Final answer:
Before the 1960s, Hollywood movies were often characterized by racial and gender stereotypes, but filmmakers like Oscar Micheaux created 'race films' for black audiences featuring more dignified portrayals. These films, however, did not enjoy the same financial success as stereotypical mainstream movies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the onset of more diverse representation in the 1960s and during the golden age of Hollywood, the stereotypical portrayals of race and gender dominated movies. During this period, Hollywood was marked by a lack of diversity, with many films reinforcing stereotypes, especially concerning race and gender. Such stereotypes commonly depicted minority groups in roles of servitude or comedic relief, while the leading roles of heroines and heroes were often reserved for white actors.Filmmakers like Oscar Micheaux countered this trend by creating 'race films' for black audiences, featuring dignified black women and men as protagonists. However, these films were not as lucrative as mainstream Hollywood productions, leading to significant sacrifices by the black artists involved. This era of black cinema is sometimes referred to as the 'golden era' as it offered alternative representations of black characters outside the prevalent stereotypes.While the mainstream movie industry continued to prioritize stories and characters that appealed to a broad audience, including romantic comedies and horror films, the landscape began to change with increased cultural awareness and diversification in later years, driven by critical voices from varied backgrounds and the expansion of the Internet.