Popular Culture in the 1920s
(a “flapper” in the 1920s)
(Canadian movie star Mary Pickford)
- In the 1920s, people eagerly took up latest fads and crazes. For many, the fads were a
way to escape from the painful memories of the war and enjoy life again. Nobody can
explain exactly how fads catch on, but suddenly many people become interested in a
dance, fashion, game, sport or other activity and take it up with great enthusiasm. Usually
the craze does not last long. Fads are often dropped as quickly as they’re taken up.
- Most fads came into Canada from the United States in the 1920s. The Twenties saw the
beginning of mass media advertising in North America. Radio broadcasts, newspapers,
glossy magazines, billboards, and movies poured into Canada from the United States.
Canadians admired fashions from New York, bought American-made vacuum cleaners
and other appliances, and watched American movies.
- One of the first fads of the 1920s was the ancient Chinese game of mah-jong. Mah-jong
is a combination of dice and dominoes. The game caught on quickly across North
America. In homes everywhere the game became the rage, however by the late 1920s the
novelty had worn off. The crossword puzzle quickly emerged in its place. Two American
publishers, Simon and Schuster, brought out a book of crossword puzzles with a pencil
attached. Suddenly, everyone was crazy about crosswords. Dictionary sales soared as a
result.
- Of al the rages, popular dancing was arguably the most popular. Man and young woman
often engaged in dancing contests and marathons. Furthermore, the fashion of young
people changed as well. For young women, the “flapper look” was in. A flapper was a
young woman who dressed outrageously. Hemlines rose above the knees and silk
stockings were rolled down. Long hair was cut and set in a short “bobbed style.
Furthermore, young men started wearing baggy pants or “knickers,” bright snappy hats
and bow ties. Male hair was greased down and parted in the middle to imitate the popular
movie idols of the day.
Entertainment:
- Jazz moved north from New Orleans in the United States and was made popular by such
musicians as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, both black Americans. The dance of
the decade – the Charleston, also emerged out of black American culture. Its fast and
wild pace quickly caught on with the high-spirited younger generation.
- Talking films or “talkies” were another major invention of the 1920s. “Talkies” did not
arrive in Canada until 1927 however, and for most of the decade films remained silent.
The stars of Hollywood’s silent screen were idolized throughout Canada. Movies
provided excitement that ordinary people sometimes lacked in their daily lives. Charlie
Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino and Greta Garbo were major stars on the silver screen.
Furthermore, Canadian born Mary Pickford became one of Hollywood’s great success
stories. At the height of her career, she was earning $10, 000 per week. Movie-going
became a part of life for many people. By the end of the decade, there were more than
900 movie houses across Canada. Famous Players became Canada’s leading cinema
chain in 1923.