Pop Culture in the Roaring 20’s
Music, movies, sports, and style in the Roaring Twenties.
The roaring Twenties was a time where people were flourishing economically and enjoying the drastic culture changes in America. These changes were more dramatic in cities like New York and Chicago. New artists and musicians were rising to the surface because of new things blossoming. New art forms, movies, music, and African American jazz/blues stated shaping American culture. As well flappers (girls who wore short skirts, has bob haircuts, and went against social norms) redefined the modern look for American women.
Music in the Roaring Twenties
On January 1st, 1920, Jazz was developed by the musicians of New Orleans. People loved Jazz so much because it was different than anything they’ve ever listened to. It was upbeat and became a favorite on the radio, in clubs, and at parties. Jazz, blues, swing, dance band, and ragtime were just a few of the most popular music genres of the decade. The 1920’s are often called the Jazz Age because Jazz music became very popular during that time. Jazz influenced dances, fashion, and culture.
Popular and Famous Jazz musicians were: Joe “King” Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Paul Whiteman and many more.
Movies in the Roaring Twenties
Cinema in the 1920’s was very popular because this was a new era for Americans. People of all ages attended the movies; often going more than once a week. According to Khan Academy, by the end of the decade, weekly movie attendance swelled to 90 million people and the silent movies of the early decade gave rise to the first generation of movie stars. The classic Hollywood film style was perfected and significant film genres were established: the melodrama, western, historical epic, and romantic comedy, along with slapstick, science fiction, and fantasy. The rise of “talkies” from the late 1920 onwards led to a major culture shake-up in the entertainment industry. Live entertainment went into decline and variety theatres became movie palaces.
Fun Fact: Mickey Mouse: Steamboat Willie came to theatres in 1928.
Sports in the Roaring Twenties
For the first time ever, large amounts of Americans started to pay money to watch other people play sports or compete in contests. Baseball was the “national pastime” in the 1920’s. People would attend in person games and majority would listen to the game over the radio. People would huddle around the radio and enjoy listening to the broadcasters describe the plays and moves each player would do in the game. It was if they were actually there. The 1920’s were considered the Golden Age of Sport because it was the beginning of high level competitive sport and many athletes began to emerge in every sport. Popular sport players such as Babe Ruth, James Braddock, and many more began to grow a following of fans and raised to the top of fame in the sports industry.
Style in the Roaring Twenties
According to Fashion Institue of Technology, “Twenties fashion is often remembered for its glitz and glamour, though underlying this was a move toward simplicity in dress. For women, this meant shorter skirts and simple shapes, while men enjoyed casual suits. The most memorable fashion trend in the decade was “the flapper” look. The look was a straight-line chemise topped by the close-fitting cloche hat. The Roaring Twenties influenced fashion because women’s clothing ot shorter and looser, while men’s clothing saw more suits and less stuffy formal wear. Commercialism was also rising to the top in society. People could go to stores and buy what they wanted to wear.
This culture change after World War 1 was
“A return to normalcy.” — President Warren G.
Sources:
- Students of History
- Family Search
- Warwick
- Ohio5
- NCpedia
- Study.com
Gabriella Dencklau is a Junior at YVHS who loves fashion, music, and books.
