International Cinema Day is celebrated on 28 December, reminding us of the history of the "moving pictures" that first appeared over a century ago.
The first films were silent and only documentary but later more art (feature) films flooded the market. The movies remained silent, but later musical scores accompanied the films. Silent cinema flourished in the 1920s.
© Sputnik / Mikhail Sakharov / Go to the mediabankRussian silent film actress Vera Holodnaya (1893-1919), in 1916.
Russian silent film actress Vera Holodnaya (1893-1919), in 1916.
© Photo : Public domain American actress Fritzi Ridgeway with colleague Vilma Banky in "This Is Heaven".
American actress Fritzi Ridgeway with colleague Vilma Banky in "This Is Heaven".
© Photo : Public domain American actress Theda Bara (1885 - 1955) wearing an Egyptian headdress and breast plates with a snake design for director J Gordon Edwards' film, "Cleopatra", 1917.
American actress Theda Bara (1885 - 1955) wearing an Egyptian headdress and breast plates with a snake design for director J Gordon Edwards' film, "Cleopatra", 1917.
© Photo : Public domain American actress Gloria Swanson, James Abbe's photo, 1921.
American actress Gloria Swanson, James Abbe's photo, 1921.
© Photo : Public domain American Actress Mary Pickford, The Photo-Play Journal, June 1916.
American Actress Mary Pickford, The Photo-Play Journal, June 1916.
© Photo : Public domainPolish, German and Italian silent film actress Elena Makovskaya, 1916.
Polish, German and Italian silent film actress Elena Makovskaya, 1916.
© Photo : Public DomainAmerican actress Bessie Love, 1920.
American actress Bessie Love, 1920.
© Photo : Public DomainAmerican actress of French origins Renée Adorée in Goldwyn Pics, 1922.
American actress of French origins Renée Adorée in Goldwyn Pics, 1922.
© Photo : Public DomainRussian silent film actress Alexandra Rebikova, during a performance of the Moscow Art Theatre's "Blue Bird" 1908.
Russian silent film actress Alexandra Rebikova, during a performance of the Moscow Art Theatre's "Blue Bird" 1908.
© Photo : Public DomainSingle frame from newly found (June 2006) lost American drama film Maytime (1923) with Clara Bow and Ethel Shannon, the 1920s.
Single frame from newly found (June 2006) lost American drama film Maytime (1923) with Clara Bow and Ethel Shannon, the 1920s.
© Photo : Public DomainIndian movie actress Sulochana dans Daku Ki Ladki in 1933.
Indian movie actress Sulochana dans Daku Ki Ladki in 1933.
© Photo : Public domainActress Claire Windsor on page 8 of the July 1921 Photoplay magazine.
Actress Claire Windsor on page 8 of the July 1921 Photoplay magazine.