Why did people in the 1950s speak differently?
As microphone and broadcast technology improved, it became less crucial to speak distinctly. If you spoke like a 40s or 50s newscaster in ordinary conversation today, people would think you were being overly formal or precise. Also remember that many movie and television stars of that era got their start in theater.
What happened to the old American accent?
It actually corresponds to the rise of the television age. As broadcast journalists such as Chet Huntly, David Brinkly and Walter Cronkite spoke to a national audience, regional accents such as New England, Mid-Atlantic and Southern were replaced with what came to be known as Standard mid-Western American.
Why do people’s voices sound different in old movies?
A video from BrainStuff explains why the people in old movies might have an accent or dialect you just can’t seem to place. BrainStuff explains that the plummy, upper-crust accent is reminiscent of British aristocracy and was actually the style of speaking taught to students in New England boarding schools.
Why did Americans talk different?
An important reason why American English and British English sound different is rhotacism, the change of a particular sound in a language. Americans kept their rhotic American accent—for the most part. Port cities on the East Coast, especially in New England, had a lot of contact with the R-less Brits.
What accent does rarity have?
She speaks with a cultivated trans-Atlantic dialect, and shares some mannerisms with similarly accented Hollywood actresses, such as Katharine Hepburn. Rarity sometimes gets carried away with her attention to detail.
Why do all old narrators sound the same?
Because the style was set by WWII newsreels which had a kind of upbeat tone, exemplified by Ed Herlihy and Walter Cronkite. In a technical sense they were part of WWII propaganda newsreels which was intended to support the morale of civilians and troops.
What accent did Grace Kelly have?
She had to take lessons to get rid of her Philadelphian accent. At the acting school, she was advised to work on her voice and delivery. Grace used her tape recorder and soon her accent was close to the British accent. Her new accent was termed as being well measured and well rounded.