Hollywood

In 1872, Edward Muybridge created the first movie ever made by using twelve cameras to capture shots in quick succession as a horse crossed a racetrack.

Harvey and Daeida Wilcox purchased 120 acres of land in California and named it 'Hollywood' after the holly bushes in the area. The name gained prominence with the rise of the film industry in the early 20th century.

Alice Guy Blaché is believed to be the first woman to direct a film in 1896, making her a pioneer in the movie industry.

In 1910, the 17-minute adventure film 'In Old California' directed by DW Griffith became the first Hollywood production. It was filmed in its entirety in the village of Hollywood, marking the birth of Hollywood as a center for American cinema.

Mary Pickford marries Owen Moore, despite her mother's disapproval. She keeps the marriage a secret from her family and the public for several months.

The first movie made in Hollywood was Cecil B. DeMille’s The Squaw Man in 1914, according to industry myth.

In 1915, Mary Pickford starred in Tess of the Storm Country, her fifth feature film and the first in a series for Famous Players. This role further elevated her celebrity status, showcasing her as a new type of heroine.

In 1916, D.W. Griffith's controversial film Birth of a Nation was released, shocking audiences with its inflammatory social commentary and innovative film techniques. The film had a lasting impact on the history of cinema.

By 1919, “Hollywood” had transformed into the face of American cinema and all the glamour it would come to embody.

In 1920, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, and D. W. Griffith joined forces to establish United Artists, a pioneering film studio aimed at producing and distributing their own movies.

Pickford and Fairbanks divorce their spouses to marry each other, leading to their union being celebrated as 'the marriage of the century'. They are embraced by the public as Hollywood royalty and reside in a grand estate known as 'Pickfair'.

Warner Bros. studio is established.

Warner Brothers releases Don Juan, the first film to feature sound effects and music, marking the beginning of the shift towards talkies in the film industry.

The Jazz Singer is a groundbreaking film starring Al Jolson, known for being the first to feature talking and singing. It revolutionized the film industry.

Mary Pickford, a prominent actress, experiences a personal tragedy as her mother Charlotte passes away from breast cancer. The grief-stricken Pickford publicly cuts off her iconic curls, garnering attention from the media.

Mary Pickford makes her debut in a talking film with Coquette, despite shaky sound quality. The movie proves to be a success at the box office, grossing $1.4 million.

Mary Pickford is honored with an Academy Award for her role in Coquette. Despite this recognition, she struggles to adapt to the era of talking pictures.

In 1934, MPPDA Chairman William Hays instituted the Motion Picture Production Code, also known as the Hays Code, which banned explicit depictions of sex, violence, and other 'sinful' deeds in movies. This marked the end of the uncensored Pre-Code era in Hollywood.

An epic historical romance film based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Directed by and starring Orson Welles, this film is often considered one of the greatest in cinematic history for its innovative storytelling and cinematography.

A classic romantic drama film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, set during World War II in the Moroccan city of Casablanca, known for its memorable quotes and iconic performances.

In 1945, Mary Pickford launched Comet Pictures in collaboration with Columbia Pictures' Ralph Cohn. The company later released 'Sleep, My Love' in 1948, which was considered one of Pickford's successful productions.

During World War II, Hollywood increased productivity and produced propaganda, documentaries, and educational pictures to promote American patriotism and awareness of wartime needs. In 1946, theater attendance and profits reached an all-time high.

On July 23, 1948, D. W. Griffith, the renowned filmmaker, passed away. Griffith had faced challenges in his later years, being out of sync with the evolving film industry.

In 1958, Mary Pickford sold her shares in United Artists for $3 million, which is equivalent to $19.7 million in 2003 dollars. This marked the end of her nearly 40-year involvement in the business venture she had founded.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard was dedicated on February 9, 1960, and Ronald Reagan's star was among the original stars unveiled on that day.

Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe, aged 36, is discovered deceased in her bedroom.

The Hollywood Golden Age era, which started in 1934, concluded with the emergence of the New Hollywood movement in 1968, signifying a shift in filmmaking styles and storytelling approaches.

The Godfather is a groundbreaking film that embraced innovative storytelling techniques and tackled previously taboo subjects. It is considered one of the greatest films in cinematic history.

Jaws is a groundbreaking film that embraced innovative storytelling techniques and tackled previously taboo subjects. It is considered the first summer blockbuster and changed the way movie studios approached filmmaking.

Taxi Driver is a film that embraced innovative storytelling techniques and tackled previously taboo subjects. It is known for its gritty portrayal of urban decay and mental illness.

Adolph Zukor, the founder of Paramount Pictures, passes away at the age of 103.

Star Wars is a groundbreaking film that ushered in a new era of high-concept, big-budget filmmaking. It broke box office records and revolutionized the movie industry.

Legendary actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin dies on Christmas Day at the age of 88.

Mary Pickford, one of the pioneers of early Hollywood and a co-founder of United Artists, passes away at the age of 87.

In 1980, Martin Scorsese's 'Raging Bull' starring Robert De Niro was released, showcasing the depth and intensity of black-and-white filmmaking. The film is considered a classic of American cinema and a testament to Hollywood's artistic capabilities.

In 1997, the film Titanic directed by James Cameron became the highest-grossing film of the 1990s, achieving immense success both critically and commercially.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a media franchise and shared universe that is centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. It started in 2008 with the release of 'Iron Man' and has since become a cultural phenomenon.

A person reflects on the history of movies, highlighting the contributions of various countries like France, Italy, and Germany, and questioning the excessive credit given to Edison in the movie-making process.

The ongoing push for greater diversity and representation in Hollywood, with more stories featuring women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. This trend is driven by changing audience preferences and the recognition that more diverse stories can be more commercially successful.

An article written by Benjamin Hale on February 19, 2024, delving into the history of Hollywood and exposing insights into the film industry.