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Long before Netflix’s Blonde landed a controversial Nc-17 rating, the Motion Picture Association gave films like Baby Doll (1956) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) “adults only” designations as a way to placate concerned parents and reformers.
Now, when news surfaces of Hollywood allegedly kowtowing to everything from domestic social crusaders to foreign governments, debate lights up headlines and social media conversations. But, historically speaking, industry moguls have most often erred on the side of not ruffling feathers, home or abroad, in order to court consumers — as evidenced in the birth of the MPA 100 years ago.
The lobbying group, which is marking its centennial in 2022, was born as the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association in 1922. Mppda counsel C.C. Pettijohn once told a 1929 Public Relations Conference that the film industry was first understood as a three-legged stool that included production, distribution, and exhibition.
Long before Netflix’s Blonde landed a controversial Nc-17 rating, the Motion Picture Association gave films like Baby Doll (1956) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) “adults only” designations as a way to placate concerned parents and reformers.
Now, when news surfaces of Hollywood allegedly kowtowing to everything from domestic social crusaders to foreign governments, debate lights up headlines and social media conversations. But, historically speaking, industry moguls have most often erred on the side of not ruffling feathers, home or abroad, in order to court consumers — as evidenced in the birth of the MPA 100 years ago.
The lobbying group, which is marking its centennial in 2022, was born as the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association in 1922. Mppda counsel C.C. Pettijohn once told a 1929 Public Relations Conference that the film industry was first understood as a three-legged stool that included production, distribution, and exhibition.
- 9/2/2022
- by Chris Yogerst
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Proving again that there’s always more to learn about film history, Marc J. Perez’s documentary tells the story of a major American film capital before Hollywood. Milestone surrounds it with a couple of hours of early silent films made in the cinema Mecca of . . . Fort Lee, New Jersey.
The Champion: A Story of America’s First Film Town
DVD
The Milestone Cinematheque
2015 / Color + B&W / 1:33 flat full frame / 35 min. main documentary; many more short subjects / Street Date October 17, 2017 / available through The Milestone Cinematheque / 34.99
Film Editor: B.B. Enriquez
Original Music: Ryan Shore
Based on a book by Richard Koszarski
Produced by Tom Myers, John L. Sikes
Directed by Marc J. Perez
Milestone’s new crash course in film history is a two-disc set centered around a 2015 documentary, The Champion: A Story of America’s First Film Town. ‘The Champion’ was the name of a short-lived but significant film company,...
The Champion: A Story of America’s First Film Town
DVD
The Milestone Cinematheque
2015 / Color + B&W / 1:33 flat full frame / 35 min. main documentary; many more short subjects / Street Date October 17, 2017 / available through The Milestone Cinematheque / 34.99
Film Editor: B.B. Enriquez
Original Music: Ryan Shore
Based on a book by Richard Koszarski
Produced by Tom Myers, John L. Sikes
Directed by Marc J. Perez
Milestone’s new crash course in film history is a two-disc set centered around a 2015 documentary, The Champion: A Story of America’s First Film Town. ‘The Champion’ was the name of a short-lived but significant film company,...
- 9/23/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
D.W. Griffith movies at the American Cinematheque (photo: D.W. Griffith circa 1915) A series of D.W. Griffith movies made at Biograph at the dawn of both the 20th century and the art of moviemaking will be screened at the American Cinematheque next weekend. "Retroformat Presents: D.W. Griffith at Biograph, Part 3 - 1909 – 1910" will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the Steven Spielberg auditorium of The Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. The evening will be hosted by Tom Barnes; musical accompaniment will be provided by Cliff Retallick. Among the D.W. Griffith films to be presented by Retroformat are the following: Lines of White on a Sullen Sea The Gibson Goddess The Mountaineer’s Honor Through the Breakers A Corner in Wheat Her Terrible Ordeal The Last Deal Faithful D.W. Griffith and his stars As found in Retroformat’s press release, those early D.W. Griffith efforts feature "innovative cinematography" by frequent Griffith collaborator G.W. Bitzer,...
- 4/24/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
As you already see from our title – Julia Stiles is set to star in an upcoming Mary Pickford biopic The First, which comes from director Jennifer DeLia. Stiles will join previously announced Lily Rabe, Michael Pitt and Ryan Simpkins, and accodring to the latest reports – she will come on board to play Frances Marion, one of the top screenwriters during the early 20th Century!
So, at this moment we know that Jennifer DeLia will direct The First from Josh Fagin‘s script which is based on Eileen Whitfield‘s biography Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood which will tell us the story of a woman so ahead of her time who was living one of the most romantic love stories of all time.
As for the above mentioed cast – Lily Rabe is already set to play Pickford, while Michael Pitt is set to play Owen Moore.
When it comes to...
So, at this moment we know that Jennifer DeLia will direct The First from Josh Fagin‘s script which is based on Eileen Whitfield‘s biography Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood which will tell us the story of a woman so ahead of her time who was living one of the most romantic love stories of all time.
As for the above mentioed cast – Lily Rabe is already set to play Pickford, while Michael Pitt is set to play Owen Moore.
When it comes to...
- 2/1/2013
- by Jeanne Standal
- Filmofilia
Julia Stiles, who re-emerged with a great supporting turn in "Silver Linings Playbook," has signed on to play screenwriter Frances Marion--the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay--in Jennifer DeLia's "The First," based on Eileen Whitfield's biography on Mary Pickford, "Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood." Marion's Oscar was for "The Big House" in 1930. Pickford was muse to Marion during their collaborations, including “Rebecca from Sunnybrook Farm” and “Poor Little Rich Girl.” Other characters in the film will include Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith, and Lillian Gish. Lily Rabe is set to play Pickford, and "Boardwalk Empire"'s Michael Pitt is set to play Owen Moore. Julie Pacino is producing with Said Zahraoui and Dominick Fairbanks; she'll shopping the film at Berlin with Poverty Row's Billy Bates. Last November DeLia told Indiewire, "I didn't...
- 2/1/2013
- by Sophia Savage
- Thompson on Hollywood
Julia Stiles is joining the cast of The First, a film about Mary Pickford that director Jennifer DeLia and producer Julie Pacino of Poverty Row Entertainment will be promoting at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Stiles will play screenwriter Frances Marion, who often collaborated with Pickford, who will be played by Lily Rabe.
The cast of the film, which is expected to begin production this year, also includes Michael Pitt as actor Owen Moore and Ryan Simpkins as a young Pickford. DeLia will direct a script by Josh Fagin, based on Eileen Whitfield’s biography Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood. Pacino and Said Zahraoui will produce along with co-producer Dominick Fairbanks (grandson ...
Stiles will play screenwriter Frances Marion, who often collaborated with Pickford, who will be played by Lily Rabe.
The cast of the film, which is expected to begin production this year, also includes Michael Pitt as actor Owen Moore and Ryan Simpkins as a young Pickford. DeLia will direct a script by Josh Fagin, based on Eileen Whitfield’s biography Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood. Pacino and Said Zahraoui will produce along with co-producer Dominick Fairbanks (grandson ...
Julia Stiles is joining the cast of The First, a film about Mary Pickford that director Jennifer DeLia and producer Julie Pacino of Poverty Row Entertainment will be promoting at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Stiles will play screenwriter Frances Marion, who often collaborated with Pickford, who will be played by Lily Rabe.
The cast of the film, which is expected to begin production this year, also includes Michael Pitt as actor Owen Moore and Ryan Simpkins as a young Pickford. DeLia will direct a script by Josh Fagin, based on Eileen Whitfield’s biography Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood. Pacino and Said Zahraoui will produce along with co-producer Dominick Fairbanks (grandson ...
Stiles will play screenwriter Frances Marion, who often collaborated with Pickford, who will be played by Lily Rabe.
The cast of the film, which is expected to begin production this year, also includes Michael Pitt as actor Owen Moore and Ryan Simpkins as a young Pickford. DeLia will direct a script by Josh Fagin, based on Eileen Whitfield’s biography Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood. Pacino and Said Zahraoui will produce along with co-producer Dominick Fairbanks (grandson ...
Julia Stiles is joining the cast of The First, a film about Mary Pickford that director Jennifer DeLia and producer Julie Pacino of Poverty Row Entertainment will be promoting at the Berlin International Film Festival. Stiles will play screenwriter Frances Marion, who often collaborated with Pickford, who will be played by Lily Rabe. The cast of the film, which is expected to begin production this year, also includes Michael Pitt as actor Owen Moore and Ryan Simpkins as a young Pickford. DeLia will direct a script by Josh Fagin, based on Eileen Whitfield’s biography Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood. Pacino
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- 2/1/2013
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Big eyes, a luscious mouth, Oscar-winning star of dozens of movies, fame on an enormous, worldwide scale, the daughter of actor parents, a feisty, independent and ambitious nature, one half of an enviously beautiful Hollywood power couple, trailed by fans and paparazzi.
Sounds like Angelina Jolie, right?
Actually, it also describes the woman who, many years earlier, when movies were black-and-white, emotionally gut-punching and entirely silent, staked her claim as “America’s sweetheart” and paved the way for Jolie, for Brangelina, for Hollywood as we know it: Mary Pickford.
You may hear Pickford’s name more and more these days,...
Sounds like Angelina Jolie, right?
Actually, it also describes the woman who, many years earlier, when movies were black-and-white, emotionally gut-punching and entirely silent, staked her claim as “America’s sweetheart” and paved the way for Jolie, for Brangelina, for Hollywood as we know it: Mary Pickford.
You may hear Pickford’s name more and more these days,...
- 9/4/2012
- by Solvej Schou
- EW - Inside Movies
Michael Pitt ("Boardwalk Empire") has signed up to star in the Mary Pickford biopic "The First" says The Press Association.
Mary was one of the early Canadian pioneers in Hollywood and went on to found the United Artists studio with other stars including Charlie Chaplin. Pitt will play Owen Moore, the first husband of Mary (Ryan Simpkins).
Mary and Owen had a troubled marriage, blighted by Owen's alcoholism and insecurity about living in her shadow. Shooting kicks off next year.
Mary was one of the early Canadian pioneers in Hollywood and went on to found the United Artists studio with other stars including Charlie Chaplin. Pitt will play Owen Moore, the first husband of Mary (Ryan Simpkins).
Mary and Owen had a troubled marriage, blighted by Owen's alcoholism and insecurity about living in her shadow. Shooting kicks off next year.
- 8/31/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Casting Net: Michael Pitt to play Hollywood legend's husband. Plus: Brie Larson, Thomas Ian Nicholas
• Boardwalk Empire’s Michael Pitt has joined The First, a biopic about the trailblazing silent film actress Mary Pickford (Lily Rabe). Pitt will play Pickford’s first husband, Owen Moore, who had a tumultuous relationship with Pickford before she took up with, and eventually married, actor Douglas Fairbanks. Jennifer DeLia (Billy Bates) is directing. [Deadline]
• Brie Larson (21 Jump Street) will headline Short Term 12, an indie about a woman who grapples with working at a home for foster children. Writer-director Destin Cretton (I Am Not a Hipster) adapted the film from his 2008 short film of the same name. [Deadline]
• Thomas Ian Nicholas...
• Brie Larson (21 Jump Street) will headline Short Term 12, an indie about a woman who grapples with working at a home for foster children. Writer-director Destin Cretton (I Am Not a Hipster) adapted the film from his 2008 short film of the same name. [Deadline]
• Thomas Ian Nicholas...
- 8/31/2012
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Like the great John Slattery before him, Michael Pitt has sort of established himself as a man of period productions. There was Boardwalk Empire, we have You Can’t Win to look forward to, and he’s now going back to the old days of Hollywood. The old, old days.
Per Deadline’s word, it’s been announced that Pitt will co-star in The First, a recently-developed biopic of silent film star Mary Pickford; the talent is locked to play her first husband, Owen Moore. Although previous reports had named Lily Rabe (All Good Things, American Horror Story) as director Jennifer DeLia‘s main star, it’s since been announced that Ryan Simpkins (A Single Man) will also play the icon — only, in her younger years. (Flashback scenes, I’d wager.) It’s a fine pair of choices, with Pitt, in particular, standing out. Much as his early work would...
Per Deadline’s word, it’s been announced that Pitt will co-star in The First, a recently-developed biopic of silent film star Mary Pickford; the talent is locked to play her first husband, Owen Moore. Although previous reports had named Lily Rabe (All Good Things, American Horror Story) as director Jennifer DeLia‘s main star, it’s since been announced that Ryan Simpkins (A Single Man) will also play the icon — only, in her younger years. (Flashback scenes, I’d wager.) It’s a fine pair of choices, with Pitt, in particular, standing out. Much as his early work would...
- 8/30/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Michael Pitt has been cast in The First. The upcoming movie tells the story of Hollywood legend Mary Pickford, who appeared in such films as Tess of the Storm Country and The Poor Little Rich Girl. Pitt will portray Pickford's first husband named Owen Moore, reports Deadline. Lily Rabe was previously cast as Canadian-born Pickford in her adult years, while Ryan Simpkins will portray a young Pickford. Rabe and Pitt, along with the film's (more)...
- 8/30/2012
- by By Kristina Bustos
- Digital Spy
Michael Pitt and Ryan Simpkins have joined the cast of "The First," a feature film about the life of iconic screen star Mary Pickford that is set to shoot in 2013, the Toronto International Film Festival announced on Thursday. Pitt (pictured) has been cast as Owen Moore, Pickford's first husband, and Simpkins will play a young Mary Pickford. The adult Pickford will be played by Lily Rabe, as previously reported. "The First" is being produced by Julie Pacino and Jennifer DeLia's Poverty Row Entertainment. DeLia is directing. Also read: Mary Pickford Returns to the...
- 8/30/2012
- by Liza Foreman
- The Wrap
Exclusive: I’ve watched the first five hours of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, and it took that many hours for me to get past the unequivocal exit of Michael Pitt’s Jimmy Darmody character. Pitt has committed to star in The First, a new feature film about the life of Hollywood legend Mary Pickford that will begin production in 2013. He will play Owen Moore, Pickford’s first husband. Ryan Simpkins has been cast to play a young Pickford. Lily Rabe was already set to play Mary Pickford in her salad years. Rabe and Pitt will join filmmakers Julie Pacino and Jennifer DeLia and their partner Said Zaharoui in Toronto next week. They will co-host an opening night party September 6th at the Tiff Bell Lightbox. The party is meant to fete the memory of the Toronto-born Pickford and create awareness for the film, which will be produced by Pacino and DeLia’s Poverty Row Entertainment,...
- 8/30/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
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