What Was The Most Popular Musical Of The 1930s?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Some of the most popular musical movies that were released during the 1930s include Bright Lights (1930), 42nd Street (1933), The Gay Divorcee (1934), Top Hat (1935), Showboat (1936), Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938), The Wizard of Oz (1939), and Babes In Arms (1939).

Why were musicals popular in the 1930s?

The emergence of the movie musical in the 1930’s was important in two respects—it created a whole new genre of film, while giving the suffering citizenry a way to escape their troubles , whether it be singing about animal crackers with Shirley Temple or following the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy.

What musicals came out in the 30s?

  • Prince of Pilsen, The (R), 1/13/1930, Jolson, 16.
  • Strike Up the Band, 1/14/1930, Times Square, 191.
  • Chocolate Soldier, The (R), 1/27/1930, Jolson, 25.
  • Sari (R), 1/29/1930, Liberty, 15.
  • Ripples, 2/11/1930, New Amsterdam, 55.
  • Nine-Fifteen Revue (Revue), 2/11/1930, Cohan, 7.

What studio is known for musicals in the 1930s?

Warner Bros. , the studio where the musical began, was known for its hard-driving social dramas and gangster movies. That sense of reality also infused some of its musicals, such as Gold Diggers of 1933.

What was musical Theatre like in the 1930s?

During the 1930s, around 400 musicals and musical films were presented, with successful stage shows adapted for films including the world-famous Ziegfeld Follies . Many of the top stars, jazz and swing performers were soon appearing in films – Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Ethel Merman, Marlene Dietrich and many more.

Who was a famous singer in the 1930s?

Some of the best musicians ever born had their heyday in the 1930s. No one will ever forget the sweet sounds of Louie Armstrong, or the beautiful voice of Billie Holiday . Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Judy Garland were all at the top of their game and the charts.

What was popular in the 1930s?

Despite the Great Depression, popular culture flourished in the United States in the 1930s. ... Next to jazz, blues, gospel, and folk music , swing jazz became immensely popular in the 1930s. Radio, increasingly easily accessibly to most Americans, was the main source of entertainment, information, and political propaganda.

Which musical was the first to win an Academy Award?

Going My Way (1944)

Those two priests are the up-and-comer, played by Bing Crosby, and the old guard, played by Barry Fitzgerald. It holds the distinction of winning at the 17th Academy Awards in 1945, which was the first time the Academy Awards were broadcasted nationally. So, it has that going for it.

Has Wizard of Oz been on Broadway?

The Wizard of Oz was first turned into a musical extravaganza by Baum himself. A loose adaptation of his 1900 novel (there is no Wicked Witch or Toto, and there are some new characters), it first played in Chicago in 1902 and was a success on Broadway the following year.

What was one major Hollywood studios of the 1930s?

  • Paramount: Bing Crosby & Mae West.
  • Goldwyn: Eddie Cantor.
  • Universal: Deanna Durbin.
  • 20th Century Fox: Three Blondes.
  • Disney: Feature Length Animation.
  • MGM: Upping The Game.

What is a Hollywood musical?

Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative , sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film’s characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate “production numbers.”

What were the five major Hollywood studios of the 1930s?

Golden Age of Hollywood

Under the all-controlling studio system of the era, five movie studios known as the “Big Five” dominated: Warner Brothers, RKO, Fox, MGM and Paramount . Smaller studios included Columbia, Universal and United Artists.

How did the Great Depression affect musical Theatre?

The Great Depression had an enormous impact on theatre across the United States. Productions decreased dramatically, audiences shrank, and talented writers, performers, and directors fled the industry to find work in Hollywood .

What child star had the most influence on the musical genre during the Great Depression?

Shirley Temple was an American actress and public official who was an internationally popular child star of the 1930s, best known for sentimental musicals. Temple’s popularity was partly seen as a response to the Great Depression.

What happened on Broadway during the Great Depression?

During the Great Depression, Broadway distracts audiences with escapism, while also offering political commentary and social engagement . ... The depression hits the New York theater; many legitimate theaters close or are renovated as movie theaters, which are less financially risky to run.

What was the #1 song in 1930?

Rank Song 1 Happy Days Are Here Again Ben Selvin ► 2 Puttin’ on the Ritz Harry Richman ► 3 Ten Cents a Dance Ruth Etting ► 4 The Peanut Vendor Don Azpiazu & his Havana Casino Orchestra ►
Emily Lee
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Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.