneered modern cinematography, he was most well known for releasing The Birth of a Nation.
What was constructed in Hollywood in 1923 and when was it changed?
A huge sign which spelt out HOLLYWOODLAND was erected in 1923 which was later changed to just HOLLYWOOD in 1949 at the decision of the Hollywood chamber of commerce.
What was the main source of entertainment for people in the 1920’s and 1930’s as the Great Depression Gripped the Nation?
People were working long hours and had very little disposable income for leisure activities, therefore an occasional trip to the cinema or a sports game was the height of excitement. However, this became even more difficult as the depression worsened in the 1930’s.
What made the depression even worse for people trying to enjoy leisure?
Alcohol had been banned due to the passing of the Volstead Act which had brought about prohibition. Speakeasies did exist which enabled some form of release by offering people the ability to gamble and drink which was illegal up until 1933.
What caused the initial growth in the spectator industry?
Due to the rapid expansion of radio networks in the 1920’s more and more people were now listening to sports coverage which in turn created an increased demand to actually see games.
What happened to stadiums and give a specific example?
More and more stadiums had to be built and older ones were expanded massively. For example the New York Yankee Stadium was rebuilt in 1923 with a capacity of 53’000 as their support was quadrupling every year due to Babe Ruth.
What was the effect on Sport from the Second World War?
FDR continued to encourage sport to be played throughout the war in order to keep public support high however, the quality of games did decrease as many people had been enlisted.
What did some teams do in order to increase attendance at games?
They blocked radio companies from reporting on games to increase attendance however, the introduction of the television in the 1950’s hit the number of attendances hard.
Who was Babe Ruth?
Some argue that he was the greatest player of all time, he played for the New York Yankees for almost his entire career and is in part the reason behind why they are still so popular to this day.
Who was Jackie Robinson?
He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from the years 1947 to 1956 at a time of immense racial discrimination and segregation however, despite this he won the MVP award in 1949 despite setbacks due to his race.
Who was Joe Perry?
He was the First African American to be named the NFL’s most valuable player, he was also the First player to rush for 1’000 yards in consecutive seasons which he did in 1953 and 1954.
Who was Joe Louis?
He was one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time and won 56 consecutive fights, he still holds the world record for the longest reign as world heavy weight champion from 1937 - 1949.
When did Football increase in popularity and why did this happen?
From the 1920’s up until the second world war baseball had been the most popular sport however, football games were quicker and much more exciting to watch especially on TV.
What led to the widespread involvement of communities in football?
Many towns and cities would have their own professional or college team which gave everyone a team to get behind which was something that baseball didn’t offer. Communities would feel the success and plight of their teams.
How did viewership differentiate from that of baseball?
Baseball had been a much more male dominated industry however, football was seen as something that the whole family could get involved in.
Who was Jim Brown?
He was an African American Football star and is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time which generated him swathes of popularity, he later became an actor on the back of his career.
