Themes in American History

I think the different visual footage other students have posted is amazing since it really captures life in the 1920s–the jazz music, dancing, cigarettes, new role for women as flappers, and fashion. I also wanted to make not of the rise of actors in the 1920s. Most of these rising starts were New Yorkers or from the East Coast. Hollywood was not the cosmopolitan of movie making, but New York was. It wouldn’t be until 1927 that Hollywood really becomes huge. Movies, for the majority, were silent films and black and white. Movies with sound were called “Talkies.” And movie theaters were called “Nickelodeons.” Normally in theaters there would be an organ player to add sound. Especially after  the first World War, this visual entertainment was very appealing, comical and successful. Mickey mouse made it’s first appearance in 1928 in NYC.

Almost a century later, our actors of today are treated much like actors of the 1920s. Individuals such as Mary Pickford, Rudolf Valentino and Charlie Chaplin were paid large salaries and had the opportunity to travel across the world to promote their film.

Here is also a link of Steamboat Willie which was Disney’s first animation (with sound) of Mickey Mouse.

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