The moral importance of entertainment : Hollywood, censorship, and Depression America, 1933 to 1941

Abstract

Hollywood was the most powerful media centre in Depression America. It was from this town that American films were created. It was also from this town that many of America's beliefs about itself were created. This thesis will investigate the power of Hollywood in Depression America. It will look towards an understanding of the powers which guided Hollywood filmmakers in the creation of their productions, as well as an understanding of the effects which these productions had on the nation. Filmmakers of this period were accused of being both cultural stewards and ruthless businessmen. Hollywood will be examined in both of these roles in order to understand the foundations of this duality and to offer a possible third role which filmmakers were attempting to fill. The thesis will also investigate who the perceived audience for Hollywood films were and how the films reflected this audience. By understanding who these films were directed towards, it will define in many ways what this audience believed about themselves, their neighbours and their nation. The effect that the. Motion Picture Production Code had on the films of the Depression and how movies adapted to the changing market will also be a focus.*

*This dissertation includes a multi-media CD which requires QuickTime and contains movie clips.