1920s Mechanical and Cultural Changes

Vocabulary terms covering the 1920s transition from silent film to talkies, the rise of Hollywood celebrity culture, and the social influence of Jazz music.

Silent Cinema

A form of popular culture where stories were told through body gestures and live music that synchronized with the plot.

Talkies

Sound films featuring dialogue that first appeared in 1927, leading to the emergence of new actors and the development of Hollywood.

1927

The year the first synchronized sound film, known as a Talkie, was released.

Warner Brothers

The major film studio that opened during the expansion of Hollywood and the rise of sound films.

Movie Palaces

Grand, elaborate theaters constructed as part of the growth of the entertainment industry in Hollywood.

Charlie Chaplin

A famous young white actor of the silent film era who became a major figure in the rise of celebrity culture.

Clara Bow

A famous young actress who encouraged and exemplified the modern concept of the 'celebrity'.

Purpose of Entertainment

In the 1920s, movies served as an affordable way for people to escape from the realities of everyday life.

Jazz Music

A fast-paced musical genre that became popular by the 1920s among the general population, shocking older generations.

Jazz Styles

Specific musical forms included under the Jazz umbrella such as Blues, Ragtime, and Boogie-woogie.

Social Impact of Jazz

A genre often criticized for featuring black musicians, yet it acted as a bridge between black and white people.