A Brief History of FilmA Brief History of Film

A Few Highlights to Give A Few Highlights to Give Context to Our Fascination Context to Our Fascination With This Visual MediumWith This Visual Medium

Roots: Machines, Action and Roots: Machines, Action and ActorsActors

If you were a teen in 1898, you would have If you were a teen in 1898, you would have been entertained by a MAGIC LANTERN been entertained by a MAGIC LANTERN SHOW, also sometimes called a SHOW, also sometimes called a “stereopticon show.” From the early “stereopticon show.” From the early 1700’s, scenes had been painted on glass 1700’s, scenes had been painted on glass and projected on a wall or sheet, using a and projected on a wall or sheet, using a candle or a lantern as a light source. Magic candle or a lantern as a light source. Magic lantern shows were the combination of lantern shows were the combination of projected images, live narration, and live projected images, live narration, and live music that inspired the creation of the music that inspired the creation of the medium called movies.  They were medium called movies.  They were incredibly popular 100 years ago. incredibly popular 100 years ago.

A nineteenth century magic-lantern show, using the A nineteenth century magic-lantern show, using the "stereopticon" (double lens) magic-lantern, lit with "stereopticon" (double lens) magic-lantern, lit with

limelight. limelight.

This engraving of a magic lantern show dates from This engraving of a magic lantern show dates from 1881. The image being projected shows a castle at 1881. The image being projected shows a castle at

night. night.

In 1834, George Homer popularized a In 1834, George Homer popularized a device that simulated movement device that simulated movement called a ZOETROPE. called a ZOETROPE.

You might decide to head out to the You might decide to head out to the local VAUDEVILLE THEATRE (even local VAUDEVILLE THEATRE (even most small towns had them). Here most small towns had them). Here you would see live entertainment you would see live entertainment from traveling entertainers who from traveling entertainers who specialized in this. Vaudeville specialized in this. Vaudeville flourished in the years between 1850 flourished in the years between 1850 and 1900, though its heyday began in and 1900, though its heyday began in 1875, and lasted for several years 1875, and lasted for several years after that, into the 1930’s. Many film after that, into the 1930’s. Many film actors started their training and actors started their training and careers here. careers here.

"The acrobats, the animal acts, the dancers, the singers and the old-time "The acrobats, the animal acts, the dancers, the singers and the old-time comedians have taken their final bows and disappeared into the wings of comedians have taken their final bows and disappeared into the wings of obscurity. For 50 years from 1875 to 1925 - vaudeville was the popular obscurity. For 50 years from 1875 to 1925 - vaudeville was the popular

entertainment of the masses. The vaudeville actor roamed the country with a entertainment of the masses. The vaudeville actor roamed the country with a smile and a suitcase. With his brash manner, flashy clothes, capes and cane, smile and a suitcase. With his brash manner, flashy clothes, capes and cane,

and accompanied by his gaudy womenfolk, the vaudevillian brought happiness and accompanied by his gaudy womenfolk, the vaudevillian brought happiness and excitement to the communities that were visited." and excitement to the communities that were visited."

From The Vintage Vaudeville & Ragtime Show (http://www.bestwebs.com/vaudeville/index.shtml)

The Gumm Sisters, in their Vaudeville costumes, 1929. The The Gumm Sisters, in their Vaudeville costumes, 1929. The girl on the right, Baby Frances Gumm, would later achieve girl on the right, Baby Frances Gumm, would later achieve great fame through the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s using her later great fame through the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s using her later

stage name, Judy Garland.stage name, Judy Garland.

The Revolution Begins & The Revolution Begins & EscalatesEscalates

The demise of Vaudeville and its The demise of Vaudeville and its traveling entertainers was soon to traveling entertainers was soon to come, for in 1899, William Dickson, come, for in 1899, William Dickson, working for Thomas Edison’s famous working for Thomas Edison’s famous laboratory in West Orange, New laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey, invented the first successful Jersey, invented the first successful motion picture camera. Edison’s motion picture camera. Edison’s team produced a KINETOSCOPE, a team produced a KINETOSCOPE, a device for viewing films. device for viewing films.

One person at a time could look One person at a time could look through a peephole in the top of a through a peephole in the top of a box, while turning a crank to make box, while turning a crank to make the film loop move and thus simulate the film loop move and thus simulate action. These PEEP SHOWS were very action. These PEEP SHOWS were very popular, so much so that stylish popular, so much so that stylish parlours were built to house the parlours were built to house the machines.machines.

These early films were not told in These early films were not told in story form. They were moving scenes story form. They were moving scenes of about one minute in duration of about one minute in duration each: a dog barking, a dancer each: a dog barking, a dancer moving, or in the first and therefore moving, or in the first and therefore most famous example, a simple most famous example, a simple sneeze.sneeze.

In France, two brothers, LOUIS & In France, two brothers, LOUIS & AUGUSTE LUMIERE, invented a AUGUSTE LUMIERE, invented a camera which could not only take a camera which could not only take a picture, but could also project it picture, but could also project it onto a screen. It was called a onto a screen. It was called a CINEMATOGRAPHE.CINEMATOGRAPHE.

The brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière were two of the earliest The brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière were two of the earliest players in the development of motion pictures. Their cinématographe players in the development of motion pictures. Their cinématographe device, patented in 1895, was a combined cine-camera and projector, device, patented in 1895, was a combined cine-camera and projector,

using an intermittent claw derived from the mechanism used in using an intermittent claw derived from the mechanism used in sewing machines. It was used to show the first projected cinema film sewing machines. It was used to show the first projected cinema film to a paying audience, in the basement of the Grand Café, Paris, on 28 to a paying audience, in the basement of the Grand Café, Paris, on 28

December 1895. This example is the earliest surviving from the December 1895. This example is the earliest surviving from the subsequent production run. subsequent production run.

Vaudeville houses began renting Vaudeville houses began renting these early machines and using these early machines and using them to attract audiences in them to attract audiences in conjunction with their live conjunction with their live performers. The usual choice in performers. The usual choice in these cases was Edison’s early these cases was Edison’s early motion picture projector called the motion picture projector called the VITASCOPE.VITASCOPE.

““There were two decisive steps in the creation of the modern There were two decisive steps in the creation of the modern motion picture: the transition from the "peep show" to the motion picture: the transition from the "peep show" to the projection of images over a distance, accomplished in the projection of images over a distance, accomplished in the

1890s by Thomas A. Edison's (1847-1931) Vitascope; and the 1890s by Thomas A. Edison's (1847-1931) Vitascope; and the talking picture, introduced in the American movie talking picture, introduced in the American movie The Jazz The Jazz

SingerSinger in 1927.” in 1927.”

From www.loc.gov/exhibits/british/brit-5.html

The Revolution OrganizesThe Revolution Organizes

As film projectors became more As film projectors became more readily available, back rooms of stores readily available, back rooms of stores and businesses (and any other and businesses (and any other available free space) became available free space) became projection rooms. These spaces were projection rooms. These spaces were the origins of the later the origins of the later NICKELODEONS, where one could see NICKELODEONS, where one could see a film all day long for a nickel. (These a film all day long for a nickel. (These short films were shown continuously short films were shown continuously from morning to night).from morning to night).

Interior of a nickelodeon theater in Pittsburg. It was claimed to Interior of a nickelodeon theater in Pittsburg. It was claimed to be the first nickelodeon in the United States. be the first nickelodeon in the United States. The Moving The Moving

Picture WorldPicture World, November 30, 1907. (, November 30, 1907. (11) )

www.tcf.ua.edu/.../T112/EdisonIllustrations.htm

These nickelodeons served These nickelodeons served many of the poor and immigrant many of the poor and immigrant peoples who were flooding into peoples who were flooding into North America at that time, and North America at that time, and by 1908, there were over by 1908, there were over 10,000 nickelodeons in the US. 10,000 nickelodeons in the US. In fact, the success of these In fact, the success of these silent films was because there silent films was because there was no language at all to deter was no language at all to deter the viewer from understanding the viewer from understanding and enjoying the films.and enjoying the films.

As the popularity of the medium grew, so As the popularity of the medium grew, so did production companies grow to meet did production companies grow to meet the ever-increasing demand for more the ever-increasing demand for more product. Production companies were product. Production companies were founded in the eastern U.S. to meet the founded in the eastern U.S. to meet the demand. However, because of the poor demand. However, because of the poor weather and the growth of TRUSTS, weather and the growth of TRUSTS, many independent companies headed many independent companies headed for California to make their motion for California to make their motion pictures or “movies”. TRUSTS are motion pictures or “movies”. TRUSTS are motion picture companies that held patents for picture companies that held patents for film making and projection technologies film making and projection technologies that prevented any other new companies that prevented any other new companies from making motion pictures.from making motion pictures.

The StarsThe Stars

Motion picture companies from the Motion picture companies from the start were reluctant to name their start were reluctant to name their featured players to the public. They featured players to the public. They knew that name recognition would knew that name recognition would drive up salary demands from these drive up salary demands from these “stars”. “stars”.

However, audiences began to identify However, audiences began to identify and name their favorites. “Let’s go and name their favorites. “Let’s go see the Biograph Girl or Bronco Billy” see the Biograph Girl or Bronco Billy” eventually led to the realization that it eventually led to the realization that it was often the actor who attracted was often the actor who attracted audiences to the movies. For example, audiences to the movies. For example, Carl Laemmle, a producer of early Carl Laemmle, a producer of early films, hired away the BIOGRAPH GIRL, films, hired away the BIOGRAPH GIRL, Florence Lawrence, from Biograph Florence Lawrence, from Biograph Studios, and used her popularity and Studios, and used her popularity and name to attract people to his films. name to attract people to his films. This phenomenon was the root of the This phenomenon was the root of the star system and the accompanying star system and the accompanying salaries we see in film today. salaries we see in film today.

Florence LawrenceFlorence Lawrence (January 2, 1886 – December 28, 1938) was an inventor (January 2, 1886 – December 28, 1938) was an inventor and silent film actress, who is often referred to as "The First Movie Star." She and silent film actress, who is often referred to as "The First Movie Star." She was also known as "The Biograph Girl" and "The Girl of a Thousand Faces". was also known as "The Biograph Girl" and "The Girl of a Thousand Faces". During her lifetime, Lawrence appeared in more than 270 films for various During her lifetime, Lawrence appeared in more than 270 films for various

motion picture companies. motion picture companies.

American actor-director-writer-producer, father of the movie cowboy, and the American actor-director-writer-producer, father of the movie cowboy, and the first Western star, Anderson gained enormous popularity in a series of first Western star, Anderson gained enormous popularity in a series of

hundreds of Western shorts, playing the first real cowboy hero, "Bronco Billy”. hundreds of Western shorts, playing the first real cowboy hero, "Bronco Billy”. He made 100’s of films starring as Bronco Billy.He made 100’s of films starring as Bronco Billy.

Charlie Chaplin, one of the most Charlie Chaplin, one of the most famous actors from this era and still famous actors from this era and still known today, benefited from this known today, benefited from this system.system.

His salaries:His salaries: 1913:1913: $150/ week $150/ week 1914: 1914: $1250/ week$1250/ week 1915: 1915: $10,000/ week$10,000/ week 1916: 1916: $1,000,000 for 8 short $1,000,000 for 8 short

films made in 18 weeks. films made in 18 weeks.

He was 27 years old, and there was He was 27 years old, and there was no income tax! no income tax!

Charlie Chaplin, in his most recognizable film costume, the “Little Tramp”.

A New RevolutionA New Revolution

Keep in mind that all of this discussion is Keep in mind that all of this discussion is about film without a soundtrack or about film without a soundtrack or SILENTS. Film with sound was being SILENTS. Film with sound was being developed, but most makers of motion developed, but most makers of motion pictures saw the combination as a pictures saw the combination as a gimmick only, because of the over-gimmick only, because of the over-whelming acceptance and success of the whelming acceptance and success of the silent motion picture. They were also silent motion picture. They were also reluctant to add to the expense of film reluctant to add to the expense of film production which would result from the production which would result from the addition of sound.addition of sound.

Silent films were accompanied by Silent films were accompanied by music almost from the time that they music almost from the time that they began to tell a story. At first, a began to tell a story. At first, a tinkling piano would be used to add tinkling piano would be used to add to the emotion of the film, but as to the emotion of the film, but as time passed, special musical scores time passed, special musical scores were written that would use the were written that would use the piano and a small band; eventually, piano and a small band; eventually, especially in larger cities and especially in larger cities and venues, full and extravagant venues, full and extravagant orchestrations for elaborate musical orchestrations for elaborate musical scores would be played live by large scores would be played live by large symphony orchestras.symphony orchestras.

Pianists, theater organists, and percussionists were in high Pianists, theater organists, and percussionists were in high demand during the silent movie era to provide appropriate demand during the silent movie era to provide appropriate

musical accompaniments. musical accompaniments.

And these movie theatres were And these movie theatres were large. Many of them featured large. Many of them featured marble foyers, balconies and boxes, marble foyers, balconies and boxes, plush seats, ornate decorations, plush seats, ornate decorations, huge chandeliers, elaborate huge chandeliers, elaborate staircases, and French, Oriental or staircases, and French, Oriental or Persian motifs. For example, did Persian motifs. For example, did you know the beautiful Imperial you know the beautiful Imperial Theatre in Saint John with its Italian Theatre in Saint John with its Italian Renaissance décor opened in 1913 Renaissance décor opened in 1913 for the performance of vaudeville for the performance of vaudeville AND silent movies?AND silent movies?

Despite the resistance to change in Despite the resistance to change in the film industry, WARNER the film industry, WARNER BROTHERS STUDIO, relatively small BROTHERS STUDIO, relatively small at the time, was looking for a way at the time, was looking for a way to increase film sales. It bought to increase film sales. It bought GENERAL ELECTRIC’s sound system GENERAL ELECTRIC’s sound system known as VITAPHONE and made known as VITAPHONE and made movie history with a movie called movie history with a movie called THE JAZZ SINGERTHE JAZZ SINGER in 1927, thus in 1927, thus changing the course of film-making changing the course of film-making forever. forever.

Though experimentation with film Though experimentation with film sound had been happening in the sound had been happening in the industry for a few years before this, industry for a few years before this, The Jazz SingerThe Jazz Singer is acknowledged as is acknowledged as the first TALKIE, or film with a the first TALKIE, or film with a synchronized, pre-recorded synchronized, pre-recorded soundtrack that included dialogue.soundtrack that included dialogue.

Some great careers were lost Some great careers were lost by this change to sound by this change to sound pictures. Some great studios pictures. Some great studios and directors were lost as well. and directors were lost as well. This phenomenon is parodied to This phenomenon is parodied to comical effect in the celebrated comical effect in the celebrated 1952 musical-comedy film, 1952 musical-comedy film, Singin’ In The RainSingin’ In The Rain, which we , which we will view and discuss as a class.will view and discuss as a class.

However, the movie-making business However, the movie-making business only flourished with the change and only flourished with the change and became major businesses with highly became major businesses with highly structured organizations. Most of the structured organizations. Most of the big companies strove to make, market big companies strove to make, market and house their own films, and many and house their own films, and many successfully did so. For example, successfully did so. For example, Warner Brothers Studio would show Warner Brothers Studio would show their films at Warners’ Theatres first their films at Warners’ Theatres first and foremost; other film houses that and foremost; other film houses that wanted to show one of their films wanted to show one of their films would be charged a premium to do so, would be charged a premium to do so, thus pressuring the independent to thus pressuring the independent to join the Warners’ chain.join the Warners’ chain.

The Industry Grows & The Industry Grows & MaturesMatures

With their success came criticism, and With their success came criticism, and thus began the business of the CRITIC. thus began the business of the CRITIC. Almost from the beginning of the silent Almost from the beginning of the silent film days, studios faced harsh criticism film days, studios faced harsh criticism from critics concerning the use of from critics concerning the use of sexuality, violence, crime, and general sexuality, violence, crime, and general moral values depicted in films. Of moral values depicted in films. Of course, this criticism has continued, course, this criticism has continued, now levied at TV and video games as now levied at TV and video games as well as film.well as film.

The motion picture companies The motion picture companies banded together in the 1920’s to banded together in the 1920’s to hold off government controls and hold off government controls and hired WILL HAYS in 1922 to “keep hired WILL HAYS in 1922 to “keep movies clean”. In 1930, his office movies clean”. In 1930, his office developed the Motion Picture developed the Motion Picture Production Code which banned what Production Code which banned what they considered to be sexually they considered to be sexually suggestive acts in movies (even the suggestive acts in movies (even the showingshowing of double beds), as well as of double beds), as well as language considered offensive. The language considered offensive. The code demanded that movie code demanded that movie lawbreakers be punished.lawbreakers be punished.

As the years went by, this code was As the years went by, this code was softened, until in 1939, Rhett Butler softened, until in 1939, Rhett Butler is allowed to utter in contempt to is allowed to utter in contempt to Scarlett O’Hara in GONE WITH THE Scarlett O’Hara in GONE WITH THE WIND:WIND:

““Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn!” damn!”

In 1953, the movie THE MOON IS In 1953, the movie THE MOON IS BLUE used the word…BLUE used the word…

““virgin”.virgin”.

By the 1960’s, movies such as By the 1960’s, movies such as BULLIT could use a few “blue” BULLIT could use a few “blue” words (“hell” & the “s” words, for words (“hell” & the “s” words, for example) and violence in general example) and violence in general became more prevalent. became more prevalent.

Today, the movie code with Today, the movie code with which we are familiar is a which we are familiar is a labeling system which classifies labeling system which classifies films as G (General), PG (Parental films as G (General), PG (Parental Guidance), 14 (Adult Guidance), 14 (Adult Accompaniment), 18 (18 Years Accompaniment), 18 (18 Years and over), XXX (Explicit Material) and over), XXX (Explicit Material) and E (Exempt). and E (Exempt).

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/ratings_classification_systems/film_classification/mar_film_classification.cfm

Canada’s ContributionsCanada’s Contributions Canada has always been a major market for American Canada has always been a major market for American

films. It has also contributed many important film films. It has also contributed many important film stars and film moguls. Names that have become a bit stars and film moguls. Names that have become a bit misty with time include Jack Warner, Mary Pickford, misty with time include Jack Warner, Mary Pickford, Norma Shearer, Marie Dressler, Mack Sennett, Norma Shearer, Marie Dressler, Mack Sennett, Deanna Durbin, Harold Russell, Walter Huston (father Deanna Durbin, Harold Russell, Walter Huston (father of Angelica Huston), and Louis B. Mayer (one of the of Angelica Huston), and Louis B. Mayer (one of the M’s in MGM Studios). More recently, people may know M’s in MGM Studios). More recently, people may know the names of Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Jim Carrey, the names of Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Thomas Chong, Michael J. Fox, Brendan Mike Myers, Thomas Chong, Michael J. Fox, Brendan Fraser, Phil Hartman, Eugene Levy, Eric McCormack, Fraser, Phil Hartman, Eugene Levy, Eric McCormack, Leslie Nielsen, Rick Moranis, Matthew Perry, Keanu Leslie Nielsen, Rick Moranis, Matthew Perry, Keanu Reeves, William Shatner, Kiefer and his father, Donald Reeves, William Shatner, Kiefer and his father, Donald Sutherland, Victor Garber, Pamela Anderson, Margot Sutherland, Victor Garber, Pamela Anderson, Margot Kidder, Carrie-Anne Moss, Catherine O’Hara, Meg Kidder, Carrie-Anne Moss, Catherine O’Hara, Meg Tilley, Anna Paquin, as well as many more. Famous Tilley, Anna Paquin, as well as many more. Famous directors or producers include James Cameron, directors or producers include James Cameron, Norman Jewison and Lorne Michaels.Norman Jewison and Lorne Michaels.

Canada has had an agency for making Canada has had an agency for making documentaries and short features since documentaries and short features since 1939 called the NATIONAL FILM BOARD. In 1939 called the NATIONAL FILM BOARD. In 1988, NFB was working with a budget of 1988, NFB was working with a budget of over 70 million dollars, and has in its years over 70 million dollars, and has in its years produced hundreds of award-winning produced hundreds of award-winning documentaries and short subjects. Sadly, documentaries and short subjects. Sadly, funding over the years has been slashed funding over the years has been slashed from the NFB’s annual working budgets, from the NFB’s annual working budgets, and produces many fewer films than it did and produces many fewer films than it did in its heyday. A recent well-known in its heyday. A recent well-known documentary produced by the NFB that documentary produced by the NFB that exemplifies the standard of excellence exemplifies the standard of excellence achieved by the NFB is 1999’s successful achieved by the NFB is 1999’s successful THROUGH A BLUE LENS.THROUGH A BLUE LENS.

This presentation is by no means This presentation is by no means inclusive, but meant to give an inclusive, but meant to give an overview of film history highlights. overview of film history highlights. Find out more through the hundreds Find out more through the hundreds of web sites dedicated to film studies of web sites dedicated to film studies and its history.and its history.

The End.The End.