chapter 27 postwar america section 3 popular culture of the 1950s
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 27Postwar America
Section 3
Popular Culture of the 1950s
The New Mass Media
• The popularity of television increased as it became more affordable.
• 1946 – 7,000 to 8,000 sets in the U.S.
• 1957 – 40 million
• Advertising and sporting events became more common.
Television - 1946
Television - 1957
Popular TV
• Ed Sullivan’s variety show Toast of the Town provided a mix of comedy, popular song, dance, and acrobatics.
Popular TV
• 1956 – the quiz show Twenty-One caused an uproar after it was discovered that many of the show’s contestants were given the answers prior to the show.
Hollywood Adapts to the Times
• With the increase in television, the movie industry lost viewers.
• They tried many things to lure people to the theater, including 3-D glasses and cinemascope.
• Cinemascope – movies shown on large panoramic screens
1950s 3-D Glasses
Radio Draws Them In
• Radio had to try to attract listeners as well.
• They began using recorded music, news talk shows, weather, public-service programming, and shows for specific audiences.
The New Youth Culture
• Young Americans rebelled against the conformist ideals and looked to controversial styles in music and literature.
Rock ‘n’ Roll
• 1951 – Alan Freed gained permission from his manager to play African American rhythm and blues on the radio.
• Listeners loved it, and white artists were copying the sound to form a new style called rock ‘n’ roll.
Alan Freed
Elvis Presley
• 1956 – Became the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
• Very popular with teens, but parents disliked the music.
• Several cities banned rock music.
• This led to the generation gap, or cultural separation b/w children and parents.
Elvis
The Beats
• Mostly white artists which highlighted the values gap that existed in the U.S.
• 1957 – Jack Kerouac published On The Road which described freewheeling adventures with a car thief and a con artist.
Jack Kerouac
African American Entertainers
• Most were shut out by tv.
• A.A. rock ‘n’ roll singers had an easier time gaining acceptance.
• Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, and Little Richard recorded hit songs.
Chuck Berry
Ray Charles
Little Richard
African American Women
• The Crystals, the Chiffons, and the Shirelles, paved the way for future women’s groups.
The Crystals
The Chiffons
The Shirelles
End of Section 3
Next: Section 4
The Other Side of Life