David Blanke Knihy

This book uses the long and profitable career of Cecil B. DeMille to track the evolution of Classical Hollywood and its influence on emerging mass commercial culture in the US. DeMille’s success rested on how well his films presumed a broad consensus in the American public—expressed through consumer hedonism, faith, and an “exceptional” national history—which merged seamlessly with the efficient production methods developed by the largest integrated studios. DeMille’s sudden mid-career shift away from spectator perversity to corporate propagandist permanently tarnished the director’s historical standing among scholars, yet should not overshadow the profound links between his success and the rise and fall of mid-century mass culture.

The 1910s marked a transformative period in American society, characterized by a vibrant blend of race, ethnicity, class, and gender influences. David Blanke explores this era through twelve meticulously researched chapters, highlighting key cultural phenomena such as the controversial film "Birth of a Nation," the Black Sox scandal, and the emergence of iconic items like the Teddy Bear and breakfast cereal. This work illustrates how these diverse elements contributed to the foundation of America's eclectic 20th-century culture, setting the stage for future developments.