pop culture during world war ii how people amused themselves during the war
TRANSCRIPT
Pop Culture During World War II
How people amused themselves during the war
How people amused themselves during the war
Despite the fact that many men and women were serving overseas, people
still made time for leisure activities.
Like now, most of our pop culture was imported from Hollywood or other parts
of the United States.
This slideshow will outline some of the different types of entertainment and some of the entertainers who were
popular at the time.
NEWSREELS
Home televisions were only starting to come into existence in the 1940s so people did not have ready access to
information about the war.
People would have to go to the movies to watch clips from the war known as newsreels. Newsreels were put out by the production companies that put on
shows and gave viewers insight to what was going on overseas.
ANIMATED SHORTS
Another popular feature at the movies was the animated short that played
before the feature.
The animated short made stars out of animated characters such as Bugs Bunny
and Mickey Mouse.
They were also used to spread war propaganda. They encouraged people to
fight for the cause and spread fear of our enemies.
The Blitz Wolf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGQWHqyFQQo
Der Feuhrer’s Face http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYD0Fzf1LU
FEATURE FILMS
During World War II, several films were made about the war itself. Most marked
big events that happened during the war.
Other films were pure escapism and served to help audiences forget the fact that they had friends and family serving overseas or that they had to give things up for the war effort and provided them
with pure enjoyment for a few hours.
Genres of Features
Dramas
Comedies
Musicals
Just like other forms of propaganda, movies were frequently used to drum
up support for the cause.
FAMOUS ACTORS
Clark Gable
Laurence Olivier
Mickey Rooney
James Stewart
Charlie Chaplin
FAMOUS ACTORS
Henry Fonda
Cary Grant
Orson Welles
Humphrey Bogart
Bing Crosby
FAMOUS ACTRESSES
Vivien Leigh
Bette Davis
Greta Garbo
Judy Garland
Greer Garson
FAMOUS ACTRESSES
Ginger Rodgers
Katharine Hepburn
Olivia de Havilland
Ingrid Bergman
Joan Crawford
BEST PICTURE WINNERS DURING THE WAR
Gone With The Windhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq749BpsBTU
Rebeccahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGShusTsWhc
How Green Was My Valleyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7CV9SZovfU
Mrs. Miniverhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpalXumRdRY
Casablancahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wf2sk3CTQU
Going My Wayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecjzal-wlKQ
OTHER SIGNIFICANT MOVIES
Citizen Kanehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyv19bg0scg
The Great Dictatorhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sfJxdytYn4
Yankee Doodle Dandyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTec9v6fjN0
The Wizard of Ozhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkZcYMy85lY
The Grapes of Wrathhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4dNOCu3l5g
The Philadelphia Storyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CtquHsxoZo
ACTORS GO TO WAR
During the war, several actors put their careers on hold and went overseas to
serve in the United States Army.
They served their country well. Some even won medals for bravery.
These actors include;Henry FondaClark Gable
James Stewart
Actors and The USO
The United Service Organizations was founded in 1941. Their focus was to lift spirits through live entertainment of United States troops and their families.
They worked with the Department of Defence and rely on various corporate and individual donors to provide their programs.
Bob Hope USO Showhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2owSx5pOvtY
Actors and The USO
During World War II, the USO became the soldier's "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining
the troops that continues today.
Actors and Actresses who took part in the USO shows include Mickey Rooney,
Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and Bette Davis as well as many others.
MUSIC DURING THE WAR
During World War II the most popular style of music was swing and it
remained the most popular until it was taken over by pop standards sung by
crooners. Big name bands would bring on solo acts to perform with them who would then go on to become famous. Frank Sinatra got his start this way and went on to become the first teen idol
and was popular up until his death decades later.
MUSIC DURING THE WAR (cont...)
Other music that was popular at the time included; pure jazz, be-bop jazz
and country music.
POPULAR MUSICIANS DURING THE WAR
Benny Goodman
Glenn Miller
Bing Crosby
Frank Sinatra
The Andrews Sisters
POPULAR MUSICIANS DURING THE WAR
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday Louis Armstrong
Roy Rodgers Gene Autry
"As Time Goes By", Dooley Wilson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d22CiKMPpaY
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", Andrews Sisters vocalhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pfCFU3Mqww
"Don't Get Around Much Anymore ", Duke Ellington Orch.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Y4U3h1ZzE
"I'll Be Seeing You", Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL60OQLekWQ
“God Bless The Child", Billie Holidayhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKNtP1zOVHw
“Stormy Weather”, Lena Hornehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzLkXdkuhX8
“La Vie en Rose”, Edith Piafhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g4NiHef4Ks
“You Are My Sunshine”, Jimmie Davishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj0GPTEU198
“White Christmas”, Bing Crosbyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yg5g_Xl-uU
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, Judy Garlandhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g4lY8Y3eoo
FASHIONS DURING THE WAR
During the war there was a restriction on certain materials such as rayon, nylon, wool, leather and rubber. Metal that was used for buckles and snaps and embellishments was
also rationed. Finally, there was a limit on how much fabric could be used to make one garment. Despite all of this, the fashion
industry kept coming out with new ideas.
After the Fall of France, Hollywood became the centre for what was fashionable with the
exception of a few trends coming out of England in 1944 and 1945.
FASHIONS DURING THE WAR
When rationing was in full force, it was more important for clothing to be functional than
fashionable.
Floral prints seem to dominate the early 1940s, with the mid-to-late 1940s also seeing what is sometimes referred to as "atomic prints" or geometric patterns and shapes. The color of fashion seemed to even go
to war, with patriotic nautical themes and dark greens and khakis dominating the color palates, as trousers and wedges slowly replaced the dresses and more traditional heels due to shortages in stockings and
gasoline.
