With the invention of the Television set, television and films in the fifties were becoming increasingly popular. It was another source where hollywood could attract teens by creating sexy ant-heroes in their films such as James Dean and Paul Newman. These were new role models for teenagers, the rebellious loner and sometimes juvenile delinquent who the parent’s were terrified of.
Rock ‘n’ Roll was all over the television, starting with the introduction of “Band-Stand” a television series that came from Philadelphia and made it’s appearance on TV every afternoon. This is where popular bands got their music heard and young people were seen dancing, a 26-year old Dick Clark was chosen as the host.
Elvis Presley was not only the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, but he made many appearances in films and TV shows such as “Viva Las Vegas”, “Tommy Dorsey’s Stage Show”, “Love Me Tender”, and “Blue Hawaii”. Hollywood realized that teens could be easily exploited since they were now more rebellious than happy-go-lucky, two films that show great examples of this are “Blackboard Jungle” and “High School Confidential”.
Two Early influential Youth Films and actors were Marlon Brando and James Dean.
Teenagers were making their way to the drive in movies to hang out with friends or go on dates. Some cheap teen movies of the time that would have been shown are….
- Not of This Earth (1957) [the alien invasion film was remade by Jim Wynorski as Not of This Earth (1988) with ex-porn star Traci Lords in her first post-adult film appearance, in the Beverly Garland role]; originally released as part of a double-bill with Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)
- Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)
- The Blob (1958) featuring Steve McQueen in his first starring role as a high-schooler in a film about a meteorite that oozed a disgusting, gooey substance that ate people
- A Bucket of Blood (1959)
- The Wasp Woman (1959)
With the increase of televisions in the home Hollywood decided to put more of an emphasis on TV shows and actors were seen crossing paths from TV to films. Some famous television shows from the 1950s that you may be aware of are…
- the early sitcom I Love Lucy (on CBS, beginning in 1951); its stars Lucille Ball and husband Desi Arnaz had founded Desilu Productions in 1950
- the family show The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (on ABC, from 1952-1966)
- The Donna Reed Show (on ABC, from 1958-1966)
- The Honeymooners (from 1951 and after)
- Lassie (on CBS, from 1954-1971)
- Gunsmoke (on CBS, from 1955-1975) with James Arness as Matt Dillon
- This is Your Life (on NBC, from 1952-1961)
1950s teenagers 