The Studio System
- 1930s marked the beginning of the classical era in Hollywood
- Classical refers to the method of production and the aesthetic styles of the major studios
- The major studios controlled production, distribution, and exhibition of the majority of the films being made
- Leading actors were contracted with specific studios
- Classical era considered to be one of the most successful decades in motion picture history
- Studios survived the Great Depression by having distinctive styles at each studio
- Provided a variety of entertainment for the public from which to choose
MGM
- MGM (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
- Specialized in family entertainment for the middle class
- Developed "clean" pictures for family viewing
Paramount Pictures
- Paramount Pictures encouraged continental sophistication
- Employed Cecil B. DeMille-Epic filmmaker
Warner Bros. Studio
- Warner Bros. catered to the working class
- Gangster movies to entertaining musicals
Universal Pictures
- Universal was best known for horror films including Dracula and Frankenstein (1931) and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
20th Century Fox Studios
- 20th Century Fox emphasized technical polish and visual gloss with lighthearted musicals
Columbia Pictures
- Harry Cohn known for foul language turned Columbia Pictures into a major studio
- Known for films such as It Happened One Night (1934)
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
RKO Radio Pictures
- Made stars of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Katherine Hepburn and Carey Grant
- Released the pioneering movie King Kong in 1933 with music score by Max Steiner