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Origin of Motion Pictures
Eadweard Muybridge tries to prove that all four of a horse's feet leave the ground while galloping. To do this, he takes a rapid sequence of photos, and the end result is a success, settling the $25,000 bet. This is considered to be the origin of motion pictures. -
First US Narrative Film
Edwin Porter's "The Great Train Robbery" debuts at Huber's Museum in New York City. It is the first film to use the cross cutting technique between sequences, as well as camera movement and on location shooting. It quickly became one of the most popular films of the silent era. -
The Nickelodeon
The Nickelodeon opens in Pittsburgh. It is the first permanent theatre to show only films (other theatres showed them along with vaudeville acts). The theatre becomes widely popular, and within two years thousands of nickelodeons are being operated. -
First Movie with Sound
Charles Taze Russell's "The Photo-Drama of Creation" becomes the first major motion picture to include synchronized sound. The film in its entirety lasts 8 hours, making it one of the longest films in history. The full production cost was about $300,000 ($6,992,000 in today's money). -
Sound Films Gain Popularity
Warner Bros releases "The Jazz Singer," a full-length film that incorporates sound. It is a huge success, bringing in $3.9 million (in 1929 dollars) at the box office. Many people believe that the film brought an end to the era of silent films. -
First Full-Length Animated Film
Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" premieres at the Carthay Circle Theatre to very positive reception. It is the first full-length animated film to be released in theatres. Its success would prompt Disney to produce more animated films over the next several decades. -
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World War II and Film
The start of World War II brings many films centered around propaganda and patriotism. The era also provided many memorable pictures, such as "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane." The war would later inspire filmmakers to create pictures based on its events. -
Golden Age of 3-D Films
Arch Oboler's "Bwana Devil" is released. It is the first stereoscopic film to be presented in color. Many see it as the beginning of the golden age of 3-D movies. -
The Rise of CinemaScope
Henry Koster's "The Robe" is the first film to be produced using the CinemaScope process. CinemaScope allowed a wider aspect ratio to be used while filming, letting the audience see more onscreen action. The format remained popular until 1967. -
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New Hollywood
The period following the decline of the studio system is often referred to as the New Hollywood era. Under the MPAA, filmmakers could produce pictures that would not have been acceptable in previous years. The end of this era is marked by popular films like "Jaws" and "Star Wars." -
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Rise of Home Video
During the 1980s, the popularity of VCRs increased, and audiences began watching more films at home. At first, film studios saw this as an act of copyright violation, and tried to ban VCRs from family homes. They were unsuccessful, and as time went on, studios started realizing the benefits of gaining revenue through home distribution. -
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Recent Years
As far as filmmaking techniques go, the success of James Cameron's "Avatar" brought a resurgence in popularity of 3D films. Digital distribution of movies has also become a popular practice, allowing people to watch movies instantly without having to leave the computer. As of right now, the greatest amount of critical success in 3D films comes from animated family features.
