Friday, February 15, 2013
Laughing our way through dark times
I am glad that you are enjoying Way out West so far. Now that you have seen most of the film, and read about other films of the period, consider what the purpose of the film was. In addition to seeing the film as escapist through its slapstick comedy routine, why is the film's context important? What do you think the West was supposed to symbolize? What do you make of the characters Stan and Ollie--especially the notion that two men who are different, not only physically, but psycholically, but still such close friends?
While you may never never heard of Laurel and Hardy before today, their films are classic and timeless. It is not a coincidence that I watched them throughout my childhood, and they are just as enjoyable to us now as they were when they were initially released. Why might it be that these films enjoy a lasting legacy, while others that were mentioned in the reading, resonated more simply with the time that they were created?
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Movies still have the same wonderful effect on us as they did during the Great Depression: They take us into another reality, they make us forget all the little worries and things we have to remember. For these 2 hours, you don't have to think in anything else but the story of the movie and its characters. And if it is a good movie with good actors, you will possibly identify yourself with the characters and find inspiration. This is why I like movies like "The Wizard of Oz" better thatn superhero-stories. They show you that you can change your life on yourself, that there is no need to wait until somebody else makes a change, because we can all influence our own fate. "Way out West" tells us about friendship and comradeship and about justice. Movies with messages like these gave people in the Great Depression hope for a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the context is important for the same reasons we have discussed in ToK (for those who take the class), which is about how powerful/useful context is, because should the context be different like if this movie was made today the slightly more sensible character who sported a mustache similar to Hitlers would receive perhaps unprecedented controversy. And the context that this movie was made to help lift someone emotional state in a time of desperation gives the movie a sense of importance no other context could really give. The characters were probably meant to symbolize how human connection and acceptance can prevail in even the darkest (and goofiest) of times. And that context i mentioned before, about how the movies ulterior motives to uplift plus having quality content i believe are enable classics such as "Way-Out West" to endure and carry the same weight and emotion far past their time period.
ReplyDeleteFilm during the Great Depression was used as therapy for everyone who was depressed. The article mentions that people went to see fims on weekends to escape reality. Another explanation for ther use of film may be to ease one's mind and lift their spirits. The context in film is extremely important. For the duration of watching as film, your mind and emotion is being controlled by the context of the film. It is similar to thetype of music you choose to listen to depending on your mood. For example, The Wizard of Oz was about a magic and happiness; inspiration for people to move forward out of the depression. Horror movies during the depression can be seen as a represntation of the economy and state of depression the nation was in during that time.
ReplyDeletesome messages last forever for there are certain aspects of the human condition that will never leave us because they are innate and therefore buried deep within our culture which is why some movies last for a while. For example, people will always believe in friendship and love the concept of an odd pairing such as that of Stan and Ollie. The Wizard of Oz is such a classic because the concept of finding everything we need inside us all along will always be a comforting to those who are having trouble finding the solution to their problems. movies like Duck Soup, however, will come and go with he times. It almost has nothing to do with the quality of the movie, but more to do with the underlying theme and message with certain allusions to the struggles of specific generations and times.
ReplyDelete"Way Out West" along with other films during this time period were meant to temporarily take its viewers away from reality by presenting them with comedy and entertainment contrasting The Depression's characteristics. People somewhat "laughed their way through hard times" by seeking distractions. The actual context of the movie is important because it is what results in distraction from the dark time period. In addition, having two very different characters as best friends is almost always appealing to the audience.
ReplyDeleteThe very beginning of the article mentions that the thirties were the "Golden Age of Hollywood", meaning many films were created then are still viewed today. Some popular films in addition to "Way Out West" are the horror films "Dracula" and "Frankenstein". Interestingly, although films were created for people to "escape from their troubles for a couple of hours", there may be a subtle link between the monsters of the films and the "economic demons devouring jobs and livelihoods." Another film produced was "Gabriel over the White House", which has been largely forgotten. This may be due to the fact that this film greatly corresponded to the time period it was presented, unlike "Way Out West", which could theoretically have been produced during any time period.
I think that the movies we watch today from the great depression era such as "Laurel and Hardy" still resinate with people today is because the messages are timeless. most of the movies that were created back in the 30's focused on the problems of those days but put them into a from they would understand. For example, "I am a fugitive from a chain gang" is a movie with a message of the darkness that was around during that time. But with "Laurel and Hardy" is it a brighter and funnier film that everyone can relate to. most of the people in modern times dont understand or have any notion of what life was like back in the 30's, but we can all relate to the idea that two different people come together and work to fix a problem. we all have problems and we all like someone there next to us to help us through the problem. i think that is why movies like "Laurel and Hardy" and the "The Three Stooges" have lasted so long and are still watched today.
ReplyDeleteI think what really gave these Depression era movies the legacy they deserve is the fact that there was always some kind of underlying message that can be applied to life. For example, the Wizard of Oz was popular during the Depression because it evoked a sense of happiness not inly in the "magical world" but also just at home. This gave people the confidence that even thought he depression may seem bleak, there is always hope if one truly believes in it (for example when the scarecrow, tin man, and lion find what they are looking for within themselves). Similarly, the tag-team of Stan and Ollie characterize the epitome of friendship - something that will never end even in a time of great depression. Because this message of hope and friendship can still be applied to life int he past, present, and future, movies like Wizard of Oz and Way out West will always have an enduring legacy.
ReplyDeleteLaurel and Hardy is such a timeless classic because it has that certain humour that stays with us. No matter how young or old you are, seeing a fat man fall into water is always funny. This sort of film was so important in the times surrounding the Great Depression. This is because it gave people something to laugh about, and also a sense of hope. The Wild West symbolises the rugged nature of America which goes against the world power status of somewhere like New York
ReplyDeleteThe movies of the Great Depression are timeless because their message resonates across the generations and decades. When I was younger my Grandma got me a Dorthy barbie because it was my favorite movie at the time. As I've gotten older more of the undertones have made more sense to me, but it's still one of my favorite movies. My dad made my sister and I watch Duck Soup, it was really funny to me and I think that's because that sort of sass is good no matter what the decade is.
ReplyDeleteThere are certain values and mindsets that are exclusive to a certain time, while there are others that resonate across time. Movies like Duck Soup are movies that wax and wane in popularity depending on the sentiments of its audience, which is why I think it would be well received today in the time of the tea party and Paul Ryan. Some movies can apply to any generation however, like Mr.Smith goes to Washington, because it plays on the small town pride that will always be part of America.
ReplyDelete"The Wild West" Setting for a movie has the ability to take the viewers to a place of virtually no mass industry. Many people in the Great Depression lost their funds / jobs due to corporate failure, but in a world without corporations or big business, the story stands out to them. The anxiety associated with a bustling city is no longer going on in the viewers' minds. Certain Depression movies are timeless based on their applications to life. Many of the movies from the Great Depression, such as the Wizard of Oz, have messages that can be used in contemporary society.
ReplyDeleteTimeless indeed is a accurate word to describe the film those were created during the Great Depression era, because those film are capable to bring audiences out of their troubles with the black and white B&W style. Using as an example, Stan and ollie seem to careless people and do not really get stressed about any thing, they dance and sing randomly sometime. Once audience laughed at the silliness of those hilarious characters, they feel relieved.
ReplyDeleteI think that a major factor that allows a movie to be "timeless" is relevance. I think that though a movie can be about anything, the ones that really stick have to do with whats going on in the outside world. It doesn't have to be a literal meaning of our surroundings(though it can be), I mean more symbolic.movies like the wizard of oz, for example, it symbolizes unison and trustworthiness in everyone around you. And the relevance to the outside world would be that in such dark times, nobody can survive alone. It always helps to have people with you.
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