The pop culture is a reflection of the social and political mores of the times. The 1960’s were a heyday in Hollywood movie making. Part of that is, in my opinion, because of the depth of talent in acting, directing and script writing. Part of it is technological advancements. Of course, home video equipment wasn’t available for another decade, so your movie watching was done either in a theater, or on television.
The period from 1960 – 1965 was very different from the second half of the decade, which was one of social and political upheaval. 1960 was the year that JFK was elected President, and the U.S. entered the Vietnam war. Civil Rights became a movement in the early 60’s, JFK was shot, and manned space exploration began. Cigarette smoking was not just socially acceptable, but popular.
The music I remember from this time is Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee, Everly Brothers, Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Darin, Lesley Gore, The Four Seasons, Beach Boys and Motown. The Beatles made their debut in this period too.
The movies – just in 1960 – Psycho, The Magnificent Seven, Exodus, The Apartment, Elmer Gantry. Others that I remember from this time are The Birds, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, The Hustler, Judgment At Nuremberg, The Manchurian Candidate, The Longest Day, Cape Fear, Days of Wine and Roses, To Kill A Mockingbird, Charade, My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, Zorba The Greek, Pink Panther.
My favorite movie from this period is Doctor Zhivago, a masterpiece of Cinematography, music, and acting. Who can forget the eyes of Julie Christie, handsome Omar Sharif, the beauty of the Russian countryside, the horror of war?
1966-1969 was a period of social and political upheaval. The small things that I remember (some good, some bad):
- Pantyhose were created. Garter belts were a thing of the past.
- Dress codes gradually loosened – for women at least. We were able to wear slacks to class and in the workplace.
- Brassieres became optional (for some of us).
- The birth control pill was introduced
- Television broadcasts were now in color
Major political events were the marches for Civil Rights, riots in Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities, the assassinations of MLK and Bobby Kennedy, the protests against the Vietnam War.
The music of the times (in my memory): The bands of the British invasion, and popular folk music groups/folk-pop groups like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, The Mama’s & the Papas. Also hard rock, like Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Doors, Steppenwolf.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHdlSolwktU
The movies reflect the times, as well.
- Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolff?
- Fahrenheit 451
- The Graduate
- Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?
- To Sir, With Love
- Bonnie & Clyde
- In Cold Blood
- Planet Of The Apes
- Rosemary’s Baby
- The Odd Couple
- Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
- Midnight Cowboy
- Easy Rider
- Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
What are your favorite movies from the 1960’s? Here is a list of favorites (with clips) at PJ Lifestyle:
The 20 Best Films of the 1960s