The Hollywood Studio System (1930-1945)

Cinema Studies: April 22: The Hollywood Studio System (1930-1945)

Lecture:
• View the lecture for this section HERE.

Readings:
• Thompson and Bordwell, “The Hollywood Studio System, 1930-1945”
• Elisabeth Bronfen, “Lubitsch’s War: Comedy as Political Ploy in To be or Not to Be”

Films:
• To Be or Not to Be (1942), Ernst Lubitsch
o Click HERE to view the film

Questions:
A) Succinctly respond to the following questions/prompts (provide examples, when needed):

• Explain the structure of the studio system (list all of its components and provide examples).
• How did movie exhibition change in the 1930s and during WWII?
• How did Weimar cinema impact the development of film genres in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s?
• Which is the most prominent difference between Majors and Minors?
• Which are some of the most prominent technological innovations introduced during the golden age of the studio system?

B) Address the following prompt in one paragraph:

• Explain why the Production Code was adopted and discuss how filmmakers reacted to the introduction of the Code, discussing one specific film example.

C) To Be or Not to Be (Post)

• Post 1 comment and 1 question on To Be or Not to Be.

There are a total of 7 things that need to be answered.

NOTE: Read and watch all necessary materials before completing the questions.

All answers to the above questions must be found in the readings, film, or lecture.

DO NOT USE ANY OUTSIDE SOURCES! ALL NECESSARY SOURCES ARE ATTACHED!