The 1900’s-1920’s was a very significant and exciting time period for America. New ideas and inventions started to flourish throughout the country, including the invention of the automobile and the radio which made national headlines at the time. It was a time period of freedom and individuality not only for the general public but for the film industry as well. Many innovative revolutionary equipment vital for the film industry was introduced. Technology including the first zoom and the focusing lens allowed the expansion for creativity for filming companies and its actors. By the year 1915, almost sixty percent of all US film making was due to the film industry booming throughout the Los Angeles and Hollywood area (Dirks Film History of 1920’s)
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One of the many main conflicts was the rivalry between William (Bill) Canfield and John James King and their beloved steamboats. The rivalry between these two men to determine which steamboat was better represents the growing and ongoing battle between the automobile companies at the time of the films production. During the 1920’s, three huge automotive companies became known as “The Big Three.” These giant companies included Ford, Chrysler and General Motors (The Age of Automobiles) Following the announcement of Ford’s revolutionary Model T, auto companies began to increase their productions by trying to compete with Ford. Furthermore, Ford almost always out beat the competitor’s due to their convenient and affordable prices suited for middle class families. This led to Ford’s popularity to increase by 1925. Nevertheless, Chrysler upgraded their sales by lowing their prices and ended up leading the automobile industry shortly after in the years 1927-1928 (Automobiles) The competition between these giant automobile companies definitely served as an idea to incorporate the conflict between the steamboats in Steamboat Bill Jr. Since this constant rivalry between machines of transport was already familiar to America during the 1920’s, it helped for familiarity for audiences throughout the films …show more content…
During the 1920’s, education began to strikingly increase. With the help of new machines, everyday chores were easily finished and there was more time for people to receive educations. New subjects were taught in schools which allowed diversity and creativity to enter the classrooms ('Roaring Twenties' a Time of Economic and Social Change) Consequentially, the increase in students attending school allowed for their preparation for better occupations. In the film, this is evidently presented through the protagonist, William Canfield Jr, which has just arrived to Mississippi from his college in Boston to visit his father. It is believed that Buster Keaton is very famous among middle class audiences, so a character with some college level knowledge would be very appropriate for the film. Not only does Buster Keaton’s film acknowledge the educational system of the 1920’s, it also offers the concept of small towns and the construction of big cities during the twentieth century. As the massive industrialization of cities began to arise, more people moved out of rural areas for employment opportunities (Where to Live in the 1920's) This concept is very briefly introduced in Steamboat Bill Jr, but offers significant insight on how the small towns people, like in River Junction, Mississippi, view people from
One of the many main conflicts was the rivalry between William (Bill) Canfield and John James King and their beloved steamboats. The rivalry between these two men to determine which steamboat was better represents the growing and ongoing battle between the automobile companies at the time of the films production. During the 1920’s, three huge automotive companies became known as “The Big Three.” These giant companies included Ford, Chrysler and General Motors (The Age of Automobiles) Following the announcement of Ford’s revolutionary Model T, auto companies began to increase their productions by trying to compete with Ford. Furthermore, Ford almost always out beat the competitor’s due to their convenient and affordable prices suited for middle class families. This led to Ford’s popularity to increase by 1925. Nevertheless, Chrysler upgraded their sales by lowing their prices and ended up leading the automobile industry shortly after in the years 1927-1928 (Automobiles) The competition between these giant automobile companies definitely served as an idea to incorporate the conflict between the steamboats in Steamboat Bill Jr. Since this constant rivalry between machines of transport was already familiar to America during the 1920’s, it helped for familiarity for audiences throughout the films …show more content…
During the 1920’s, education began to strikingly increase. With the help of new machines, everyday chores were easily finished and there was more time for people to receive educations. New subjects were taught in schools which allowed diversity and creativity to enter the classrooms ('Roaring Twenties' a Time of Economic and Social Change) Consequentially, the increase in students attending school allowed for their preparation for better occupations. In the film, this is evidently presented through the protagonist, William Canfield Jr, which has just arrived to Mississippi from his college in Boston to visit his father. It is believed that Buster Keaton is very famous among middle class audiences, so a character with some college level knowledge would be very appropriate for the film. Not only does Buster Keaton’s film acknowledge the educational system of the 1920’s, it also offers the concept of small towns and the construction of big cities during the twentieth century. As the massive industrialization of cities began to arise, more people moved out of rural areas for employment opportunities (Where to Live in the 1920's) This concept is very briefly introduced in Steamboat Bill Jr, but offers significant insight on how the small towns people, like in River Junction, Mississippi, view people from