How does the film relate to the chapter in Foner?
This film relates to Foner in the sense that people of American culture were becoming affluent through consumerism. While Foner writes about everybody purchasing televisions and tv dinners, the film focuses on “Fats” trying to make his girl famous so Americans can “consume” her singing talents by purchasing them for their juke boxes. It is then after she becomes famous that Fats himself will then commit to “consuming” her by making her his famous and wealthy wife. While the elements consumed are not exactly the items Foner talks about in his chapter, the general theme of happiness from wealth and items owned exists between both.
What can we learn about American culture during the time period by interpreting the film as a primary historical source?
We can learn that American culture was about music, music and more music! Everything to do with this film is somehow related back to music. Tom is trying to make Jerri into a famous singer so she can become famous and marry “Fats”. Then “Fats” finds himself as the writer of a new hit song. Among these main things happening in the film, not a full five minutes of the film goes by with out a full length performance by a single artist or group. Whether it’s Julie London Haunting Tom during one of his drunken stupors, or the Platters performing at a night club while Tom is showing Jerri of to the owners, music is always prevalent.
What does this film reveal about attitudes towards gender, class, and race?
Beautiful women are definitely itemized in this film. When Tom brings Jerri to night clubs, all of the owners are marveled by her beauty and even more excited when they learn she is a singer. Race, although not really mentioned, shows both a mixture of black and white in the entertainment industry. However, in the rest of society that is enjoying the entertainment, there are really no African Americans involved. As far as class is concerned, a lower class is not represented through this film, but the importance of being on the top is definitely stressed through “Fats” and his obsession with making the girl he wants to marry famous first.
What was the most important scene in the film?
I believe the most important scene in this film is when Tom goes to see “Fats” because Fats is inquiring about an agent for his girl Jerri. This scene really points out the necessity for affluence amongst society. Although Jerri is beautiful and a wonderful homemaker, Fats refuses to marry her unless she is a “somebody” or a star. It is as if he wants to collect her, but she is not worth anything yet so she is not worth anything to him.
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