Lecture Library
Golden Age Hollywood and American History
by Critical Commons ManagerA collection of clips showing the relationship of Hollywood films to events in American history
This sequence of clips from Hollywood's "Golden Age" (1929-1945) illustrates the complex relationship of feature films to events in American history, including the Great Depression, World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. With this selection of clips, Professor Rick Jewell highlights both expected and unexpected instances of Hollywood films reflecting upon - but also contributing to - historical events and their experience by movie audiences. Jewell is a leading authority on American film history and a Professor in the School of Cinematic Arts at USC.
A Depression-era film prematurely announces the return of economic prosperity
An uncharacteristically sad Hollywood ending focusing on WWI veterans
A depression-era classical Hollywood happy ending
Possessed by an angel, the U.S. President conflates democracy with dictatorial power
An allegory of American isolationism during WWII
Final sequence of Confessions of a Nazi Spy attacking Nazism just prior to the start of WWII
A historical allegory of German world domination set in 16th century Spain
A bizarre extreme of American propaganda during WWII
Tarzan and the animals defeat the Nazis
Allied pilots prepare for a mission in WWII
Allied airmen cleverly outwit the Nazis
Late WWII era films became increasingly realistic about hardships of combat
The pain of homecoming from WWII
Only God can save us from the new Cold War
