Leisure Opportunities

Leisure Opportunities

1. Cinema

   • 5000 cinemas in operation in the 1930s
   • Weekly treat for young people
     • Not many old people into it
   • British Board of Film Censors established in 1912
     • Fear of American and foreign influence
   • 43 rules established for what was permissible
   • 1927 Quota Act ensured that 20% of films shown were British
   • 140 films were banned between 1928 and 1939

2. Radio

   • 71% of households had a radio by 1939
   • The BBC was formed in 1927
     • Had a monopoly on broadcasting until 1973
     • Offered both regional and national services

3. Music

   • American influenced popular music
     • Fear of American and foreign influence
   • Ragtime, Jazz, Swing and Bop
   • Dance crazes, Charleston and Jitterbug

4. Sport

   • The radio and newspapers had created an interest in cricket and football
   • Other 'elite' sports were also broadcast like boat race and wimbledon
   • Industrialization made it easier for workers to organize into local teams

5. Cars

   • 2 million cars registered in Britain in 1939
   • Average price of a car fell to just £130 in 1938