Hollywood and the Baby Boom: A Social History

The baby boom had a significant impact on Hollywood, as it was the majority of the audience for almost 40 years and has dominated movie production since the 1970s. "Hollywood and the Baby Boom" explores this relationship by interviews with filmmakers, archival research, and memories of filmgoers, demonstrating the boomers' profound influence on the ways movies were made, seen, and understood since the 1950s.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Between 1946 and 1964, a staggering seventy-five million babies were born, dwarfing the generations that preceded and succeeded them. At every stage of its life cycle, the baby booms remarkable size has dictated the terms of national policy and public debate. While various aspects of this history have been well documented, the relationship between the baby boom and Hollywood has remained largely unexplored. However, for nearly forty years, baby boomers have constituted the majority of Hollywoods audience, and since the 1970s, they have dominated movie production. Hollywood and the Baby Boom is a groundbreaking work that weaves together interviews with leading filmmakers, archival research, and the memories of hundreds of ordinary filmgoers to present the full story of Hollywoods relationship with the boomers for the first time. The authors meticulously demonstrate the profound influence of the boomers on the ways that movies have been made, seen, and understood since the 1950s. The result is a compelling and insightful new account that draws upon an unprecedented range of sources, offering fresh perspectives on the history of American cinema.

The baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, marked a significant demographic shift that had a profound impact on society. With a staggering seventy-five million babies born during this period, they dwarfed the generations that preceded and succeeded them. This unprecedented growth led to a surge in the population, which in turn influenced various aspects of national policy and public debate.

One of the most notable effects of the baby boom was on the entertainment industry. The boomers, who were the largest generation in history, had a significant influence on the movies that were produced and consumed. They were the primary audience for Hollywood films, and their preferences and expectations shaped the direction of the industry.

The baby boomers were a diverse group with different interests and values, which translated into a wide range of movie genres and themes. They were drawn to movies that reflected their experiences and values, and this led to the development of new genres such as the teen movie, the action movie, and the comedy. The boomers also had a significant impact on the way that movies were marketed and distributed. They were the first generation to grow up with television, and this led to the development of new marketing strategies that targeted their demographic.

The baby boomers also had a profound influence on the way. The boomers were the first generation to experience the benefits of the post-World War II economic boom, and this led to a sense of affluence and consumerism that was reflected in the movies that were produced. They were also the first generation to experience the social and cultural changes that came with the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement, and the counterculture movement. These movements led to the development of new themes and messages in movies, and they challenged the traditional values and norms of society.

Despite the significant impact of the baby boomers on the entertainment industry, the relationship between Hollywood and the baby boomers has been largely overlooked. This is surprising, considering that the boomers constituted the majority of Hollywoods audience for nearly forty years. However, the boomers have also been criticized for their consumerism and materialism, and this has led to a backlash against them in the media and in popular culture.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in exploring the relationship between Hollywood and the baby boomers. This has led to a new wave of documentaries and films that examine the impact of the boomers on the entertainment industry and society. These works have shed light on the ways that the boomers have influenced the movies that have been made, the way.

Weight: 516g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501353901