Question 1

Which 21st-century movie star best matches James Cagney's allure?

Accepted Answer

Out of the four options given, Leonardo DiCaprio best matches James Cagney's allure as both actors have proven their versatility in playing tough, charismatic roles with a raw edge. Both have also been successful in a range of genres, from crime dramas to romantic comedies.

Question 2

Which genre is defined by its collective experience (rather than narrative or stylistic parts) of manipulating our sympathies and antipathies by showing us a reality where we don't always get what we deserve?

Accepted Answer

Melodrama is defined by its collective experience of manipulating sympathies and antipathies by showing a reality where characters do not always get what they deserve. The genre typically centers around interpersonal conflicts and emotions, with a heavy emphasis on exaggerated emotions and heightened situations. Horror, gangster, and musical genres do not necessarily have this defining characteristic.

Question 3

Which 21st-century film would best match Warner Bros.'s unique style and brand?

Accepted Answer

Warner Bros. is known for producing gritty, intense, and often crime-related films. "The Departed," a crime thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, aligns well with Warner Bros.'s style and brand.

Question 4

Which studio chief implemented a "supervisory system" at MGM, a system in which employees at every level were supervised by middle management and became the model for the contract era at large?

Accepted Answer

Irving Thalberg was the studio chief who implemented the "supervisory system" at MGM, which involved middle management supervising employees at every level. This system became a model for the contract era in Hollywood.

Question 5

This genre deals directly with the social problems of Depression-era America and often focuses on recent immigrants who find themselves on the road to violent ruin because of the dangers of capitalism.

Accepted Answer

This genre is most accurately described as the gangster genre, which often featured stories of immigrants who turned to a life of crime due to economic and social pressures during the Great Depression. The gangster genre typically depicted the dangers of capitalism and the often violent consequences of pursuing the American Dream through criminal means.

Question 6

Name the actress who ultimately successfully challenged the exclusive contract system, resulting in the rise of talent agents and a shift toward independent contract labor.

Accepted Answer

Olivia de Havilland sued Warner Bros. in 1943 to challenge the studio's practice of binding actors to long-term and restrictive contracts. With the landmark ruling of the case, known as the "De Havilland Law," actors gained greater freedom and flexibility by being able to work with multiple studios and agents.

Question 7

Name the male star who walked off a set at Warner Bros.and demanded more money, fewer assignments, and an end to being typecast.

Accepted Answer

James Cagney walked off the set of Warner Bros. and demanded more money, fewer assignments, and an end to being typecast.

Question 8

Name the studio whose style was synonymous with sound, gritty realism, and gangster films.

Accepted Answer

Warner Bros. was known for their gritty and realistic style that was often associated with gangster films. They also developed a reputation for their use of sound in films, being one of the first studios to fully embrace talkies.

Question 9

Which of the following terms best describe the representation of the gangster in American film?

Accepted Answer

The representation of the gangster in American film has been characterized by all of these terms at different points in cinematic history. Initially, gangsters were often depicted as romantic figures, dashing and charismatic but ultimately doomed by their criminal lifestyle. Over time, the portrayal of gangsters shifted to focus on their immigrant backgrounds and struggles, particularly during the height of immigration in the early 20th century. More recently, gangsters have been portrayed as ruthless capitalists, motivated solely by money and power. Therefore, all of the choices are applicable to the representation of gangsters in American film.

Question 10

In the 1930s, which studio's "brand" or "style" was typically identified with quality prestige pictures, some written by prestigious literary talents?

Accepted Answer

MGM's "brand" or "style" in the 1930s was typically identified with quality prestige pictures, some written by prestigious literary talents. MGM was known for their lavish productions and prestigious casts, which made them one of the most successful studios of the era.

Question 11

Name the star who was often typecast as the spoiled, stubborn, selfish woman.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Name the star who was often typecast...

Question 12

Name the man who was responsible for overseeing the Production Code Administration and whose tenure there became synonymous with the self-censorship of the Hollywood Golden Age.

Accepted Answer

Joseph Breen is known for his role as the head of the Production Code Administration, where he was instrumental in enforcing the Hollywood Production Code, leading to a period of self-censorship in the film industry during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Question 13

Which 21st-century movie star best matches Bette Davis's allure?

Accepted Answer

Jennifer Lawrence has a similar range as Bette Davis, excelling in both dramatic and comedic roles. She has also earned critical acclaim and multiple awards, similar to Davis.

Question 14

The road to self-censorship via Will Hays and the Production Code Administration was a long and complicated one.What ultimately led to the adoption of the Production Code in 1934?

Accepted Answer

Organized boycotts by the Catholic Legion of Decency played a significant role in the adoption of the Production Code in 1934. The Legion threatened to organize a boycott of films they deemed immoral or offensive, and their influence led to the establishment of the Production Code Administration, which enforced the code's rigid standards of morality on films released by major studios. While Will Hays's earlier list of "Don'ts" and "Be Carefuls" was a step towards self-censorship, and the release of scandalous films like Mae West's She Done Him Wrong may have contributed to public outcry, it was ultimately the power of organized boycotts that led to the adoption of the Production Code. There was no intervention by the federal government via a Supreme Court ruling.

Question 15

How did actress Lucille Fay LeSeur get her stage name of Joan Crawford?

Accepted Answer

MGM held a nationwide contest to decide her name, which was part of a rebranding effort when she started her career in Hollywood.

Question 16

Which 21st-century American film would be considered a gangster film?

Accepted Answer

"Eastern Promises" (2007), directed by David Cronenberg, is a gangster film that delves into the violent, criminal underworld of the Russian Mafia in London.

Question 17

Which 21st-century film would best match the brand established by MGM?

Accepted Answer

MGM is known for classic and historical films, such as Gone with the Wind and Ben-Hur. Lincoln, a biographical drama about the 16th President of the United States, would align with MGM's established brand.

Question 18

Name the production executive who started off as a screenwriter (who could turn out two scripts a month!) and eventually established the Warner Bros.studio brand via the gangster genre film.

Accepted Answer

Darryl Zanuck was a prolific screenwriter before becoming a key figure in the development of the Warner Bros. studio, where he played a significant role in establishing the studio's brand with the gangster genre film.

Question 19

Which genre was ultimately squashed by the Production Code Administration due to its ties to real-life headlines?

Accepted Answer

The gangster genre was ultimately squashed by the Production Code Administration due to its ties to real-life headlines, particularly the rise of organized crime in the 1930s. The portrayal of violence and criminal behavior in gangster films was seen as glorifying these illegal activities and potentially inspiring copycat behavior. As a result, the Production Code enforced strict guidelines on the depiction of crime in films, effectively ending the popularity of gangster movies for many years.

Question 20

Melodramas often deal with which of the following attributes?

Accepted Answer

Melodramas are known for addressing larger social and political arguments about race, class, and sexuality. They often feature exaggerated emotions, stereotypical characters, and moral conflicts that reflect the concerns and anxieties of their time period. While some melodramas may also include elements of violence, the settling of the American frontier, or show business, these are not as central to the genre as social and political issues. Scientific knowledge is also not typically a major focus of melodramas.

Quiz 3: Technical Innovation and Industrial Transformation, 1927-1938