LibraryAware Film Firsts September, 2022

Wings

Two young men in love with the same woman must leave her behind when they become fighter pilots in World War I. Directed by William Wellman and starring Clara Bow, this film is noted for its spectacular flying sequences. Gary Cooper also appears in an early film role.

First film to win the Academy Award® for Best Picture (1927).

Unrated.

Glorifying the American Girl

An aspiring showgirl attempts to balance her on-stage career and a growing relationship with a musician. The film stars Mary Eaton and includes music by Irving Berlin.

First sound film to use spoken profanity (1929).

Unrated.

Love Me Tonight

When a penniless nobleman discovers that he owes a tailor a large amount of money, he invites the tailor to the family estate and passes him off as a baron. This film stars Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald.

First film to use a zoom lens (1932).

Unrated.

Bringing Up Baby

A giddy heiress (Katherine Hepburn) is determined to win the affections of a serious zoologist (Cary Grant). Chaos and comedy ensues when her dog steals his dinosaur fossil. Directed by Howard Hawks.

First mainstream film to use the word "gay" in a homosexual context. The line was an ad-lib by Cary Grant (1938).

Unrated.

The Robe

Richard Burton plays Gallio, the Roman put in charge of the execution of Christ. His life is changed when he comes in contact with Christ's robe

First film in CinemaScope (1953).

Unrated.

Psycho

A woman on the run from her employer and the law stops at the mysterious Bates Motel and vanishes. Her sister and boyfriend, as well as the employer's private investigator, then look into her disappearance.

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins.

First film to show a toilet flushing (1960).

Unrated.

The Manchurian Candidate

A Korean War hero is brainwashed and used as a tool in a political assassination plot to be triggered by his domineering mother. Frank Sinatra stars as an Army major who tries to save his brainwashed friend (Lawrence Harvey) and stop him from carrying out his deadly mission.

First studio film to feature an African American actor (Joe Adams as the psychiatrist) in a role not specifically written for a an African American (1962).

Unrated.

Midnight Cowboy

A naive male prostitute and his sickly friend struggle to survive on the streets of New York City. The film stars Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman.

First, and only, X-rated film to win the Academy Award® for Best Picture (1969).

Rated X.

Barry Lyndon

An Irish scoundrel and gentleman marries a countess and rises to the top of English aristocracy. Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Ryan O'Neal.

First film containing shots utilizing only natural candlelight (1975).

Rated PG.

Jaws

A great white shark terrorizes a seaside resort town. Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfus star in this film which was directed by Steven Spielberg.

First summer blockbuster and first film to earn $100 million in American theatres (1975).

Rated PG.

True Lies

A man whose wife believes him to be a boring computer salesman is in reality a secret agent. The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jaime Lee Curtis and was directed by James Cameron.

First film to cost $100 million to produce (1994).

Rated R.

Naperville Public Library

3015 Cedar Glade Dr.

Naperville, Illinois 60564

630-961-4100

https://www.naperville-lib.org