Between 1952 and 1971, the film industry went through various changes and rapidly grew through the advent of new, more modern technologies. There were also a lot of events in American society that helped shape and change the film industry as well. By 1952, movies were now filmed mostly in color. The silent picture gave way to “talkies,” however there were many troubles with getting the right audio levels on set. (Remember the microphone hiding in the bushes?) The invention of the boom mic helped balance out the sound and allowed actors more freedom and flexibility to roam the set worry free from the audio woes of the past. Directors such as Alfred Hitchcock incorporated suspense, never before thought of camera angles and usage, and an editing style made of legend.
During this time, America became deeply involved in the space race with the Soviet Union, and the fantasy of space travel took off on the big screen as well. Sci-Fi was born. Sci-Fi was unlike anything anyone had seen before. It allowed the audience to be immersed in a fantasy world, away from all of the distractions and problems outside the theatre, if only for 90 minutes.
The 50’s also saw the birth of the Hollywood star. Marylin Monroe and James Dean became the definition of Hollywood glam, and Americans became fascinated with the lives of their favorite movie stars.
The 60’s were a time of great change in America. With the civil rights riots in the south, the assassinations of JFK and Dr. King, along with a new generation known as the hippies, the 60’s were an action packed decade. The most popular movies at that time were the “beach blanket bingo” type movies as well as the James Bond spy movie series. The swingin’ 60’s were in full effect.
Towards the end of the 60's heading into the new decade, one of my favorite directors, Stanley Kubrick produced the ultimtate in Cinerama and science fiction in the 1968 classic "2001: A Space Odyssey.
