American Cinema In The 1920s

Historical and Cultural Context of the 1920s

The 1920s in America, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a defining decade characterized by immense economic prosperity and cultural dynamism, particularly within Western nations. This era was marked by the rise of jazz music, the iconic flapper fashion, and significant advancements in both technology and industry. One of the most significant cultural movements of this time was the Harlem Renaissance, a flourishing of African American culture centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City that spanned literature, music, and art.

Jazz music, which originated in New Orleans, became a cornerstone of the decade's carefree atmosphere. Charles ‘Buddy’ Bolden is widely recognized as a ‘father’ of Jazz, a genre that revolutionized the American musical landscape. Socially and politically, the decade saw monumental shifts, such as Women's Suffrage. In the United States, women officially gained the right to vote in $1920$. Concurrently, the $18^{\text{th}}$ Amendment ushered in the era of Prohibition, which was a legal ban on the manufacture and sale of alcohol. This law led to the closure of traditional saloons and the subsequent rise of speakeasies and illegal nightclubs as primary social hubs.

Aviation and international diplomacy also saw major milestones during this period. Amelia Earhart became a household name as the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic Ocean. On $May\,16,\,1923$, she was awarded an international pilot's license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), making her only the $16^{\text{th}}$ woman to receive such an honor. In the realm of global or foreign policy, the Kellogg-Briand Pact (or Kellog Brian Pact) was established as a treaty where nations pledged not to engage in war with one another except in cases of self-defense. This pact was widely supported by the American public who harbored hopes that it would effectively end future warfare.

The Icons of Silent Comedy: Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin, born in London, United Kingdom, in $1889$, became a legendary comedic actor whose work defined the silent film era. He was initially discovered by Mack Sennett of Keystone Studios. Chaplin is best known for his iconic character, the ‘Little Tramp,’ a role that was perfectly suited to his delicate and precise pantomime. Over the course of his career, Chaplin's performances evolved to become more expressive and less frenetic. He began making short films in $1914$, which eventually led to the release of his first full-length feature film, ‘The Kid,’ in $1921$.

In pursuit of greater creative and financial control over his work and the ‘Little Tramp’ character, Chaplin took on multiple roles behind the camera as a producer, writer, and director, while remaining the star of his productions. His massive success was reflected in his business dealings; in $1918$, he signed a contract worth $\$1,000,000$. Furthermore, he was a co-founder of United Artist Studios, established alongside other industry giants like D.W. Griffith, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., and Mary Pickford.

The Technical Mastery of Buster Keaton

Buster Keaton, born in Piqua, Kansas, in $1895$, was a master of visual gags and physical comedy. He was famously known as ‘the Great Stoneface’ due to his ability to maintain a deadpan expression regardless of the chaotic or dangerous situations his character encountered. Keaton began his film career in $1917$ working with Fatty Arbuckle and eventually opened his own production company in $1919$. He starred in his first feature film in $1924$ and co-directed the landmark film ‘The General’ in $1927$ with Clyde Bruckman.

Keaton was renowned for performing the majority of his own stunts. One of his most famous technical achievements occurred during the filming of ‘The General,’ which featured the most expensive scene in silent film history. The train wreck of the ‘Texas’ cost $\$42,000$ to produce. To capture this spectacular moment, Keaton utilized six cameras. The shoot was fraught with difficulty, beginning $4$ hours late and requiring several lengthy trial runs before the final take. While Keaton reached the heights of success during the silent era, he faced significant challenges when the industry transitioned to sound films.

The Comedy Thrills of Harold Lloyd

Harold Lloyd, born in Buchard, Nebraska, in $1893$, was another titan of early cinema known as the ‘King in Comedy Thrills.’ After working for Edison and Mack Sennett, Lloyd found his greatest success at Hal Roach's Studio. It was there that he developed his trademark character: a mild-mannered man with spectacles who frequently found himself unwittingly involved in perilous situations. His comedic reputation was cemented by successful films such as ‘The Freshman’ in $1925$ and ‘Speedy’ in $1928$.

Lloyd was famous for performing most of his own stunts, though he did utilize a stunt double for the most exceptionally dangerous maneuvers. Like his contemporary Buster Keaton, Lloyd's career struggled to maintain its momentum once synchronized sound was introduced to the film industry.

The Rise of the Hollywood Studio System

The Hollywood studio system reached its peak during the $1920s$ and $1930s$, emerging from the consolidation of the film industry into massive, centralized corporations. These studios utilized a model that allowed them to control every aspect of the filmmaking process, from initial financing to the final distribution of the product. This high degree of control enabled studios to produce a massive volume of motion pictures at relatively low costs. This systemic approach led to the birth of the star system, the creation of film franchises, and rapid advancements in filmmaking technology and techniques.

Influential Production Companies and Vertical Integration

Several major studios dominated the industry during the $1920s$. MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) was founded in $1924$ by Louis B. Mayer and became one of the most successful studios of the era. It combined the diverse talents of Mayer, Samuel Goldwyn, Marcus Loew, and Nicholas Schenck. MGM focused heavily on both production and distribution, adopting the Latin motto ‘Ars Gratia Artis,’ which translates to ‘Art for Art's Sake.’

Paramount Pictures, founded in $1912$, was one of the oldest and most influential players. Its power grew significantly in $1927$ when Adolph Zucker's ‘Famous Players’ merged with Jesse Lasky’s ‘Feature Play Company.’ Zuckor implemented a strategy known as ‘vertical integration,’ a business model where Paramount-owned theaters were required to play only Paramount-produced films. This ensured the studio had a guaranteed, steady market for its films at all times.

Warner Bros. was formed in $1923$ by the four Warner brothers: Jack, Sam, Albert, and Harry. The studio became famous for its willingness to innovate, particularly regarding the use of sound, and for producing a long list of classic American movies.

The Technological Revolution of Synchronized Sound

The introduction of sound in the late $1920s$ completely revolutionized the film industry. In $1924$, Lee de Forest developed a method for recording sound directly onto film, but the industry's next major hurdle was perfecting the synchronization of that sound with the moving images. While sound was initially dismissed by many as a mere gimmick, it eventually allowed for significantly greater realism and immersion in cinematic storytelling, opening the door for entirely new genres and filmmaking techniques.

Warner Bros. took a high-stakes, risk-taking approach by being among the first to fully embrace this technology. They invested heavily in sound equipment and began the process of training actors to speak effectively on screen. Their gamble was highly successful with the $1927$ release of ‘The Jazz Singer,’ the first feature-length film to feature synchronized sound. The specific sound process developed and utilized by Warner Bros. was known as ‘Vitaphone.’