1903 sees the birth of both halves of the comedy duo Bob Hope & Bing Crosby, aswell as 1934 Academy Award winner Claudette Colbert.
Bing & Bob dig Claudette During the earliest years of the 1900's, New York City predated Hollywood as America's film capital. Starting on 27th May on BBC2 (UK), Paul Merton looks at the Birth of Hollywood, which delves into the humble NYC beginnings of the USA's film industry, and the reasons for the sudden move to California. Not to be missed!
New York City (by day & night 2005)shows how Lower Manhattan looked 108 years ago. If you're interested in the history of New York City, and its' visual importance/thematic inspiration to cinema, I can highly recommend the book "Celluloid Skyline: New York And The Movies" by James Sanders.
Borrowing heavily from James Williamson's "Fire", two years previously, Edwin S. Porter makes "
", which continues the evolution of cinema through establishing narrative and pursuing techniques such as cross-cutting, which would play a large part in the appeal and acclaim throughout the work of D.W. Griffith.
This was then followed by his most popular work (and the most important film release to date),
. Aside from the rotation used in the 1900's short 'Champs de Mars', Porters work features the earliest use of camera movement I've seen so far. The sets/scenery are impressive for its time, and the casting/acting is well done. The little amount of "over-acting" is only as bad as many films made post-war.
Another highly rated film from this year, is Cecil Hepworth's "
", although unlike the work of Porter, I found a flaw in its production. The plot seems a little flimsy, and results in a confusing experience, and unless you're familiar with the book or any of its major adaptations, this can be quite a awkward film to follow and make sense of.
Georges Méliès pops up once again with another remarkable piece, "
". It's almost a "silent musical", showcasing camera trickery and some fine dancing and acrobatics captured on this early example of fantasy film.
In Pennsylvania, four brothers (Albert, Harry, Jack & Sam) open their first theatre. Within afew years the Warner brothers began film distribution, eventually merging with First National Pictures, Inc. and later acquiring their studio lot in Burbank, California.
Warner Bros. 'Brothers' (left) and 'Studios' (in 2005)The popular music of 1903 seems to consist of the same faces from 1902. The year itself doesn't fare too well on RateYourMusic, and it appears to be the weakest year represented in the top 100 of the decade.
But those rated highly are worthwhile enough. #3 for 1903 (#58 for 1900s) is Arthur Collins with the ragtime 'Any Rags?'. The tune is the most interesting so far, and almost ahead of its time. Forgetting the lyrics, the structure of the song would not be out of place in a 1940's Disney musical.
Mississippi John Hurt begins performing. His niece would become the wife of Skip James (see earlier post).
Delta blues-guitarist Big Joe Williams and influential Jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke were born in 1903.
'03 BIRTHS: Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Claudette Colbert (in Film). Plus Big Joe Williams and Bix Beiderbecke (in Music) alturl.com/p8zwh
— Through the darkness (@120Yrs120Months) November 12, 2011
03FILM: Edwin S. Porter makes 'Life of an American Fireman' and his groundbreaking 'The Great Train Robbery'. WarnerBros open 1st theater.
— Through the darkness (@120Yrs120Months) November 12, 2011
03WATCHED LeCake-Walk infernal (Méliès), Life of an American Fireman & Great Train Robbery (Edwin S Porter), Alice in Wonderland (Hepworth).
— Through the darkness (@120Yrs120Months) November 12, 2011
03MUSIC Not a great year for RockNRoll, nor much else. Self-taught young 'un Mississippi John Hurt begins performing, but no record till '28
— Through the darkness (@120Yrs120Months) November 12, 2011
