Film Studies: Another 5 Wonders of Classic Hollywood

The Classic Hollywood era of the 1930s through to the early 1960s was a period of big studios, big contracts, big glamour and even bigger stars. Genres were clearly defined, big budgets and a sense of escapism was often key – along with scooping up the Awards. An era when the watchful eye of the Hays Office code of censorship ruled, but also an era not without own its prejudices and stereotypes. Our selection covers the high escapism of musical dance numbers featured Swing Time, a closer a look at what Hollywood does when it remakes an existing British thriller in 1944’s Gaslight , Hollywood casting light on theatre stars (and perhaps stereotyping ‘aging actors’) in All About Eve with Witness for the Prosecution allowing for arguably some of the best late-career performances from two of the era’s early stars Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich. Whilst Charade, one described as ‘the greatest Hitchcock movie Hitchcock never made’ arguably show the era taking a ‘quirkier’ cross genre direction away from established formats. We examine a selection of films spanning the rise and decline of this period, charting the themes, conventions and out own points for discussion. Swing Time (1936), Gaslight (1944), Witness for the Prosecution (1957), Charade (1963). East of Eden (1955).