Escaping the Great Depression

01/17/06

Escaping the Great Depression

I. The Great Escape:

- The struggle to survive and the bleak future encouraged many to look for a way to forget their hardships. Thus the 1930's were the "golden age" of Hollywood. The fantasy world of movies allowed people to forget the dust storms and relief vouchers, if only for a short few hours. The films, radio shows, songs, and magazines provided an escape from reality.

- Other forms of escapism included the radio. People gathered around the radio to listen to popular programs as a form of entertainment

- Popular movies: "Gone with the Wind", "Mickey Mouse", "The Wizard of Oz"

-Popular Radio programs: "Jack Benny", "George Burns and Gracie Allen", "The Lone Ranger"

* These were all American.

-Eventually many Canadians felt the American influence on Canadians was too strong. As a result the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (C.R.B.C.) was set up in 1932 to counteract the American influence on Canadian airwaves.

-In 1936 the Commission became the (C.B.C) Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to bring Canadian programs to the remotest areas of Canada.

-The C.B.C. was a powerful force in establishing a sense of national unity.

-Despite the C.B.C. however Canadian life was growing more like American life, however this did not become an issue until the 1960's

This site was last updated 12/17/01