popular films, including "Jaws", "LT", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Star
Wars", "Empire of the Sun", etc. His films
are well known for being very fast moving and full of exciting action.
Zinneman, Frederick (1907- ) – an American film director, born in
Austria, famous for the films such as "High Noon" and "The Day of Jackal".
Wilder Billy (1906-) – a film director whose films include "Sunset
Boulevard" and "Some Like It Hot".
Films.
"The Birth of the Nation" — a dramatic silent film from 1915 about the
American Civil War. "The Birth of the Nation" was directed by D. W.
Griffith. The film, based on Thomas Dixon's novel "The Clansman", has been
condemned for historical distortion and racial bias, but it became a
landmark in the artistic development of motion pictures through its
successful introduction of many now-standard film techniques.
"Planet of the Apes " - a film set in about imaginary future where
monkeys rule the world.
''Psycho'' — a horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It is
especially known for a scene in which the character Mario (Janet Leigh) is
stabbed in a shower by Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins).
"Rocky" — the first of a group of films (later ones were called "Rocky
II", "Rock III", etc.), starring Sylvester Stallone as a determined boxer
called Rocky. In each of the films the main character overcomes
difficulties and win a fight against a strong opponent. The films are
especially popular with young people.
"Star Wars " — a popular science-fiction film about the battle between
the hero, Luke Skywalker, and Darth Vader, an evil person who wears a black
mask over his face and comes from an evil empire. The film was directed by
Steven Spielberg and is remembered for its many new exciting special
effects.
"The Terminator" — a film with Arnold Schwarzenegger, set in Los
Angeles in the near future in which a lot of people are killed. The film
was followed by "Terminator II".
Actors and Actresses.
Astaire, Fred (1899—1987) — a dancer, singer and actor who made many
films, often with his dancing partner, Ginger Rogers, and who was known for
his stylishness.
Bassinger, Kim (1954—) — a film actress, known especially for playing
attractive, sexy women.
Brando, Marlon (1924—) — an actor whose films include "A Streetcar
Named Desire", "On the Waterfront", "The Godfather", etc.
Cooper, Gary (1901—1962) — an actor who often played strong, silent
heroes, for example in the film "High Noon".
Costner, Kevin (1955—) — an actor and director whose films include
"Dances with Wolves", "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves", "JFK", etc.
Cruise, Tom (1962—) — an actor who has played leading film parts since
the early 1980s, e.g. in "Top Gun" and "Cocktail". He is especially popular
with women.
De Niro, Robert (1945—) — an actor, known especially for his part in
the films "Taxi Driver" and "The Deer Hunter".
Dietrich, Marlene (1904—1992) — an American actress and nightclub
performer, born in Germany, who usually played the part of an extremely
sexually attractive woman. She is best remembered for her part in the film
"Blue Angel".
Douglas, Kirk (1916—) — a film actor, known for playing the hero in
films such as "Spartacus".
Douglas, Michael (1944—) — a film actor, son of Kirk Douglas, known for
his part in the films "Fatal Attraction" and ''Romancing the Stone".
Eastwood, Clint (1930—) — a film actor and director, best known for
playing parts as a gunfighter in Westerns and a modern city police officer.
His characters almost always have their right on their side, and no fear.
Fonda, Henry (1905-1982) - an actor who made many films including "The
Grapes of Wrath", "Twelve Angry Men", "On Golden Pond", etc.
Fonda, Jane (1937—) — an actress, daughter of Henry Fonda, known for
her left-wing views, especially her support for Vietnam and her opposition
to the American government during the Vietnam War. Her best-known films are
"The China Syndrome" and, with her father, "On Golden Pond". She is also
known for her interest in active physical exercise.
Fonda, Peter (1939—) — an actor and director, best known for his film
"Easy Rider"; son of Henry Fonda.
Fox, Michael (1961-) -- an American actor, born in Canada, who has
appeared in such films as "Back to the Future" (parts 1, 2, 3). He is very
popular, especially with young girls.
Gable, Clark (1901-1960) - a film actor, best known for his role as
Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind". He also appeared in many other
Hollywood films, including "Mutiny on the Bounty", "The Misfits", etc.
Garbo, Greta (1905—1990) — an American film actress, born in Sweden.
She was celebrated for her classic beauty and her portrayals of moody
characters.
Having first attracted notice in the Swedish silent film “The Story of
Gosta Berling” (1924), Garbo went to the United States in 1925 and became
perhaps the most celebrated motion-picture actress of the time, a
provocative, enigmatic embodiment of feminine beauty and mystery. “Flesh
and the Devil” was her best-known silent film; among her notable talking
pictures were “Anna Christie” and the comedy “Ninotchka”.
Greta Garbo became famous for her with drawn, aloof off-screen
personality. In the movie “Grand Hotel”, she made the famous complaint, “I
want to be alone.” Garbo retired from the movies in the early 1940s and
lived as a recluse ever since.
Garland, Judy (1922-1969) - a film actress and singer who was most
famous as the character of Dorothy in the film "The Wizard of Oz".
Gere, Richard (1949—) — an actor, known especially for his part in the
films "American Gigolo", "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Pretty Woman".
Goldberg, Whoopi (1949-) - a film actress who appeared in "The Color
Purple" and "Ghost".
Grant, Cary (1904-1986) - an American actor, born in Britain, who is
remembered especially for his comic films including ''The Philadelphia
Story'' and ''Bringing Up Baby''.
Hoffman, Dustin (1937-) - a film actor, best known for his roles in the
films "The Graduate", "Kramer vs. Kramer", "Midnight Cowboy", "The Rain
Man", etc.
Kelly, Gene (1912-1996) - a film actor, dancer and director who
appeared in many musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, including "Singing in the
Rain", in which he sang and danced to a song with the same name.
Kelly, Grace (1928-1982) - a film actress, star of "High Noon" and
"High Society" in the 1950s, who became Princess Grace of Monaco when she
married Prince Rainier.
Marvin, Lee (1924—1987) — a film actor, known especially for playing
strong, violent characters in films such as "The Dirty Dozen" and "Point
Blank". He is also remembered for singing the song "I was born under a
wandering star" in a very deep voice.
Mathau, Walter (1922—) — an actor in films and theater, known
especially for his humorous roles, e.g. in "The Odd Couple".
Monroe, Marilyn (1926—1962) — a film actress whose real name was Norma
Jean Baker, who starred in films during the middle of the 20th century and
became the leading sex symbol of the 1950s.
Monroe first attracted notice in “The Asphalt Jungle”, thereafter she
became a reigning screen siren. Her major films include “Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes”, “The Seven Year Itch”, “Bus Stop” and “Some Like It Hot”.
While still in her thirties, she died of an overdose of sleeping pills.
To many people, Marilyn Monroe is a tragic symbol of the unhappiness
that can accompany fame and glamor.
Murphy, Eddie (1961—) — an actor and comedian who first became known
for his work on the television program “Saturday Night Live” but now is
known mostly for his films, such as “Trading Places” and “Beverly Hills
Cop”.
Newman, Paul (1925—) — an actor and director, lending male star of
Hollywood films in the 1900s and 1970s and considered very attractive. His
films include “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, “The Sting”, “The Color
of Money”, etc.
Nicholson, Jack (1937—) — an actor who started appearing in films in
the l960s, such as “Easy Rider’’ which represented the feelings of young
Americans, and has now become a big Hollywood star.
Pacino, Al (1940—) — an actor, known for the films such as “The
Godfather” and “Scarface”.
Poitier, Sidney (1927—) — a black Amer ican film star and director, who
was one of the first black actors to play serious parts rather than black
stereotypes.
Pryor, Richard (1940-) - a comedian who has appeared in films and made
several records. He is black and often makes jokes about situations
involving black and white people together.
Redford, Robert (1937—) — a film actor and director who was in films
such as ''Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'',“The Sting” and “Out of
Africa”. He is popular for his good looks as well as his acting.
Schwarzenegger, Arnold (1947—) — an American actor, born in Austria,
whose bodybuilding appearance won him the titles of Mr. Gcrriiaiiy and Mr.
Universe. He is best known for his part in the film “The Terminator” in
which he plays the hero.
Scott, George C. (1926—) — an actor, best known for his film parts,
especially strong-willed characters, such as soldiers. He was the first
actor to refuse an Oscar.
Streisand, Barbra (1942—) — a singer and actress who has performed on
stage and in many successful film musicals, including “Hello, Dolly”, “The
