Film History part II The birth of HOLLYWOOD

By 1918 World War I had ended, and American movies became dominant works around the globe. World War I had ended, and American movies became dominant works around the globe. Hollywood becomes synonymous with movies. Hollywood becomes synonymous with movies. A small number of companies dominated : Columbia, Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount, RKO, United Artists, Universal, and Warner Brothers. A small number of companies dominated : Columbia, Fox, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount, RKO, United Artists, Universal, and Warner Brothers. All the people working on a film came from that studios payroll. All the people working on a film came from that studios payroll.

Competition in the U.S. let to... Vertical Integration: the system developed by some of these powerful studios. The studio owned production facilities, distribution channels and movie theatres. Vertical Integration: the system developed by some of these powerful studios. The studio owned production facilities, distribution channels and movie theatres. Within specific film, one producer supervised a movies development from script to post- production. Within specific film, one producer supervised a movies development from script to post- production. Producers were typically business men! They were asked to keep a close eye on BUDGET! Producers were typically business men! They were asked to keep a close eye on BUDGET!

Movie Stars A star system develops in the industry – publicizing performers became the most effective means of promoting movies and attracting a large audience. A star system develops in the industry – publicizing performers became the most effective means of promoting movies and attracting a large audience.

Highly paid and popular stars: Dramatic actors: Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Mary Pickford Dramatic actors: Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Mary Pickford Cowboy actor: William S. Hart Cowboy actor: William S. Hart Comedian Charlie Chaplin Comedian Charlie Chaplin

Douglas Fairbanks - swashbuckling hero!

Mary Pickford

Charlie Chaplin

By 1916, Chaplin went from $125-$10,000 per week when he signed with Mutual Film Corporation By 1916, Chaplin went from $125-$10,000 per week when he signed with Mutual Film Corporation Silent star - considered the firm major star Silent star - considered the firm major star Comedian Comedian In 1921, he starred in, directed and produced his first feature-length film (6 reels) The Kid. In 1921, he starred in, directed and produced his first feature-length film (6 reels) The Kid. The Kid was both a comedy and a tear-jerker. The Kid was both a comedy and a tear-jerker.

In the 1920s... Movies were big business Movies were big business The greatest output of feature films in the US occurred in the 1920s and 1930s - about 800 films released each year. The greatest output of feature films in the US occurred in the 1920s and 1930s - about 800 films released each year. During this time period, STARS had long- term contracts under this studio system. During this time period, STARS had long- term contracts under this studio system.

Eight studios controlled most of the films produced... The Big Five Studios The Big Five Studios

Warner Brothers (1923) Warner Brothers (1923) Warner Brothers (1923) Became prominent by 1927 due to the introduction of the talkies Became prominent by 1927 due to the introduction of the talkies The Jazz Singer (1927) The Jazz Singer (1927) Known as the Depression studio Known as the Depression studio Bugs Bunny and cartoons. Bugs Bunny and cartoons.

The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson

Paramount Pictures Paramount (created through a merger and renamed in 1927) became Paramount Pictures in Paramount (created through a merger and renamed in 1927) became Paramount Pictures in Great silent era stars were Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Great silent era stars were Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks Golden Age stars included Mae West, W.C. Fields, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and director Cecil B. DeMille Golden Age stars included Mae West, W.C. Fields, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and director Cecil B. DeMille

RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) Pictures Established in 1928 Established in 1928 Smallest of the major studios Smallest of the major studios The company was kept alive by: The company was kept alive by: Astaire-Rogers musicals Astaire-Rogers musicals King Kong (1933) and King Kong (1933) and Citizen Kane (1941) Citizen Kane (1941)

MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Go to Film History: Part II 1/2 for more excitement! Go to Film History: Part II 1/2 for more excitement!