Opinions on stereo-types in the old movies

[lococardinal]

I'm curious as to whether or not people of different ethnic descents feel alienated from the old movies because of various depictions. I've heard very little about the subject and have never heard much of it being an issue, but it does seem in general that the youth that are part of what's considered minority groups have a lack of interest in the old movies than the younger caucasians. I remember Bill Cosby doing a special on how the African American is depicted in the old movies but other than that I haven't heard much.

[moviegeek3000]

loco, I'm glad you asked that.

 

My opinion.....the old movies showed the sentiments of the ethnic majority of that era.

 

If slanders are made about a certain race of people in a movie from the 40's(for example), then chances are......similar slanders were being made by the same type of people in society of that time. Racism WAS a lot worse in older times.....older movies naturally are gonna exhibit more racism b/c they were being made in the times of more extreme racism.

 

LEMME'SPLAIN: This topic reminds me of the movie THE MASK OF FU MANCHU starring Boris Karloff....an exploit on the USA's opinion on the FAR EAST in the 30's & on into the 40's.

 

OK, there's a lot of stereotypes made about Asian culture in that movie and I really get the feeling that during the time THAT movie was made....there was also a lot of American people that felt that way about Asian culture at the time. It was before WW2 I believe,and after that American stereotypes of East Asia grew even stronger until a genius of a man named AKIRA KUROSAWA helped change the way the WEST thought about the FAR EAST & it's amazing/honorable people.

 

I'm a culture vulture just like many other people in the World.......but this nation wasn't always receptive to ideas like that......another's culture meant something different way back in older times. Its not as accepted and RESPECTED like it is now....so that might a reason for why some ethnic groups feel alienated by older movies...b/c that particular group WAS being alienated when that movie was made.

[deeanddaisy666]

Interesting question. I very, very much enjoy the Charlie Chan movies, but of course it is glaring that an American and a Swedish actor played the leading role, with Asian actors relegated to second string roles.

 

In addition, blacks in the movies were not only given odd, one syllable names, but were listed in the credit with similar names! I have never found out why they allowed the credits to be listed as such, without their given names. Someone here probably knows?

 

However, most minorities and many women were treated with little to no respect in movies of this era, and I put it down to the mores of the time. It is history, no more, no less. I don't believe in the censorship that many today would perpetrate on books and movies, but that is my opinion.