The Filmmaking Industry In The 1950's

The filmmaking industry would be forever altered in the 1950s, following the results of the Paramount case in 1948. An industry once considered indestructible—having survived the impact of a devastating economic depression and a world war—was no longer the dominant force it once was. The dawn of television in American culture prompted studio executives to take the first steps towards a new Hollywood in the mid-1950s. By investing in term synergies, experimenting with aesthetic enhancements in theaters, and revisiting and revising the Production Code, filmmaking in America once again began to prosper as a result of this industry shakeup (Lewis, 2008). As box office sales plummeted, studios in Hollywood had no choice but to get creative in their approach to competing with the rising force of television. Studio executives soon realized that they could benefit from introducing studio-network relationships into television programming, resulting in a host of studios showcasing their shows on network television (Lewis, 2008). At a time when the networks needed a product that could assist in increasing their ever-growing audience, the studios were now able to promote upcoming studio features and reach an

During this time, Hollywood cinema was still held down by its production code, which originated in the 1930s, essentially banning the production of films that were not considered suitable for all audiences (Lewis, 2008). In spite of this apparent setback, Hollywood began releasing films in defiance of the code in 1953, aiming to attract an audience that may wish to view material not accessible on network television; this was a risk worth taking, as filmmakers soon realized its great potential (Lewis,