A New form of entertainment
"The movie industry was put on the defensive.
Studios scrambled tried to wow audiences
with an experience they couldn't get on the
small screen." (Shmoop, 2013)
Not only Hollywood and glamour came from the 1950s film boom. There were also great leaps in the new industry. The dozens of news networks we have come to know today weren't around in such quantities in the 50s. People were afraid of relations with other countries following the second world war. Fear of communism and oppression were still present in the hearts of the nation's people. But news networks pushed on, trying to show people that international relationships were beneficial.
"NBC first developed television news in the 1940s, combining the dramatic visual images of newsreels and announcer techniques of radio news. However in 1952-1953, while NBC encountered financial difficulty and reduced its news programming, CBS expanded its news operations. Television networks sought new anchors with star quality that would attract a loyal audience. The host of CBS's first thirty minute public affair documentary series named "See It Now", Edward R Murrow, famous for his radio news broadcasts during World War II, and with his deep voice and handsome features, was a good choice. From its debut in November 18, 1951 to its last show in July 7, 1958, "See It Now" reported news that was relevant, in a truthful and accurate manner. Veteran newsmen remember the Edward R Murrow days as the Golden Age of Television News. By the mid-1950s, television was firmly entrenched in the world of news and information as well as election coverage." (Oracle, 2012).
Entertainment took a new turn in the 1950s. As television became an easily accessible commodity, there was a higher demand to keep the people watching. The only way this could be solved was by creating more content. TV shows, movies, talk shows, etc. Everyone rushed to get their name out there. Actors and actresses became more and more like they are today. More than ever before, people looked up to famous people as something more than just a person on the screen. They were adored by the American people for being at home on the people's television.
"NBC first developed television news in the 1940s, combining the dramatic visual images of newsreels and announcer techniques of radio news. However in 1952-1953, while NBC encountered financial difficulty and reduced its news programming, CBS expanded its news operations. Television networks sought new anchors with star quality that would attract a loyal audience. The host of CBS's first thirty minute public affair documentary series named "See It Now", Edward R Murrow, famous for his radio news broadcasts during World War II, and with his deep voice and handsome features, was a good choice. From its debut in November 18, 1951 to its last show in July 7, 1958, "See It Now" reported news that was relevant, in a truthful and accurate manner. Veteran newsmen remember the Edward R Murrow days as the Golden Age of Television News. By the mid-1950s, television was firmly entrenched in the world of news and information as well as election coverage." (Oracle, 2012).
Entertainment took a new turn in the 1950s. As television became an easily accessible commodity, there was a higher demand to keep the people watching. The only way this could be solved was by creating more content. TV shows, movies, talk shows, etc. Everyone rushed to get their name out there. Actors and actresses became more and more like they are today. More than ever before, people looked up to famous people as something more than just a person on the screen. They were adored by the American people for being at home on the people's television.
Image credit to: (Reuther Library, 2009)