The Great Gatsby
Films and Actors of the 1920s
The 1920s brought the growth of a fairly new type of entertainment to the American public, the motion picture. Films of the 1920s were quite different than the ones produced today. They were black and white, and until 1927, the films were silent. Most early silent films were accompanied with a full-fledged orchestra, organist, or pianist to provide a musical background.
The 1920s also marked the dawn of widespread hero worshiping throughout the nation. The press became a major force, and the public soon began its obsession with movie stars. Publicity departments would often create glamorous images of the stars they represented. Hollywood soon had an influence on the life of most Americans. There was public mourning when actor Wallace Reid died of a drug overdose and outcry during the rape trial of comedian Fatty Arbuckle.
For information on comedians and their works during the 1920s, click the graphic 
.
Read about other actors and actresses by visiting Rachel Dubin's page 
.
Page last updated on May 25, 1999.
Curator: Matt Barker