Chapter 19 Section 3 Notes Entertainment in the 1950s

The History of Television Became available to buy in late 1920s Super expensive, tubes were tiny Very limited, sporadic programming until after WWII. Only 2 – 3 hrs of programming per week until 1949. Special events (1948 Olympics, Boxing) and News Funded by Businesses advertising products COMMERCIALS!

TV Expands Rapidly in the 1950s In 9% of U.S. homes by 1950 (prices go down, tubes get bigger) Regular programming starts about this time I Love Lucy The Mickey Mouse Club News, westerns, dramas, kids shows, etc… Known as the “Golden Age of Television” In 55% of U.S. homes by 1954 TV Guide became most popular “magazine” TV Dinners become popular Game shows become popular for awhile Scandal decreases popularity In 90% of U.S. homes by 1960 Advertisers spend $2 billion on commercials 10 times more than in 1950

Stereotypes, Sexism, and Racism perpetuated on TV in the 1950s All families were “traditional” Most women were homemakers 3 times more male characters All white males in the 19th century West were Cowboys All Native Americans portrayed as “Indians” African and Mexican Americans didn’t exist. Maybe in the background or as minor characters

Radio in the 1950s increased in popularity Why? What was on? more stations more ads Why? Automobiles Teenagers fascination with Rock n Roll What was on? news, weather, music, sports less “shows”

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Gov. Agency Created in 1934 Expands big-time in 50s Regulates Phone, Radio, TV, and Internet Issues licenses to companies to provide these Example: 500 TV Stations by mid 50s Can limit costs businesses charge people Monitors Bad language, violence, nudity, etc… Promotes Competition

Movies in the 1950s decreased in popularity by 50% compared to late 1940s Why? rather watch TV at home (new) Why would people choose movies? They were bigger 50% were in color (TV wasn’t until 1960s) Stereo sound (TV wasn’t until 1970s) Gimmicks movies tried to attract audiences Having theaters smell like events on the screen 3D glasses

Questioning What’s “Normal” Some didn’t like all of the conformity in U.S. On TV, in advertisements, in corporate America Beat Movement emerges Artists, Poets, Writers, Musicians Many in SF and NY Becomes popular in late 60s Hippies (chapter 23) Works & Values Clash with Mainstream Values Alternative religions & music Many used Drugs Looked Different Didn’t work a regular job Drifted around U.S. Bob Dylan And Allen Ginsberg

2 Famous Pieces of Beat Literature Allen Ginsberg Howl Jack Kerouac On the Road

The History of Rock n Roll Electronic instruments (mainly guitars) get added to different types of traditional music in the early 50’s Mostly Blues Some Country and Folk Alan Freed Cleveland radio DJ that began playing the music regularly Audience was mostly young and white (lyrics about dating, cars, teen problems) Adults hate it Musicians were mostly black Freed labels it “rock ‘n’ roll” Grows in popularity more stations play it

Rock n Roll Firsts Does not become mainstream until white musicians begin playing it 1st Song to become #1 on Billboard Chart Rock Around the Clock (1954) Bill Haley and the Comets 1st Rock n Roll Star Elvis Presley “The King” (1st song in1956) 15 #1 songs (between 1956 – 1959) Became Movie Star too The full body shot (above left) of Elvis 1st appearing on the Ed Sullivan TV Show didn’t air because when he moved around on stage it was considered too sexual and inappropriate. They only showed Elvis from the waist up (above right)

Other Musicians Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Good was recorded in 1958. Michael J Fox immortalized it in Back to the Future Little Richard had 18 top 10 singles in the 1950s and influenced many musicians, including the Beatles Johnny Cash (top right) infused traditional country music with electronic guitar and had 2 top 10 songs in 1955, Folsom Prison Blues and Walk the Line. The later was the title of a movie (top left) about his life.

Jerry Lee Lewis performing the most famous rock n roll song of all time featuring a piano… Great Balls of Fire. He used to bust or burn his piano on stage to end performances Ray Charles (left) also played piano. Blinded by an accident as a child throughout his life, songs like “I’ve Got a Woman” and “Hit the Road Jack” resonated with many. Jamie Foxx (right) portrayed him in a movie about his life. Many of these musicians had problems with alcohol, drugs, women, and/or fame. They tended to reject praise from critics while maintaining appeal from fans.