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Directed by D.W. Griffith, Birth of a Nation was the first blockbuster film. Revolutionary for its time, the movie featured innovative editing techniques and a continuous storyline.
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Micheaux was the first successful African American film producer, writer, and director. Through his films, he worked to invalidate the racial stereotypes common during that era.
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Famous comedian Roscoe Arbuckle was falsely accused of the murder of Virginia Rappe. Though untrue, the accusations were sensationalized by the media and ruined his career.
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Nanook of the North, the first full length documentary, was released on June 11, 1922.
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Charlie Chaplin became the first international film star through his role in various slapstick comedies, notably Gold Rush, in which he plays the famous character, the Tramp.
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The Jazz Singer was the first "talkie," ushering in a new era of film.
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Steamboat Willie, the cartoon that introduced Mickey Mouse to the public, was one of the first cartoons with synchronized sound.
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Hollywood's Golden Age was the peak of film production in history, and gave rise to iconic stars, like Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly.
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Flowers and Trees, a technicolor cartoon produced by Walt Disney, became the first animated short to win an Academy Award.
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Shirley Temple became the first child star with the release of The Red Haired Alibi.
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King Kong broke all previous box office records and saved RKO film studios from bankruptcy.
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The PCA was established to monitor the content in films, and required that films receive a seal of approval before being released to the public.
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Beggar's Wedding was the first 3-D talkie.
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During 1939, 10 movies were nominated for the Academy Award. Some of the best movies ever made were released, such as The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind.
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Orson Welles' first film was innovative for its time, featuring nonlinear storytelling and inventive use of low angle shots.
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The first Golden Globe award ceremony was held at the 20th Century Fox Studios.
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The Miracle of Morgan's Creek was the first film advertised on television.
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The de Havilland law was passed after Olivia de Havilland sued Warner Bros. for extending her seven year contract. This landmark decision loosened the grip of movie studios on their actors.
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In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee began to target Hollywood, investigating for signs of Communist influence.
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Due to the advent of television, less people went to movie theaters.
