Changes in Culture and Entertainment

This section explores Popular Culture, during the 1950’s.Before the Second World War, it was uncommon for young people to graduate from high school or university. However, in the years that followed, this began to change. With a thriving economy and greater financial security, more children were able to stay in education for longer periods, supported by their parents or families. As a result, the concept of the ‘teenager’ emerged, and young people found themselves with more disposable income and leisure time than previous generations. This shift contributed to a marked change in popular culture, with youth culture beginning to take centre stage in society.

Rock'n'Roll

In the 1950s, rock’n’roll music became a dominant force in American youth culture. What started as rhythm and blues (R&B), a genre primarily performed by African American artists, found a growing audience among white teenagers. The infectious rhythms and danceable beats of R&B resonated with the youth, making it a hugely popular genre.

• Alan Freed, a radio DJ, played a pivotal role in promoting this music. To broaden its appeal, he began playing R&B records but labelled them as ‘rock’n’roll,’ a term that helped bridge the divide between white and black audiences.
• Artists like Chuck Berry and Little Richard, both iconic African American performers, as well as Ritchie Valens, a Hispanic artist, attracted a wider white audience than they had before, thanks to the growing popularity of rock’n’roll.

One of the most influential figures in rock’n’roll was Elvis Presley, who released his first hit song, Heartbreak Hotel, in 1956. Known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis became the most popular and successful music artist in American history. His blend of musical styles, charisma, and rebellious persona captured the imagination of millions, making him a symbol of youth culture in the 1950s.

Television

By 1960, around 87% of American households owned a television set. The affordability of televisions increased as their prices dropped, making them accessible to a wider audience. This development marked the beginning of a new era of entertainment, as TV gradually replaced radio as the primary source of home entertainment and news.

Television had a profound effect on shaping popular culture in the United States. Iconic shows like I Love Lucy and Leave It to Beaver became household staples, portraying idealised versions of family life and helping to shape perceptions of the “American Dream.” These sitcoms presented a vision of happy, suburban families that resonated with many viewers.

Television also helped to unify the country in ways that radio and print media could not. With the majority of Americans tuning into the same television programmes, a new sense of national identity began to emerge. The shared experience of watching television contributed to the creation of a more cohesive, mass-consumed popular culture across the United States.

Films

The rise of television in the 1950s posed a threat to the film industry, which had to adapt in order to remain relevant. To compete with the new medium of TV, cinema owners and filmmakers sought to create more visually striking and immersive experiences.

• Cinemas began showing films in colour and widescreen formats, offering an experience far more vivid and engaging than the small, black-and-white screens in people’s homes. These cinematic innovations aimed to draw people back to the theatres, promising an experience that could not be replicated on television.
• 3D films were another gimmick introduced to make the movie-going experience more thrilling and engaging. These films added an extra layer of excitement, even if the technology was often clunky and short-lived.

The film industry also embraced the notion of the glamorous film star, with figures like Marilyn Monroe embodying the ideal of beauty and femininity. At the same time, rebellious figures like James Dean and Marlon Brando became icons of youth defiance and anti-establishment attitudes, resonating with a generation that was beginning to question societal norms. These actors, along with others, were seen as representations of youth’s desire to break away from tradition and explore new ideas and lifestyles.