Classic Hollywood Movies (BSA 106)

CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD MOVIES

1. Major and Minor Studios

Classical Hollywood movies were in its golden age back then in the 1920s to late 1950s which refers to the movie's style as well as the production and distribution system under Hollywood Studio System.

During those times, studios were being categorized into two main factor:

1. The Big studio (Major)

- Metro Goldwyn Mayer

- Paramount Pictures

- Warner Bros Pictures

- RKO Radio Picture

- 20th Century Fox

2. The Little studio (Minor)

- Legendary Pictures

- Universal Studios

- United Artists

2. The Studio System

It holds the most important role in distributing and the making process of the movie. Studio System takes control on everything, starting from the production to exhibition.

A. MPPDA (Motion Pictures Production and Distribution Association)

Functions:

1. Neutralising the increasing moral panic over the disreputable nature of the movies with a   voluntary production code

2. To encourage co-operation between the major studios, effectively barring entry to new competitors and restricting international access to the huge and profitable US market.

3. To work with the US State Department to lobby overseas governments who threatened to introduce restrictions on Hollywood imports.

B. Block Booking

Forcing the studios to sell their own theater chains

3. The Hays Code

In the 1920s, while most movies were popular and profitable, some social and religious communities disrespect it because of the moral value that was not appropriate. That was one of the reasons that The Hays Code are made by Will Hays to established some subjects that films simply could not depict, alongside topics that films had to treat with extreme caution. The most important taboos are sex and criminals, even until now.

4. The Star System

Star systems mean the employees of the studio who they are working for and bound in contract to keep their good image. Most of the times, there were some issues about the contracts which prohibit the actor/actress to committing adultery, drugs, and even other indiscretions that could ruin their image as a public figure.

5. Narrative Structure

I    The narrative is structurised from the beginning, middle, to the end and provides comprehensive resolution at the end.

      References: Tutor Explanations and Wikipedia