This is probably a stupid question, but a student asked me
recently, and I realized I didn't know the answer.
        A student very astutely observed that the films we watched
in class (mostly from the 1930's and 1940's) have extensive
credits at the outset with credits for things like costumes
and make-up, whereas credits nowadays are more abbreviated
and seem to end with the director's credit.
        When did credits change and why?  Is this something to do
with unions?
 
Yours in blessed ignorance,
Edward R. O'Neill
 
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Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite
http://www.tcf.ua.edu/screensite