Hitchcock
Number 1. Numero uno. #1. No matter how you say it, having the word ‘’first’’ tied to your name indicates success, and film firsts are no exception.
Legendary British filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock had many ‘firsts’ in his six decade career as he mastered the art of suspense and psychological thriller. Directing more than fifty films, Hitchcock’s distinctive directorial style is regarded as one of the best in history.
Much anticipated film Hitchcock looks at the director’s life during the making of controversial yet renowned horror film, Psycho. Check out these famous film firsts that are known for much more than being number 1.
- The First Film in the US - Monkeyshines No.1 (1889-1890)
Let’s start at the beginning, sometime between 1889-1890, no one is quite sure of the exact date. We are more certain however, that Monkeyshines No.1 was the first film shot in the U.S.
Historians think it was filmed purely for the use of a camera test and never intended for commercial use. Despite some questions, it is widely believed that Monkeyshines was in fact the first movie shot with a continuous strip of film. The rest is cinematic history.
- The First in Series - Dr. No (1962)-The First James Bond
‘‘Shaken, not stirred.’’ Why yes I am talking about ‘‘Bond, James Bond.’’ Dr. No introduced viewers to the original and arguably best adaptation of Bond throughout its 23 films, Sean Connery.
Dr. No marks the first British spy film in which 007 is dispatched to Jamaica to investigate the death of a fellow agent. This was of course the first of Ian Fleming’s novels to be transformed into a movie, leading to a successful series of 23 films.
Viewers entered the world of Bond, from his nightly rendezvous with the infamous ‘’Bond girls’’ to his notorious cars and weaponry. More than fifty years later, The James Bond series continues today, revealing its timeless nature.
Click here to buy James Bond: Dr. No on DVD
- The First Harry Potter - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Undoubtedly the greatest film series of all time to come from the UK just happens to be the highest grossing film franchise period, Harry Potter.
The 2001 debut of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first of eight immensely popular films based on Brit J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.
Viewers across the world were introduced to the magical world of wizardry, quidditch and wands as Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) journeys through his wizard education at Hogwarts, with the help of best friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson).
Click here to buy Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone on DVD
- First Montage Film - Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Through an absence of words, Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin dramatizes the 1905 mutiny and police massacre that ensued as Russian battleship crewmembers protested against the Tsarist regime.
The technique of montage was used for the first time, as a group of short shots were edited to appear in sequential order on screen.
This use of montage known in film editing today as ‘‘cutting’’ led to Battleship Potemkin being named the ‘‘greatest film of all time’’ at the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair.
- First Feature Length Talkie - The Jazz Singer (1927)
As moviegoers grew tired of seeing films without dialogue, American musical The Jazz Singer provided relief as the first feature length film with sound, commonly referred to today as ‘‘talkies.’’
American singer Al Jolson leads as Jack Robin, the son of a Jewish cantor who defiantly leaves home to chase his dream of becoming a jazz singer. The Jazz Singer breaks the silence for all films to come. Need I say more?
Click here to buy The Jazz Singer on DVD
- First Colour Film - Becky Sharp (1935)
Based on the novel Vanity Fair, historical drama Becky Sharp is best known for its use of Technicolor production, creating the first colour film before our eyes.
Miriam Hopkins stars as Becky Sharp herself, as she attempts to become part of an upper class family, at the expense of leaving her lower class show biz family behind. Becky Sharp proves that life really is better in colour.
- First Summer Blockbuster - Jaws (1975)
Directed by legend Steven Spielberg, Jaws reigns as not only one of the greatest films of all time, but as a film that is famous for producing many firsts.
Following two shark attacks in resort town Amity Island, a marine biologist, professional shark hunter and the local police chief team up to purse the mysterious shark’s demise. Truly a moment in motion picture history, this horror thriller set the stage for films to be deemed as a ‘‘Blockbuster.’’
This was also the first time a motion picture was widely released across the U.S. after heavy promotion through TV advertising, creating the modern Hollywood business model used today. Upon its release, Jaws was the highest grossing film at the time and remains the prototypical blockbuster hit.
- Hitchcock (2012) - First Biographical Film about Alfred Hitchcock
Since his death in 1980, the Hitchcock style continues to be adopted and evolved by many in the industry today.
One such tribute is seen in upcoming film Hitchcock, which examines the director’s relationship with wife Alma Reville during the making of controversial yet renowned horror film, Psycho.
Be sure to catch the thrill and suspense when Hitchcock which is out now.
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