1916 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights

1916 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 26 Feb Charlie Chaplin signs with Mutual Film Company: On February 26, 1916, Charlie Chaplin signed a contract with the Mutual Film Corporation, marking a significant milestone in his career. The agreement stipulated the production of twelve two-reel comedies over twelve months, with Chaplin receiving a salary of $10,000 per week and a $150,000 signing bonus, totaling $670,000. This made him the highest-paid entertainer at the time. source: loc.gov
- 06 Mar Rochelle Hudson: Oklahoma City Actress: Rochelle Hudson, a notable actress from Oklahoma City, was born on this date. She would later become known for her role in the film 'That's My Boy'.
- 24 Jun Mary Pickford's groundbreaking film contract: On June 24, 1916, American actress Mary Pickford signed a new contract with producer Adolph Zukor, granting her full authority over the production of her films and a record-breaking salary of $10,000 per week. This contract also included a share of the film's profits, with a guarantee of $1.04 million, making her the first actress to sign a million-dollar contract. Additionally, she became vice-president of the Pickford Film Corporation. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 18 Jul Birth of Harriet Hilliard Nelson: Harriet Hilliard Nelson, an American singer and actress, was born on July 18, 1916. She was best known for her role as a vocalist and her performances in film and television during the mid-20th century. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 02 Aug Birth of Beatrice Straight: Beatrice Straight was born in Old Westbury, New York, who would later become a notable actress known for her roles in films like 'Poltergeist' and 'Nun's Story'.
- 05 Sep D.W. Griffith's 'Intolerance' Premieres: On September 5, 1916, D.W. Griffith's epic film "Intolerance" premiered. The film is known for its ambitious narrative structure and grand scale, depicting four parallel stories from different historical periods. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 29 Sep Birth of Trevor Howard: English actor Trevor Wallace Howard-Smith, known professionally as Trevor Howard, was born on September 29, 1913, in Cliftonville, Kent, England. He achieved leading man status in films such as 'Brief Encounter' (1945) and 'The Third Man' (1949). source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Nov Goldwyn Pictures Established: Samuel Goldwyn and Edgar Selwyn founded Goldwyn Pictures, a significant milestone in the early American film industry that would later contribute to the development of Hollywood's studio system.
- 09 Dec Birth of Kirk Douglas: Kirk Douglas, born Issur Danielovitch, was born on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York. He became a prominent American actor and filmmaker, known for his roles in films such as "Spartacus" and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." source: en.wikipedia.org
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