Movie Experience in the 1920s

Films really blossomed in the 1920's. Most US film production at the start of the decade occurred in or near Hollywood, on the west coast. By the mid twenties movies were big business. In the years 1920 to 1930 there were an average of 800 films per years, now a days its amazing for us to reach 500 films per year. Thought most of the decade, silent films were the predominate product of the film industry. As time was passing films were becoming longer and more polished. Hollywood was organized into various components like writing, costuming, makeup, etc. Even the earliest films were organized into genres or types. The genres were pretty much the same as todays.



This relates to the Great Gatsby because back than it was really expensive to watch movies and in the book the main characters were rich and they could have afforded it. Gatsby and all the other characters could have watched movies about people cheating and that could have sent them a message that it was OK to cheat. That's why they all cheated in each other.

Dancing Styles of the 1920s

In the 1920’s new kinds of dancing evolved along with the new jazz and blues music. The new music and dances were fast-paced and energetic. They were one type of an escape from the horror of war. Ragtime was very popular at this period and even before the war. This dance was fast-paced, therefore it flourished. Old favorites like the Waltz and the Foxtrot remain very popular due to the people writing books about the dancing style. Dances like the Tango and Charleston boosted their popularity because popular movie stars were dancing then. The new generation of dances involved swaying, hugging, and grinding to the new rhythms in dances. These new dances were mostly popular to the younger generation, since the older generations was more conservative. New styles of blues dancing inspired many choreographers and dance teachers.

Major Figures in the Jazz Age

Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. he became one of the most influential artist in the history of jazz music. He was recognized as one of the greatest figures in jazz. His career was over 50 years. Duke was a leader in his orchestra, he composed song book, scoring for movies, and world tours.
Louis Armstrong was a n American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans. He came into prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet player. Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the musics focus from collective improvisation to solo performers, with his distinctive gravelly voice. Armstrong was also a influential singer demonstrating great dexterity.

Other major figures in jazz music

• George Gershwin
• Richard Tauber
• Erving Berlin
• Eddie Cantor
• Rudy Vallee

Jazz Age (A)

Jazz is a music genre that originated in the early 20th century, in African American communities. It originated in the southern United States, from an influence of African and European music traditions. From its development jazz has included music from the 19th and 20th century American Popular music. Its mostly popular for its west African flavor, which was blue notes, improvisation, polyrythems, syncopassion, and swung note. The word jazz began as a slang term in the west coast and was first used to refer to music in Chicago in 1915. Since the development in the 20th century jazz has introduced a variety of sub genres, some examples are Dixieland, Big Band Style, Bebop, latin jazz fusion, and acid jazz.



In my opinion, jazz music influenced all the characters in the book The Great Gatsby. When Gatsby would have his big and aristocratic parties, they were probably listening to jazz music. Jazz music was developed in the 20Th century, which was about the same time when this book took place. The people in the party were probably dancing some of the styles that jazz offered in it's tune.