From King Kong to 500 Days of Summer , a guide to the many eras of movie love affairs.
Romance Hollywood-style has almost always been a projection of the desires, yearnings, and aspirations of the men (and yes, they are usually men) who run the film industry.
That said, there are distinct romantic epochs in film history. Here's a look at how love has evolved in Hollywood.
The Heroic-Love Era: Circa 1914
As Seen In: The Perils of Pauline
For a nation still finding its way in the world, love primarily existed to ride to the rescue, to pull its heroine from the railroad tracks, to resolutely declare, "I'll pay the rent." America needed a hero, and love was there.
The Monstrous-Love Era: Circa 1925
As Seen In: Phantom of the Opera (pictured above), King Kong, Dracula
As tastes became more jaded in the excitement of the Jazz Age, old-fashioned white-hatted heroes were no longer such compelling romance objects. Suddenly, women were falling under the spell of mummies, giant apes, vampires, and strange organ players living in theater cellars.
Free-Spirited Woman Teaches Uptight Man How to Live Era: Circa 1937
As Seen In: Bringing Up Baby (pictured above), The Lady Eve, Ball of Fire
Men were such old fuss-budgets. That is, until a carefree young woman came along and forced a little adventure into their lives.
