ML14-V. THE HOLLYWOOD DREAM FACTORY: A HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS IN THE GOLDEN ERA

The formation of the powerful Hollywood studios turned Hollywood into a worldwide phenomenon. These “factories” included rosters of extremely talented actors, directors, writers, cinematographers, and a whole host of other creative departments that churned out so many wonderful films. During the Golden Era that spanned the late 1920s until the late 1940s, each studio developed its own specific “personality” or style. We will look at each of the major studios: MGM, Paramount, Warner Brothers, RKO, 20th Century Fox, and the minor ones: Columbia, Universal and United Artists. We will watch scenes from many of their great films. We will also learn how they started to lose their grip on the industry that they created.