During the Great Depression, a time of need and despair, there were still ways to keep the masses entertained. The radio’s importance during this time greatly increased. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chats” reached out to many American families while in the mornings and afternoons, there were soap operas that were had similar themes to reality, the despair, making listeners forget about their own problems and felt less alone. (pg 207)
Another type of entertainment also became extremely popular and important during this time, the movies. At reduced prices, the movie theaters that weren’t closed down offered many different movies like Dracula, Gone with the Wind, etc. They had raffles and sneak previews and ladies’ nights to encourage attendance. (pg 208)
So even though it was a time of despair and woe, entertainment was able to comfort and provide an escape for many American families.
