Going out

Radio gives Americans their first experience with packaged entertainment, right in the home. Then along come the movies. Soon, tens of millions of people are going to the movies, some in lavish theaters that seat thousands.

At first, movies don't have a soundtrack, but silent film stars are popular. Then come 'talkies,' bursting on the scene in 1927, with a film that features dialog and songs that audiences can actually hear. They love it.  

Beyond movies and sports, Americans are drawn to the outdoors for leisure. The younger set might be involved in school sports, with women competing seriously for the first time. Adults are more likely to just go 'motoring.'
Silent films, 1920s

  Silent Movies
Movies are very affordable, and air-conditioned theaters are packed in summer. The era of silent films lasts barely a dozen years, but produces huge movie stars like Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks (lower left).  Americans also pursue outdoor activities, while the wealthy go cruising on luxury liners.

Al Jolson, blackface and talkies, 1920s

  And Now, Talkies
The first talkie, The Jazz Singer, is a full 90 minutes long, and the first movie with a soundtrack. Audiences cheer, hoot and even clap after the musical numbers. The main character is Jewish in the film (as in real life), but puts on 'blackface' (top left) to try to make it in the jazz world, which is dominated by Blacks. Blackface performances are common at the time, though Jolson is one of the few to give his character a sympathetic portrayal, for which he is widely praised.


Babe Ruth, football and basketball, 1920s

  Fun in Large Crowds
Most urban centers have professional sports teams. Baseball is 'America's game,' with early stars like Babe Ruth, who are still widely admired today. Yearly baseball attendance reaches one million in 1920. College sports are likely to include both football and basketball. Meanwhile, horse racing, auto racing and bowling continue to be popular. Offbeat events like auto polo (lower right) are also part of the mix. The men in hats (top left) are waiting to hear results of the Dempsey heavyweight title bout.