Today, Hollywood is the centre for industrial film-making and has been for decades. America was a pioneer in the distribution of films to a wide audience, with some of the first advances into movies with sound.
During the Second World War, America only joined in 1917, three years after the start of conflict. This gave a distinct advantage in the line of cinema production, as those three years could be used to create films, while other European counterparts were occupied in fighting a war. Money also came pouring into the US economy as arms could be sold to other countries, which became apparent when comparing the quality of US films to those from other countries.
Other advantages included the fact that America spoke the more universal language of English, so American films appealed to a wider audience, and didn’t include a mixture of languages and accents.
In the earliest days of the American film industry, New York was the centre of film-making. People began moving west in order to avoid the fees imposed by Thomas Edison, who owned patents on the movie-making process. California was found to be an ideal spot for filming, with better year-round weather, large open spaces and more varied landscape.
Once established as the centre of film production in America, Hollywood could only grow bigger. Studios and offices were built in abundance allowing future production to be made with ease. The use of the studio system technique of film production was dominant in the 1920s through the 1950s. It involved studios producing movies primarily on their own filmmaking lots with creative personnel often under long-term contract and also pursuing ownership or effective control of distributors and movie theaters, guaranteeing additional sales of films through manipulative techniques. They could also sign a star so that they could only act in movies made by a particular studio. However, a 1948 Supreme Court ruling against those distribution and exhibition practices bid the end of the studio system.
The “Big 5” studios were RKO, Warner Bros, Parmount, MGM and 20th Century Fox. There were also the “Little 3” who were Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures and United Artists.
Monday 28 September 2009
Sunday 27 September 2009
What Makes a Great Gangster Movie?
Gangster films have been a key genre in cinema as early as the 1920’s, and have made a huge impact on the industry and popular culture with films such as The Godfather and Goodfellas amongst others. Over the years, the genre has acquired a number of qualities that are expected to be included in order to make the perfect story of crime.
A gangster is a criminal who is part of an organisation or gang and so crime and the general darker traits of society are vital elements in the film. The story revolves around the protagonist’s life in this underworld and all the murder, robbery and lawbreaking along the way. Often the storylines feature conflict with the law and rival gangs, aspects of real-life gangster’s lives or the personal issues faced by a mob member.
The protagonist can fall into a number of categories but most are street-smart, smooth talkers who will stop at nothing to obtain wealth and power. They are generally anti-hero’s with some being ruthless killers with no regard for human life, while others have some redeeming qualities and are more sympathetic and merciful in their climb up the mob ladder. Most films chronicle the rise and fall of a particular individual or group, showcasing the glory while at the top and then the hardship at rock-bottom. The ultimate message sent by many gangster films is that crime doesn’t pay.
The style of many of the films in the genre is similar with a dark, noir type atmosphere created through the use of cinematography and the camera lens. There is also a strong Italian influence involved as the origins of the mafia are in Italy. The setting generally involves more run-down and deprived areas but can include high-end, richer regions, especially during the prosperous periods in the gangster’s life. Clothing usually involves pin-striped suits and hats, representing the business like ways of the mob.
In terms of content the woman involved are often major plot points. Whilst usually being secondary characters that simply live to serve their husband, they can be important as to representing the tolls taken by the families of mob members and the general attitude towards woman from gangsters. The sense of family and community is also integral to films of the genre. Violence and its explicit representation are also often present, showing the violent nature of the business and adding a realistic touch.
A gangster is a criminal who is part of an organisation or gang and so crime and the general darker traits of society are vital elements in the film. The story revolves around the protagonist’s life in this underworld and all the murder, robbery and lawbreaking along the way. Often the storylines feature conflict with the law and rival gangs, aspects of real-life gangster’s lives or the personal issues faced by a mob member.
The protagonist can fall into a number of categories but most are street-smart, smooth talkers who will stop at nothing to obtain wealth and power. They are generally anti-hero’s with some being ruthless killers with no regard for human life, while others have some redeeming qualities and are more sympathetic and merciful in their climb up the mob ladder. Most films chronicle the rise and fall of a particular individual or group, showcasing the glory while at the top and then the hardship at rock-bottom. The ultimate message sent by many gangster films is that crime doesn’t pay.
The style of many of the films in the genre is similar with a dark, noir type atmosphere created through the use of cinematography and the camera lens. There is also a strong Italian influence involved as the origins of the mafia are in Italy. The setting generally involves more run-down and deprived areas but can include high-end, richer regions, especially during the prosperous periods in the gangster’s life. Clothing usually involves pin-striped suits and hats, representing the business like ways of the mob.
In terms of content the woman involved are often major plot points. Whilst usually being secondary characters that simply live to serve their husband, they can be important as to representing the tolls taken by the families of mob members and the general attitude towards woman from gangsters. The sense of family and community is also integral to films of the genre. Violence and its explicit representation are also often present, showing the violent nature of the business and adding a realistic touch.
Monday 21 September 2009
Angels With Dirty Faces
Angels With Dirty Faces is a 1938 gangster film directed by Michael Curtiz starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and Humphrey Bogart.
It tells the story of Rocky Sullivan, a gangster, who as a child was arrested for burglary while his friend Jerry only managed to escape due to Rocky helping him up off a train track. As Rocky spiralled into a life of crime, Jerry became a priest.
The film represents the two paths people can walk down as kids as one simple event can alter their entire future. Caught in between these two paths are a group of kids or the "angels with dirty faces".
It tells the story of Rocky Sullivan, a gangster, who as a child was arrested for burglary while his friend Jerry only managed to escape due to Rocky helping him up off a train track. As Rocky spiralled into a life of crime, Jerry became a priest.
The film represents the two paths people can walk down as kids as one simple event can alter their entire future. Caught in between these two paths are a group of kids or the "angels with dirty faces".
Goodfellas
Goodfellas is a 1990 gangster film directed by Martin Scorsese and adapted from the novel "Wiseguy" written by Nicholas Pileggi.
It tells the story of Henry Hill, a real life mobster, from his upbringing to his later life. Hill is portrayed by Ray Liotta while Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci make up some of the supporting cast. Pesci won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance, the only award the film went home with on the night out of it's six nominations.
The film is generally narrated by Liotta with some further narration given by Loraine Bracco who plays Karen Hill, Henry's wife. It demonstrates the highs and lows of life in he mafia and the impact that the lifestyle has on members families.
It recieved high critical acclaim upon its release and still today is viewed in very high regards and is considered a "classic".
It tells the story of Henry Hill, a real life mobster, from his upbringing to his later life. Hill is portrayed by Ray Liotta while Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci make up some of the supporting cast. Pesci won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance, the only award the film went home with on the night out of it's six nominations.
The film is generally narrated by Liotta with some further narration given by Loraine Bracco who plays Karen Hill, Henry's wife. It demonstrates the highs and lows of life in he mafia and the impact that the lifestyle has on members families.
It recieved high critical acclaim upon its release and still today is viewed in very high regards and is considered a "classic".
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Goodfellas Trailer
Why not check out the trailer for Martin Scorsese's 1990 film, chronicling three decades of life in the Mafia!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5jJpHtI1Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo5jJpHtI1Y
Angels With Dirty Faces Trailer
Why not check out the trailer for this classic 1938 gangster film!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLVB3ukGVTk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLVB3ukGVTk
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