Talk:Blockbuster (entertainment)

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The term was in use prior to "Star Wars". I remember it being used in the early 1970s, although perhaps the earliest use I can remember is that in the 1970s rock hit "Blockbuster" by The Sweet.

Contents 1 major changes 2 Blockbuster: Origins 3 Proposed Merger 4 Racial reasons 5 Satirical documentary 6 Another possible definition

[edit] major changes

SOMEONE PLEASE RUN SPELL CHECK ON THIS "ARTICLE"! It's horrid!

I couldn't find any description in any dictionary or anywhere online that referred to thatres going out of business as the etymology for blockbuster. Even if this were the case, it would only have acquired that meaning after the use of it in WWII to describe block-busting bombs (bombs capable of destroying an entire city block). It also certainly predates Star Wars, and I if it must be mentioned that a lot of people think that the term comes from people stretched around the block, it should be done so in the context that this is incorrect (unless ofcourse some further research shows that to be the case).

Charles (Kznf) 00:15, Jun 14, 2005 (UTC) around-the-block explanation; it seems possible that the nickname for the bomb may have actually been a pun on this term rather than the other way around. I've left in all the suggested etymologies and restructured a bit. I did leave out the "Star Wars" claim for the reason you suggest. Jgm 19:47, 15 Jun 2005 (UTC)

The bomb derivation is often cited but there is little evidence to link the name of the bomb to the usage to denote hit. At least one well-researched source (THE BIG PICTURE: The New Logic of Money and Power in Hollywood by Edward Jay Epstein) claims the term was in use as early as the 1920s and supports the line-

Very good changes, thank you. My only objection is that I think the last sentence falls under: Wikipedia:Avoid weasel terms, and sounds very POVish to me. Better to leave it out, or if it must be there list a prominent critics objection with reference. Charles (Kznf) 17:44, Jun 16, 2005 (UTC)

I was never happy with that line myself; however it does seem as though the article should mention the fact that the development of the blockbuster approach is seen as a negative in some circles, with possible mention of the pejorative term "blockbuster mentality". I've added a different version of the sentence framed by some history, see what you think. Jgm 17:25, 16 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Very nice changes. A much better article. Charles (Kznf) 17:44, Jun 16, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Blockbuster: Origins

124.186.236.172 10:42, 14 August 2007 (UTC) Chris Slee (http://www.geocities.com/chris_slee/)

I was taught in film school that the term blockbuster originated in the 1930 and 40s. Cinemas used to buy films in monthly or quarterly blocks rather than individually. A cinema could only buy from their own supplier/distributor. Anyone who bought from another distributor had the block contract cut. When Hollywood started producing big movies such as Gone With The Wind, the cinemas rose up and revolted until they were allowed by the studio/distributors to buy movies outside their blocks - ie: blockbusters.

The modern idea of the summer blockbuster, we were taught, dates to about the time of - if not the actual release of Jaws. The film's big budget and popularity started a trend inn which every stuio tried to match Jaws success. Jaws was released at a time when studio were complain, like today, of declining film profits from a jaded public who simply didn't go to the cinema anymore. It also fits in with the one thing the studios figured TV couldn't do - big explosions on screen.

[edit] Proposed Merger

It looks to me like the only thing needed from Blockbuster motion picture is the external links; the content seems to be covered better here. Jgm 03:31, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

I moved the redirect back here and moved the links and a few other bits of content from the Blockbuster motion picture article; this is the logical place for it as this entry covers the term for other media beyond film while including all the details about film. Jgm 15:45, 1 November 2005 (UTC)

In the future - when you merge a page - make sure you have an admin merge the page histories, also. Otherwise you will be in violation of the GNU copyright. Davodd 19:09, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

I'll try to remember that; seems like a flaw in the system, to be honest. Plus I thought all histories remain available, don't they? Jgm 20:41, 22 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Racial reasons

Another term blockbuster may have been used for was in the early eras when a "family block" was sold to a minority family. It was not limited to african-americans, but any non-white immigrant at the time.

This is a circulated "myth" in the real-estate world.

206.248.176.154 19:36, 13 January 2007 (UTC)Saporis

[edit] Satirical documentary

In the last paragraph, Rocky is called a satirical documentary. I don't think it was one the last time I checked. Also, mockumentary might be a better word than "satirical documentary", to describe Borat. Rob-R-TOR-3 (talk) 20:13, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Another possible definition

I have no idea how I'd source it, but it's been my understanding that "blockbuster" was first used in the movie industry to describe Jaws, and because it was one of the first movies where the line to get in went around the block.

Seeing how nothing else is sourced, should we add this possible definition? Ynot4tony (talk) 18:13, 20 April 2008 (UTC)