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American Graffiti & The Teen Subculture?American Graffiti?is a 1971 movie about a group of teenagers living in a small California town in the summer of 1962. The movie does an amazing job of recreating teenage life during the fifties and early sixties. ?It provides an interesting opportunity to observe many different aspects of the teenage subculture as it was during that time.Clothing/StylesThroughout the film we see characters dressed in the various fashions and styles of the fifties and early sixties. ? John Milner (Paul LeMat) sports the "greaser" look that many associate with the fifties. ?His hair is slicked back and he wears a plain white t-shirt and jeans. ?Steve (Ron Howard) and Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) wear the clothes associated with white, middle class, guys - short-sleeve button down shirts and slacks. ?Their hair is cut short and neat. ? The girls are shown wearing "poodle skirts," button down shirts with long sleeves, bobby socks, and other styles that were popular at one time or another between 1955 and 1962. ?? ? ?Activities? ? A big part of being a teenager in the fifties, or any other time, is coming up with things to do in order to keep from being board. ?Teenagers are always looking for and finding different ways to spend their free time and socialize with their friends. ?The teens in American Graffiti are shown cruising the streets of their town from dusk to dawn. ?Cruising was a popular teen activity in many places across the country for many years - and probably still is in some places. ? Teens would spend their nights driving up and down city streets, talking to their friends, showing off their cars, and trying to meet people of the opposite gender.?One scene shows a high school dance, or "hop." ? High school dances were among the most popular school-sponsored social events for many years. ? In American Graffiti, we get a chance to see the dances that were popular in the fifties and early sixties - including "The Twist." ? Many of the dancers are shown "swing dancing" - which was very popular during the Swing Era (1936-1935). ? Kids in the fifties, if they knew how to dance, most likely learned from their parents who had been young during the Swing Era. ? As rock and roll became popular (1955-1960), teens created their own unique dances to go with their new music. ?One of the best, most interesting, is "The Stroll" which is shown being performed by students at the dance. ?In American Graffiti, teens are also shown engaging in various practical jokes and acts of vandalism. ? The most memorable is where they tie the chain to the axle of the police car. ?Most teens never did this kind of thing, but there are plenty of other examples in the movie of more common mischief. ? In one scene, Terry (Charlie Martin-Smith) is "mooned" by a car of girls. ? Some cruisers throw water balloons at each other while, in one scene, John and his young friend spray shaving cream on the windows of another car. ? One character is "pantsed" by another - pulls down his pants. ??Material CultureThe most important material culture item for the teens in American Graffiti is the car. ?Cars provide them with transportation and are essential for things like making out with girls and, of course, cruising. ? Inside the car is the radio - a portable source of popular music for teen throughout the fifties and sixties. ? The car radio allowed teens to take their music with them wherever they went. ?In the film, notice how the music can always be heard playing in the background through car radios. ?For girls, cosmetics like lipstick and blush are examples of materials items. ? Pretty much any item that a teen is shown "using" or "handling" can be considered an example of material culture. ?SlangMany of the teenagers in the film speak to each other using the popular slang expressions and words of the fifties and early sixties. ??"Boss" - ? cool"Cooties" - ?germs"Dip" - jerk"Dumped On" ?- ?having a boyfriend or girlfriend break-up with you"Bitchin'" - cool"See You Later, Alligator" ?- ? way of saying goodbye to someone"flat top" - ?style of guy's haircut (crew cut)"stay cool" ?- don't get excited/upset - stay calm"flat top" ?crew cut/style of haircut for guysMusicAmerican Graffiti was the first major film to feature a soundtrack of many different popular songs. ? You can hear songs from 1954-1962 playing in the background throughout the movie. ? ?Music has always been a really important part of teen culture. ?It was in the fifties that rock and roll music first emerged and became the "official" music of teens everywhere. ? Teens listened to records, but radio was the main source of tunes. ?Dating/RulesTwo of the movie's main characters, Steve (Ron Howard) and Laurie (Cindy Williams), are "going steady" - the fifties/sixties expression for a couple that was dating regularly. ? Laurie is shown wearing Steve's class ring on a string around her neck - a popular ritual designed to show others that one was "taken" or "spoken for." ? She is also shown wearing his letter sweater - a tradition that continues to today with girls wearing their boyfriends letter jackets, jersey's, or sweatshirts. Cruising is shown as a ritualistic way for guys to meet girls - and visa versa. The awkward interaction between Terry and Debbie show the insecurity often felt by teenagers as they try to impress the opposite gender. ??FoodsTeens have always had certain foods that were popular for "snacking" or eating while hanging out with their friends. ?In?American Graffiti, Mel's Drive-In is the place where the teens go to eat between adventures. ?They are shown eating/drinking burgers, french fries, cherry coke's, and hot dogs -- all popular foods of the teen subculture. ? The drive-in restaurant in itself was a popular place for teens to eat and meet with friends. ?TelevisionWatching television became a popular American activity during the fifties. ? Several shows became very popular among teenagers - including American Bandstand and sitcoms like?Ozzie and Harriet?. ? In one scene, Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) is shown sitting on a parked car in front of a TV store watching?Ozzie and Harriet. ? Drive-in movies were another popular form of teen entertainment in the fifties and early sixties. ?Once again, one needed a car in order to attend. ?Symbols/SignsThe most visible symbol of teenage culture in the fifties was the automobile. ? To teenagers of every generation, the car represents freedom and independence from one's parents. ? ?In one scene a character is shown giving the middle finger to another - an ageless symbol used by people from every generation! ? The class ring worn by Laurie is a symbol of her devotion to her boyfriend, Steve, and shows that she is "going steady." ? ?The tattoos and jackets worn by the gang members that Curt ends up hanging out with are also example of symbols - showing their membership in the Pharaohs Car Club. ?? ................
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