1. 10 th American History Unit IV – A Champion of Democracy Chapter 16- Post War America Section 3 – The Television Age

2. The Television Age The Main Idea Television was a major influence on American culture in the 1950s, mirroring larger changes in technology and culture. Reading Focus How did television change American life in the 1950s? What other technological developments occurred during the 1950s? How was American culture changing during the 1950s?

3. Television in the 1950s By the end of World War II, television was ready for home use. Postwar consumers purchased the new device. In 1950, 9 percent of U.S. households had televisions. In 1960, 87 percent of U.S. households had televisions. Television had an immediate impact on American culture. On politics In advertising Some Americans questioned the effects of television—especially on children.

5. Television Changes American Life Advertisers realized that TV’s combination of pictures and sound gave it more persuasive power than radio. At first, a single advertiser sponsored the broadcast of an entire program—for example, the Colgate Comedy Hour. As the cost of producing TV shows rose, advertisers shifted to buying just one- or two-minute segments during a show. Politics Politicians quickly realized that TV had great power to change their relationship with voters. Richard Nixon and the Checkers speech Joseph McCarthy and the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings Advertising

6. Baby Boom- Burma Shave

7. Television Changes American Life Some were concerned about the effects of TV. Congress looked into the effects of violent content on young viewers. TV experienced a scandal in the late 1950s when the public discovered that a game show had been rigged. Programming Lucille Ball was the star of a hugely popular comedy called the I Love Lucy show. Milton Berle’s popular program of comedy and music helped television get established. American Bandstand appealed to the rock-and- roll crowd. Soap operas, crime dramas, and game shows all got their start during the 1950s. Concerns about TV

8. Baby Boom - Television- QUIZ SHOWS A naively trusting public of the Fifties fell in love with television game shows. Some of the games were played for laughs and some for prizes and some for big money. Some survive today in contemporary form. The Price is Right wasn't born with Bob Barker at the helm. It was Bill Cullen in 1956. A naively trusting public of the Fifties fell in love with television game shows. Some of the games were played for laughs and some for prizes and some for big money. Some survive today in contemporary form. The Price is Right wasn't born with Bob Barker at the helm. It was Bill Cullen in 1956. On Sunday nights everything came to stop while America watched The $64,000 Question. At their peak, there were 22 game shows on the air. On Sunday nights everything came to stop while America watched The $64,000 Question. At their peak, there were 22 game shows on the air. By 1958 no one was laughing. That naive trust had been replaced by a suspicious cynicism that is with us yet. Why? Because many of the shows were rigged. The "winners" Americans had rooted for had been supplied with the answers in advance. By 1958 no one was laughing. That naive trust had been replaced by a suspicious cynicism that is with us yet. Why? Because many of the shows were rigged. The "winners" Americans had rooted for had been supplied with the answers in advance. Charles Van Doren, - “Twenty-One”. As Van Doren kept winning, his popularity grew until he became a recognized celebrity. His acting ability didn't suffer either as America watched him "agonize" over each question. Ultimately, he won $129,000 - a hefty sum at any time, but a huge amount in the 50's Charles Van Doren, - “Twenty-One”. As Van Doren kept winning, his popularity grew until he became a recognized celebrity. His acting ability didn't suffer either as America watched him "agonize" over each question. Ultimately, he won $129,000 - a hefty sum at any time, but a huge amount in the 50's The scandal prompted Congressional hearings. Although there were no laws prohibiting the "fixing" of game shows, both the networks and their sponsors acknowledged the public's distaste and kept game shows off the air for quite some time. The scandal prompted Congressional hearings. Although there were no laws prohibiting the "fixing" of game shows, both the networks and their sponsors acknowledged the public's distaste and kept game shows off the air for quite some time. I’ve Got A Secret Price is right Queen for a Day This Is Your Life To Tell the Truth What’s My Line? Twenty-One- Scandal

9. Baby Boom - TV Dramas Daytime Soap Operas- Hawkins Falls- 1950-1955 Daytime Soap Operas- Hawkins Falls- 1950-1955 Dragnet- 1950-1970- Jack Webb Dragnet- 1950-1970- Jack Webb Alfred Hitchcock Presents- mystery/ suspense dramas that came to an end after the last commercial. 1955-1962 Alfred Hitchcock Presents- mystery/ suspense dramas that came to an end after the last commercial. 1955-1962 Dick Powell Theatre Dick Powell Theatre Kraft Suspense Theatre Kraft Suspense Theatre Studio One Studio One The Whistler The Whistler Superman- Starring George Reeves- 1951-1957 Superman- Starring George Reeves- 1951-1957 Perry Mason - Lawyer- 1957-1966 Perry Mason - Lawyer- 1957-1966 Robin Hood- 1955-1958 Robin Hood- 1955-1958 Route 66- 1960-1964 Route 66- 1960-1964 Highway Patrol- 1955-1959 Highway Patrol- 1955-1959 The Grey Ghost- 1957-1959 The Grey Ghost- 1957-1959 The Fugitive- 1963-1967 The Fugitive- 1963-1967 77 Sunset Strip- 1958-1964 77 Sunset Strip- 1958-1964 Ben Casey- Doctor show- 1961-1966 Ben Casey- Doctor show- 1961-1966 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Perry Mason Robin Hood Route 66

10. Baby Boom - Westerns Roy Rogers- 1951-1957 Roy Rogers- 1951-1957 Hopalong Cassidy- 1949-1951 Hopalong Cassidy- 1949-1951 Gene Autry- 1950-1956 Gene Autry- 1950-1956 Death Valley Days- 1952-1970(Ron Reagan) Death Valley Days- 1952-1970(Ron Reagan) Sgt. Preston of the Yukon- 1955-1958 Sgt. Preston of the Yukon- 1955-1958 Tombstone Territory- 1957-1958 Tombstone Territory- 1957-1958 Rough Riders- 1958-1959 Rough Riders- 1958-1959 Swamp Fox- 1959-1961 Swamp Fox- 1959-1961 Johnny Ringo- 1959-1960 Johnny Ringo- 1959-1960 Laredo- 1967-1969 Laredo- 1967-1969 Here Come the Brides- 1968-1970 Here Come the Brides- 1968-1970 Bat Masterson- 1958-1961 Bat Masterson- 1958-1961 Annie Oakley - 1952-1956 Annie Oakley - 1952-1956 Branded- 1965-1966 Branded- 1965-1966 Cisco Kid- 1950-1955- “Oh, Cisco, Oh Poncho” Cisco Kid- 1950-1955- “Oh, Cisco, Oh Poncho” Davey Crockett- 1954-1955 Davey Crockett- 1954-1955 Gunsmoke- 1955-1971 Gunsmoke- 1955-1971 Life and Times of Wyatt Earp- 1955-1961 Life and Times of Wyatt Earp- 1955-1961 Lone Ranger- 1949-1957 Lone Ranger- 1949-1957 Maverick- 1957-1962 Maverick- 1957-1962 Riflman- 1958-1963 Riflman- 1958-1963 Rin Tin Tin- 1954-1959 Rin Tin Tin- 1954-1959 Wild Bill Hickock- 1951-1958 Wild Bill Hickock- 1951-1958 Yancy Derringer- 1958-1959 Yancy Derringer- 1958-1959 Zorro- 1957-1959 Zorro- 1957-1959

11. Baby Boom - Variety Shows American Bandstand- Dick Clark- 1952- 1987 American Bandstand- Dick Clark- 1952- 1987 Arthur Godfrey- 1949-1959 Arthur Godfrey- 1949-1959 Milton Berle Show- 1948-1967 Milton Berle Show- 1948-1967 Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour- 1948- 1970 Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour- 1948- 1970 Your Show of Shows- Sid Ceasar and Imogene Coca. 1950-1954 Your Show of Shows- Sid Ceasar and Imogene Coca. 1950-1954 Perry Como Show- 1948-1963 Perry Como Show- 1948-1963 Colgate Comedy Hour- 1950-1955 Colgate Comedy Hour- 1950-1955 You Hit Parade- 1950-1959 You Hit Parade- 1950-1959 Jack Benny Show- 1950-1965 Jack Benny Show- 1950-1965 People are Funny- Art Linkletter- 1954-1961 People are Funny- Art Linkletter- 1954-1961 George Gobel Show- “Lonesome George”- 1954-1960 George Gobel Show- “Lonesome George”- 1954-1960 Ed Sullivan Show- 1948-1971- “A really big shew” Ed Sullivan Show- 1948-1971- “A really big shew” Diana Shore Show- 1951-1963 + 1974-1980 Diana Shore Show- 1951-1963 + 1974-1980 Lawrence Welk- 1955-1977 Lawrence Welk- 1955-1977 Red Skelton- 1951-1971- “God Bless” Red Skelton- 1951-1971- “God Bless” Ernie Kovacs- 1952-1962 Ernie Kovacs- 1952-1962 Jackie Gleason- 1952-1970 Jackie Gleason- 1952-1970

12. Baby Boom - Comedy Shows Amos and Andy- 1951-1953 Amos and Andy- 1951-1953 Andy Griffith Show- 1960-1968 Andy Griffith Show- 1960-1968 Bachelor Father- 1957-1962 Bachelor Father- 1957-1962 Batman- 1966-1968 Batman- 1966-1968 Beverly Hillbillies- 1962-1971 Beverly Hillbillies- 1962-1971 Brady Bunch- 1969-1974 Brady Bunch- 1969-1974 Burns and Allen- 1950-1958 Burns and Allen- 1950-1958 Car 54 Where are you?- 1961-1963 Car 54 Where are you?- 1961-1963 Make Room for Danny- Danny Thomas- 1953-1964 Make Room for Danny- Danny Thomas- 1953-1964 Dennis the Menace- 1959-1963 Dennis the Menace- 1959-1963 Many Loves of Doby Gillis- 1959-1963 Many Loves of Doby Gillis- 1959-1963 Get Smart- 1965-1969 Get Smart- 1965-1969 Gilligans Island- 1964-1967 Gilligans Island- 1964-1967 I Dream of Jeannie- 1965-1970 I Dream of Jeannie- 1965-1970 I Love Lucy- 1951-1957 I Love Lucy- 1951-1957 The Honeymooners- 1952-1961 The Honeymooners- 1952-1961 Leave it to Beaver- 1957-1963 Leave it to Beaver- 1957-1963 Mr. Ed- 1961-1965 Mr. Ed- 1961-1965 Ozzie and Harriet- 1952-1966 Ozzie and Harriet- 1952-1966 Topper- 1953-1955 Topper- 1953-1955 Grouch Marx- You Bet Your Life- 1950- 1961 Grouch Marx- You Bet Your Life- 1950- 1961 Father Knows Best-1954-1963 Father Knows Best-1954-1963

13. Baby Boom - Kid’s Shows Captain Kangaroo- 1955-1984 Captain Kangaroo- 1955-1984 Ding Dong School- 1952-1956 Ding Dong School- 1952-1956 Flintstones- 1960-1966 Flintstones- 1960-1966 Flipper- 1964-1967 Flipper- 1964-1967 My Friend Flicka- 1956-1958 My Friend Flicka- 1956-1958 Howdy Doody- 1947-1960 Howdy Doody- 1947-1960 Jetons- 1962-1963 Jetons- 1962-1963 Lassie- 1954-1971 Lassie- 1954-1971 Mickey Mouse Club- 1955-1957 Mickey Mouse Club- 1955-1957 The Monkees- 1966-1968 The Monkees- 1966-1968 Bozo the Clown- 1961-Today- Chicago TV Bozo the Clown- 1961-Today- Chicago TV Romper Room- 1954-1992 Romper Room- 1954-1992 Soupy Sales show- 1960- Pie in the Face. Soupy Sales show- 1960- Pie in the Face.

14. Television Changes American Life How did television change American life in the 1950’s? How did television change American life in the 1950’s? Explain – How did television change American politics? Explain – How did television change American politics? Summarize – How did advertising change as a result of television? Summarize – How did advertising change as a result of television? Evaluate – How did television’s influence begin to concern some people? Evaluate – How did television’s influence begin to concern some people?

15. Other Technology in the 1950s Transistors Developed in 1947, the transistor worked like the vacuum tubes in early computers but with several advantages. Were smaller and did not break as often Improved all kinds of electronics from radios to TVs to computers Computers UNIVAC, built in 1951, was the first commercial computer. Huge computer— weighed 30,000 pounds and took up a room Large companies and government agencies bought these computers. The integrated circuit or computer chip was developed in 1958. Salk Vaccine Polio outbreaks were common in the early 1900s. Polio was contagious, spread quickly, and could be fatal. In 1952 more than 57,000 people contacted polio. Jonas Salk developed a new polio vaccine.

16. Other Technological Developments of the 1950’s What other technological developments occurred during the 1950’s? What other technological developments occurred during the 1950’s? Recall – When were the first computers built? Recall – When were the first computers built? Predict – How would UNIVAC impact the future of American business? Predict – How would UNIVAC impact the future of American business? Evaluate – Why was the development of a vaccine against polio so important? Evaluate – Why was the development of a vaccine against polio so important?

17. American Culture in the 1950s Boom Times United States was the world’s greatest economic power. United States was the world’s greatest economic power. Baby boom during the 1950s Baby boom during the 1950s Consumerism was rampant, with new houses filled with new appliances with new cars in the driveways. Consumerism was rampant, with new houses filled with new appliances with new cars in the driveways. Employments was high and wages rose. Employments was high and wages rose. The Critics Kenneth Galbraith called America the “affluent society” and criticized American for being overly focused on its own wealth. Kenneth Galbraith called America the “affluent society” and criticized American for being overly focused on its own wealth. Michael Harrington complained that the nation’s poor had been forgotten. Michael Harrington complained that the nation’s poor had been forgotten. William H. Whyte noted a loss of individuality among the growing class of business workers. William H. Whyte noted a loss of individuality among the growing class of business workers.

18. New Communities New Highways Levittown was the most famous of the new suburban communities. The U.S. population was beginning a shift in settlement to the so-called Sunbelt—the southern and western parts of the country. During the 1950s the United States launched the Interstate Highway System—a network of high-speed roads for interstate travel. This reinforced the United State’s commitment to cars and trucks as its main means of ground transportation. Cultural Changes in the 1950s

20. Levittown 16 million GI's were returning from either Europe, the Pacific, or from military bases in the United States. Many were planning to get married and raise families. But these former soldiers were running into trouble in their search to find suitable shelter for their new families. 16 million GI's were returning from either Europe, the Pacific, or from military bases in the United States. Many were planning to get married and raise families. But these former soldiers were running into trouble in their search to find suitable shelter for their new families. The war had created a shortage of construction materials and the housing industry had fallen off rapidly. The war had created a shortage of construction materials and the housing industry had fallen off rapidly. At the end of 1945, the US was in dire need of about five million houses, as ex-GIs and their families were living with their parents or in rented attics, basements, or unheated summer bungalows. Some even lived in barns, trolley cars, and tool sheds. At the end of 1945, the US was in dire need of about five million houses, as ex-GIs and their families were living with their parents or in rented attics, basements, or unheated summer bungalows. Some even lived in barns, trolley cars, and tool sheds. In Levittown all a prospective buyer needed was a $90 deposit and payments of $58 per month In Levittown all a prospective buyer needed was a $90 deposit and payments of $58 per month

23. Population Growth and Water in the Southwest (02:15)

27. Baby Boom - Vacation Spots Grand Canyon Grand Canyon Disneyland Disneyland Historical trip to Washington DC, Gettysburg, and Virginia Historical trip to Washington DC, Gettysburg, and Virginia Knotts Berry Farm Knotts Berry Farm Pacific Ocean Park Pacific Ocean Park Saturday afternoon matinee - 25-30 cents for the ticket and 5 cents for candy Saturday afternoon matinee - 25-30 cents for the ticket and 5 cents for candy Coney Island Coney Island Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park Reptile farms Reptile farms Expo67 in Montreal Expo67 in Montreal Roller Derby Roller Derby Drive-in theater Drive-in theater Wall Drug, Wall, South Dakota and the Black Hills Wall Drug, Wall, South Dakota and the Black Hills Paul Bunyan Amusement Park in Brainerd, Minnesota Paul Bunyan Amusement Park in Brainerd, Minnesota Adventureland.” exotic tropical place” Frontierland was made to relive the pioneer days of the American frontier. Fantasyland was created with the goal to "make dreams come true" from the lyrics of "When You Wish Upon a Star." Tomorrowland was created as a look at the "marvels of the future."

28. Baby Boom - Entertainment Drive-ins Drive-ins One of the largest Drive-In Theaters was the All-Weather Drive-In, Copiague, New York. parking spaces for 2,500 cars. It also had an indoor 1,200 seat viewing area, that was heated and air-conditioned, a playground, a cafeteria, a restaurant with full dinners. A shuttle train that took customers from their cars to the various areas, on the 28 acres. One of the largest Drive-In Theaters was the All-Weather Drive-In, Copiague, New York. parking spaces for 2,500 cars. It also had an indoor 1,200 seat viewing area, that was heated and air-conditioned, a playground, a cafeteria, a restaurant with full dinners. A shuttle train that took customers from their cars to the various areas, on the 28 acres. Many theaters would open the gates as much as 3 hours before the movie would start. This allowed customers to bring the kids early. Many theaters began to serve a wide variety of dinners such as Fried Chicken, Barbecued Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Pizza, etc. A few theater owners even gave the customers the ability to order from their car and have a car hop deliver. To increase sales the intermission trailers were invented. Theaters using these gained increased sales between films. Many theaters would open the gates as much as 3 hours before the movie would start. This allowed customers to bring the kids early. Many theaters began to serve a wide variety of dinners such as Fried Chicken, Barbecued Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Pizza, etc. A few theater owners even gave the customers the ability to order from their car and have a car hop deliver. To increase sales the intermission trailers were invented. Theaters using these gained increased sales between films.

29. Cultural Changes in the 1950’s How was American culture changing during the 1950’s? How was American culture changing during the 1950’s? Recall – How did the automobile industry change in the 1950’s? Recall – How did the automobile industry change in the 1950’s? Summarize – What factors led to America’s boom times of the 1950’s? Summarize – What factors led to America’s boom times of the 1950’s? Evaluate – Why did John Kenneth Galbraith criticize the “affluent society” of postwar America? Evaluate – Why did John Kenneth Galbraith criticize the “affluent society” of postwar America?

30. Cultural Changes in the 1950’s Identify – What population trend began in the 1950’s? Identify – What population trend began in the 1950’s? Analyze – How were Americans pushed toward “sameness” in the 1950’s? Analyze – How were Americans pushed toward “sameness” in the 1950’s? Make Inferences – How do you think the development of the interstate highway system affected railroads? Make Inferences – How do you think the development of the interstate highway system affected railroads?

31. The Art of Rebellion Art in the 1950s stressed rebellion against sameness and conformity. Film stars built images as rebels who defied social norms. James Dean Marlon Brando The 1950s witnessed the emergence of the Beat generation, who took the position of outsiders and rejected social norms. Jack Kerouac Rock and roll represented the rebellion of young people. Elvis Presley

32. Baby Boom - Entertainment Movies Movies Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953) The Amazing Colossal Man (1957) The Amazing Colossal Man (1957) Creature from the Black Lagoon- 1st 3D Movie. Creature from the Black Lagoon- 1st 3D Movie. The Curse of Frankenstein The Curse of Frankenstein The Blob The Blob Invaders from Mars Invaders from Mars Invasion of the Body Snatchers Invasion of the Body Snatchers I Married a Monster from Outer Space I Married a Monster from Outer Space