Host Gene Kelly takes a nostalgic look at silent films from their earliest beginnings to the introduction of sound with "The Jazz Singer."Host Gene Kelly takes a nostalgic look at silent films from their earliest beginnings to the introduction of sound with "The Jazz Singer."Host Gene Kelly takes a nostalgic look at silent films from their earliest beginnings to the introduction of sound with "The Jazz Singer."
Photos
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (as David Wark Griffith)
- Actress 'The Big Parade'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Adriana della Varnese
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Actor 'The Pawnshop'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Actress 'The Sheik'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Actor 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Actor 'The Three Musketeers'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Her Rascally Guardian
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Actor 'The Pawnshop'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Actress 'It'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Self
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Actor 'Ben-Hur'
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough Gary Cooper and Carole Lombard are mentioned in conjunction with other big stars of the Silent Era, in reality, although their careers did start in the last years of the period, they did not become stars until after sound films arrived.
- GoofsNarrator Gene Kelly includes Darryl F. Zanuck with the other pioneering studio executives like Jesse L. Lasky, Adolph Zukor, and William Fox. Actually Zanuck did not become a studio executive until the mid-1939s when he formed Twntieth Century Pictures.
- Quotes
Gene Kelly - Host: Thomas Edison, given principal credit for the invention of the movie camera, assembles the major film companies of the day. They plan to monopolize the film business by eliminating all competition. Harrassed by this newly-formed trust, the independent moviemakers flee west to California - legend says for the sunshine - but the truth of it is most come to be close to the Mexican border to escape lawsuits and injunctions. On the outskirts of Los Angeles they settle in a small rural committee called Hollywood, where the reception is less than enthusiastic.
- ConnectionsFeatures The Great Train Robbery (1903)
It's very interesting to see how classic Hollywood was perceived in 1961 ("DW Griffith's 1916 classic Intolerance came on nearly 50 years ago" Gene Kelly says) but remains honest by telling the real stories of these classic films. Birth of a Nation's portrayal of the KKK is revealed to be shrouded in controversy with it's racist approach. Most of the real issues are glossed over or committed though-hey this was 1961 broadcast television. There really is though some great information here and much footage that is not available elsewhere.
A fun trip through truly the golden age of Hollywood!
- motionpicturevideo
- Jul 11, 2016
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Hollywoods goldene Jahre - Eine Erinnerung an unvergessene Stars, Teil 1: Der Stummfilm
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime52 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1