The movie industry in the 1950s was under attack by a new foe: television. Home theater systems kept people in their homes and the cost of making a blockbuster movie rose sharply in the 1950s.
Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Rock Hudson and Sophia Loren were some of the hottest names in showbusiness.
But it wasn’t just about big stars. Technology was making huge strides. 3-D was being heavily experimented with and color was getting more and more common.
Also families found another place to hang out: the drive-in movie theater. Now people’s kids could be loud and obnoxious in the car and it didn’t matter. Plus it was a great place to try to get to second base with your date.
Let’s go a little deeper into the history of the movie industry below.