Art & Cinema of the 1920's

As I said, I am going to provide tidbits of information about the 1920’s for the remainder of this week in conjunction with our Roaring 20’s party this Saturday, April 4th, at 8pm. (Come out, we’re gonna get the game on a big screen) Here is a little information about the artistic nature of the 20’s, as well as what it was like to trot on down to the cinema.

Expressionism and Surrealism

Painting in North America during the 1920s developed into a different direction than that in Europe. In Europe, the 1920s were the era of expressionism and later, surrealism. As Man Ray stated in 1920 after the publication of a unique issue of New York Dada: “Dada cannot live in New York”.

Related Topics:
Painting - Expressionism - Surrealism - Man Ray - New York Dada

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Cinema

The bulk of the 1920s cinema was silent. Late in the decade, early—and eventually, more advanced—sound recording technology was developed, leading into the age of what was known at the time as talkies. The first talking movie, Don Juan was made in 1926, also in that same yearmovies with Technicolor had arrived. Walt Disney produced his first cartoon during the Roaring Twenties. Al Jolson’s follow-up film to The Jazz Singer, The Singing Fool http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=110318 in 1928 made the talkies popular with a wider audience. The period also saw emergence of Charlie Chaplin and Valentino as box office draws.

Related Topics:
Cinema - Sound recording - Talkies - Don Juan - Movies - Technicolor - Walt Disney - Cartoon - The Singing Fool - Charlie Chaplin - Valentino - Box office

Basketball AND the Roaring 20's

We’re having a big party on Saturday.

Unfortunate thing is that everyone else is too. Well, it’s not unfortunate for everyone, just unfortunate for us, because people may be less inclined to attend OUR party. Either way, GO HEELS!

I was planning to reveal interesting facts about the 1920’s every day this week, in anticipation for Saturday’s Roaring 20’s party– and I suppose just because everyone is dizzy in anticipation for saturday’s b-ball game doesn’t mean I still can’t do that. Would be nice if there was a way to entwine the two.

Oh, wait.

Interestingly, the world of1920’s Lost Generation and Art Deco does connect to the sweet joy of b-ball. Read below for details.

Harlem Renaissance

The African American culture developed rapidly during the 1920s under the title of the “Harlem Renaissance”. In 1921, the Black Swan Corporation opened. At its height it issued ten recordings a month. All-African-American musicals also started up in 1921. In 1923, the Harlem Renaissance Basketball Club was founded by Robert Douglas. During the later 1920s, and especially in the 1930s, the basketball team became known as the best in the world.

So, if the 20’s never existed or weren’t as interesting as they were, we may not be celebrating the madness now. Having said that, we know that everyone wants to watch the game. That is why we are going to do EVERYTHING in our power to get the game playing at the Metropolitan Room, Saturday night, at 8pm, at good ol’ 109 Green Street, downtown Fayetteville. Be there or be balled. (You can buy your tickets online here.)

Stay tuned for more interesting quips and tidbits about the ROARING 20’s. (but i doubt there will be anymore basketball facts, sorry!)