Film History: fun facts and quiz

In 1895, the Lumière brothers showed short films to a paying audience in Paris. Each film lasted under a minute.

Key fact
Early films were silent; music was often played live.

For about 30 years, films had no recorded sound. Stars like Charlie Chaplin told stories through expression and movement, with text cards for dialogue.

Key fact
Chaplin’s “Little Tramp” first appeared in 1914.

The Jazz Singer, in 1927, was the first feature film with synchronised spoken dialogue. Within a few years, silent films had almost disappeared.

Key fact
Its famous line: “You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!”

In the 1910s, film studios moved to Hollywood, in Los Angeles, for its sunny weather and varied scenery. It became the centre of American film.

Key fact
The Hollywood sign first read “Hollywoodland”, an advert for houses.

Colour films existed early on, but Technicolor made them famous in the 1930s. The Wizard of Oz, in 1939, switches from sepia to colour when Dorothy reaches Oz.

Key fact
Colour became the norm in the 1960s.

The Academy Awards, or Oscars, began in 1929. Ben-Hur, Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King share the record of 11 wins each.

Key fact
The statuette’s official name is the Academy Award of Merit.

Jaws, in 1975, and Star Wars, in 1977, created the summer blockbuster: huge releases with massive marketing, opening in many cinemas at once.

Key fact
Jaws’ mechanical shark kept breaking, so Spielberg showed it less.