New Hollywood

Quick Facts: Who was New Hollywood?

Subject:

New Hollywood

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American film movement (mid-1960s to early 1980s) characterized by auteur directors.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The New Hollywood, Hollywood Renaissance, or American New Wave, was a movement in American film history from the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, when a new generation of filmmakers came to prominence. They influenced the types of film produced, their production and marketing, and the way major studios approached filmmaking. It was precipitated by the demise of the studio system and the rise of television, after which the commercial success of films was diminished. In New Hollywood films, the film director, rather than the studio, took on a key authorial role. The definition of "New Hollywood" varies, depending on the author, with some defining it as a movement and others as a period.

Career & Major Achievements

The span of the period is also a subject of debate, as well as its integrity, as some authors, such as Thomas Schatz, argue that the New Hollywood consists of several different movements. The films made in this movement are stylistically characterized in that their narrative often deviated from classical norms. Successful films of the early New Hollywood era include Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, and Easy Rider while films whose box office failure marked the end of the era include New York, New York, Sorcerer, Heaven's Gate, They All Laughed, and One from the Heart. Following the Paramount Case (which ended block booking and ownership of theater chains by film studios) and the advent of television (where Gore Vidal, Rod Serling, John Frankenheimer, Arthur Penn, Paddy Chayefsky and Sidney Lumet worked in their earlier years), both of which severely weakened both the traditional studio system and the Motion Picture Production Code (or the Hays Code), Hollywood studios initially used spectacle to retain profitability. Technicolor developed a far more widespread use, while widescreen processes and technical improvements, such as CinemaScope, stereo sound, and others, such as 3-D, were invented to retain the dwindling audience and compete with television.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, these were generally unsuccessful in increasing profits. By 1957, Life magazine called the 1950s "the horrible decade" for Hollywood. It was dubbed a "New Hollywood" by a press. In the 1950s and early 1960s, Hollywood was dominated by musicals, historical epics, and other films that benefited from the larger screens, wider framing, and improved sound. However, audience shares continued to dwindle, and had reached alarmingly low levels by the mid-1960s.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1957: 1957 Milestone — By 1957, Life magazine called the 1950s "the horrible decade" for Hollywood.

Notable Quotes by New Hollywood

“It is a cheap piece of bald-faced slapstick comedy”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: New Hollywood

True or False: “The New Hollywood era was solely defined by the technical adoption of CinemaScope and 3-D filmmaking.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While technology played a role, the movement was fundamentally driven by shifts in audience demographics and the increased authorial control given to directors.

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Frequently Asked Questions about New Hollywood