1. Chapter 19 Section 3 Notes Entertainment in the 1950s

2. The History of Television
Became available to buy in late 1920s
Super expensive, tubes were tiny
Depression slowed growth a lot
Very limited, sporadic programming until after WWII.
Only 2 – 3 hrs of programming per week until 1949.
Special events (1948 Olympics, Boxing) and News
Funded by Businesses advertising products
COMMERCIALS!

3. TV Expands Rapidly in the 1950s
In 9% of U.S. homes by 1950 (prices go down, tubes get bigger)
Regular programming starts about this time
I Love Lucy
The Mickey Mouse Club
News, westerns, dramas, kids shows, etc…
Known as the “Golden Age of Television”
In 55% of U.S. homes by 1954
TV Guide became most popular “magazine”
Most Newspapers and Magazines decrease in popularity
TV Dinners become popular
Game shows become popular for awhile
Scandal decreases popularity (“Rigged” show)
In 90% of U.S. homes by 1960
Advertisers spend $2 billion on commercials
10 times more than in 1950

4. Stereotypes, Sexism, and Racism perpetuated on TV in the 1950s
All families were “traditional”
Most women were homemakers
3 times more male characters
All white males in the 19th century
West were Cowboys
All Native Americans
portrayed as “Indians”
African and Mexican Americans
didn’t exist.
Maybe in the background
or as minor characters

5. Radio in the 1950s Certain Stations Target Specific Audiences
increased in popularity
more stations
more ads
Why?
Automobiles
Teenagers fascination with
Rock n Roll
What was on?
news, weather, music, sports
less “shows”
Certain Stations Target Specific Audiences
By Age, Gender, Race
Blacks less likely to have TV (less $$$)
Advertise and Program specifically for them

6. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Gov. Agency Created in 1934
Expands big-time in 50s
Regulates Phone, Radio, TV, and Internet
Issues licenses to companies to provide these
Example: 500 TV Stations by mid 50s
Can limit costs businesses charge people
Monitors Bad language, violence, nudity, etc…
Promotes Competition

7. Movies in the 1950s
decreased in popularity by 50% compared to late 1940s
Why?
rather watch TV at home (new)
Why would people choose movies?
They were bigger
50% were in color (TV wasn’t until 1960s)
Stereo sound (TV wasn’t until 1970s)
Gimmicks movies tried to attract audiences
Having theaters smell like events on the screen
3D glasses

8. Questioning What’s “Normal”
Some didn’t like all of the conformity in U.S.
On TV, in advertisements, in corporate America
Beat Movement emerges
Artists, Poets, Writers, Musicians
Many in SF and NY
Becomes popular in late 60s
Hippies (chapter 23)
Works & Values Clash with Mainstream Values
Alternative religions & music
Many used Drugs
Looked Different
Didn’t work a regular job
Drifted around U.S.
Bob Dylan
And
Allen Ginsberg

9. 2 Most Influencial Beat Authors
Kerouac

10. Allen Ginsberg Wrote Howl Challenged norms
Best minds not:
Doctors
Gov. Officials
Scientists
Best minds were:
“Drop Outs”
Artists/Musicians
Has Bad Language, Sex, Drug Use
Challenged Obscenity Laws

11. Jack Kerouac Wrote On The Road Challenged Norms
Don’t settle down
Don’t lead boring, normal life
Travel… Experience Life
Alcohol, Drugs, Music, Sex, etc…

12. The History of Rock n Roll
Electronic instruments (mainly guitars) get added to different types of traditional music in the early 50’s
Mostly Blues and Jazz
Some Country and Folk
Alan Freed
Cleveland radio DJ that began playing the music regularly
Audience was mostly young and white (lyrics about dating, cars, teen problems)
Adults hate it
Musicians were mostly black
Freed labels it “rock ‘n’ roll”
Grows in popularity
more stations play it

13. Rock n Roll Firsts
Does not become mainstream until white musicians begin playing it
1st Song to become #1 on Billboard Chart
Rock Around the Clock (1954)
Bill Haley and the Comets
1st Rock n Roll Star
Elvis Presley “The King” (1st song in1956)
15 #1 songs (between 1956 – 1959)
Became Movie Star too
The full body shot (above left) of Elvis 1st appearing on the Ed Sullivan TV Show didn’t air because when he moved around on stage it was considered too sexual and inappropriate. They only showed Elvis from the waist up (above right)

14. Other Musicians
Chuck Berry’s Johnny B Good was recorded in Michael J Fox immortalized it in Back to the Future
Little Richard had 18 top 10 singles in the 1950s and influenced many musicians, including the Beatles
Johnny Cash (top right) infused traditional country music with electronic guitar and had 2 top 10 songs in 1955, Folsom Prison Blues and Walk the Line. The later was the title of a movie (top left) about his life.

15. Jerry Lee Lewis performing the most famous rock n roll song of all time featuring a piano… Great Balls of Fire. He used to bust or burn his piano on stage to end performances
Ray Charles (left) also played piano. Blinded by an accident as a child throughout his life, songs like “I’ve Got a Woman” and “Hit the Road Jack” resonated with many. Jamie Foxx (right) portrayed him in a movie about his life.
Many of these musicians had problems with alcohol, drugs, women, and/or fame. They tended to reject praise from critics while maintaining appeal from fans.