Strange Movie Facts, Take 1

Discover lists 20 little-known cinematic tidbits
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 3, 2009 5:33 PM CDT
Strange Movie Facts, Take 1
The first celluloid film was developed in 1887.   (Shutterstock)

Did you know film’s been around since 1887? Or that an IMAX projector is so bright, if aimed upward it could be seen from space? Discover lists 20 little-known movie facts:

  • Thomas Edison’s firm made the first motion-picture camera in 1891—but didn’t invent a projector.
  • The mechanical shark in Jaws was tough to use, so Steven Spielberg had to settle for scenes from its perspective.

  • “Audio illusions” account for many sound effects. Crunchy snow is made from cornstarch on ice; flapping gloves sound like flying birds.
  • Crowd noise is called “walla,” and can be generated by a group of people saying just that over and over.
  • A large buttered popcorn can deliver 1,600 calories.
  • The inventors of IMAX were a group of young Canadians who won over investors by renting out and decorating classy offices.
(More film stories.)

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