1. Society & Culture During the Great Depression Section 4

2. Escape Through Entertainment The 30’s was considered the Golden Age for movies & radio 65% of the population were attending the movies once a week Nearly 90% of American households owned a radio Movies & the radio gave people an escape from the depression

3. Movies Comedies, musicals, love stories, and tough gangsters movies got the most attention The escape brought about many stars Movies like “The Wizard of Oz”, “Snow White & the 7 dwarfs”, & Gone with the Wind”, gave people an escape

4. Comedies & Heroes Entertain Popular Comedic stars: –The Marx Brothers –Groucho Hero movies became popular, the underdog succeeding despite the odds –Often on the wrong side of the law because of circumstances people could relate Frank Capra movies with plots that seemed to represent the interests of average Americans instead of the wealth & powerful were very popular –Mr. Smith Goes to Washington –Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

5. The Radio Entertains Radios embodied the democratic spirit of the times Almost every home had one Families spent several hours a day gathered together listening to their favorite programs –Children’s programs (The Lone Ranger) –Sports programs (Seabiscuit Race) –Soap Operas (Guiding Light) –Dramas & Comedies: (The War of the World’s; with Orson Wells producing, directing, and acting in it)

6. Art Reflecting the Times Art & literature reflected the real condition of Depression America Some of the artistic work was grim & sober but most of it had an uplifting message of strength & character New Deal offered aide to art projects (WPA) Artist of the time includedRobert Gwathmey, Edward Hopper, & Diego Rivera “American Gothic” By Grant Wood

7. Art in the Theater & Writers Depict American Life Federal theater projects were developed & gave jobs to artist, actors, & playwrights Books & authors examined the difficulties of life during the 30’s through fiction & poetry Popular & Powerful Books that have stood the test of time were written during this era include –Native Son –Their Eyes were Watching God “The Grapes of Wrath” By John Steinback