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Amateurs and professionals

In this section you will hear about how the Hollywood musical aims at creating an illusion of amateurism. This section will take you approximately 30 minutes to complete.

Activity 5.1

First, read the quote below and answer the following question.

"For a movie genre which itself represents professional entertainment and which is also frequently about professional entertainers, there seems to be a remarkable emphasis on the joys of being an amateur."

(Feuer, 1982, p13)

1

What precisely does the word 'amateur' mean? Write first what you understand by this term and then look for a precise definition on an online dictionary and make a note of it in the box. Remember to copy the link to the source where you found the definition.

You may have found these definitions in the Merriam-Webster dictionary (opens in a new window):

1: devotee, admirer

2: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession

3: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science

Was your understanding similar to one of these?

Check your answer

Activity 5.2

Now listen to the podcast (1:33 mins) and answer the question below.

Download mp3 (audio file)

Download Transcription (Word file)

2

What is the etymology of the word 'amateur' according to Feuer?

According to Feuer 'amateur' comes from the Latin 'amator' - meaning 'lover'. Within the context of the Hollywood musical, this means singing or dancing for the love of it, rather than singing or dancing for professional entertainment.Check your answer

Activity 5.3

Let's now look at this clip of The Harvey Girls. While you are watching, consider the question below.

Watch the clip: The Harvey Girls (8:23 mins) (opens in a new window)

3

How does the sequence cancel out its links to professionalism and commercialism?

This musical is set in various settings of a small town in which the bartender, train driver and local population emerge naturally rather than appearing as professional entertainers.Check your answer