Books, Films, and Phonographs: Australian Interwar Magazines and the Intermediation of Historical New Media

Victoria Kuttainen

doi:10.21825/jeps.v5i1.15970

Abstract

Using two of Australia’s most prominent quality culture and leisure magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, BP and Home, this article turns to the periodical print culture of the Antipodes to examine the theme of this issue: ‘what was popular’ in the periodical press in the interwar period. These magazines are offered as case studies of the way in which these kinds magazines — which reviewed other forms of culture and media from books to films, theatre, and phonographs — are inherently intermedial forms. Moreover, it advances the idea that cultural values were remarkably unstable in Australia in the interwar years when historical new media, as well as Australian and American literature, were increasingly acceptable cultural pursuits.

Highlights

Film is a great and growing power
Using two of Australia’s most prominent quality culture and leisure magazines of the 1920s and 1930s, BP and Home, this article turns to the periodical print culture of the Antipodes to examine the theme of this issue: ‘what was popular’ in the periodical press in the interwar period.These titles are offered as case studies of the way in which certain kinds of magazines — which reviewed other forms of culture and media offerings from books to films, theatre, and phonographs — are inherently intermedial forms
It advances the idea that cultural values were remarkably unstable in Australia in the interwar years when historical new media, as well as Australian and American literature, were increasingly acceptable cultural pursuits

Summary

Introduction

Film is a great and growing power. It amuses and entertains us — today we are receiving much of our general education through this medium, unconsciously, perhaps, but it will not be long before cinema will be recognised as an essential means of education and its possibilities officially exploited to augment the present methods of instruction in schools.

Results

Conclusion