Influence of Political Narratives on Hollywood Depictions

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Naomi Oresky's forthcoming book discusses how Hollywood's portrayal of capitalism and communism was influenced by political alliances. In the 1930s and early 1940s, when Russians were allies, stories on socialism and communism were less critical. Films and novels focused on the importance of unions and labor. However, in the 1950s, these narratives shifted to highlight individual triumph over the masses, often portraying a simplistic good versus evil theme, like in 'Atlas Shrugged.' This shift reflected a broader trend in Hollywood toward narratives glorifying individual entrepreneurs and de-emphasizing workers and labor issues.

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