History of Film

By DanteRoberts
  • First Film Camera

    First Film Camera

    William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, commissioned by Thomas Alva Edison, builds the first motion-picture camera and names it the Kinetograph.
  • First Theater

    First Theater

    The first movie theater opens in Pittsburgh.
  • First Movie Review

    First Movie Review

    The New York Times publishes the first movie review, a report on D. W. Griffith's Pippa Passes.
  • First Feature Film

    First Feature Film

    The first feature film is released when the two reels of D. W. Griffith's Enoch Arden are screened together.
  • Charlie Chaplin Signs

    Charlie Chaplin Signs

    Charlie Chaplin signs on with Mutual Studios and earns an unprecedented $10,000 a week.
  • Disney Begins

    Disney Begins

    Walt Disney creates his first cartoon, "Alice's Wonderland."
  • Cartoons with Sounds

    Cartoons with Sounds

    Walt Disney introduces Galloping Gaucho and Steamboat Willie, the first cartoons with sound.
    The Academy Awards are handed out for the first time. Wings wins Best Picture.
  • One Night Sweeps Academys

    One Night Sweeps Academys

    It Happened One Night sweeps the Academy Awards, winning Best Picture, Director, Actor, and Actress.
  • First Full-Length

    First Full-Length

    Walt Disney's first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, hits theaters and becomes an instant classic.
  • Death of A Legend

    Death of A Legend

    Marilyn Monroe dies of a drug overdose at age 36.
    Government regulations force studios out of the talent agency business.

  • Motion Picture Rating

    The motion picture rating system debuts with G, PG, R and X.
  • X rating Replaced

    X rating Replaced

    The X rating is replaced by NC-17 (no children under 17).