About this Video

• Video Title: Film Historian Answers Old Hollywood Questions | Tech Support | WIRED
• Channel: WIRED
• Speakers: Tony Maietta
• Duration: 00:25:17

Introduction

This WIRED video features Hollywood historian Tony Maietta answering viewer questions about classic Hollywood cinema. The video covers a wide range of topics, from iconic lines and the industry's move to Los Angeles to the careers of famous stars like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, and the decline of the Hollywood musical.

Key Takeaways

• The iconic line "I'm ready for my close-up" is from Sunset Boulevard (1950). The line, spoken by Gloria Swanson, is considered one of cinema's greatest last lines.
• The US film industry moved to Los Angeles to escape Thomas Edison's litigious control over film patents. The move also benefited from Southern California's ideal climate and diverse filming locations.
• Hollywood's Golden Age is generally considered to begin around 1927 with the advent of sound. There's also a less-known "second golden age" from around 1968 onward, marked by groundbreaking filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. The pre-code era (roughly 1929-1934) is notable for its more daring and less censored films.
• The studio system's control over actors ended largely in the 1960s. While the system provided guaranteed employment and training, it also led to actors feeling "owned" by studios.
• The Mid-Atlantic accent used by many actors was an artificial construct. It was a blend of dialects used to improve audience understanding in the early days of talkies.
• Marilyn Monroe's legendary status came from a combination of her comedic talent, her unique screen presence ("flesh impact"), and her dedication to improving her acting skills. She took acting classes even at the height of her fame.
• Elizabeth Taylor is considered the last of the classic movie stars, raised within the studio system and maintaining a successful career for decades. She was known for her beauty, talent, and humanitarian work.
• The decline of the Hollywood musical is attributed to rising production costs, a shift in post-war national mood away from innocence, and the rise of television.
• Despite its problematic depiction of slavery, Gone With the Wind remains a classic due to its technical achievements and grandeur. Viewers should consider its historical context when watching.
• Many famous stars of the 1950s and 60s were gay or bisexual, but couldn't publicly reveal their sexuality. Their careers may have depended on maintaining a public image of heterosexual romance.
• The transition from silent films to talkies was difficult for many actors. Some had heavy accents that didn't translate well to sound films, while others found their on-screen personas didn't match their voices. The change also represented a shift in cultural relevance.
• Judy Garland was given amphetamines and sleeping pills by MGM to control her weight while filming The Wizard of Oz. This contributed to her serious drug addiction.
• Shirley Temple was a real child star who saved 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy during the Depression.
• The old Hollywood studio system ended in the late 1960s, following a Supreme Court ruling that forced studios to divest their theater chains and the rise of television.
• Black and white films are not necessarily boring, as exemplified by pre-code films like Babyface (1933).
• Several films are highlighted as being first or highly influential in their genres, including It Happened One Night (screwball comedy), Broadway Melody of 1929 (musical), Dracula (horror), and Citizen Kane (cinematic innovation and narrative structure).
• Charlie Chaplin's impact on cinema goes beyond his star power. He was a singular auteur who controlled nearly every aspect of his filmmaking.
• Silent film stars didn't memorize lines, instead working from scenarios. They might mouth words, but weren't strictly bound to scripts.
• Citizen Kane's lasting fame is attributed to its cinematic innovation, its rebellious spirit, and Orson Welles' genius. It was initially not a box office success.