Backwards in High Heels Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide

GOLDEN
Throughout the Golden Age, most Hollywood fi lms fell into clearly defi ned
categories: western, slapstick comedy, musical, horror, animated cartoon,
biopic (biographical picture), etc. Though formulaic, the public clamored to
see the myriad of fi lms released, especially the uplifting fi lms and musicals
that were popular escapism during the Great Depression. Exact numbers are
uncertain, but it is estimated that in the late twenties and early thirties, 90
million people went to the movies weekly (including repeat attendees). That
number dropped during the worst years of the Great Depression, though is still
estimated at an astounding 60 million despite the economic hardships
the country was facing.
In addition to the “Big Five” studios there were also the “Little Three” which included
Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and United Artists.
Backwards in High Heels
The studio era of Hollywood history meant that stars were contracted
with a particular studio, outlining the actors’ responsibilities and
the number of fi lms they were required to make. Incomes and
choice of roles were limited for actors compared to today’s open
market approach to fi lm production. Thus, during the Golden Age,
audiences could usually guess which studio made which fi lm based
on the actors who appeared in it. For example, MGM claimed it had
contracted "more stars than there are in heaven.” MGM boasted such
stars as Clark Gable, Lionel Barrymore, Jean Harlow, Norma Shearer, Greta Garbo, Jeanette
MacDonald and husband Gene Raymond, Spencer Tracy, Judy Garland, and Gene Kelly during
the Golden Age.
Many fi lm historians have remarked upon the many great works
of cinema that emerged from this period of highly regimented
fi lm-making. One reason this was possible is that, with so many
movies being made, not every one had to be a big hit. A studio
could gamble on a medium-budget feature with a good script
and relatively unknown actors: Citizen Kane, directed by Orson
A movie still from Citizen Kane Welles and often regarded as the greatest fi lm of all time, fi ts
that description. In other cases, strong-willed directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Frank Capra
battled the studios in order to achieve their artistic visions. The apogee of the studio system
may have been the year 1939, which saw the release of such classics as The Wizard of Oz,
Gone with the Wind (still the most successful fi lm of all time when numbers are adjusted
for infl ation), Stagecoach, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wuthering Heights, Only Angels
Have Wings, Ninotchka, and Midnight. Other fi lms from the Golden Age period that are now
considered to be classics include Casablanca, It's a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night,
the original King Kong, Mutiny on the Bounty, City Lights, Red River and Top Hat.
Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 15