Cinema has always been reflective of an ever-changing society, from their use to the types of film shown in them. It has been said that society no longer requires cinemas in an era of sky TV and streaming services, however, it could be argued that we need them now more than ever.
Cinema itself has been around since the advent of film in the early 20th Century. At first the art of film was simply an attraction, like a circus, curiosity was what brought audiences into these places. Of course, as the novelty wore off, and it was clear films were more than just a passing fancy cinemas became a place of escapism. The likes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton took us to new places most audiences could only dream of or see on the big screen. Going to the cinema was affordable entertainment for the masses.
The introduction of talkies was perfectly timed as sound in film coincided with the Wall Street Crash in the late 1920s, the repercussions of which were felt worldwide. During the resulting recession in the 1930s, a trip the cinema had to offer more than a laugh from a bit of slapstick comedy. With disposable income at an all-time low, the price of a cinema ticket had to offer more escapism than ever as audiences flocked to the cinema to forget their troubles and longed for inspiration and glamour from the big screen. The musical genre boomed during this time, partially due to the invention of talkies but also because of what the genre could do.
No other genre can bring as much variety to the screen as a musical. But to understand why musicals bring so much sentiment to audiences, you must first appreciate the importance of sound in film. Mise-en-scene is the art of imagery in film, it includes the scenery, the costumes and even the camera angle, but all this can be changed by the sounds or music that accompany it. The right soundtrack applied to a scene can change audience perspective. It can make us empathise with a character - rightly or wrongly – or it can make us feel apprehensive, it is the soundtrack that achieves the aim of the scene created by the director. Ever tried watching the end of Casablanca with the sound off? Without that powerful soundtrack, as Bogie puts Ilsa on the plane, the mise-en-scene alone cannot provide the stimulus for the inevitable tears – or is that just me?
A musical is no different, it brings joy like all music does and coupled with the right story leaves audiences feeling like they are floating on a cloud. During the 1930s, musicals such as 42nd Street broke the box office with stories that focused on the underdog, everyday characters who overcome great difficulties to succeed. These stories proved popular with audiences looking for hope and inspiration from the big screen. The musical genre experienced a resurgence in the 1940s and 1950s as well. This era is known as the golden age of the musical as filmmaking techniques had developed by this time to offer the same escapism as those from the 1930s with glorious Technicolour, Stereophonic sound and even 3D. Films produced by the Arthur Freed Unit at MGM utilised these new technologies and introduced a new layer of sophistication to the genre previously reserved for audiences at the theatre rather than the cinema, including ballet sequences.
Of course, sandwiched between these times of hardship was WW2. Following the announcement from Churchill that Britain was at war, there was an attempt to close all cinemas. This was reversed when it was realised that they could be used to boost morale and provide a new use rather than simply showing films. News reels took on a new importance during the war and cinemas were used by the masses not simply to watch films but keep up to date with events in the news. As all TV services were now closed, audiences gathered in cinemas to boo at Hitler and cheer our boys on. War films were also popular during this time, patriotic films that showed bravery, love and victory.
Turbulent times have often been the most successful for cinemas, as war and recessions brought in high audience numbers, so did times of economic boom. The reintroduction of television after the war and its increasing numbers in the average home threatened cinema and so once again, cinema found new ways to attract audiences. From cartoon reels for kids on a Saturday morning, summer blockbusters, to 3D cinematic marvels, cinemas have in recent decades had to become more inventive to get the numbers through the door.
As entertainment became more freely available at home and films became available to buy to watch at audience convenience in the 1980s, cinemas have had to offer a more exclusive experiences to warrant the price of a ticket. In recent years, we have seen cinemas offer membership schemes to attract more regular audiences, IMAX experiences, and enhanced seating options such as sofas or luxury seating to draw us in. It’s fair to say that to some a trip to the cinema is more of an event than it ever has been – especially at those ticket prices, Cineworld! At a time when we can enjoy a film for free, to watch a film on a big screen, in a luxurious setting absorbing the atmosphere of a shared experience makes going to the cinema to watch that carefully chosen film all that more special. And I, for one, hope this cinema trend is here to stay.
