The start of the 50s saw a post war economic boom that was particularly felt in West Germany and the USA. Along with this newfound prosperity came an increased focused on consumerism, with drive in movie theaters a direct result of the successful automobile industry. Another societal change reflecting postwar prosperity was a major population boom. The global film industry increasingly focused on this growing adolescent demographic by creating antihero characters and incorporating rock 'n' roll into film plots and soundtracks. Key movie makers on this list include: directors Alfred Hitchcock, Akira Kurosawa, Billy Wilder, Elia Kazan, Satyajit Ray & William Wyler; actors Kirk Douglas, Marlon Brando, James Dean, John Wayne, Gregory Peck & Toshirô Mifune; and actresses Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly & Elizabeth Taylor.
How many of these crowdpleasers have you seen?
