From Silents to Studio' Golden Years pt. 2

The years between 1930 and 1950 are widely known as the "Studio Years" in the film world. Sound was beginning to be incorporated into motion pictures and the film industry was experiencing a revolution. Many great advancements came from this, but there were negative sides as well. New inventions that would affect the industry seemed to be popping up everywhere. It was a time of innovation.


One major shift was the start of what were called "Studios" These elaborate storehouses were used to film and produce various movies. Fake sets started appearing and settings shifted from real places to fictional illusions. This made the filming more efficient and only whats needed was used in the sets. Sound was also more easily captured in the warehouses. This was beneficial the the producers but not to the stars. With the efficiency of sets, actors could now do work for various films simultaneously. This exhausted actors and greatly increased their work schedules. Contracts also started forming and actors and actresses started to become property of certain studios. Since production organization increased, so did exposition organization. Theaters grew tremendously in size. We saw shifts from small 20-30 seat nickelodeons, to lavish large sized auditoriums. Theaters were sprouting one after another and just kept coming.


Since actors and actresses started regularly appearing in films, the star system emerged. Regular celebrities began to enter into society and become widely popular. This however came double edged. As we know not everyone is perfect, and as these actors became publicized, we we reassured of that. Many scandals emerged between actors and actresses. In one major scandal, Actor "Fatty" Arbuckle was convicted for murder. Although the charges were eventually dropped the publicity ruined Arbuckle's career.

Hollywood soon found out, however; that sin can sell. The industry began making more risque film and the industry soon took a turn in a new direction. Questionable movies sold and it was a proven fact. Studios started creating films that included more provocative material and the battle of "Money vs Moral" emerged.