May 15: 'The Artist' and Other Cultural Milestones

Two iconic films opened in theaters on May 15 – The Artist and Gigi. The Artist is a modern movie made to look as if it were made many years ago during the shift between silent movies and “talkies”. As for Gigi, it has been called “the last great MGM musical”.

Other milestones addressed on this day include the beginning of McDonald’s reign and PBS’s first (and only?) sitcom.

2011: Silent Movie ‘The Artist’ Quietly Opens

Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo in "The Artist" — Starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo in The Artist (MovieStillsDB)

So much about the movie, The Artist is unique. The French-Belgian foreign film takes place in America, was shot in black-and-white and is mostly a silent movie. Written and directed by Michel Hazaanavicius, this iconic film premiered on this day at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Starring Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo, the comedy-drama centers on the romantic relationship between older silent film star George Valentin and fresh-faced Peppy Miller, an inspiring actress. It is set between 1927 and 1932 during a time when silent movies became obsolete and were being replaced by “talkies”.

The clever and iconic film has been greatly praised by almost everyone who saw it except for actress Kim Novak. She recognized that one scene included music from 1958’s Vertigo, an Alfred Hitchcock movie that she starred in. She felt that the movie should have stood on its own merit using all original music. In response, Hazaanavicius said that The Artist was a “love letter to cinema” and was inspired by the works of Hitchcock, Fritz Lang, Ernst Lubitsch, Friedrich Murnau and Billy Wilder.

The Artist was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won five Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actor in a Leading Role (Dujardin), Costume Design and Original Score.

1940: McDonald’s is Founded

An early ad for McDonald's restaurants — *(Wikimedia Commons)*

Before there was Ronald, there was Speedee. With his hamburger-shaped head and chef’s hat, Speedee was representative of Richard and Maurice McDonald’s “Speedee Service System” at their hamburger stand which opened in 1940.

The first location was built in San Bernardino, California. By 1955, there were nine locations. The ninth was owned by Ray Croc who later purchased the chain. It wasn’t until 1961 that the name “McDonald’s” was trademarked. Ronald the clown didn’t enter the scene until 1967, and the term “golden arches” wasn’t a part of the American vocabulary until 1968.

The history of the franchise was featured in the unflattering movie The Founder starring Michael Keaton in 2016.

1958: ‘Gigi’ Wins Over Many Hearts

Leslie Caron rests her head with her hand in the iconic film, "Gigi" — Leslie Caron as *Gigi (TVDB)*

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, Gigi is based on French author Colette’s 1944 novella of the same name. Set in the Belle Epoque era of Paris, the story follows young Gigi (Leslie Caron), who is being raised by her grandmother and great aunt who have high expectations for her. Gigi meets older Gaston (Louis Jourdan), a wealthy playboy and builds a friendship with the man. The friendship turns to romance which goes against the societal expectations.

The film also stars Maurice Chevalier who sings, “Thank Heaven for Little Girls” and “I Remember It Well” with Hermione Gingold. Incidentally, Caron’s singing voice was dubbed over by Betty Wand.

Often referred to as “the last great MGM musical” Gigi was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won all nine Oscars including Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Film Editing, Scoring of a Musical Picture and Best Song.

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in a plane — *(Wikimedia Commons)*

1928: First Movie

Mickey Mouse first appeared at a test screening for the silent film Plane Crazy, but most people saw it a year later as a sound cartoon.

The globetrotters play basketball with Gilligan on Gilligan's Island — *(NBC)*

1981: Gilligan Games

The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island was the third (and last) of the reunion movies where the island was a luxury resort and was visited by the famous team.

2010: Sail Away

Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo around the world non-stop at 16 years of age.

1980: PBS’ First Sitcom

Public Broadcasting Service or PBS is known for many educational series, children’s shows, cultural programs and even concert performances. The network has even aired a few British sitcoms over the years. But on this day in 1980, the first episode of the first PBS sitcom aired for the first time.

The Righteous Apples sitcom was a sneaky way to address real-world social issues for teens. The series centered around a Boston-area high school rock band (The Righteous Apples) that consisted of three Black and two White teenagers. Throughout the show’s two-season run, the band confronted issues like racism, drugs, teenage pregnancy, interracial couples and more mixed with musical performances.

The cast of The Righteous Apples included Joey Camen, Elizabeth Daily, Mykelti Williamson, Kutee and Bob Harcum with special guess like Kim Fields, Rene Auberjonois and Geri Jewell.

Some say that the show was pretty heavy-handed at times. Maybe that it why PBS doesn’t make sitcoms very often.