Americans flocked to the movies in 1945 and 1946ùthe center point of the three-decade heyday of the studio system's sound era. __Why?____Best Years__ is a panoramic study, shining light on this critical juncture in American historyand the history of American cinemaùthe end of World War II (1945) and a year of unprecedented success in Hollywood's "Golden Age" (1946). This unique time, the last year of war and the first full year of peace, provides a rich blend of cinema genres and typesùfrom the battlefront to the home front, the peace film to the woman's film, psychological drama, and the period's provocative new style, film noir. __Best Years__ focuses on films that were famous, infamous, forgotten, and unforgettable. Big budget A-films, road shows, and familiar series share the spotlight. From Bergman and Grant in __Notorious__ to Abbott and Costello in __Lost in a Harem,__ Charles Affron and Mirella Jona Affron examine why the bond between screen and viewer was perhaps never tighter. Paying special attention to the movie-going public in key cities--Atlanta, New York, Boston, Honolulu, and Chicago--this ambitious work takes us on a cinematic journey to recapture a magical time. Americans Flocked To The Movies In 1945 And 1946 - A Critical Juncture In American History And American Cinema And The Central Point Of The Three-decade Heyday Of The Studio System's Sound Era. Best Years Recaptures This Transformative Time Through A Rich Blend Of Screen Genres - From The Battlefront To The Home Front, The Peace Film To The Woman's Film, Psychological Drama, And The Period's Provocative New Style, Film Noir. In Atlanta And Detroit, Los Angeles And New York, Chicago And Honolulu, And Small Cities In Between, The Bond Between Screen And Viewer Was Perhaps Never Tighter.--page 4 Of Cover. 1. Standing Room Only: Usa., January 1, 1945 -- December 31, 1946 -- 2. Over Here: Detroit, February 10, 1945, Since You Went Away And The Very Thought Of You -- 3. Nation: Atlanta, April 12, 1945, Wilson -- 4. Over There: Honolulu, June 26, 1945, Back To Bataan -- 5. Stars: Los Angeles, November 22, 1945, Hollywood Canteen -- 6. Big Picture: Boston, January 1, 1946, Forever Amber -- 7. Imports: Philadelphia, April 25, 1946, And June 5, 1946, Open City -- 8. Homecoming: Chicago, December 18, 1946, The Best Years Of Our Lives -- 9. Continuous Showings: New York City, January 1, 1945 -- December 31, 1946. Charles Affron And Mirella Jona Affron. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Americans flocked to the movies in 1945 and 1946ùthe center point of the three-decade heyday of the studio system's sound era. Why? Best Years is a panoramic study, shining light on this critical juncture in American historyand the history of American cinemaùthe end of World War II (1945) and a year of unprecedented success in Hollywood's "Golden Age" (1946). This unique time, the last year of war and the first full year of peace, provides a rich blend of cinema genres and typesùfrom the battlefront to the home front, the peace film to the woman's film, psychological drama, and the period's provocative new style, film noir. Best Years focuses on films that were famous, infamous, forgotten, and unforgettable. Big budget A-films, road shows, and familiar series share the spotlight. From Bergman and Grant in Notorious to Abbott and Costello in Lost in a Harem, Charles Affron and Mirella Jona Affron examine why the bond between screen and viewer was perhaps never tighter. Paying special attention to the movie-going public in key cities--Atlanta, New York, Boston, Honolulu, and Chicago--this ambitious work takes us on a cinematic journey to recapture a magical time. Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 1. Standing Room Only: U.S.A., January 1, 1945–December 31, 1946 14 2. Over Here: Detroit, February 10, 1945, Since You Went Away and The Very Thought of You 27 3. Nation: Atlanta, April 12, 1945, Wilson 57 4. Over There: Honolulu, June 26, 1945, Back to Bataan 97 5. Stars: Los Angeles, November 22, 1945, Hollywood Canteen 125 6. Big Picture: Boston, January 1, 1946, Forever Amber 153 7. Imports: Philadelphia, April 25, 1946, and June 5, 1946, Open City 176 8. Homecoming: Chicago, December 18, 1946, The Best Years of Our Lives 212 9. Continuous Showings: New York City, January 1, 1945–December 31, 1946 250 Appendix A: Boxoffice Rankings 300 Appendix B: Star Rankings 308 Notes 310 Index 334 About the Authors 353
Best Years shines light on a critical juncture in American history and the history of American cinema—the end of World War II (1945) and a year of unprecedented success in Hollywood's Golden Age (1946). This unique time provides a rich blend of cinema genres and types—from the battlefront to the home front, the peace film to the woman's film, psychological drama, and the period's provocative new style, film noir. This book focuses on films that were famous, infamous, forgotten, and unforgettable, with big budget A-films, road shows, and familiar series share the spotlight.
Americans flocked to the movies in 1945 and 1946 - the center point of the three-decade heyday of the studio system's sound era. Why? This study shines light on this critical juncture in American history and the history of American cinema - the end of World War II (1945) and a year of unprecedented success in Hollywood's 'Golden Age' (1946).
