Demographic Angst

In this analysis, Alan Nadel examines how influential non-fiction and films like Singin’ in the Rain and On the Waterfront reflect and address societal anxieties during postwar America's demographic shifts.

In "Demographic Angst," Alan Nadel delves into the intersection of influential non-fiction literature and film to analyze the societal anxieties that arose in postwar America. He examines a range of texts, including books, magazine articles, and public documents, alongside classic films such as Singin’ in the Rain, On the Waterfront, Sunset Boulevard, Roman Holiday, North by Northwest, and Sayonara. Through this exploration, Nadel highlights how these films reflect and negotiate the profound demographic changes that characterized the era.

The book argues that during the High Cold War, American society became increasingly fixated on the concept of normality. This obsession is portrayed as an attempt to return to a pre-war way of life that had been disrupted by both the Great Depression and World War II. Nadel suggests that this quest for normalcy served as a political agenda and social ethic, which ultimately stifled open discussions about the anxieties stemming from the nation’s transformed population dynamics.

Nadel's analysis reveals that the films of the 1950s served as a medium through which these emerging anxieties could be processed and expressed, albeit indirectly. By examining the cultural narratives present in these works, "Demographic Angst" provides valuable insights into how American society grappled with its identity in the wake of significant demographic shifts, reflecting broader themes of adaptation and resilience in a rapidly changing landscape.