This Week in Film History

With the 25th anniversary this week of the "Top Gun" premiere, I couldn't help but ask what other major events in Film History occurred this week of May. Luckily, the team at www.boxofficeprophets.com made it very easy to discover this week of May in Movie History.

May 15

Mickey Mouse's big debut may have been "Steamboat Willie," but the animated Disney short, "Plane Crazy" was actually his first produced cartoon. It premiered in 1928, but wasn't official released until after "Steamboat Willie" put the Mouse on the big screen.

MGM released what would be their last great musical film, "Gigi" based on the French novel by Colette. It won an unprecedented 9 Oscars, including Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Editing, Score and Original Song.

In 1998 we lost Old Blue Eyes, who graced the silver screen with more than his iconic voice. Frank Sinatra starred in such memorable films as "The Manchurian Candidate," "Guys and Dolls," "The Man with the Golden Arm," "Ocean's 11" and won an Oscar for "From Here to Eternity."

May 16

One of the greatest American actors was born in 1905 in Nebraska. Henry Fonda appeared in nearly 100 films between 1935 and 1981, including "The Grapes of Wrath," "12 Angry Men," "Once Upon a Time in the West" and his Oscar winning role in "On Golden Pond."

In 1929 a private brunch of Hollywood's finest was held and soon became the most anticipated American movie event every year. The very first Academy Awards Ceremony was hosted by Douglas Fairbanks and William C. deMille and the Oscar for Best Picture went to the WWI fighter pilot film "Wings."

The most beloved Puppeteer of all time died on this day in 1990. Jim Henson created an empire on strings with the Muppets, but also made films such as " The Dark Crystal " and " Labyrinth ." Henson voiced the frog at the center of it all, Kermit, from 1955 till his death.

May 17

The original Hollywood Hellraiser, Dennis Hopper, was born in 1936 in Dodge City. He appeared in classic American films like his first, "Rebel Without a Cause," but made his mark directing and starring in "Easy Rider." Hopper's Filmography reads like a history of New Hollywood: "Cool Hand Luke," "True Grit," "Apocalypse Now," "Blue Velvet," "Hoosiers" and "True Romance."

May 18

One of the most famous movie theaters in the world opened with a showing of Cecil B. DeMille's " The King of Kings ." In 1927, Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened its doors on Hollywood Blvd. There are now nearly 200 handprints, footprints and autographs of Hollywood's A-list in front of the theater.

A star is born in Hong Kong, 1955; Chow Yun-fat would go on to work with John Woo in action films like "A Better Tomorrow" and " Hard Boiled ," but made his presence known worldwide in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Since 1976 Chow has appeared in over 80 films.

May 19

The queen of romantic comedies, Nora Ephron, was born in New York City, 1941. As writer and director, her films include "When Harry Met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail." Though, not all of her movies star Meg Ryan, such as her last feature "Julie & Julia."

George Lucas reignited his legacy in 1999 with the opening of "Star Was Episode 1: The Phantom Menace." It was the largest opening weekend of any film to date and reports noted a productivity loss of $293 million from employees who took the day off. Though, it was no loss for Lucas as "The Phantom Menace" is his most profitable film and the 14th highest grossing film of all time.

May 20

Next to Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant, the greatest American actor of his generation, James "Jimmy" Stewart is born in 1908. Stewart is remembered for his roles in " Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ," " Harvey ," "It's A Wonderful Life," numerous classic westerns and his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock including, " Rope ," "Vertigo," and "Rear Window."