Films in the beginning A brief history of motion pictures as an art form and industry.

First films Began as a five frame per second motion picture developed in sparse sets with minimal scenery and costumes. These were shown in Nickelodeon machines, viewfinders for individuals. The first theaters were built for silent films after World War I(1919). The first films were only 20 to 30 minutes long but had two to three films and a news reel. They competed with live theater and radio for audiences.

Silent Films Music in foreground, no audio for acting. First talkies began in 1924 as technology advanced. Films became more than novelty, they began to be an industry for information and entertainment. Movie stars like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford transitioned from silent films to talkies.

The Oscars Sensing that anyone could make films, directors and studio owners wanted to encourage good films to be made so Sam Mayer of MGM developed the Oscars. First Oscars had no media coverage, no red carpet and no real ballots. The studios picked the winners and held a luncheon, began in In 1939, an accounting system was hired to keep the awards impartial, as studio owners often influenced the academy to pick the first winners to make them popular.

First Big Winners Seven Oscars went to “Gone With the Wind” in 1939 First honorary Oscar went to “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” no category for full length animated features existed. Walt Disney has won 26 total, the most of anyone “The Wizard of Oz” broke ground in special effects and started technical categories.1937

McCarthyism and film After World War II, the Cold war began between Russia and the U.S. Movie directors, actors and writers were the target of Sen. Joseph McCarthy who accused media figures of being communist during congressional hearings. Many people who were influential in theater lost their jobs and reputations, some continued to write, but could not use their own names. Films reflect politics and current events in teir genres.