What characterized films during the "Golden Age of Hollywood"?

The Golden Age of Hollywood, typically spanning from the late 1920s to the early 1960s, is characterized by the dominance of major studios and the classic production style that defined this era. During this time, a few large film studios, such as MGM, Warner Bros., and Paramount, controlled the majority of the film output and distribution in the United States. This era produced a significant number of iconic films and stars, establishing a formula and set of conventions that would shape storytelling, cinematography, and production values in Hollywood.

The major studios had a system in place, often referred to as the studio system, which included star contracts, extensive marketing strategies, and a focus on creating visually stunning and narratively compelling films. These studios produced a mixture of genres but maintained a standard of high production quality and storytelling that appealed to a wide audience.

In contrast, while experimental films and documentaries have their own significance in film history, they did not dominate Hollywood during this specific period. Additionally, the notion of a decline in movie attendance was more relevant later, especially with the advent of television in the late 1950s, rather than defining the Golden Age itself.