1. Movie Milestones & History
The 1940s
The early years of the 40s decade were not promising for the American film industry, especially following the late 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, and the resultant loss of foreign markets. However, Hollywood film production rebounded and reached its profitable peak of efficiency during the years 1943 to a full decade and more after the rise of sound film production, now that the technical challenges of the early 30s sound era were far behind. Advances in film technology (sound recording, lighting, special effects, cinematography and use of color) meant that films were more watchable and 'modern'.

2. 1940 - “Pinocchio” released
This was Disney’s second feature-length animated film, following after “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937.
“Pinocchio” is one of the best examples of the Disney studio’s animation talent.

3. 1940 - “Fantasia” introduced
Disney’s groundbreaking “Fantasia” introduced “Fantasound,” a stereo-like, multi-channel soundtrack.

4. First Hollywood Agents
1940
The first agents began to assemble creative talent and stories in exchange for a percentage of a film’s profits.

5. “Grapes of Wrath” 1940
The classic adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1939 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, was the most popular left-leaning, socialist-themed movie of pre-World War II Hollywood.

6. “Tom and Jerry” introduced
1940
Tom and Jerry, created by Hanna & Barbera, made their debut in “Puss Gets the Boot.”
Tom was called Jasper and Jerry didn’t have a name yet.
1940
Tom and Jerry, created by Hanna & Barbera, made their debut.

7. Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
Dec. 7, 1941
The world changes forever in a day of infamy as Japan bombs the U.S. Navy installations at Pearl Harbor. America enters World War II.

8. 1941 - “Citizen Kane” released
One of the most highly regarded movies in cinema history, with many ground-breaking film techniques –such as overlapping dialogue, layered sound and non-linear storytelling (flashbacks).
One of the most highly regarded movies in cinema history, with many ground-breaking film techniques –such as overlapping dialogue, layered sound and non-linear storytelling (flashbacks). Also known for its cinematography including innovative camera angles, montage, deep-focus compositions, tracking shots, whip pans, lengthy takes and dramatic lighting.

9. Mount Rushmore completed.
1941
Took 14 years to
complete.
1941
Took 14 years to
complete. No one died while working on the mountain.

10. “The Maltese Falcon” released.
1941
The first generally acknowledged film noir was released.
It was the first detective film to the shadowy noir style in a definitive way.

11. Hollywood “goes to war.”
The Office of War Information (OWI) stated that film makers should consider seven questions before producing a movie, including this one: "Will this picture help to win the war?"
The War Production Board imposed a $5,000 limit on set construction.
The war years had a distinct influence on Hollywood. The Office of War Information (OWI) stated that film makers should consider seven questions before producing a movie, including this one: "Will this picture help to win the war?" The War Production Board imposed a $5,000 limit on set construction. Wartime cloth restrictions were imposed, prohibiting cuffed trousers and pleats. Klieg-lit Hollywood premieres were prohibited. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hollywood turned out numerous anti-Japanese films, some of them quite racist, such as Fox's Little Tokyo, U.S.A.,which dealt with the controversial subject of Japanese internment. The OWI then cracked down on the artistic license of Hollywood beginning in The Office of Censorship prohibited the export of films that showed racial discrimination, depicted Americans as single-handedly winning the war, or painted our allies as imperialists. The first of numerous Hollywood films to take up the U.S. cause of World War II was Wake Island, followed by other morale-boosting feature films such as Flying Tigers.

12. U.S. government eases restraints on Hollywood.
The U.S. government eases initial restraints on the depiction of brutality by the Japanese.

13. D-Day June 6, 1944
Allied soldiers from the United States, England and Canada storm the beaches off the coast of Normandy, France.
The operation eventually freed Western Europe and led to the defeat of Germany.

14. 1945 World War II ends. Nazi Germany surrenders on May 8.
Japan surrenders on Aug. 15.
World War II ends.

15. 1945 – Government eases Hollywood restrictions.
At the conclusion of the war, the federal government ended restrictions on the allocation of raw film stock, midnight curfews, and bans on outdoor lighting displays as well as censorship of the export and import of films.

16. 1945 – HUAC begins witch hunt.
The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), an organization created in 1938 with the goal of domestically stopping subversive activities, un-Americanism and communism, was made into a permanent standing committee.
By 1947, the Hollywood motion picture industry became one of its main targets when the committee initiated an investigation of Communist influence there.

17. 1945 One of the most popular toys ever is born this year.
Slinky is born!
1945
One of the most popular toys ever is born this year.

18. Post-war Hollywood censorship
The Motion Pictures Code allowed films to show drug trafficking so long as the scenes did not "stimulate curiosity."

19. HUAC strikes.
In Washington, D.C., the HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee) subpoenaed 41 witnesses in an investigation of alleged communist influence in the Hollywood movie industry.
In 1948, the "Hollywood 10" was charged with contempt of Congress and jailed for refusing to cooperate with its inquiries and answer the question, "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?"

20. Eighty-four of 204 supporters of the Hollywood 10 were blacklisted.
HUAC strikes. (cont.)
Eighty-four of 204 supporters of the Hollywood 10 were blacklisted.
Many promising and established careers were destroyed by anti-Communist blacklisting – reflected during the 1950s in the growth of sci-fi films showing paranoia of aliens and anything foreign.

21. More Hollywood censorship
The Motion Pictures Code forbade derogatory references to a character's race.

22. Actors are freed from the studios’ grip.
Now that the big studios were forced to divest themselves from owning lucrative theater chains, many Hollywood stars were making their last films (or were about to make their final film) under long-term contracts with the studios.

23. Famous Movies of the 1940s Citizen Kane Red River
Casablanca The Third Man
Double Indemnity The Ox-bow Incident
Grapes of Wrath Miracle on 34th Street
It’s A Wonderful Life Sergeant York
Bambi The Big Sleep
Treasure of the Sierra Madre Laura

24. Film History
The 1950s
The 50s decade was known for many things: post-war affluence and increased choice of leisure time activities, conformity, the Korean War, middle-class values, the rise of modern jazz, the rise of 'fast food' restaurants and drive-ins (Jack in the Box - founded in 1951; McDonalds - first franchised in 1955 in Des Plaines, IL; and A&W Root Beer Company - formed in 1950, although it had already established over 450 drive-ins throughout the country), a baby boom, the all-electric home as the ideal, white racist terrorism in the South, the advent of television and TV dinners, abstract art, the first credit card (Diners Club, in 1951), the rise of drive-in theaters to a peak number in the late 50s with over 4,000 outdoor screens (where young teenaged couples could find privacy in their hot-rods), and a youth reaction to middle-aged cinema.
In the period following WWII when most of the films were idealized with conventional portrayals of men and women, young people wanted new and exciting symbols of rebellion. Hollywood responded to audience demands - the late 1940s and 1950s saw the rise of the anti-hero - with stars like newcomers James Dean, Paul Newman and Marlon Brando.
The 50s decade also ushered in the age of Rock and Roll and a new younger market of teenagers.

25. Television Affects Hollywood
Early 1950s
Movie attendance drastically declined due to the rise of television.
By 1951, 50% of U.S. homes had a television set.
Early 1950s
Movie attendance drastically declined due to the rise of television.
By 1951, 50% of U.S. homes had a television set.

26. Television Affects Hollywood (cont.)
Early 1950s
Because television had become more affordable and permanent, movies fought back.
Hollywood began to develop ways to counteract free television’s gains by the increasing use of color and by introducing wide-screen films and gimmicks.
Hollywood began to develop ways to counteract free television's gains by the increasing use of color, and by introducing wide-screen films (i.e., CinemaScope, Techniscope, Cinerama, VistaVision, etc.) and gimmicks (i.e., 3-D viewing with cardboard glasses, Smell-O-Vision, etc.).

27. Korean War
Began when the North Korean Communist army crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded non-Communist South Korea.
Russia supported North Korea and the U.S. supported South Korea.
The Korean War was one of the first episodes of the Cold War.
Began when the North Korean Communist army crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded non-Communist South Korea.
Russia supported North Korea and the U.S. supported South Korea.
The Korean War was one of the first episodes of the Cold War.

28. Decline of Studio System
Studios were ordered to sell off theaters.
They had to separate different companies for production, distribution and exhibition.
Average ticket price for a movie: $0.51
1950s
Studios were ordered to sell off theaters.
They had to separate different companies for production, distribution and exhibition.
Average ticket price for a movie: $0.51

29. Censorship Challenges
1951
The Motion Pictures Production Code specifically prohibited films dealing with abortion or narcotics.
1951
The Motion Pictures Production Code specifically prohibited films dealing with abortion or narcotics.

30. Groundbreaking Film 1951 “The Day the Earth Stood Still”
Hailed by many as one of the finest science fiction films ever.
1951
“The Day the Earth Stood Still”
Hailed by many as one of the finest science fiction films ever.

31. Congressional “Witch Hunts” Continue
1951
Two of the Hollywood 10 were imprisoned and the eight remaining members of the 10 were convicted of contempt of Congress.
HUAC opened a second round of hearings in Hollywood to investigate communism in the film industry, leading to the blacklisting of 212 individuals actively working in Hollywood at this time.
1951
Two of the Hollywood 10 were imprisoned and the eight remaining members of the 10 were convicted of contempt of Congress.
HUAC opened a second round of hearings in Hollywood to investigate communism in the film industry, leading to the blacklisting of 212 individuals actively working in Hollywood at this time.

32. Groundbreaking Film 1952 “Singin’ in the Rain”
Has been voted one of the greatest films of all time in international critics' polls, and is routinely called the greatest of all the Hollywood musicals.
1952
“Singin’ in the Rain”
Has been voted one of the greatest films of all time in international critics' polls, and is routinely called the greatest of all the Hollywood musicals.

33. Television and Film
1953
The Academy Awards (Oscars) were televised for the first time, on black-and-white NBC-TV.
1953
The Academy Awards (Oscars) were televised for the first time, on black-and-white NBC-TV.

34. More Actors Become Free Agents
1953
Following the lead of James Stewart a few years earlier, seven-year contracts with actors were replaced by single-picture or multi-picture contracts.
1953
Following the lead of James Stewart a few years earlier, seven-year contracts with actors were replaced by single-picture or multi-picture contracts.

35. Godzilla Is Born 1954 Godzilla makes his screen debut. 1954

36. Movies Reflect Cold War Tensions
Mid-1950s
Reflecting Cold War tensions, the Red Scare and paranoid anxiety, fear of Communists began to appear on screen.
mid-1950s
Reflecting Cold War tensions, the Red Scare and paranoid anxiety, fear of Communists began to appear on screen.

37. Movies Reflect Cold War Tensions (cont.)
mid-1950s
Lots of science fiction, horror, and fantasy films reflected this Cold War paranoia.
This is the Monster movie decade, and Sci-Fi films about outer space and traveling to other worlds.
Other sensationalist sub-genres like beach party films, kung fu films, biker films, juvenile delinquency pictures, etc., would proliferate.
mid-1950s
Lots of science fiction, horror, and fantasy films reflected this Cold War paranoia.
This is the Monster movie decade, and Sci-Fi films about outer space and traveling to other worlds.
Other sensationalist sub-genres like beach party films, kung fu films, biker films, juvenile delinquency pictures, etc., would proliferate.

38. Censorship Challenges
Mid-1950s
Two film adaptations of author George Orwell's cautionary novels, the animated feature film “Animal Farm” and the film noirish “1984” were altered. The U.S. government modified and softened the message in both films to make the tone of each film more overtly anti-Communist. Both works were changed to include more upbeat endings.
Mid 1950s
Two film adaptations of author George Orwell's cautionary novels, the animated feature film “Animal Farm” and the film noirish “1984” were altered. The U.S. government modified and softened the message in both films to make the tone of each film more overtly anti-Communist. Both works were changed to include more upbeat endings.

39. Civil Rights
1955
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a public bus in Montgomery, Ala.
1955
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a public bus in Montgomery, Ala.

40. “Rebel Without A Cause”
Groundbreaking Film
1955
“Rebel Without A Cause”
Was enormously influential, a milestone in the creation of new idea about young people, it altered the way young men could be seen in popular culture. They could be more feminine, sexier, more confused, more ambiguous.
"Rebel Without a Cause" was enormously influential at the time, a milestone in the creation of new idea about young people. Marlon Brando as a surly motorcycle gang leader in "The Wild One" (1953), James Dean in 1955, and the emergence of Elvis Presley in 1956: These three role models decisively altered the way young men could be seen in popular culture. They could be more feminine, sexier, more confused, more ambiguous.

41. Censorship Challenges
1956
The Motion Pictures Production Code forbade racial epithets in films, but began to permit references to abortion, drugs, kidnapping, and prostitution under certain circumstances.
1956
The Motion Pictures Production Code forbade racial epithets in films, but began to permit references to abortion, drugs, kidnapping, and prostitution under certain circumstances.

42. “Wizard of Oz” was the first feature-length film broadcast on TV.
Television and Film
1956
Movie studios opened their vaults for television rentals and sales. Studios began selling their film libraries to TV.
“Wizard of Oz” was the first feature-length film broadcast on TV in prime time.
1956
Movie studios opened their vaults for television rentals and sales. Studios began selling their film libraries to TV.
“Wizard of Oz” was the first feature-length film broadcast on TV.

43. Groundbreaking Film 1956 “Rock Around the Clock”
The first film dedicated entirely to rock ‘n roll.
1956
“Rock Around the Clock”
The first film dedicated entirely to rock ‘n roll.

44. Technological Advances
1956
The first practical videotape recorder (VTR) was developed by the AMPEX Corporation in 1951.
The first commercially-feasible ones (with 2-inch tape reels) were sold for $50,000 in 1956.
Videotape became a staple of TV productions.
1956
The first practical videotape recorder (VTR) was developed by the AMPEX Corporation in 1951.
The first commercially-feasible ones (with 2-inch tape reels) were sold for $50,000 in 1956.
Videotape became a staple of TV productions.

45. Groundbreaking Film 1956 “The Searchers”
Voted one of the greatest movies of all time. Arguably one of the most influential movies in American history.
1956
“The Searchers”
Voted one of the greatest movies of all time. Arguably one of the most influential movies in American history.

46. Groundbreaking Film 1956 “The Ten Commandments” The epic of epics.

47. Disney Rules Disney dominates the 1950s “Cinderella” 1950
“Treasure Island” 1950
“Alice in Wonderland” 1951
“Peter Pan” 1953
“20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” 1954
“The Lady and the Tramp” 1955
Disneyland opens 1955
“Mickey Mouse Club” debuts 1955
“Old Yeller” 1957
“Sleeping Beauty” 1959
Disney dominates the 1950s
“Cinderella” 1950
“Treasure Island” 1950
“Alice in Wonderland” 1951
“Peter Pan” 1953
“The Lady and the Tramp” 1955
Disneyland opens 1955
“Mickey Mouse Club” debuts 1955
“Sleeping Beauty” 1959

48. The U.S. Grows 1959 Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states.

49. Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states.
Up next…
The 1960s!
1959
Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states.