"WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE WAY I TALK?" THE EFFECT OF SOUND MOTION PICTURES ON ACTOR CAREERS. (23rd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hanssen, F. Andrew
• Is Part Of: Economic inquiry. Volume 58:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 474
• Page End: 495
• Publication Date: 2019-10-23
• Subjects: Economics -- Periodicals; 330.05
• DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12857
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-2583

Abstract

Abstract : The development of sound motion pictures in the late 1920s provides one of history's most evocative examples of the effect of technological innovation on employment. I begin by exploring the transition to sound, which lasted several years. I then analyze transition's effect on actor employment, and find it to be associated with a substantial increase in career terminations, not only among major stars (which film scholars emphasize), but also among more minor actors. Furthermore, I find that sound raised hazard rates generally. Finally, I calculate that the number of actors employed in movies increased substantially in the sound era.