Question 1

What is vertical integration in Hollywood?

Accepted Answer

Vertical integration is when a studio controls all three stages of the film industry: production (making the film), distribution (sending copies to cinemas), and exhibition (owning the cinemas where films are shown). The 'Big Five' studios (MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, RKO) were vertically integrated, which gave them huge power. For example, they could force independent cinemas to buy a package of films (block booking) to get a popular movie.

Question 2

How did the Hays Code affect films in the 1930s–1950s?

Accepted Answer

The Hays Code (officially the Motion Picture Production Code) was a set of moral guidelines enforced from 1930 to 1968. It banned explicit depictions of sex, violence, crime, and 'immoral' behaviour. Filmmakers had to be creative: they used double entendres, off-screen action, and symbolic imagery (e.g., a train entering a tunnel to suggest sex). The Code also required that criminals be punished and that marriage be respected. It shaped the 'golden age' of Hollywood by forcing subtlety and innuendo.

Question 3

What caused the end of the Hollywood studio system?

Accepted Answer

The main cause was the 1948 Supreme Court case *United States v. Paramount Pictures*, known as the Paramount Decree. The court ruled that the studios' vertical integration violated antitrust laws, forcing them to sell their theatre chains. This ended block booking and reduced their control. Additionally, the rise of television in the 1950s drew audiences away from cinemas, and the star system declined as actors gained more freedom. By 1960, the studio system had largely collapsed, leading to the rise of independent production.

Question 4

What are the key features of classical Hollywood narrative?

Accepted Answer

Classical Hollywood narrative is a storytelling style used in most studio-era films. Key features include: a clear cause-and-effect plot driven by a protagonist's goal; a linear timeline (often with flashbacks); a closed ending that resolves the main conflict; and continuity editing that makes the story easy to follow. Characters are psychologically motivated, and the narrative prioritises clarity and emotional engagement. Examples include *Casablanca* (1942) and *It's a Wonderful Life* (1946).

Question 5

How did the star system work in classical Hollywood?

Accepted Answer

Studios signed actors to long-term (often seven-year) contracts, controlling their roles, public image, and even personal lives. Stars were typecast to build a consistent persona (e.g., John Wayne as a rugged hero, Audrey Hepburn as an elegant ingénue). Studios used publicity departments to create scandals or romances to keep stars in the news. The star system guaranteed box-office success because audiences would go to see a film just because their favourite actor was in it.

Question 6

What is the difference between the 'Big Five' and 'Little Three' studios?

Accepted Answer

The 'Big Five' (MGM, Paramount, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, RKO) were fully vertically integrated: they owned production studios, distribution networks, and theatre chains. The 'Little Three' (Universal, Columbia, United Artists) lacked their own theatre chains, so they had less control over exhibition. For example, Columbia relied on independent cinemas and often produced lower-budget films. United Artists was a distribution company for independent producers, not a traditional studio.

Hollywood Film (1930–1960)

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Related Topics in OCR GCSE Film Studies

3D film

Aesthetics

Characters

Cinematography (including lighting)

How to Revise Hollywood Film (1930–1960) — OCR GCSE Film Studies

Examiner Tips for Hollywood Film (1930–1960)

Common Mistakes in Hollywood Film (1930–1960)

Key Marking Points