Key Moments in Cinema: The Evolution of the Motion Picture

"Authoritative and anecdotal, illuminating and engaging.consistently finds new angles on the evolution of the movies."--Time Out.

It all began in 1895, in a French café where the brothers Lumière first showed off their new cinématographe--and set off a never-ending love affair with the movies. Trace every cinematic landmark, from its silent beginnings to the modern-day blockbuster and independent feature. Entertaining stories and fantastic photos present groundbreaking moments ranging from the influential Odessa steps sequence in The Battleship Potemkin (1925) to Gladiator's computer-generated imagery. Get the gossip on the star system, Hollywood Svengalis, horror and sci-fi flicks, the coming of sound, censorship, experimental and surrealist works, and even the introduction of popcorn in movie theaters. Includes profiles of filmmakers, actors, producers, performers, technicians, and theorists.