Society & CultureDuring the Great Depression

Section 4

Escape Through Entertainment

• The 30’s was considered the Golden Age for movies & radio

• 65% of the population were attending the movies once a week

• Nearly 90% of American households owned a radio

• Movies & the radio gave people an escape from the depression

Movies • Comedies, musicals, love

stories, and tough gangsters movies got the most attention

• The escape brought about many stars

• Movies like “The Wizard of Oz”, “Snow White & the 7 dwarfs”, & Gone with the Wind”, gave people an escape

Comedies & Heroes Entertain• Popular Comedic stars:

– The Marx Brothers– Groucho

• Hero movies became popular, the underdog succeeding despite the odds– Often on the wrong side

of the law because of circumstances people could relate

• Frank Capra movies with plots that seemed to represent the interests of average Americans instead of the wealth & powerful were very popular– Mr. Smith Goes to

Washington– Mr. Deeds Goes to

Town

The Radio Entertains

• Radios embodied the democratic spirit of the times

• Almost every home had one• Families spent several hours a day

gathered together listening to their favorite programs– Children’s programs (The Lone

Ranger)– Sports programs (Seabiscuit Race)– Soap Operas (Guiding Light)– Dramas & Comedies: (The War of the

World’s; with Orson Wells producing, directing, and acting in it)

Art Reflecting the Times• Art & literature reflected the real

condition of Depression America• Some of the artistic work was

grim & sober but most of it had an uplifting message of strength & character

• New Deal offered aide to art projects (WPA)

• Artist of the time includedRobert Gwathmey, Edward Hopper, & Diego Rivera

“American Gothic”By Grant Wood

Art in the Theater & Writers Depict American Life

• Federal theater projects were developed & gave jobs to artist, actors, & playwrights

• Books & authors examined the difficulties of life during the 30’s through fiction & poetry

• Popular & Powerful Books that have stood the test of time were written during this era include– Native Son

– Their Eyes were Watching God

“The Grapes of Wrath”By John Steinback