In the 1920s, major film studios like MGM, Warner Brothers, and Columbia Pictures were founded, making the US the top film producer in the world. Around 800 films were released each year. Silent films were the dominant format, often accompanied by live music, though The Jazz Singer in 1927 was the first successful "talkie". Expressionist films used stylized techniques like dramatic lighting and angles. Grand movie palaces like the Egyptian and Chinese Theaters were built to encourage frequent movie-going. Walt Disney began his career, creating Steamboat Willie and the debut of Mickey Mouse. The film industry boomed throughout the decade despite economic or political changes.

1. Movies in the
Roaring ’20s
By: Molly Marmion
and Rachel Jungkind

2. Objectives:
Film making giants
silent Films
synchronized sound
Jazz singer
expressionism
movie theatres
ushers
Walt disney

3. Filmmaking Giants
Major film making companies were founded in
the early ’20s such as MGM, Warner
Brothers, and Columbia pictures
In the early ’20s America was the leading
producer of films in the world.

4. THE BIG 5
Warner Brothers Paramount RKO
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 20th century Fox

5. the greatest output oF Feature Films
occurred in the 1920s (about 800 Film
releases in a year) - noWadays,
production doesn't exceed 500 Films a
year.

6. silent films
were the
predominant
product of the
film industry

7. synchronized sound
Early silent films
were often
accompanied by
live piano or
organ music to
set the mood of
the scene.

8. This was
the first full
movie ever
filmed with
sound.

9. Expressionism
Expressionism was marked by
stylization, dark shadows and
dramatic lighting, visual story-
telling, grotesque characters,
distorted or slanted angular
shots (of streets, buildings,
etc.) and abstract sets.

10. Movie theatres were built, including, the
Egyptian, and the now-famous Chinese
Theater in Hollywood.
Impresario Sid Grauman established the
tradition of stars placing their prints in
cement in front of the theater.

11. Movie Theaters
Many of the movie theatres of
the 1920s were so grand that
people nicknamed them
quot;picture palaces.quot; Exteriors
were gaudy, and electrical
extravaganzas were held.
They were aiming to
encourage movie goers to
see movies more frequently.

12. In the large theatres of the 1920s ushers were
essential. Not only did they show people to
their seats, but they were charged with
handling large crowds.
To be an Usher was a desirable job 

13. Walt Disney
The famous film
maker, Walt Disney
began career in the
1920s starting with
Steamboat Willie
which was the
premier of
America’s favorite
mouse! MICKEY!

14. The films were in
major demand
during this era.
Silent theaters
where packed
every night. The
stock market
crash or the end
of the Great War
did not affect film
theaters and
studios.