Outline the changes that occur in the development Of the American musical between 1927 and 1957

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Genna Cooke

Outline the changes that occur in the development

Of the American musical between

1927 and 1957

It was in 1927 that the jazz singer was the first film that was to use recorded song and dialogue. It was Al Jolson’s ad-libbing around songs that helped to make “talkies” so successful. The impromptu moments created by Jolson made audiences demand more of theses sound films. Jazz music was a major influence of the musicals of this time.    

        

The next major musical to come out of the twenties was a collaboration of Florenz Ziegfeld, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s theatrical talent. It was named ShowBoat. It was based on Edna Ferber's sprawling novel of life on the Mississippi and it delt with many issues that were normally not talked of. These subjects included racism and marital issues. ShowBoat opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 27th 1927 and left audiences overwhelmed and wanting more. It ran for 572 performances.

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As the twenties ended there was a catastrophic stock market crash, which caused a world wide economic depression. This meant that people needed entertaining more than ever. Money was scarce because of the depression, so people did what they could to make their lives happy. Movies were popular, parlour games and board games were also big. People gathered around radios to listen to the baseball and young people danced to the big bands. This time would be a make or brake time for the developing musical.

Part of its success rested in its ability to create fantasy realms ...

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