2. Popular Culture and the 1950s:... Or was it?

3. Television 1946  7,000 TV sets in the U. S. 1950  50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S. Mass Audience  TV celebrated traditional American values. Truth, Justice, and the American way!

4. A. Television –Popular Shows Comedies like: I Love Lucy Dramas like: Playhouse 90 and.. News Shows like: See it Now

5. B. Subjects presented on Television – The Western Davy Crockett King of the Wild Frontier The Lone Ranger (and his faithful sidekick, Tonto): Who is that masked man?? Sheriff Matt Dillon, Gunsmoke And.. »

6. Suburban Living that idealized white America: The Typical TV Suburban Families The Donna Reed Show 1958-1966 Leave It to Beaver 1957-1963 Father Knows Best 1954-1958 The Ozzie & Harriet Show 1952-1966 And.. »

7. Comedies The Honeymooners But there was one exception... Social Winners?... AND… Losers? Comedies included variety shows and situation comedies that presented a glossy view of mostly middle-class suburban life. Television show: Topper

8. C. Subjects avoided on television PovertyPoverty DiversityDiversity Contemporary conflicts, such as racial diversityContemporary conflicts, such as racial diversity But…What about the Commercials?

9. 2. Radio A.Radio Changes: Turned to local programmingTurned to local programming Began targeting specialized audiencesBegan targeting specialized audiences B. How did it Popularize African- American Culture: Hundreds of Stations focused on African- American performers helping to sell their records

10. 3. Movies/Film: Need to compete with Television Mutation films (fear of radiation poisoning)Mutation films (fear of radiation poisoning) 3D and smellavision3D and smellavision Juvenile DelinquencyJuvenile Delinquency James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) The Wasp Woman Stereoscopic sound Cinema-Scope

11. Behavioral Rules of the teen culture of the 1950s: U Obey Authority. U Control Your Emotions. U Don’t Make Waves  Fit in with the Group. U Don’t Even Think About Sex!!! InIn the 1950s the word “teenager” “teenager” entered the American language. ByBy 1956 there is 13 mil. teens with $7 billion to spend a year.

12. 4. Teen Counter-Culture A. The “Beat” Generation - Writers: f Jack Kerouac  On The Road f Allen Ginsberg  poem, “Howl” “Beatnik” “Clean” Teen B. Chief Characteristics: Nonconformity Anti-materialism Interest in a higher Consciousness Shunning of structure in life and art

13. 5. Rock n roll 1951  “race music”  “ROCK ‘N ROLL” B. What were its chief Characteristics? Heavy rhythm Simple melodies & lyrics Focus on youth A. Who helped to popularize it? Alan Freed  A disc jockey from OhioAlan Freed  A disc jockey from Ohio Elvis Presley  “The King”Elvis Presley  “The King” Radio and T.V.Radio and T.V.

14. Terms Federal Communication Commission (FCC): Government Agency that regulates the Communications Industry (radio, T.V.) Beatnik: A member of the beat movement counter-culture group who shunned conformity and materialism of mainstream American society