SLIH context Flashcards
(3 cards)
Context of the film’s release
• Released in 1959, it was condemned by the catholic league for decency for being “seriously offensive to Christian standards of morality “ and it was also banned outright in certain U.S.A states.
Economic context of SLIH
• Post WW2 America had a booming economy and it was the worlds largest military power
• Between 1945-60 the U.S economy grew to an average national product of 500 billion dollars, a rise of 300 billion in a 15 year time span
• This economic growth saw a rise of suburban expansions, with many ex servicemen returning home to build their lives in peaceful suburbia
• These movements from the cities resulted in a more privatised existence and the rise of television, in turn contributing to a decrease in the rates of cinema attendance
Female historical context of SLIH
• America’s women had supported the war effort greatly with their being 350,000 women in the military and 35% of industrial production being credited to female labour
• After the war however fears of Women never returning to the home grew and so advice books and magazine articles which encouraged things such as young marriage and the importance of traditional femininity grew in popularity
• This then lead to the 1950’s being dubbed the era of the housewife
