Final answer:
The idea that television was almost entirely to blame for the declining box office returns of Hollywood films in the 1950s is false. Hollywood faced multiple challenges and adapted by innovating with new formats and genres in response to television's growing popularity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that American television was almost entirely to blame for the declining box office returns of Hollywood films in the 1950s is false. While the advent of television was a significant factor, it wasn't the only reason for the decline in movie attendance. With the post-World War II economic boom, more households could afford televisions, which led to a sharp rise in television ownership from 9 percent in 1950 to about 65 percent in 1955.
However, Hollywood also faced other challenges such as the landmark decision in United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc., which forced studios to divest their theater chains, and changes in societal attitudes and technology. To combat this, Hollywood introduced new techniques like CinemaScope, Cinerama, and 3-D movies. They also focused on stories that appealed to teenagers and adults, including genres like horror, romantic comedies, dramas, and action-packed espionage films.
During this time, Hollywood continued to innovate and adapt, showing resilience in the face of television's competition. The relationship between Hollywood's declining box office returns in the 1950s and the rise of television is multifaceted and cannot be solely attributed to just one factor.