The American Film Industry
The introduction of films of the United States marked a transformative era in the world of entertainment, captivating audiences and shaping the cultural landscape. The journey of Cinema of the United States is a fascinating tale that began in the late 19th century, gradually evolving from simple moving images to the elaborate and immersive storytelling we experience today.
Inception of The Film Industry can be traced back to the Lumière Brothers’ cinematograph demonstrations in Paris in 1895. The Lumière Brothers showcased their invention, projecting short films like “Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat” and “Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory,” capturing the attention and imagination of audiences. News of this novel form of entertainment quickly crossed the Atlantic, and soon, the United States would witness the birth of its own cinematic industry.
One of the key figures in the early American film industry was Thomas Edison. In 1891, Edison patented the Kinetoscope, a motion picture device that allowed for the viewing of short films. These films, however, were viewed individually through a peephole and lacked the mass appeal of later cinematic experiences. Despite its limitations, the Kinetoscope laid the foundation for the cinematic revolution that was about to unfold.
The First Movie Theatre
The year 1905 marked a significant turning point in the history of American cinema with the opening of the first permanent movie theater, known as a nickelodeon, in Pittsburgh. The storefront theater charged patrons five cents for admission, making movies an affordable and accessible form of entertainment for the masses. The success of the nickelodeons paved the way for the proliferation of movie theaters across the country.
The Rise of Hollywood
As the demand for films grew, filmmakers sought locations with favourable weather conditions and diverse landscapes for shooting. California, with its varied geography and abundant sunshine, emerged as the ideal destination. This led to the establishment of Hollywood as the epicentre of The American Film Industry. By the 1920s, Hollywood had become synonymous with glamour and movie magic, producing iconic stars and timeless classics.
Top 20 most popular films in United States of America
American Sniper: American Sniper is a 2014 American biographical war drama film directed by Clint Eastwood. It is loosely based on the memoir American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History (2012) by Chris Kyle, with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. The film follows the life of Kyle, who became the deadliest marksman in U.S. military history with 255 kills from four tours in the Iraq War, 160 of which were officially confirmed by the Department of Defense.
The Sixth Sense: The Sixth Sense is a 1999 American psychological thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Bruce Willis as a child psychologist whose patient (Haley Joel Osment) claims he can see and talk to the dead.
Doctor Zhivago: Doctor Zhivago is a 1965 epic historical romance film directed by David Lean, based on the 1957 novel by Boris Pasternak. The story is set in Russia during World War I and the Russian Civil War. The film stars Omar Sharif in the title role as Yuri Zhivago, a married physician and poet whose life is altered by the Russian Revolution and subsequent civil war, and Julie Christie as his love interest Lara Antipova. Geraldine Chaplin, Tom Courtenay, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness, Ralph Richardson, Siobhán McKenna, and Rita Tushingham play supporting roles.
Forest Gump: Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth. It is based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom and stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson and Sally Field.
The Godfather: The Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based on Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel of the same title.
The Exorcist: The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin from a screenplay by William Peter Blatty, based on his 1971 novel of the same name. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller, and Linda Blair. The story follows the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother’s attempt to rescue her through an exorcism by two Catholic priests.
Top Gun: Maverick: Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 American action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinskiand written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie from stories by Peter Craig and Justin Marks. The film is a sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun. Tom Cruise reprises his starring role as the naval aviator Maverick. It is based on the characters of the original film created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.
Fast and the Furious: Directed by Rob Cohen Fast & Furious (also known as The Fast and the Furious) is an American media franchise centered on a series of action films that are largely concerned with street racing, heists, spies, and family. The franchise also includes short films, a television series, toys, video games, live shows, and theme park attractions. The films are distributed by Universal Pictures.
The Dark Knight: The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay co-written with his brother Jonathan. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is the sequel to Batman Begins (2005) and the second installment in The Dark Knight Trilogy.
The World Is Not Enough: The World Is Not Enough is a 1999 spy film, the nineteenth in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions and the third to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. It was directed by Michael Apted, from an original story and screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Bruce Feirstein.
Jurassic Park: Jurassic Park is a 1993 American science fiction action film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Gerald R. Molen, and starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Richard Attenborough.
Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman 1984 is a 2020 American superhero film based on the DC character Wonder Woman. Produced by Warner Bros and The film was directed by Patty Jenkins. Pictures, DC Films, Atlas Entertainment, and The Stone Quarry, and distributed by Warner Bros.
Twister: Twister is a 1996 American disaster film directed by Jan de Bont from a screenplay by Michael Crichton and Anne-Marie Martin.
Transformers: Transformers is a series of science fiction action films based on the Transformers franchise of the 1980s. Michael Bay directed the first five live action films: Transformers (2007), Revenge of the Fallen(2009), Dark of the Moon (2011), Age of Extinction (2014), and The Last Knight (2017),and has served as a producer for subsequent films.
My Fair Lady: My Fair Lady is a 1964 American musical comedy-drama film adapted from the 1956 Lerner and Loewe stage musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 stage play Pygmalion. With a screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner and directed by George Cukor, the film depicts a poor Cockney flower-seller named Eliza Doolittle who overhears an arrogant phonetics professor, Henry Higgins, as he casually wagers that he could teach her to speak “proper” English, thereby making her presentable in the high society of Edwardian London.
Titanic: Titanic is a 1997 American romantic disaster film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. Incorporating both historical and fictionalized aspects, it is based on accounts of the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio star as members of different social classes who fall in love during the ship’s maiden voyage.
Gone with the Wind: Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic historical romance film adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell. The film was produced by David O. Selznick of Selznick International Pictures and directed by Victor Fleming. Set in the American South against the backdrop of the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era, the film tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara the strong-willed daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, following her romantic pursuit of Ashley Wilkes who is married to his cousin, Melanie Hamilton , and her subsequent marriage to Rhett Butler.
Star Trek: Star Trek is a 2009 American science fiction action film directed by J. J. Abrams and written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. It is the 11th film in the Star Trek franchise, and is also a reboot that features the main characters of the original Star Trek television series portrayed by a new cast, as the first in the rebooted film series.
Eternals: Eternals is a 2021 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics race of the same name. The film was directed by Chloé Zhao, who wrote the screenplay with Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo, and Kaz Firpo. In the film, the Eternals, immortal alien beings, emerge from hiding after thousands of years to protect Earth from their ancient counterparts, the Deviants.
Fargo: Fargo is a 1996 black comedy crime film written, produced and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Frances McDormand stars as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant Minnesota police chief investigating a triple homicide that takes place after a desperate car salesman (William H. Macy) hires two criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife in order to extort a hefty ransom from her wealthy father (Harve Presnell). The film was an American British co-production.
Conclusion:
Despite its success, The US Film Industry faced challenges, including the impact of the Great Depression and the implementation of the Hays Code, a set of moral guidelines that regulated the content of films.
The United States has been a remarkable journey, evolving from the humble beginnings of the Kinetoscope to the immersive cinematic experiences we enjoy today. The Film Industry of America has weathered challenges, embraced innovation, and continuously reinvented itself to capture the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. As we look back on the rich history of American cinema, we recognize its profound impact on global culture and its enduring legacy as a powerful medium of storytelling.
