An area I now want to look more closely is film. Here in 1933 ‘Talkies’ have only been around since the late 1920’s. Hollywood and films are very much still in their infancy. But, we shall begin to see the changes that have eventually lead to the sort of media we are familiar with today. I am finding it intriguing that much like other aspects of modern machines, like the automobile, many start getting into it and bring innovation, than a few begin to monopolize, manage to control laws and begin to weed out any variety.
This film for today, Design for Living, is a fun little romp. When I read the synopsis of the film, I was surprised at the subject matter. Young independent working girl off on her own. Sharing, platonically, a flat with two men and views of marriage and so on. This film has a rather modern feel. Of course it makes one wonder, what is modern? And, as we are more familiar with the general idea of middle class and American ideals from post WWII times, it is interesting to see such different general feelings only two decades prior.
I am increasingly being amazed by the various things I am discovering about this decade and as I said before, there is so much I didn’t know it is hard to condense and share.
But, today on this fine Sunday, why not grab a cuppa and sit back and enjoy an old film. Here is part 1 and the rest of the movie is HERE on my channel. Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Happy Homemaking.
If you haven't come across this already, you might be interested in reading up on Pre-Code Hollywood and how the Motion Picture Production Code changed what movies (and later, television) were allowed to portray beginning in 1934:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Code_Hollywood
I stumbled on it when I bought an old movie poster for "The Sin of Nora Moran" because I thought it was a very racy image for the 1930s.
Love this! I am a huge fan of old movies and loved the stories of my great-grandmother of the excitement of the talkies! She was a lady however and never, ever patronized a Mae West film. :)
ReplyDeleteI often find movies from the late 1920's and early 1930's are rather risque in moral terms. Katherine Hepburn in Morning Glory for one example. And the photo stills also reflect that early pre-depression era rebelliousness, which of course, comes right back in with movies such as Rebel Without a Cause and Splendor in the Grass in the very early 1960's. I agree that 'short' two decade period seems to be stuck in the middle of what is generally a rather decadent view from Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteBut oh yum a young Gary Cooper...My other top favorite later on was Jimmy Stewart and presently I am a fan of Hugh Jackman.
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