2. The golden age of Hollywood impacted
America like never before; from the Big Five
to the Little Three, their business strategies
and various film genres made a lasting
impression.
3. Table of Contents
What is the Golden Age of
Hollywood?
The Golden Age of Hollywood
The Studio System, The Star
System
Business Strategies
MGM, Warner Brothers, RKO,
20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures
The Big Five
Musical, Film Noir,
Comedy
Genres
Columbia, Universal, United
Artists
The Little Three
Five Critical Analysis
Questions
Q&A
4.
5. The Golden Age of
Hollywood
The golden age of Hollywood lasted from the 1920’s to the 1960’s (History.com Editors). The
golden age of Hollywood is a crucial part of cinema history because of the introduction of
groundbreaking technology and techniques. Sound was first introduced in 1927 in the film
“The Jazz Singer” which changed the landscape and set the standard for all films to come
(Bergan 20). Technicolor was introduced in the late 1930’s, and eventually plunged the film
industry into color. The first wildly successful display of Technicolor was in Disney’s “The
Three Little Pigs” in 1933 (Bergan 25). The three-strip Technicolor process was used in the
animated short, and the huge success funded the creation of Disney’s “Snow White and the
Seven Dwarves” (Bergan 271). Movies produced during this time are considered classics
today such as Casablanca, Sunset Boulevard, and Citizen Kane.
6. “Play it Sam, Play
As Time Goes By”
-Ilsa
Casablanca (1942)
7. The Big Five
The golden age of Hollywood was
dominated by five major companies,
dubbed “The Big Five”. Included in
that name is MGM, RKO, Warner
Bros, Paramount Pictures, and 20th
Century Fox. These companies
made a large majority of the movies
that came out during the golden age
of Hollywood. Between the 1930’s
and the 1940’s, the Hollywood
industry was one of the biggest
industries in the world (History.com
Editors).
8. MGM
MGM released some of the most iconic movies ever
made, including Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of
Oz, and Singing in the Rain. MGM went through a
golden age of their own with their musicals in the
1940s and it lasted into the 1950s. After World War
II, Arthur Freed, a producer of The Wizard of Oz, was
tasked with recreating the idea of the musical. The
goal was to produce fun and lively films that would
distract the viewers from the harsh realities of the
war. Meet me in St. Louis was one of the first films
released in the new MGM style and proved to be a
huge success and became the second highest
grossing film in 1944.
Metro Goldwyn Mayer was established in 1924 and
by Marcus Loew. MGM dominated the golden age
of Hollywood with their unsurpassed talent.
Employing the most prolific talent at the time,
such as Spencer Tracey, Judy Garland, Mickey
Rooney, Fred Astaire, Marilyn Monroe and Frank
Sinatra, MGM was destined to be successful.
(Katz and Nolen 528, 997-998)
9. RKO Pictures
RKO Pictures was established in 1929 by the
merging of multiple businesses. The FBO (Film
Booking Office) the KAO (Keith Albee Orpheum
theatre chain) and RCA (the Radio Corporation
of America). During a decline in 1948, Howard
Hughes took control of RKO Pictures, and
produced the 1932 version of Scarface. Talent
included Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and
Orson Welles. RKO Pictures made extremely
iconic films such Citizen Kane, It’s a Wonderful
Life, King Kong, Notorious, and Bringing Up
Baby. RKO also produced several Musicals
starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
including Top Hat and Swing Time.
(Katz and Nolen 1237)
10. Warner Brothers
Warner Brothers Pictures Inc. was established in 1923,
by the four Warner brothers, Harry Warner, Albert
Warner, Samuel Warner, and Jack Warner. Warner
Brothers rose to notoriety after their 1927 film The
Jazz Singer, the first full length “talkie,” which
introduced synchronized dialogue.
A year earlier in 1926, Warner Brothers produced
Don Juan starring John Barrymore which
featured a musical soundtrack. Warner Brothers
lead the industry with their revolutionary use of
sound in their pictures.
(Katz and Nolen 1530)
11. Warner Brothers
Employing highly prolific actors such as,
Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn,
Lauren Bacall, and James Dean, caused the
studio to be a household name. Warner
Brothers produced all types of genres but
most remarkably was their introduction of
film noir, which is best expressed in the
Humphrey Bogart 1941 film, The Maltese
Falcon (Muller and Schleifer 189). The Golden
Age was an important time in Warner
Brothers history, and they created some of
their best pictures during this time including
Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood,
Arsenic and Old Lace, and Rebel Without a
Cause.
12. Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures was established in 1914 by W.W
Hodkinson ("Paramount Pictures"). Paramount Pictures is one
of the oldest American film studios still producing films today.
The transition to sound was difficult for Paramount due to
their success in silent films. Comedy was the leading genre for
Paramount during the Golden Age producing films such as
Duck Soup starring the Marx Brothers, The Lady Eve, starring
Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda. Director, Writer, and
Producer, Billy Wilder made some of Paramount Pictures most
famous works. Double Indemnity was released in 1944 and
was written by Billy Wilder and mystery novelist Raymond
Chandler (Muller and Schleifer 191). Six years later Paramount
would release Sunset Boulevard also written and directed by
Billy Wilder which would earn 11 Academy Award nominations
and became known as one of the greatest films ever made
(Katz and Nolen 1559).
13. 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox began in 1915 with the establishment of
the Fox Film Corporation headed by William Fox. Also called
Movietone City Studios, it was the first lot dedicated
specifically to the production of films. In 1935 due to the
Great Depression, Fox Film Corporation merged with 20th
Century Pictures, creating 20th Century Fox. Cinemascope, a
widescreen camera lens, was first introduced in the 20th
Century Fox production The Robe starring Richard Burton.
The stars who worked for 20th Century Fox include,
Shirley Temple, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor,
Laurel and Hardy, and Gregory Peck. 20th Century
Fox produced many era defining pictures such as,
All About Eve, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Monkey
Business, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
(Katz and Nolen 277-278, 1470-1471).
14. Competing against “The Big Five” were
three smaller studios dubbed “The
Little Three.”
Columbia Pictures, Universal Pictures, and United Artists
15. The Little Three
“The Little Three” were smaller Hollywood studios
including Columbia, Universal, and United Artists.
These studios were considered independent
studios and competed against the larger Big Five
studios. The Little Three used a similar process as
the Big Five but each studio lacked one major part
of the process, and therefore had to outsource
production which caused a loss in profit. The Little
Three did not own their own theatres like the Big
Five did. In order to show their films, the Little
Three had to rent or sell their films to the major
studios who owned the theatres. The studios
known as The Little Three, prospered after the
Golden Age of Hollywood and are prominent
studios today.
(Katz and Nolen 1409)
16. Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures was established by Jack and
Henry Cohn in 1924. The Studio was located in a
small Los Angeles neighborhood called Poverty Row.
Poverty Row housed many low budget film studios
throughout the Golden Age of Hollywood. Columbia
pictures produced very inexpensive pictures and the
lack of theatres helped the company survive the
Great Depression. Director Frank Capra became
synonymous with Columbia Pictures and directed
many classics such as It Happened One Night, Mr.
Deeds Goes to Town, and Mr. Smith Goes to
Washington. Other notable films produced by
Columbia Pictures include Bye Bye Birdie, Jason and
the Argonauts, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Dr.
Strangelove, and His Girl Friday.
(Katz and Nolen 301)
17. Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is currently the largest film
production company in the world. Carl
Laemmle founded the company in 1912, but
the studio wasn’t built until 1915. Universal
worked with legendary filmmaker Alfred
Hitchcock beginning in 1941, and produced
some of his best works, The Birds, and
Marnie. Other Notable films include My Man
Godfrey, Flash Gordon, Ma and Pa Kettle, and It
Came from Outer Space. After the Golden Age,
Universal Pictures hired Steven Spielberg and
produced some of the most critically
acclaimed films ever made including,
Jaws, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, and E.T.
(Katz and Nolen 1493)
18. Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures best remembered works
produced during the Golden Age of Hollywood
were their monster movies. Their outstanding
talent that transcended these pictures
included Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon
Chaney Jr., Yvonne DeCarlo, and Claude
Rains. The 1930s saw the birth of the
monster movie with the release of Dracula
(1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Mummy
(1932), The Invisible Man (1933) and The
Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Later in 1941,
Universal released The Wolf Man starring Lon
Chaney Jr, and The Creature from the Black
Lagoon in 1954. From the years 1923 to 1960,
Universal Pictures produced approximately 91
monster movies.
(Bergan 24-25)
19. United Artists
Silent film stars Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks Sr.
and Mary Pickford joined Director D.W. Griffith to establish
United Artists in 1919. The company was created to
protect their rights from the studio system that the major
studios used. United Artists primarily produced silent films
featuring their founders during the 1920s. Charlie Chaplin’s
first starring role as a member of United Artists was The
Gold Rush in 1925. United Artists produced many films
themselves including White Zombie, 12 Angry Men, and The
Manchurian Candidate, but their best remembered films
they did not produce. United Artists like many of the other
studios distributed films produced by smaller or foreign
companies, most notably African Queen, Some Like it Hot,
West Side Story, The Magnificent Seven, The Pink Panther
and many James Bond Films.
(Katz and Nolen 1475)
20. The distinction
between the Big
Five and the Little
Three is due to
the difference of
business
strategies and
overall success of
the companies.
21. The Studio System
The Big Five used a vertical integration business plan named the
studio system, meaning that they owned multiple stages of the
supply chain and didn’t have to outsource production. The
vertical integration plan allowed companies to control
everything from production, distribution, and presentation. The
Big Five owned private theatres throughout the United States
that only presented their own pictures. Studios would offer
other independent theatres “block booking.” A selection of
movies would be offered for distribution to smaller theatres, but
they had no say in what movies they would receive. The studio
system used by The Big Five came to an end in 1948, following
the verdict of the United States v. Paramount Pictures. The
lawsuit stated that the studio system violated the United States
Anti-Trust law, and the studios were forced to sell their theatres.
(Katz and Nolen 153, 1409)
22. The Star System
Another business decision that elevated The Big Five was
the Star System. This allowed major movie studios to create
and manage Hollywood stars. By using nearly unbreakable
contracts of exclusivity, studios controlled their talent and
created idealized versions of them.
The stars were given strict instructions
designed to maintain their Hollywood image.
The Star System created the idea of a movie
star, offering singing, dancing, and acting
lessons in order to create topnotch future
talent. Certain actors were forced to change
their names as well as maintain strict diets
and fake relationships. Norma Jeane
Mortenson was transformed into Marilyn
Monroe through the efforts of the Star
System and was skyrocketed to stardom.
Today’s idea of a Hollywood star would be
very different if it weren’t for the Star System
during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
(Chilton)
23. Dear Ben,
You found me, named me and believed in me. When no
one else did.
My thanks and love forever,
Marilyn
Marilyn Monroe to Ben Lyon, an executive at 20th Century Fox
(Waxman)
24. Genres
An American in Paris,
Easter Parade, The Sound
of Music…
Musical
Bringing Up Baby,
His Girl Friday
Comedy
The Maltese Falcon,
The Big Sleep, Double
Indemnity
Noir
25. Musicals
MGM dominated the musical genre during the Golden
Age of Hollywood and produced instant classics.
Producer Arthur Freed led the reinvention of the
musical following the end of World War II and wrote
lyrics to some of the most iconic musicals ever
produced (Katz and Nolen 528). The reinvention of the
musical integrated music into the storyline that felt
purposeful and intentional. Director Vincente Minnelli
created many acclaimed musicals for MGM during the
50s and 60s (Katz and Nolen 1013). The exploitation of
Technicolor and wonderful music in the 1951 musical
classic An American in Paris won the film six Academy
Awards including Best Picture (Ladwig). Starring Gene
Kelly, Leslie Caron, and Oscar Levant, with music
composed by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin, An
American in Paris remains as a musical masterpiece
(Katz and Nolen 561).
An American in Paris, 1951
“I Got Rhythm”
26. Musicals
Other MGM musicals include Meet Me in St. Louis,
Singin’ in the Rain, Anchors Aweigh, and The Wizard of
Oz. Easter Parade starring Judy Garland and Fred
Astaire was released by MGM in 1948 (Katz and Nolen
134). Irving Berlin wrote the music and songs for the
film and at the 1949 Academy Awards the film won the
Academy Award for Best Original Musical (Katz and
Nolen 134). MGM was not the only studio producing
musicals during the Golden Age. 20th Century Fox
produced The Sound of Music in 1965 starring Julie
Andrews and Christopher Plummer with the music of
Rodgers and Hammerstein (Bergan 310). Audrey
Hepburn was featured in two musicals during the
Golden Age, My Fair Lady and Funny Face, produced
respectfully by Warner Brothers and Paramount
Pictures. The Golden Age of Hollywood produced some
of the greatest musical films of all time.
Easter Parade, 1948
“Fella With an Umbrella”
27. Noir
Film noir was first coined by the French film critic Nino
Frank in 1946, literally meaning “black cinema.” This
name was given to the crime and detective genre that
heavily relied shadowy and dark aesthetics.
Film noir featured specific characteristics in their
films such as intricate plots, dark lighting, cynical
dialogue, and a femme fatale character. The most
significant film noir pictures include The Maltese
Falcon, The Big Sleep, and Double Indemnity. Produced
by Warner Brothers and directed by John Huston in
1941 (Katz and Nolen 711-712). The Maltese Falcon
stars Humphrey Bogart as detective Sam Spade and
Mary Astor as Ruth Wonderly, Spade’s femme fatale
client. The Maltese Falcon is based on the detective
novel of the same name written by Dashiell Hammett
in 1930. The Big Sleep was directed by Howard Hawks
and released by Warner Brothers in 1946 (Barber).
Originally based on the Raymond Chandler novel, The
Big Sleep features Humphrey Bogart and Lauren
Bacall in a convoluted plot that places the viewer in
the shoes of detective Philip Marlowe. Film noir left a
lasting impression in the history of cinema, with its
moody and elusive style, that continues to be
reflected in films today.
(“Film Noir”)
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
28. Comedy Comedies were at their prime during the
Golden Age of Hollywood. Movies such as
Duck Soup, The Lady Eve, Adam’s Rib, It
Happened One Night and Africa Screams,
are just a few of the iconic comedies that
came out during this time. Director
Howard Hawks revolutionized comedy
with his use of the iconic slapstick and
screwball style. The style is best
represented in Hawk’s Bringing up Baby
starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn
and His Girl Friday starring Cary Grant as
well as Rosalind Russell. Other notable
comedy movies produced during this time
include The Courtship of Andy Hardy, The
Thin Man, A Night at the Opera, and Topper.
(Bergan 208)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
29. Q&A
● How did your topic fit into the daily life of America in the era
that you are covering?
● What was it about your topic that was unique to America
and to our study of American history since 1865?
● How would you have felt about your topic if you had been
living during the era you are covering?
● How has your topic changed over the years (describe its role
in society today)?
● What new information did you learn about your topic that
you didn’t already know?
30. How did your topic fit into the daily
life of America in the era that you
are covering?
The golden age of Hollywood was essential to the lives of American’s during the
Great Depression. It is estimated that up to 80 million American’s went to the
theatre to see a movie per week (History.com Editors). Due to the Great Depression
and upsetting world affairs at the time, such a World War II and the Korean War,
Americans needed an escape from their daily lives. By becoming engrossed in the
dramas and adventures on screen, the American people left their worries at the
door and enjoyed some of the greatest films ever made.
31. What was it about your topic that was
unique to America and to our study
of American history since 1865?
The golden age of Hollywood is considered to have primarily taken place in the United
States. Even though foreign studios created incredible pictures during that period,
such the Japanese company Toho Studios who revolutionized the idea of monster
movies with the creation of Godzilla and the Kaiju genre. Location is a big part of
what made the golden age of Hollywood what it was. All the major studios were
located in California, and they filmed their works there. The movie business truly
advanced in the United States during the golden age and caused the industry to
become what it is today.
32. How would you have felt about your
topic if you had been living during
the era you are covering?
I would love to have lived during the golden age of Hollywood. Many of my favorite movies
came out during that time and it would have been incredible to have experienced them during
the first theatre run; although, I am glad to have not lived during the Great Depression and the
many wars that happened during that time. Growing up my grandmother and I watched these
movies all the time, especially the Universal monster movies. We continue to this tradition
today and frequently watch old movies together creating memories that I will forever
treasure. Movies produced during the golden age of Hollywood hold a special place in my
heart, and many can truly be considered masterpieces.
33. How has your topic changed over the
years (describe its role in society
today)?
The film industry has a very large role in today’s society. With companies such as
Disney (who owns Marvel Studios and Pixar) and Universal (who has become a much
bigger deal with the rights to many prestigious licenses) going to the cinema is a
normal and fun pastime for many. The movies are still used as an escape from daily
life similar to how it was during the golden age. Though over the years the film
industry has experienced ups and downs due to the introduction of television and
most recently streaming services, it has remained as an important part of the lives of
the American people.
34. What new information did you learn
about your topic that you didn’t
already know?
I picked the topic of the golden age of Hollywood because I know a lot
about the subject due to my lifelong love for these movies. Despite my
previous knowledge on the subject, I did learn quite a bit about subject that I
didn’t previously know, such as that the United Artists was founded by silent
movie stars including Charlie Chaplin. Another thing that I did not know was
that Arthur Freed was the person responsible for the modern musical as well
as all my favorite musicals.
35. Conclusion
The Golden Age of Hollywood was an iconic moment in American history and caused
the entertainment industry to become what it is today. Personally, this is my favorite
time period, the movies and stars produced at this time will forever be treasured in
my heart. Many of the companies included in the Big Five and Little Three continue
to create films today such as Warner Brothers, Universal, and Paramount Pictures.
Remakes are a common sight in today’s theatres, which created modernized
versions of classic Hollywood movies. For example, Scarface (1983) starring Al
Pacino is a remake of Scarface (1932) directed by Howard Hawks. The Golden Age
of Hollywood created a modern format for filming that produced a timeless feeling
in each of their movies and continues to influence new releases today.
36. CREDITS: This presentation template was created by
Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, and infographics &
images by Freepik.
37. Works Cited
1. History.com Editors. Hollywood. 27 Mar. 2018, https://www.history.com/topics/roaring-twenties/hollywood.
2. Bergan, Ronald. The Film Book: A Complete Guide to the World of Film. DK Publishing, 2021.
3. Katz, Ephraim, and Ronald Dean Nolen. The Film Encyclopedia the Complete Guide to Film and the Film Industry. Harper
Collins, 2012.
4. Muller, Eddie, and Bernard Schleifer. The Art of Noir: The Posters and Graphics from the Classic Era of Film Noir. New
York, 2014.
5. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Paramount Pictures". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Dec. 2019,
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Paramount-Pictures. Accessed 13 November 2021.
6. Chilton, Charlotte. “35 Rules You Probably Didn't Know Old Hollywood Stars Had to Follow.” Harpers Bazaar, 17 Apr.
2020, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g31916339/old-hollywood-star-rules/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2021.
7. Waxman, Olivia B. “How Did Marilyn Monroe Get Her Name? This Photo Reveals the Story.” Time Magazine, 5 Sept.
2018, https://time.com/5368339/marilyn-monroe-real-name-story/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2021.
8. Ladwig, Samantha. “The 25 Best Golden-Age Movie Musicals.” Vulture, 2 Apr. 2018,
https://www.vulture.com/2018/04/the-25-best-golden-age-movie-musicals.html. Accessed 13 Nov. 2021.
9. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. ”Film Noir". Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Nov. 2019,
https://www.britannica.com/art/film-noir. Accessed 13 November 2021.
10. Barber, Nicholas. “The Big Sleep: The Most Baffling Film Ever Made.” Culture, 16 Aug. 2021,
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210812-the-big-sleep-the-most-baffling-film-ever-made. Accessed 5 Oct.
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