The year was 1918. As World War I was ending, the Spanish Flu began ravaging the world. Within a year, it killed 675,000 Americans and 50 million worldwide — 10 million more than those who p…
, which he and Kevin Murphy are adapting into a series for Spectrum Originals, talks about the Spanish flu pandemic’s profound impact on the film business, what big shakeups the current pandemic could bring , and how long would it take for Hollywood to recover.
Los Angeles put out a ban pretty early on theaters. The studios — and this is when studios were both in Los Angeles and New York — put a ban on filming crowd scenes, and, to their credit, studios shut down all production during this period of time for well over a month, from the middle of October to the end of November of 1918.
The reality was at this point in time that American film exhibition was really mom and pop. It was small town, it was independent exhibitors. Some had formed a chain, some of them had formed associations, but for the most part it was not a huge control over the exhibition, and that’s where Adolph Zukor comes in.
By 1921, Zukor, who was the head of what was called then Famous Players that becomes Paramount, was the biggest person in the industry. He controlled more theaters, he controlled more films, and he kept it that way for quite a long time.Looking now at movie theaters closing and what happened in 1918, how will the theater owners come out of the coronavirus pandemic on the other end?: I think it’s going to be really interesting.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
These Celebs Are Seriously Warming Our HeartsOur Hollywood faves are stepping up to help during the COVID-19 crisis
Read more »
Food goes to waste amid coronavirus crisisThe Covid-19 pandemic is leading to 'tsunami' of change in how people buy food.
Read more »
How Brands Can Successfully Engage With Consumers Quarantined Due To COVID-19Here's how brands can successfully engage with consumers quarantined due to COVID-19:
Read more »
Six-year-old 'cystic fibrosis warrior' celebrates recovering from COVID-19A 6-year-old Tennessee boy who lives with cystic fibrosis survived his battle against COVID-19 after being diagnosed with the disease last month.
Read more »