Movie Trivia Facts
Ever since the invention of the Kinetoscope in the 1890s, people have been transfixed by the concept of moving pictures that tell a story. Although the budgets have gotten bigger, the stars have become more scandalous and the cinematography has transcended prior boundaries, a special magic still unfolds every time the houselights dim.
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Film Firsts
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The first feature film, "The Story of the Kelly Gang" was produced in 1906 by an Australian theater company.
Audrey Munson was the first star to play a scene in the buff...in 1915.
The first director to earn a million dollars for one project was Mike Nichols.
The first "smellie" debuted in 1940; odor-infused productions, however, failed to catch on.
Global Glitter
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We often think of Hollywood as the movie capital of the world, but India produces twice as many feature films per year. The smallest moviemaking country also has the greatest frequency of loyal moviegoers: Iceland.
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Frequent Appearances
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Napoleon has been portrayed in film more than any other historical figure; Jesus, Lincoln and Lenin aren't even close to closing the gap. For Westerns, it's Buffalo Bill, Billy the Kid and Jesse James. Count Dracula continues to hold the record for most popular persona in the horror genre. The most popular fictional character is Sherlock Holmes.
Daring Stunts
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Frank Hanaway, an ex-cavalryman, is credited as the first stuntman. For his debut in "The Great Train Robbery" (1903), his best trick was to fall off a horse.
The first stuntwoman was Helen Gibson, an accomplished rodeo rider who was also adept at jumping on trains and motorcycles in the 1920s.
Passage of the Sexual Equality Act forbids stuntmen to double for female actors unless there are no stuntwomen available.
When Art Imitates Life
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In the early years of filmmaking, camera crews would often leave a shoot to rush to the sight of a burning building or an accident and subsequently incorporate the disaster into the storyline.
During the making of "Bonnie and Clyde" in 1967, three of the banks used as on-location sets had actually been robbed by the notorious pair during the Depression.
Hooray for Hollywood
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The famous HOLLYWOOD sign was built at a cost of $21,000 in 1923 atop the Hollywood Hills. When it was replaced 55 years later by a new one, it was at a tab of $27,000 per letter.
Big Apple Close-up
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Since 1908, Central Park in New York has been one of the most popular backdrops for all genres of films.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Christina Hamlett
