1998 sees the anniversary of the births and deaths of four people prominent in movie history
Credited as the father of the British documentary movement in the 1920s. He coined the word 'documentary' to describe the factual film. His philosophy was "to exploit the powers of natural observation to build a picture of reality using cinema as a social commentator". The two best known films he produced are Drifters and Night Mail. In 1939 he visited Canada, New Zealand and Australia advising on setting up Government sponsored National Film Units.
Famous American film star of silent era, sister of the better known Lilian. Starred in DW Griffith films from 1912 - Hearts Of The World (1918), Orphans Of The Storm (1922). Appeared in a number of sound movies, the last being The Cardinal in 1963.
American pioneer feature film director famous for the epic films Birth Of A Nation (1914) and Intolerance (1916). He advanced cinematic techniques with intricate editing, fades, dissolves, close ups and tracking shots. he experimented with sound in the early 20s but made this statement in 1924 "We don't want now and never shall, the human voice in our movies". He did make several unsuccessful sound movies in the early 30s but became bitter about the industry and died lonely in a Hollywood hotel, forgotten by the industry he once led.
Younger brother of Auguste Lumiere, French co-inventors of the cinematograph projector and first, in 1895, to put on a public showing of films they made , to a paying audience.