The rise and fall of Hollywood's Mid-Atlantic accent

The video explores the Mid-Atlantic accent, a blend of British and American speech, which was popular among the American upper class and in early radio. It had distinct features like dropping the 'R', emphasizing the 'T', and softening vowels. The accent's popularity is attributed to Edith Skinner's book 'Speak With Distinction'. However, post-World War 2, it fell out of favor due to societal changes and new acting methods. Modern references include the show 'Frazier', where characters use an updated version of the accent.

What are the three main pronunciation rules of the Mid-Atlantic accent?

• Emphasize the R, soften the T, soften vowels

• Drop the R, soften the T, harden vowels

• Emphasize the R, drop the T, harden vowels

• Drop the R, emphasize the T, soften vowels

Who is credited with popularizing the Mid-Atlantic accent through a book?

• Cary Grant

• FDR

• Katharine Hepburn

• Edith Skinner

What societal change contributed to the decline of the Mid-Atlantic accent after World War II?

• The Great Depression

• The rise of the middle class

• The fall of the British Empire

• The invention of television

Why did Hollywood move away from using the Mid-Atlantic accent?

• It was too expensive to teach

• It was too difficult to learn

• It was too similar to British accents

• It was considered too fake

Which TV show featured characters using an updated version of the Mid-Atlantic accent?

• Frazier

• Friends

• The Office

• Seinfeld