After viewing the film and completing the readings, address the following prompt:
Despite the fact the millions (up to one-quarter) of Americans were unemployed during the Great Depression, 60 to 80 million Americans attended movies each week. The Gold Diggers of 1933 was a hit for Warner Bros. According to the studio, the film earned $2,202,000 in the US and an additional $1,029,000 in the international film market.
The film contains gendered messages about how women and men should conduct themselves during tough economic times. What kinds of “lessons” or messages would Depression-era audiences have received through this film? In what ways did those messages resonate (or not) with the lived experiences of real women during the Depression? Incorporate at least one of the assigned readings into your response and remember to cite accordingly. Also, refer to specific examples from the film to make your point clear.
Sample Solution