Famous Films B&W to Technicolor 1927-1939

Follow the evolution of American films from the end of the B&W silent era in 1927 to sound and Technicolor by 1939. Films on our viewing list were selected from Oscar winners or nominations, and the unofficial, but valuable, list of the 100 best films. The Oscar had slightly different monikers in the early years but film lists were crossed checked with detailed film descriptions and ratings from IMDB so these selections do accurately represent popular offerings in the Depression years. During the Great Depression films were a brief respite from the anxiety of daily life and movie stars including Hepburn, Grant, and Garbo had an increasing influence on American culture. At the same time, film technology was quickly evolving, progressing from silent B&W films to high-quality color films. Viewers will not only enjoy the selections for their entertainment merit, but also note and discuss the changes in film techniques. Further, we will compare and contrast films of today with the films of 80+ years ago.

There are no scheduled sessions at this time. Sign up to be notified when this course is available.