1. The History of Film Part One: The Silent Era Rochelle Chester 2008

2. Pre-1900’s In the 1800’s, several “inventors” attempted to make pictures move and experimented with various ways of accomplishing this task. In the 1800’s, several “inventors” attempted to make pictures move and experimented with various ways of accomplishing this task. Thomas Edison was a pioneer in this field. The first film he produced with his Kinetograph was called Fred Ott’s Sneeze. Thomas Edison was a pioneer in this field. The first film he produced with his Kinetograph was called Fred Ott’s Sneeze. The first “movie theatre” opened in New York in 1894, but viewers watched films individually on coin-operated kinetoscopes. The first “movie theatre” opened in New York in 1894, but viewers watched films individually on coin-operated kinetoscopes. The first film projected on a screen for a large audience occurred in Paris in 1895. Most early films were documentaries (films of everyday life). The first film projected on a screen for a large audience occurred in Paris in 1895. Most early films were documentaries (films of everyday life).

3. 1900s Movies became popular entertainment in arcades, traveling fairs, and vaudeville houses Movies became popular entertainment in arcades, traveling fairs, and vaudeville houses In 1902, the first permanent movie theater was built in Los Angeles In 1902, the first permanent movie theater was built in Los Angeles Filmmakers began to experiment with stop-motion photography, time-lapse photography, multiple exposures and other special effects Filmmakers began to experiment with stop-motion photography, time-lapse photography, multiple exposures and other special effects

4. In 1903 The Great Train Robbery was filmed using multiple camera angles and filming scenes out of sequence to be edited properly later. It had 14 scenes and was 12 minutes long http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc7wWOmE GGY In 1903 The Great Train Robbery was filmed using multiple camera angles and filming scenes out of sequence to be edited properly later. It had 14 scenes and was 12 minutes long http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc7wWOmE GGY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc7wWOmE GGY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc7wWOmE GGY 1904: Narrative film began to replace documentaries 1904: Narrative film began to replace documentaries The first Nickelodeon was opened in Pittsburg. Nickel for the cost, Odeon meaning theatre in Greek. The first Nickelodeon was opened in Pittsburg. Nickel for the cost, Odeon meaning theatre in Greek. 1906: First full length feature film at 70 minutes long, Ned Kelly and his Gang, premiered in Australia 1906: First full length feature film at 70 minutes long, Ned Kelly and his Gang, premiered in Australia

5. By 1908 there were between 8,000 and 10,000 nickelodeons in the U.S. By 1908 there were between 8,000 and 10,000 nickelodeons in the U.S. The first film makers arrived in California The first film makers arrived in California Actors were unknowns because it was considered degrading to act in films as opposed to the theatre. Actors were unknowns because it was considered degrading to act in films as opposed to the theatre. Music usually accompanied a film as there was no sound, but dialogue titles were introduced by 1910 Music usually accompanied a film as there was no sound, but dialogue titles were introduced by 1910 The first movie stunt occurred: a man jumped into the Hudson River from a burning balloon The first movie stunt occurred: a man jumped into the Hudson River from a burning balloon

6. The first two movie magazines were published, Motion Picture Story Magazine and Photoplay, and helped to turn actors into stars The first two movie magazines were published, Motion Picture Story Magazine and Photoplay, and helped to turn actors into stars By 1913 Hollywood became the center of the movie industry By 1913 Hollywood became the center of the movie industry The beginning of WWI in 1914 put a halt to motion picture production in Europe The beginning of WWI in 1914 put a halt to motion picture production in Europe

7. Charlie Chaplin created “The Little Tramp” for Keystone Pictures http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoKbDNY0Zwg&feat ure=related Charlie Chaplin created “The Little Tramp” for Keystone Pictures http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoKbDNY0Zwg&feat ure=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoKbDNY0Zwg&feat ure=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoKbDNY0Zwg&feat ure=related Many big studios were formed by 1915: Paramount, Universal, Fox and The Goldwyn Company Many big studios were formed by 1915: Paramount, Universal, Fox and The Goldwyn Company In 1915, The Birth of a Nation, directed by D.W. Griffith, at 3 hours long with a cost of 2.00 per ticket, was a breakthrough in film technique, narrative and acting. It was the first film to be shown at The White House http://youtube.com/watch?v=kwu_ClZEnDU&feature=rel ated (show 1 minute only) In 1915, The Birth of a Nation, directed by D.W. Griffith, at 3 hours long with a cost of 2.00 per ticket, was a breakthrough in film technique, narrative and acting. It was the first film to be shown at The White House http://youtube.com/watch?v=kwu_ClZEnDU&feature=rel ated (show 1 minute only) http://youtube.com/watch?v=kwu_ClZEnDU&feature=rel ated http://youtube.com/watch?v=kwu_ClZEnDU&feature=rel ated

8. By 1916, Charlie Chaplin made $10,000 a week! By 1916, Charlie Chaplin made $10,000 a week! By 1919, United Artists Warner Brothers studio opened By 1919, United Artists Warner Brothers studio opened 1919: First films were test-screened to get audience reaction 1919: First films were test-screened to get audience reaction One of the first “stories” about the stars, which continue to drive the industry, was when Douglas Fairbanks married Mary Pickford after divorcing their spouses One of the first “stories” about the stars, which continue to drive the industry, was when Douglas Fairbanks married Mary Pickford after divorcing their spouses

9. In 1921, Rudolph Valentino appears in The Sheik and becomes cinema’s best-known lover. He died at the age of 31 in 1926. http://youtube.com/watch?v=E97ytcgrTvs In 1921, Rudolph Valentino appears in The Sheik and becomes cinema’s best-known lover. He died at the age of 31 in 1926. http://youtube.com/watch?v=E97ytcgrTvs http://youtube.com/watch?v=E97ytcgrTvs The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) was established was created to censor and review films The MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) was established was created to censor and review films In 1922 Nosferatu Eine Symphonie des Grauens was the first recognized gothic vampire film In 1922 Nosferatu Eine Symphonie des Grauens was the first recognized gothic vampire film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr4lfgrAgEM &feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr4lfgrAgEM &feature=related

10. In 1922, German Shepherd Rin-Tin-Tin became the first canine film star. He made 30 films http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao7gB 0kjY_Q (show 1 minute) In 1922, German Shepherd Rin-Tin-Tin became the first canine film star. He made 30 films http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao7gB 0kjY_Q (show 1 minute) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao7gB 0kjY_Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao7gB 0kjY_Q Robin Hood opens at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (later to become Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where the stars put their hand/foot prints into the concrete):http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=JLILeKPcQco Robin Hood opens at Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (later to become Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where the stars put their hand/foot prints into the concrete):http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=JLILeKPcQcohttp://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=JLILeKPcQcohttp://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=JLILeKPcQco

11. In 1923, Cecil B. DeMille’s first version of The Ten Commandments was the most expensive film ever made. He re-made this silent epic in 1956 with Charlton Heston In 1923, Cecil B. DeMille’s first version of The Ten Commandments was the most expensive film ever made. He re-made this silent epic in 1956 with Charlton Heston 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2MUPPfbfHg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2MUPPfbfHg 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDOAEQ0Kg mc&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDOAEQ0Kg mc&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDOAEQ0Kg mc&feature=related The Hollywood sign was built for $21,000. The Hollywood sign was built for $21,000. Walt Disney directed his first cartoon in 1924 Walt Disney directed his first cartoon in 1924 The MGM studio was created, as was the MGM lion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYql_9xqiYM The MGM studio was created, as was the MGM lion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYql_9xqiYM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYql_9xqiYM (PAUSE: Watch Jewish Americans DVD)

12. Battleship Potemkin, celebrating the 20 th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, is still considered one of the greatest films of all time. It was hailed for its montage technique (especially in the Odessa Steps sequence, where 2 clashing film shots evoke a strong emotional response) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps-v- kZzfec&feature=related Battleship Potemkin, celebrating the 20 th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, is still considered one of the greatest films of all time. It was hailed for its montage technique (especially in the Odessa Steps sequence, where 2 clashing film shots evoke a strong emotional response) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps-v- kZzfec&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps-v- kZzfec&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps-v- kZzfec&feature=related It has been “copied” in tribute many times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvg- pnjjmM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvg- pnjjmM&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIvg- pnjjmM&feature=related

13. In 1925 The Phantom of the Opera was released, starring Lon Chaney Sr. He was known as “The Man of a Thousand faces”: In 1925 The Phantom of the Opera was released, starring Lon Chaney Sr. He was known as “The Man of a Thousand faces”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzAzu mHtuxU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzAzu mHtuxU&feature=related The Lost World premiered as the first in- flight movie. It featured pioneering stop- motion special effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fden wZ0Ys&feature=related The Lost World premiered as the first in- flight movie. It featured pioneering stop- motion special effects: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fden wZ0Ys&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fden wZ0Ys&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3fden wZ0Ys&feature=related

14. In 1926 the first “talkie” was debuted: Don Juan, starring John Barrymore. Before this live orchestras often accompanied film screenings. This time, the music and sound effects were pre-recorded. There was no dialogue! In 1926 the first “talkie” was debuted: Don Juan, starring John Barrymore. Before this live orchestras often accompanied film screenings. This time, the music and sound effects were pre-recorded. There was no dialogue! The Flesh and the Devil featured the first open-mouthed kiss between Greta Garbo and John Gilbert (they were real-life lovers): (cue to 6:00) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKg1EWgVj- 0 The Flesh and the Devil featured the first open-mouthed kiss between Greta Garbo and John Gilbert (they were real-life lovers): (cue to 6:00) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKg1EWgVj- 0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKg1EWgVj- 0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKg1EWgVj- 0

15. In 1927, The movie The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson signified the end of the silent film era. It was the first feature-length “talkie” with dialogue! In 1927, The movie The Jazz Singer with Al Jolson signified the end of the silent film era. It was the first feature-length “talkie” with dialogue! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G- WZRUIfHjo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G- WZRUIfHjo Buster Keaton, known as “The Great Stone Face” rivaled Charlie Chaplin as a great comedic stuntman. He did all of his own stunts! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3xh108cLb o Buster Keaton, known as “The Great Stone Face” rivaled Charlie Chaplin as a great comedic stuntman. He did all of his own stunts! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3xh108cLb o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3xh108cLb o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3xh108cLb o

16. In 1927, Metropolis, director Fritz Lang’s dystopian vision of the future, featured cinema’s first android/robot and made use of special effects and elaborate set design: In 1927, Metropolis, director Fritz Lang’s dystopian vision of the future, featured cinema’s first android/robot and made use of special effects and elaborate set design: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrdTdp5UF- M&feature=PlayList&p=F3AAC80014E0AC58&playnext=1&playnext_ from=PL&index=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrdTdp5UF- M&feature=PlayList&p=F3AAC80014E0AC58&playnext=1&playnext_ from=PL&index=1 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded and the first Oscar ceremony debuted in 1929: Wings won best picture. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded and the first Oscar ceremony debuted in 1929: Wings won best picture.

17. The first Mickey Mouse film debuted in 1928. It was called Plane Crazy: The first Mickey Mouse film debuted in 1928. It was called Plane Crazy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMoAX M96ZE0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMoAX M96ZE0 Steamboat Willie was considered Mickey’s first sound cartoon and probably his most famous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6uzf_ z_OXg Steamboat Willie was considered Mickey’s first sound cartoon and probably his most famous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6uzf_ z_OXg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6uzf_ z_OXg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6uzf_ z_OXg

18. The musical film genre was founded with Broadway Melody: a Best Picture Academy award winner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadcxmSUCq A&feature=related The musical film genre was founded with Broadway Melody: a Best Picture Academy award winner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadcxmSUCq A&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadcxmSUCq A&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadcxmSUCq A&feature=related The Marx Brothers make a splash with The Cocoanuts in 1929 and go on to make several popular films: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJxiI8iOV3U& feature=related The Marx Brothers make a splash with The Cocoanuts in 1929 and go on to make several popular films: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJxiI8iOV3U& feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJxiI8iOV3U& feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJxiI8iOV3U& feature=related

19. By 1930 the careers of several silent film stars end when it is discovered that their actual voices are unsuitable!

20. Acknowledgements: www.filmsite.org www.youtube.com www.wikipedia.org