AIM: How can we gain an understanding of the
Hollywood Studio System
Do Now: How long do you think the average movie
takes to film?
History of Hollywood
• Films really blossomed in the 1920s, expanding upon the
foundations of film from earlier years. Most US film
production at the start of the decade occurred in or near
Hollywood on the West Coast, although some films were
still being made in New Jersey and in Astoria, Queens
(Paramount). By the mid-20s, movies were big business
(with a capital investment totaling over $2 billion) with
some theatres offering double features. By the end of the
decade, there were 20 Hollywood studios, and the
demand for films was greater than ever. Most people are
unaware that the greatest output of feature films in the
US occurred in the 1920s and 1930s (averaging about
800 film releases in a year) - nowadays, it is remarkable
when production exceeds 500 films in a year.
Hollywood
• Films were being manufactured,
assembly-line style, in Hollywood's
'entertainment factories,' in which
production was broken down and
organized into its various components
(writing, costuming, makeup, directing,
etc.).
Hollywood
• Even the earliest films were organized into
genres or types, with instantly-recognizable
storylines, settings, costumes, and characters.
The major genre emphasis was on
swashbucklers, historical extravaganzas, and
melodramas, although all kinds of films were
being produced throughout the decade. Films
varied from sexy melodramas and biblical epics
to westerns romances, mysteries, and
comedies.
HOLLYWOOD
• The studio system was essentially born
with long-term contracts for stars, lavish
production values, and increasingly rigid
control of directors and stars by the
studio's production chief and in-house
publicity departments.
THE BIG FIVE
(1) Warner Bros. Pictures
(2) Famous Players-Lasky Corporation
(3) RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) Pictures
(4) Metro Pictures Corporation (MGM)
(5) Fox Film Corporation/Foundation
THE BIG 5
CASABLANCA
• The classic and much-loved romantic
melodrama Casablanca (1942), always found
on top-ten lists of films, is a masterful tale of two
men vying for the same woman's love in a love
triangle. The story of political and romantic
espionage is set against the backdrop of the
wartime conflict between democracy and
totalitarianism. [The date given for the film is
often given as either 1942 and 1943. That is
because its limited premiere was in 1942, but
the film did not play nationally, or in Los
Angeles, until 1943.]
CASABLANCA
• Directed by the talented Hungarianaccented Michael Curtiz and shot almost
entirely on studio sets, the film moves
quickly through a surprisingly tightly
constructed plot, even though the script
was written from day to day as the filming
progressed and no one knew how the film
would end .
“Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder
to leave, especially if your name is on the Nazi’s
most-wanted list. Atop that list is Czech Resistance
leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only
hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical
American who sticks his neck out for no
one…especially Victor’s wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman),
the ex-lover who broke his heart. So when Ilsa
offers herself in exchange for
Laszlo’s safe transport out of the
country, the bitter Rick must decide
what’s more important – his own
happiness of the countless lives
that hang in the balance.”
Vichy – this is the name of the regime
that took power in France between 1940
and 1944. A power sharing agreement was
reached between the Nazi and Vichy
parties, resulting in the partition of France.
The French government had to pay the
costs of the German troops in the country,
and allow the German army to arrest
whoever they wanted. This is famously
featured in Casablanca, when we see the
Nazi army march into Paris, forcing Sam
and Ilsa to leave. Many French saw the
arrangement between the Vichy
government and the Nazis as a betrayal.
The Vichy government were loyal to and
respectful of the Nazis. This surrender
incensed many French people,
encouraging them to join the Resistance.
The Resistance – this is the name given to French
nationals and others fighting against the
oppression and suffering caused by the Nazi and
Vichy regimes. They took enormous personal
risks, working behind enemy lines and helping the
Allies, through gathering information and
carrying out various other missions. In the film we
meet Victor Laszlo, a Czech national, who we
come to learn is an important figure in the
Resistance movement, making Ilsa’s role in
supporting Laszlo all the more vital.
The Nazi Party – the Nazi party were a force in German
politics between 1920 and 1945. Their
policies included the eradication of Jews, Gypsies,
homosexuals and the mentally and
physically ill, as well as encouraging the domination of the
Aryan ‘master race’. In Casablanca
we meet Strasser, who represents the Nazi presence in
Casablanca; his actions are indicative
of the party ideology.
Aim: How can we analyze
Casablanca as an example of the
Hollywood Studio System?
Do Now: Have you ever heard the
famous line “ Here’s looking at you
kid.” What do you know about it?
HW: Journal #4. Quiz on
Casablanca Friday.
Extra copies are available
on my homework page!!!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2013
“Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder
to leave, especially if your name is on the Nazi’s
most-wanted list. Atop that list is Czech Resistence
leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only
hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical
American who sticks his neck out for no
one…especially Victor’s wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman),
the ex-lover who broke his heart. So when Ilsa
offers herself in exchange for
Laszlo’s safe transport out of the
country, the bitter Rick must decide
what’s more important – his own
happiness of the countless lives
that hang in the balance.”
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
AIM: How can we identify the elements that make
Casablanca one of the best films ever made?
DO NOW: What do you think of the movie so far? What
would be today’s equivalent of Casablanca?
Homework: Journal #4.
Quiz Friday on Casablanca.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Aim: How can we analyze the
use of camera angles and
shots?
Do Now: Explain how the
camera angles in Casablanca
are different than Stagecoach?
Thursday, April 18, 2013
• Aim: How can we analyze the central
conflict in Casablanca?
• Do Now: Who is your favorite character in
the film?
• HW: Quiz!!! Journal #4
Friday, April 19, 2013
AIM: How can we assess the information
we have learned about the film,
Casablanca?
DO NOW: Do you agree that Casablanca is it one of
the greatest films ever made?
HOMEWORK: Journal # 4