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Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Anticommunism in the 1950s

For Students 9th - 10th
Looks at the paranoia of the 1950s when Americans lived in fear of communism. The House Committee on Un-American Activities created blacklists of people working in Hollywood, McCarthyism flourished, and the Rosenberg couple were tried...
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Handout
University of Washington

University of Washington: The Red Scare: A Filmography

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of Washington discusses films produced in Hollywood before, during, and after the Red Scare.
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Primary
American Rhetoric

American Rhetoric: Adrien Brody: Oscar Award for Best Actor Acceptance Address

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the text and video of Adrien Brody's acceptance speech for his 2003 Oscar Award for Best Actor for the film The Pianist. It was delivered on March 23, 2003, in the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California.
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Handout
CNN

Cnn: The Reagan Years: A Second Act in Politics

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a cnn.com in-depth special "The Reagan years", this site follows Reagan's evolution from Hollywood movie star to governor of California.
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Handout
Other

Something About Mary Pickford

For Students 9th - 10th
This article is about the life and career of Mary Pickford, a Canadian-born actress who gained fame as a silent film star in Hollywood.
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Graphic
New York Times

New York Times: Hollywood Composer

For Students 9th - 10th
Survey the career of John Williams, a prolific composer of movie music whose work includes the scores of many blockbuster films such as "War of the Worlds" and "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith."
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Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Machine: Movies

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: William Randolph Hearst vs. Orson Welles

For Students 9th - 10th
Story examining the feud between newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and Orson Welles, whose "Citizen Kane" was seen as a direct attack on Hearst. Interesting exploration from one of Hollywood's most famed battles.
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Website
Other

The Douglas Fairbanks Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Features a detailed extensive life story on Douglas Fairbanks Sr, "The King of Silent Hollywood." Born in Colorado in 1883, he became one of the most popular comedians on the screen. He also wrote books and was a prominent businessman in...
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Website
Other

The Douglas Fairbanks Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
Features a detailed extensive life story on Douglas Fairbanks Sr, "The King of Silent Hollywood". Born in Colorado in 1883, he became one of the most popular comedians of the screen. He also wrote books and was a prominent businessman in...
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Website
Government of Canada

Health Living: Youth Zone: Tobacco

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents youth with the facts about smoking. Try testing your knowledge of how tobacco affects you by taking a short online quiz. Explore the connection of smoking and Hollywood movies as well. From Health Canada.
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Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Felix the Cat

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
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Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Anna May Wong

For Students 9th - 10th
Appearing in over sixty movies throughout her career, Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood.
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Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Hazel Scott

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott was not only the first African-American woman to host her own television show, but she also bravely stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood studio machine.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Reel Politics: How Hollywood Exercises Free Speech (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson for exploring how films can be used as political tools and as vehicles for informing the public and promoting political agendas. Students research critically acclaimed political films throughout history and create a two-page...
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Primary
Other

Media History Digital Library: Fan Magazine Collection (1911 1963)

For Students 9th - 10th
A large collection of original fan magazines that focused on movies and movie stars covering periods from 1911 to 1960.
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eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: Prosperity and Cold War Fears 1945 60: Popular Culture and Mass Media

For Students 11th - 12th
Examines the impact that rock and roll music, movies and the invention of television had on America in the 1950s.
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Website
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: Anti Communism in the 1950s

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An essay tracing the anti-Communist hysteria beginning in earnest at the end of World War II that resulted in Truman's federal Loyalty Security program and ending with McCarthyism in the 1950s.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters:elia Kazan

For Students 9th - 10th
Discussion on the life of controversial director Elia Kazan, who was a member of the American Communist Party in the McCarthy era. Featured is a timeline of his career and video footage of interviews.
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Handout
US Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Actors, Producers, and Directors

For Students 9th - 10th
Along with information about Directors, this site evaluates the Nature of Work, Working Conditions, Employment, Training, Other Qualifications, Job Outlook, Earnings, Related Occupations, and Additional Information for Actors and Producers.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Arthur Miller

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a collection of three video lessons about Arthur Miller and his play "The Crucible." Teaching materials including handouts and discussion questions are included.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Hedy Lamarr

For Students 9th - 10th
Major support for Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This is a collection of four video lessons about Hedy Lamarr including her acting career and her inventions. Teaching materials are included.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Faulkner in Hollywood

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed biography on writer William Faulkner from the Mississippi Writers page.
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Website
University of Wisconsin

The Why Files: 3 2 1 Contact, Don't Touch That Dial

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion of reflecting telescopes and their use in radio astronomy. The types of information gained from and the research emphasis fueled by such telescopes is described. Site uses Hollywood references and a humorous style.

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