Hollywood history from the year you were born

Charlie Chaplin directed his first full-length film, "The Kid." Chaplin also starred in the film, raising an orphan played by Jackie Coogan.

"The Power of Love" was released and considered the first 3D movie. However, the original 3D version is presumed lost.

The famous Hollywood sign was erected, and originally read "Hollywoodland." With each letter standing 50-feet high, the sign was originally only supposed to be up for about a year and then dismantled. It became "Hollywood" in 1949.

"The Sea Hawk," a silent film about a pirate king, was one of the year's biggest hits. The film starred Milton Sills, a singer and actor who performed in 86 films.

"The Big Parade" is considered the first "realistic war drama." The film was MGM Studios' first success and was directed by King Vidor.

When Rudolph Valentino died, reportedly more than 100,000 people gathered in the streets to mourn. "Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ," released nationwide this year, became a groundbreaking flick for its use of multiple cameras to film the intense action scenes.

"The Jazz Singer" was regularly credited as a pioneering film for "talkies," even though earlier films had synchronized music scores. Also, Grauman's Chinese Theatre—now known as TCL Chinese Theatre—opened in Hollywood.

Mickey Mouse is believed to have made his first appearance in the animated short "Steamboat Willie." The cartoon also featured synchronized sound and was a hit with audiences at New York City's Colony Theater.

The first Academy Awards presentation was held in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. "Wings" won best picture, and Janet Gaynor took home the award for best actress.

The Hollywood Reporter delivered its first batch of "Today's Film News Today." John Wayne received his first major screen time in "The Big Trail."

Lewis Milestone won the best director Oscar for his work on "All Quiet on the Western Front." Milestone previously won the award for "Two Arabian Knights" and became the first two-time winner of the best director award.

The first Venice Film Festival was held, but didn't become an annual event until 1935. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" was one of the features of the festival.

The first drive-in theater opened in Camden, New Jersey. Car operators paid 25 cents to see "Wives Beware," a British film about a man faking amnesia to pursue affairs.

Cecil B. DeMille directed the epic "Cleopatra," which became a box office and critical success. DeMille had previously directed scores of silent films, but reached new levels of fame in 1934.

"It Happened One Night," starring Clark Gable, was the big winner at the Academy Awards. Fox merged with 20th Century Pictures to create 20th Century Fox.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer cranked out the hits, with "The Great Ziegfeld," "San Francisco," "After the Thin Man," and "Rose Marie" being among the top-grossing films of the year. The studio, founded in 1924, is still going strong, producing blockbuster movies like installments of the "007" series and "Creed II."

Disney released "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," the first full-length animated feature. The film was a commercial success, and became a pillar for Disney to build upon as they became a major force in the film industry.

Spencer Tracy won the first of two consecutive Oscars for best actor. He acted until his death in 1967, starring in classics like "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and "Inherit the Wind."

Two of the most renowned films in American cinema were released, as "Gone with the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz" wow moviegoers. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh starred in the tale of Scarlett O'Hara, while Judy Garland, a former child actor, appeared to take a star-making turn as she went off to see the wizard. Sadly, Garland's remaining career was full of ups and downs, exposing a darker side of Hollywood fame.

Tom and Jerry first appeared in "Puss Gets the Boot." In the nine-minute short, Tom was actually then known as Jasper, and although unsaid on screen, Jerry's name in the film script was Jinx. Over the next eight decades, Tom and Jerry became one of America's famous feline and mouse duos.

Two of American film's most critically acclaimed works—"Citizen Kane" and "The Maltese Falcon"—were released this year. "Citizen Kane" became known for its one-liners, dramatic shots, and Orson Welles' scene-stealing performance. "The Maltese Falcon" was credited with revolutionizing film noir.

On Nov. 26, "Casablanca" premiered at New York City's Hollywood Theatre. Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart were universally praised for their acting performances, but the Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film—possibly because of its war theme—was better received by men.

James Cagney and Gary Cooper had a showdown in the best actor category at the Oscars. Cagney, who starred in "Yankee Doodle Dandy," took home the golden statue, edging out Cooper's performance in "The Pride of the Yankees."

The first Golden Globes were held in Los Angeles. The night's big winners included "The Song of Bernadette" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

Elizabeth Taylor picked up a role in "National Velvet" and immediately became a star. The film tells the story of a 12-year-old girl in England who yearned to become a steeplechase rider. Training proved difficult, as Taylor fell off the horse during filming.

"It's a Wonderful Life" debuted days before Christmas and became a timeless holiday classic. In France, the first Cannes film festival was held.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, better known as BAFTA, was founded. In the years to come, the BAFTA Awards became one of the marquee events of movie award season. Also of note in the United Kingdom, the first Edinburgh International Film Festival was held in 1947.

James Baskett was awarded an honorary Oscar for his often criticized work in "Song of the South." Baskett, the first African American male actor to win an Academy Award, died four months later.

Paramount Pictures received a devastating blow when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the government in the antitrust case United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. For decades, the Paramount Consent Decrees controlled how films were distributed to theaters, but the ruling against Paramount led to more creative freedom for moviemakers, and the rise of independent theaters.

In 1950, Disney was in deep financial trouble. The company still released "Cinderella," which became a massive success and essentially saved Disney. In previous years, Disney stayed afloat with films drawing inspiration from Latin America.

The first Berlin Film Festival was held, known locally as Berlinale. "Rashomon" won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, catapulting the film and the work of director Akira Kurosawa to a new level of popularity.

"The Greatest Show on Earth" provided an in-depth look at the lives of circus workers and delighted audiences. "Singin' in the Rain" became Gene Kelly's masterpiece, as a silent-screen star adjusted to the coming of sound.

Shirley Booth won an Oscar for her starring role in "Come Back, Little Sheba." Booth, who lived to be 94, also won Emmy and Tony awards during her illustrious career.

Ishiro Honda unleashed a monster of a film in Japanese cinemas with 1954's "Godzilla." Honda's version was often considered superior to later American remakes, with its messaging about the dangers of nuclear power.

"Oklahoma!" and "Guys and Dolls" were two popular musicals transformed into movies. Marilyn Monroe shot her famous scene standing over a subway grating in "The Seven Year Itch." Hollywood mourned when James Dean died in a car crash.

With an all-star cast, "The Ten Commandments" etched its way into Hollywood history as a feat of filmmaking. Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner portrayed Moses and Ramses, in this epic tale that is still shown on TV almost every year near Easter or Passover. Also this year, Elvis Presley made his silver screen debut in "Love Me Tender."

Yul Brenner won an Oscar, but not for his work in "The Ten Commandments." Brenner also starred in "The King and I," and he beat out a star-studded class including Kirk Douglas, James Dean, Rock Hudson, and Sir Laurence Olivier for his performance as the king. "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was among the year's major blockbusters.

"South Pacific," "Gigi," and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," were among the top performers at the box office. Joanne Woodward won the best actress Oscar for her role in "The Three Faces of Eve." As of late 2020, Woodward is believed to be one of the oldest living Oscar winners.

"Ben Hur" became the most-expensive film ever made at the time, as Charlton Heston stars in another epic. "The 400 Blows" ushered in the French New Wave.

"Spartacus" and "Psycho" captivated moviegoers with their thrilling scenes. The Hollywood Walk of Fame was created, with Joanne Woodward among the first recipients to receive a star.

"West Side Story" was one of the year's biggest releases, as an adaptation of the 1957 musical. The following year, the film won a record-breaking 10 Oscars. In 1997, it was added to the National Film Registry.

Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home. At the time of Monroe's death, she was 36, and many obituaries mentioned an overdose of pills as a likely cause of her demise. "Dr. No" was the first of many James Bond movies.

The New York Film Festival launched with a screening of "The Exterminating Angel." "Cleopatra," "Bye Bye Birdie," and "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" are among the notable nationwide releases.

Sidney Poitier, star of "Lilies of the Field," won the Oscar for best actor. "Mary Poppins" and "My Fair Lady" sing their way to the top of the box office charts. The Beatles released "A Hard Day's Night."

"The Sound of Music" was a bit of an unexpected hit, and few predicted it would top "Gone With the Wind" as the top box office draw of all-time. Robert Wise, who previously had success producing "West Side Story," added much of the same formula to the story of the von Trapp family. "Doctor Zhivago" capped the year with another powerful set of box office numbers.

Walt Disney died on Dec. 15, and soon rumors began flying about what would be done with the animation legend's body. Many believe that Disney's body was cryogenically frozen; however, that has never been confirmed.

"The Graduate," with its mix of Simon & Garfunkel tunes and strong debut of actor Dustin Hoffman, became a blockbuster. With its quotable lines, "The Graduate" sucked in audiences and in some ways changed Hollywood.

"2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Planet of the Apes" became two of the first movies to find success with plots based around exploration of other planets. "Rosemary's Baby" frightened audiences, as Mia Farrow was brilliant in the Roman Polanski horror thriller.

In a story that gripped and scared Hollywood, actress Sharon Tate was murdered by followers of Charles Manson. "Cowboys" had a rebirth as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and "Midnight Cowboy" drew in audiences en masse. Barbra Streisand won the best actress Oscar for her performance in "Funny Girl."

"Tiger Child," the first IMAX film, was shown at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan. The revolutionizing film company is still going strong today: Upcoming releases include animated and action films. 

Clint Eastwood gave a career-defining performance in "Dirty Harry." Another standout actor in his own right, Orson Welles, received an honorary Oscar at the 43rd Academy Awards.

Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" set the standard for gangster movies, while "Deep Throat" became a landmark film in the realm of adult movies. Home Box Office, better known as HBO, launched.

"The Exorcist" became a box office smash and a seminal film in the horror genre. "American Graffiti" spoke to a generation of rock 'n' roll-loving, coming-of-age young adults with its ensemble cast. "Cabaret" captured a slew of awards at the 45th annual Oscars.

In a great year for comedies, Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder delivered the goods twice. The director/actor combo spoofed the Wild West in "Blazing Saddles," which also had a standout performance from Cleavon Little, and then went black-and-white to bring the laughs in "Young Frankenstein."

Many beachgoers never looked at the water the same way after "Jaws" chomped its way to the top of the box office. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" altered the moviegoing experience, and gave birth to a new kind of immersive fan interaction in theaters.

Sylvester Stallone, an underdog screenwriter at the time, scored a knockout with the ultimate underdog film, "Rocky." While filming the movie, Stallone was near broke, but soon became one of Hollywood's biggest stars. The movie channel Showtime also hit the airwaves in 1976.

The VHS tape came to America and the first video rental store opened. "Star Wars" was a massive hit and "Rocky" won best picture at the Oscars.

"Superman" flew to the top of the box office, while "Animal House" headed to the top of the class of college movies. Directed by John Landis, "Animal House" included choice music cuts, and is still idolized in frat houses throughout the country.

Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" brought together an ensemble cast that impressed at the box office and during award season. Displaying the complexities of war, the film is still recognized as an all-time great. "Alien" and Steve Martin's "The Jerk" were other notable releases in 1979.

"The Empire Strikes Back" had viewers once again imagining what battle was like in a galaxy far, far away, while "Airplane!" had audiences rolling with its parody comedy about air travel in a much closer galaxy. "The Blues Brothers" infused jazz, comedy, and action like few movies before it.

Indiana Jones became a household name after "Raiders of the Lost Ark" hit screens in 1981. "An American Werewolf in London" was considered a masterpiece for how visual effects and makeup could be used in movies.

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" set box office records, eventually landed in the National Film Registry, and is considered one of the greatest films of all-time. "Tron" was a groundbreaking film for computer animation, and Sylvester Stallone introduced the world to Rambo in "First Blood."

"Return of the Jedi" was 1983's highest-grossing film, almost doubling the receipts of the second-place film, "Tootsie." The latest Star Wars film was hailed as a triumph, with the New York Daily News saying a ticker tape parade should be held for director George Lucas.

Exploring the supernatural was a constant theme in 1984, as "Gremlins," "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," and "Ghostbusters" were all top-grossing films. However, it was "Amadeus," an ode to classical music geniuses, that was the award season darling. "This is Spinal Tap" revolutionized the genre of mockumentaries.

Michael J. Fox landed an iconic role playing Marty McFly in 1985's "Back to the Future." His time traveling teen character is still revered today, with special sneaker drops and numerous shoutouts on hip-hop songs. Also this year, "The Goonies" equally impacted a generation of adventure-seeking teens.

Tom Cruise entered the danger zone as a pilot in "Top Gun," but he wasn't the only thrill-seeking actor of 1986. An ensemble cast retold the perils of war in "Platoon," Sigourney Weaver took on "Aliens," and Ralph Macchio fought for his sensei's honor in "The Karate Kid Part II." Some characters just wanted to chill and have fun, as Matthew Broderick did in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," although he did have to evade Mr. Rooney.

Buddy cop duos were all the rage in 1987, as "Lethal Weapon," "Stakeout," and "Beverly Hills Cop II" were all box office smashes. The year also saw the release of "Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol," which continued to chronicle the escapades of a ragtag crew of cops, only this time featuring cameos by a young David Spade and Tony Hawk.

A number of comedies with international characters made a lasting impact in 1988, headlined by Eddie Murphy playing an African prince in "Coming to America." "Crocodile Dundee II" and its Australian protagonist remained a big ticket draw, while Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped away from machine guns and fights—and a salary—for a comedic role alongside Danny DeVito in "Twins." However, the year's most memorable scene might have come courtesy of Tom Hanks, whose piano feet in "Big" endeared him once again to audiences.

A slew of action heroes were the stars of 1989, as "Batman," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," and "Ghostbusters II" were box office hits. John Travolta, who became an action star in the 1990s, experienced the beginning of a career revival in "Look Who's Talking," which featured the voice of Bruce Willis, another action star.

Romance was in the air in 1990, as Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze built chemistry around ceramics in "Ghost," and Julia Roberts won the heart of Richard Gere in "Pretty Woman." The famous pottery scene in "Ghost" was set to the song "Unchained Melody" and spawned numerous spinoffs and spoofs.

The Terminator, Robin Hood, and Captain Hook saw renewed interest in their characters, thanks to the release of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," and "Hook." Kevin Costner filmed infamous scenes in "JFK," and Anthony Hopkins had numerous quotables in "Silence of the Lambs."

The Disney animated hit "Aladdin" topped the 1992 box office, highlighted by the crooning of Robin Williams. Friendly films were a big hit this year, with "Wayne's World" and "White Men Can't Jump" other notable releases. Whitney Houston mesmerized on the screen and with her voice in "The Bodyguard."

"Jurassic Park" became an iconic film for its use of special effects, while "Mrs. Doubtfire" charmed audiences with its use of old-school makeup to transform Robin Williams into a hip, lovable grandma. In addition, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks delivered career-defining works with "Schindler's List" and "Philadelphia."

Tom Hanks continued to deliver memorable performances, acing his role as Forrest Gump. "Speed" revolutionized the action film genre, while the first SXSW Film Festival was held, and Magic Johnson entered the film industry with his chain of movie theaters.

"Toy Story" is the first release from Pixar, and completely changed the animated film industry— with an assist from, you guessed it, Tom Hanks. Digital versatile discs, or DVDs, were introduced and soon became all the rage; however, Kevin Costner's "Waterworld" flopped.

In one of the biggest years for summer blockbusters, "Independence Day," "Twister," and "Mission Impossible" reeled in more than $1 billion. Eddie Murphy experienced a career resurgence with "The Nutty Professor," and America's favorite dim-witted slackers went from TV to the silver screen in "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America."

Netflix was founded in 1997, and Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures released its first films. Meanwhile, "Titanic" grossed almost $2 billion worldwide, making Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet two of the most sought after actors over the next two decades. Two Boston kids also emerge on the scene, winning an Oscar for writing "Good Will Hunting."

Movie stars took on Godzilla, asteroids, and the Germans in the year's biggest films. However, it was "Shakespeare in Love" that took home the top prize at the Oscars, elevating Gwyneth Paltrow into megastar status.

"The Matrix" bended audiences' minds with its futuristic thriller script, while "The Blair Witch Project" used a novel plot to literally shake up the horror genre. Similarly, "The Sixth Sense" and "Fight Club" added new meanings to the term plot twist.

"Gladiator" nearly swept the major awards, but 2000 saw a surge of quality movies released at the end of the year. "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" "Cast Away," and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" all had December releases and remain influential works today.

"Harry Potter," "Shrek," "The Lord of the Rings," and the "Fast & Furious" franchises all released their first films in 2001. Cameron Crowe, writer of cult classic "Almost Famous," won the Oscar for best original screenplay.

"Spider-Man" swung its way to success, bringing in a reported $114 million in its opening weekend. The superhero flick, starring Tobey Maguire, became the first movie to cross the $100 million mark in its opening weekend. In some ways, the success of "Spider-Man" opened the way for superhero movies to take over the next decade.

Michael Moore won the Oscar for best documentary feature at the 75th Academy Awards. In accepting the award for his documentary criticizing the gun industry, Moore began a scathing speech directed toward President George W. Bush. Moore was greeted with a mix of applause and loud boos in one of the more-memorable Oscar speeches of modern times.

Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" became a big box office hit, despite the controversy surrounding the movie's religious themes. Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" documentary took aim at President George W. Bush and associates—his targets at the 2003 Oscars.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," an adaptation of a classic C.S. Lewis novel, and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," an adaptation of the Roald Dahl story of the same name, were two of the year's biggest successes. Daniel Craig is announced as the next actor to play James Bond in the famed "007" series.

Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou—the latter having rose to prominence in 2001's "Amelie"—star in the film adaptation of Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." Sasha Baron Cohen scored a hit with his Borat character, and Blu-ray battles HD-DVD to become the next big thing in home entertainment.

After ruling the TV airwaves for almost two decades, "The Simpsons" arrived on the big screen. Streaming service Hulu was founded, and Forest Whitaker won a best actor Oscar for his work in "The Last King of Scotland."

Due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, the Golden Globes were altered to a more intimate show, similar to a press conference. The Marvel Cinematic Universe was launched with "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk." In other comic-inspired films, "The Dark Knight" set box office records.

"Avatar" and its 3D technology was all the rage, as James Cameron's film raked in more than $2 billion worldwide. Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of The Joker in "The Dark Knight." Ledger died in January 2008 of an accidental overdose.

Kathryn Bigelow won an Oscar for best directing, and her film, "The Hurt Locker," also earned best picture honors. Longtime movie rental giant Blockbuster Video filed for bankruptcy. "Toy Story 3" tugged at the emotions of viewers of all ages.

Natalie Portman won the best actress Oscar for her demanding role in "Black Swan." The "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise eclipsed the $1 billion mark with the release of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides." "Twilight," "Mission Impossible," and "The Hangover" are other series that notably made a box office impact in 2011.

"The Artist," an ode to black-and-white films, collects a host of Oscars. The first of the "Hunger Games" series hits theaters, while "The Dark Knight Rises" closes out Christopher Nolan's trilogy of Batman films—tragically, there is a shooting at a theater in Colorado during an early showing of the movie.

"Frozen" became a phenomenon and another source of seemingly endless cash for Disney. "Argo" was somewhat of a surprise winner of the best picture Oscar. Paul Walker, star of the "Fast and Furious" franchise, died in a car accident.

Netflix picked up its first Oscar nomination, and Matthew McConaughey took home his first Academy Award for his acting in "Dallas Buyers Club." "Guardians of the Galaxy" strengthened the power of comic book films at the box office.

The #oscarssowhite hashtag called out the lack of diversity in nominations for the Academy Awards. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," served as the follow-up to "Return of the Jedi" and topped the year's box office numbers. "Minions" is one of five 2015 films—and the only animated feature—to surpass $1 billion.

Films based on comic books like "Captain America: Civil War," and "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" continued to dominate ticket sales. "Sausage Party" became one of the most successful R-rated animated films ever, and Leonardo DiCaprio won his first best actor Oscar for "The Revenant."

In one of the biggest Oscar flubs ever, "La La Land" was announced as the best picture winner, when in actuality the award was supposed to go to "Moonlight." Earlier in the night, Mahershala Ali won the best supporting actor Oscar for his portrayal of an empathetic drug dealer in "Moonlight."

The casting of "Black Panther" and subsequent box office success had a deep cultural impact on America. Jordan Peele also had a history-making win at the Oscars, taking home the best original screenplay award.

Lady Gaga won an Oscar for best original song at the 91st Academy Awards, and also performed a stirring rendition of the hit "Shallow" with Bradley Cooper. Apple TV+ launched, adding to the ever-growing streaming landscape. Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" became the first South Korean film to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

Hollywood was featured in a Netflix miniseries by the same name, that faced criticism for portraying "alternate history" as it explored the "idea of lost potential" faced by people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. Characters in the series broke barriers still decidedly in place.

Numerous records were shattered in the 2021 Oscar award nominations, where the industry recognized more than one woman in the Best Director category, and those considered for the Best Actor award included Muslim and Asian American artists.