SCREEN SNAPSHOTS: THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTION PICTURES

Year Published: 1944

Description: This episode of "Screen Snapshots" is entitled "The Fiftieth Anniversary of Motion Pictures" (1944) chronicles the development of movies and the movie industry, starting with Thomas Alva Edison and the first movie studio, the "Black Mariah," and the original Edison Kinetoscope. It shows early viewing machines, the opening of the first movie theater in 1894, and the introduction of newsreels. It also shows significant milestones such as the first screen kiss. Early movie stars like John Bunny, Clara Kimball Young, and Maurice Costello are mentioned, as well as the impact of director DW Griffith. The film also covers the emergence of icons such as Mary Pickford, Mabel Normand, William S. Hart, and Gloria Swanson. It highlights the transition to talking pictures, with notable stars like Harold Lloyd, Rudolph Valentino, Janet Gaynor, and Al Jolson. 00:00: Introductory music. 0:08-0:32: Introduction mentioning Thomas Alva Edison's role in the development of motion pictures. 0:32-0:47: Description of the "Black Mariah," the first movie studio built to Edison's specifications. 0:47-1:00: Early movies filmed by Edison and other experimenters, shown in viewing machines. 1:00-1:19: The original Edison Kinetoscope, a device for viewing early films through a peephole, and its popularity. 1:19-1:31: Mention of Edison refusing to pay for European patents for the Kinetoscope. 1:31-1:39: Introduction of another early device showing scenes filmed at a reception for Edison, possibly the first newsreel. 1:39-1:57: Opening of the first movie theater in April 1894, leading to the projection of movies and the new industry's growth. 1:57-2:09: The first screen kiss exchanged by May Irwin and John Rice, and its suppression by clergymen. 2:09-2:19: Newsreels topping every program, with footage of New York's 69th Regiment en route to Cuba in 1898. 2:19-2:25: Scenes of the funeral of England's King Edward exhibited internationally, showing movies' global importance. 2:25-2:35: New York's Easter Parade becoming a must for newsreel producers, and the rise of plot-driven movies. 2:35-2:47: John Bunny, the first screen comedy king, and his partner Flora Finch, becoming the first international stars. 2:47-3:07: Clara Kimball Young and Sidney Drew, early stars in comedy and drama, and Maurice Costello, the first matinee idol. 3:07-3:44: The genius of DW Griffith bringing movies recognition as an art medium and the careers of his stars. 3:44-4:02: Mary Pickford, destined to become a screen immortal, in "Mender of the Nets." 4:02-4:14: Harry Carey in a dramatic scene, showcasing early movie heroes. 4:14-4:35: Mabel Normand, the queen of movie comedy, known for her wit on and off-screen. 4:35-4:52: William S. Hart, the famous early Western star, and Hollywood beauty involved in dramatic rescues. 4:52: Max Sennett, the comedy producer, and Barney Oldfield, the famous racing driver. 5:06: Wallace Beery, a dashing young man of Hollywood. 5:11: Harold Lloyd, the first comedian to make feature-length pictures, in "Welcome Danger." 5:28: Gloria Swanson, one of the first great glamour stars, and her impact on fashion. 5:46: Leatrice Joy and Cecil B. DeMille, known for their colossal films. 6:02: Rudolph Valentino, the first and greatest Latin lover of the screen, and his idolization by women fans. 6:19: Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell in "Seventh Heaven," and the impact of "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson. 6:35: Transition to talking pictures and the rise of new stars, including Mickey Mouse's first talking picture "Steamboat Willie." 7:02: Introduction of great new stars like Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Edward G. Robinson, and others in the talking picture era. 7:36: Mention of Hollywood's veteran directors who contributed to the growth and success of movies. 8:02: Listing and recognizing directors with at least 30 years of service in the entertainment.

Complete Record: This episode of "Screen Snapshots" is entitled "The Fiftieth Anniversary of Motion Pictures" (1944) chronicles the development of movies and the movie industry, starting with Thomas Alva Edison and the first movie studio, the "Black Mariah," and the original Edison Kinetoscope. It shows early viewing machines, the opening of the first movie theater in 1894, and the introduction of newsreels. It also shows significant milestones such as the first screen kiss. Early movie stars like John Bunny, Clara Kimball Young, and Maurice Costello are mentioned, as well as the impact of director DW Griffith. The film also covers the emergence of icons such as Mary Pickford, Mabel Normand, William S. Hart, and Gloria Swanson. It highlights the transition to talking pictures, with notable stars like Harold Lloyd, Rudolph Valentino, Janet Gaynor, and Al Jolson. 00:00: Introductory music. 0:08-0:32: Introduction mentioning Thomas Alva Edison's role in the development of motion pictures. 0:32-0:47: Description of the "Black Mariah," the first movie studio built to Edison's specifications. 0:47-1:00: Early movies filmed by Edison and other experimenters, shown in viewing machines. 1:00-1:19: The original Edison Kinetoscope, a device for viewing early films through a peephole, and its popularity. 1:19-1:31: Mention of Edison refusing to pay for European patents for the Kinetoscope. 1:31-1:39: Introduction of another early device showing scenes filmed at a reception for Edison, possibly the first newsreel. 1:39-1:57: Opening of the first movie theater in April 1894, leading to the projection of movies and the new industry's growth. 1:57-2:09: The first screen kiss exchanged by May Irwin and John Rice, and its suppression by clergymen. 2:09-2:19: Newsreels topping every program, with footage of New York's 69th Regiment en route to Cuba in 1898. 2:19-2:25: Scenes of the funeral of England's King Edward exhibited internationally, showing movies' global importance. 2:25-2:35: New York's Easter Parade becoming a must for newsreel producers, and the rise of plot-driven movies. 2:35-2:47: John Bunny, the first screen comedy king, and his partner Flora Finch, becoming the first international stars. 2:47-3:07: Clara Kimball Young and Sidney Drew, early stars in comedy and drama, and Maurice Costello, the first matinee idol. 3:07-3:44: The genius of DW Griffith bringing movies recognition as an art medium and the careers of his stars. 3:44-4:02: Mary Pickford, destined to become a screen immortal, in "Mender of the Nets." 4:02-4:14: Harry Carey in a dramatic scene, showcasing early movie heroes. 4:14-4:35: Mabel Normand, the queen of movie comedy, known for her wit on and off-screen. 4:35-4:52: William S. Hart, the famous early Western star, and Hollywood beauty involved in dramatic rescues. 4:52: Max Sennett, the comedy producer, and Barney Oldfield, the famous racing driver. 5:06: Wallace Beery, a dashing young man of Hollywood. 5:11: Harold Lloyd, the first comedian to make feature-length pictures, in "Welcome Danger." 5:28: Gloria Swanson, one of the first great glamour stars, and her impact on fashion. 5:46: Leatrice Joy and Cecil B. DeMille, known for their colossal films. 6:02: Rudolph Valentino, the first and greatest Latin lover of the screen, and his idolization by women fans. 6:19: Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell in "Seventh Heaven," and the impact of "The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson. 6:35: Transition to talking pictures and the rise of new stars, including Mickey Mouse's first talking picture "Steamboat Willie." 7:02: Introduction of great new stars like Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Edward G. Robinson, and others in the talking picture era. 7:36: Mention of Hollywood's veteran directors who contributed to the growth and success of movies. 8:02: Listing and recognizing directors with at least 30 years of service in the entertainment.

Transcription

e [Music] to the late Thomas Alva Edison goes principal credit for the development of Motion Pictures this weird Contraption built to his specifications at a cost of $637 and popularly known as the Black Mariah was the first movie studio for two years or more the pictures filmed by Edison and other experimenters were shown in viewing machines here's an early model you want to peek okay the reels of progress are spinning and here is the super colossal Grandpa saw after he' paid his nickel people didn't care how they squandered money in those pre- income tax days this is the original Edison kinoscope in which the audience one at a time viewed the picture through a peephole like this the kinoscope was a national sensation but its inventor thought so little of it that he refused to pay $147 for European patents here's still another novel device interesting not only for its design but because of the subject matter shown these scenes filmed at a reception for Edison were in all probability the first news rail Movie Makers despite the crudeness of early day equipment were quick to realize the importance of recording historic events with the opening of this first movie theater in April 1894 pictures were projected by then the new industry was well underway in that same year may Irwin and John rice exchanged the first green kiss the scene was promptly suppressed when many clergymen denounced it as a menus to morals news re still topped every program here's New York's famous 69th regiment on route to Cuba in 1898 scenes of the funeral of England's King Edward were exhibited internationally by then movies had assumed worldwide importance so of course had feminine Fashions New York's Easter Parade became an annual must with newsreal producers and as pictures with plots came into their own John bunny the first of a long line of screen comedy Kings became a must with everyone who liked to laugh he and his angular team made Flora Finch were the first International Stars this lady who's being driven batty by the ardor of her lover is Clara Kimble Young and the nervous Romeo is Sydney Drew after initial success in comedy claraa became one of the great dramatic stars of the World War I era the man on the right was the first matina Idol Maurice Costello father of Dolores and Helen he still plays occasional screen roles the genius of DW Griffith seen here directing an early day chorus brought movies recognition as an art medium three of Griffith's brightest stars were Bobby Harron Lillian Gish and that's right Lionel baramore Lionel still a favorite started his screen career when Motion Pictures were still ridiculed by most stage actors in 198 American audiences took to their hearts a 15-year-old who as Mary pford was destined to become a screen Immortal you see her here in mender of the Nets produced by DW Griffith aha the hero Harry KY just in the nick of time too there you villain take that and that as a heavy lover it looks like this guy is a complete flop now while Two Gun Harry consoles blanch site we'll conjure up another of yesterday's Best Loved Stars Mabel Norman as the queen of movie comedy her profile was as well known as John baramor on the screen Mabel was so funny everyone laugh laughed at her off screen she was so witty everyone laughed with her most famous of the early day Western Stars was William S har no one ever foreclosed a mortgage on little nil's ranch while he was there to protect her Hollywood Beauty spent much of their time on railroad tracks aha the juggernaut with Ford Sterling in the driver's seat and here speeding to the Rescue come Max Senate and the famous racing driver Barney olfield Senate abandoned acting to become the dean of Comedy producers and made a fortune by tickling America's Funny Bone this Romeo some 25 years ago was one of Hollywood's most dashing young men about town his name come now you know that map he's Wallace berer Harold Lloyd a fourstar laugh dispenser the moment he combined an air of befuddlement and a pair of horn rimed glasses was the first comedian to make featurelength pictures this is a scene from welcome Danger speaking of Firsts here's one of the first great glamour Stars glorious Swanson the latest in cars and the latest in clothes other women gasp when Gloria paraded the boulevard leatrice Joy a Top Flight star in the 20s and her director cesil B demill demill specialized then as he does today in pictures made on gigantic scale after looking at his first spectacle press agent seized upon the word colossal about 1920 Agnes SS met a Chic named Rudolph Valentino and the picture that resulted made movie history Valentino was the first and the greatest of the screen's Latin lovers no other star has ever been so idolized by women fans in 1927 a rapidly maturing movie industry gave the world seven Heaven and the stars of that picture Janet Gainer and Charles Farrell skyrocketed to worldwide Fame in that same year the jazz singer was produced starring al jolon already famous on the Broadway stage it caused a revolutionary change in movie making within a year every Studio was rushing the production of talkies the screen had found its voice here's May Robson in a scene from an early talking picture hey scat idear don't you find any other place to sleep on but my [Music] picture John barimore and Carol Lombard what do you want scorpion if it makes you any happier to call me names go ahead Oscar you're complete the most horrible excuse for a human being That Ever Walked on two legate you've always misunderstood me Lily we almost forgot an old pal one of the greatest stars of them all Mickey Mouse this is a scene from his first talking picture Steamboat [Music] Willie compare it with this scene from the first cartoon by painting the characters on pieces of glass and moving the drawings by hand with a birth of talking pictures a host of great new stars Rose to fame among them Carrie Grant and rosaland Russell his teammate in some of the most hilarious comedies ever filmed Edward G Robinson Irene Dunn Humphrey Bogart Jean Arthur Freda stair Rita Hayworth James Stewart Eddy Lamar yes fans your movies have grown phenomenally since their birth 50 years ago and their growth in great measure is due to such men as these meet some of Hollywood's veteran directors the men who have made your pictures and discovered and developed your stars every every one of these directors can show at least 30 years of service in the entertainment of America Sam Wood Robert Z Leonard R Walsh Irving Cummings Richard Wallace Edward southernland Alfred green Edward H Griffith George Marshall William CER and Cil B demill if movies have brought you pleasure you owe these men a vote of thanks [Music]

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