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

Way We Were”, “A Star is Born”, etc.

Taylor, Elizabeth (1932—) — an American film actress, born in Britain.

She began making films at the age of ten, but is perhaps at least as well

known for marriages, of which there have been eight (two of them to Richard

Burton).

Temple, Shirley (1928—) — a film actress who was the child star of over

20 films in the 1930s, and in later life, as Shirley Temple Black, became a

US ambassador. She was very popular when her films first appeared because

of her style of singing, dancing and acting and her curly golden hair.

Valentino, Rudolph (1895—I926) — an American film actor, born in Italy.

He was famous for playing the part of a lover in silent films, especially

in “The Sheikh”. He is sometimes mentioned as a typical example of a good-

looking romantic man. Valentino was a ballroom dancer and movie extra

before reaching stardom in “Four Horsemen in the Apocalypse” (1921).

Soon he became the American women’s idea of masculinity, and his

private life and loves were avidly reported in newspapers and magazines.

His physique, his good looks and his physical grace were well exhibited in

“The Sheikh” and “Monsieur Beaucaire”. Valentino’s most successful film is

“Blood and Sand”, for here he seems able to bring some of his own

personality to the portrayal of the matador, an opportunity his other, more

stereotyped roles had thwarted. His untimely death created a national furor

and reportedly drove some of his fans to suicide.

Wayne, John (1907-1979) - a film actor who often played "tough guys",

particularly soldiers and cowboys.

Early in his career Wayne appeared as Hollywood's first singing cowboy.

In 1939, in "Stagecoach", he achieved star status. In his 50-year career he

appeared in more than 200 motion pictures. Some of his outstanding films

are "Red River", "The Quiet Man", "The High and Mighty", "The Searchers",

"True Grit", for which he won an Academy Award (1969), and "Shootist".

The characters John Wayne played, especially in Westerns ("Stagecoach",

"True Grit"), were often honest, strong, independent and patriotic. Because

he played these characters, John Wayne was thought to have those qualities

himself and was an example of a good American. His old-fashioned patriotism

made him something of a folk hero. In 1979 he was voted a Congressional

gold medal; the inscription read, "John Wayne — American".

Williams, Robin (1952—) — an actor and comedian whose films include

“Good Morning, Vietnam”, “Dead Poets Society”, etc.

Marilyn Monroe.

I think that the greatest actress not only of the USA, but of the whole

world is Marilyn Monroe. So I ‘d like to tell some facts about her life.

Six queens come and go, easily crowned, easily forgotten. Yet Marilyn

Monroe’s memory has remained very much alive. Admirers still cut her

picture out of public library books, artists still paint her; even the

young have become familiar with her name and her face by watching her films

on television.

Death has changed the sexy blonde into a myth, a symbol of soft

femininity and loveliness. Nowadays she is sometimes mistaken for a saintly

martyr, which she certainly was not. But then, what was she? Those who knew

her disagree so violently that it is difficult to see the real woman

through the conflicting judgments of her friends. A simple little girl to

her first husband, producer Mike Todd, she was also been described as the

most unappreciated person in the world, the meanest woman in Hollywood, a

tart, an enchanting child, an idiot, a wit, a great natural intelligence, a

victim, and a clod ‘user’ of people From the very contradiction, one can

guess that she was not simple. And obviously she had something special- not

talent, perhaps, but a certain spark. It is well known that most of her

problems had their roots in an unhappy childhood.

Marilyn had come into the world in a Los Angel’s hospital as Norma Jean

Mortensen. Her mother, Gladys Monroe Mortensen, loved her child; but since

she had to work, she left her in the hands of Ida and Albert Bolender, a

respectable couple who boarded children on their farm. Norma Jean spent her

first seven years with them. Her physical needs were well looked after, and

Gladys visited faithfully every weekend. But when she had gone, there was

not much warmth around the little girl. For Norma Jean, who was extremely

sensitive, it was a lonely, distressing childhood. In 1933 Gladys bought a

house and took her daughter home with her. But she was not there much and

when she was out, Norma Jean had to stay with the elderly couple who rented

part of the house. They were not bad people, only indifferent and more

interested in drinking than in baby-sitting. When Norma Jean didn’t have to

go to school, the couple dropped her at a nearly movie house in time for

the first afternoon show. The little girl watched happily all day, and

after the last matinee she walked home by herself. In her room, later, she

would act out the whole story. In this way she developed a passion for

acting that she never outgrew. After nine months of live together, Gladys

had a mental collaps and was hospitalized. She appeared from time to time

in her daughter’s life, but more as a burden than as a support. Many people

took Norma Jean under their wings throughout the years. She looked so

insecure, so defenseless, that men and women alike felt compelled to

protect her.

However vague Norma Jean may have been about life in general, she

never felt vague about the career she wanted to have. She wanted to be an

actress. But the first three years of Marilyn’s career didn’t bring her

more than a few very small parts. She kept herself alive by modeling. In

1950 Marilyn attracted attention in a small part in ‘The Asphalt Jungle’,

which had been obtained for her by a powerful protector. Another protector,

and the most influential by far, was the agent Johnny Hyde. Hyde was a

powerful man in Hollywood when he met Marilyn. He was too wise to claim

that she had talent; instead he insisted that such personality didn’t need

to be talented. He succeeded in getting her a part in ‘All About Eve’, a

film that was to prove lucky for all its actors. The font mail started

piling up. The Hollywood columnists included the new blonde in their gossip

columns. Soon ‘Life and Look’ magazines were honoring her with long

articles, and one critic ventured to declare her ‘a forceful actress’. The

studio, after having her co-star in several pictures, finally gave her a

starring role in ‘Niagara’ in 1953. She had become the Fox’s biggest

moneymaker.

Whenever she appeared she was cornered by excited admirers and

photographers. But there was no private happiness behind the facade, and

even her fame was not of the kind she would have liked. She resented her

shallow roles; she resented the fact she had no voice in the choice of her

scripts and that her old contract was keeping salary ridiculously low for a

star. Hurt, she retaliated as best as she could. She arrived late on the

set, unprepared and obviously indifferent to the hardships. She was

imposing on the other actors and the technicians. Scenes had to be redone

forty or fifty times because she could not remember a four-word sentence.

If something displeased her, she locked herself in her dressing room, or

failed to show up at all for days. Her behavior disgusted the people who

worked with her, but her fans loved the radiant child-woman on the screen.

In 1961 after divorcing her next husband the famous American playwright

Arthur Miller, Marilyn drifted back to the West Coast to open a new page in

her life. On August 5, 1962 she was found dead in her house. She had made

many attempts at suicide before. But it does not seem that she intended to

hill herself that Saturday. When she retired for the night, she had plans

for the next day. But early in the morning her housekeeper found her dead.

The world was shocked. In the words of one of her biographers: ‘She

broke her heart trying to achieve something she didn’t have in her to

accomplish.’

Walt Disney

Walt Disney was an American artist and film producer, who was famous

for his animated cartoons. He was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, his

father being Irish Canadian, his mother of German-American origin. In his

early child hood he revealed a talent for drawing and an interest in

photography. His teens he began an art course, but World War I broke out

and he drove for the Red Cross in Europe. When he got back to America he

met artist Ub Iwerks, ‘and they went into business together.

In 1923 he left with his brother for Hollywood Walt Disney and Ub

Iwerks made a series of short cartoons but lost all their money, and for

some years struggled against poverty. Luckily, Walt’s brother Roy gave him

more to start up again. The first talking picture came out in 1927 and

Disney realized that sound held the key to the future of films. He

developed many techniques in producing cartoons.

His most famous characters are Mickey Mouse, Duck and Pluto. The first

Mickey Mouse cartoon was drawn 1928. It was the first sound cartoon, which

brought great success to its creator. In the early cartoons he was really

horrible. He looked quite rat-like with long pointed nose and small eyes.

Later his face changed. His head got as big as his body or almost, his

eyes got bigger, too. He got younger instead of older. That makes him

cuter. Now it is an acceptable symbol for the USA. Donald Duck was created

in 1936. Walt Disney took the biggest risk of his career and spent a

fortune on a full-length cartoon. Finally, the first full-length cartoon

feature film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was brought out in 1935,

which the public paid millions of dollars to see The songs to the cartoon

were written by Frank Churchill. After the Second World War Disney

turned his attention to real — life nature studies and non-cartoon films

with living actors.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Walt Disney began developing the family-

entertainment parks, Disneyland and Disney World. The first Disneyland was

opened in southern California in 1955. It is situated 27 miles south of Los

Angeles, at Anaheim. Of all the show-places none is as famous as

Disneyland. This superb kingdom of fantasy linked to technology was created

by Walt Disney. The park is divided into six themes and there is so much to

see and do in each that no one would attempt to see all of them in one

visit. For extended visits, there are hotels nearby. In 1971 Disney World

was opened in Florida.

Walt Disney died in California at the age of 65. But his films are

still shown regularly at the cinema, because of their time1esS quality and

will be shown for years to come.Walter (Walt) Elias Disney has won more

“Oscars” — the awards of the United States Academy of Motion Picture Arts

and Sciences, instituted on May 16, 1929 and named after Oscar Pierce of

Texas, USA — than any other person:20 statuettes and 12 other plagues and

certificates, including posthumous awards.

Titanic.

The shooting of ‘Titanic’ in 1997 brought people flocking to the

cinemas. It has become a blockbuster and brought big profits to the

producers. The reasons are:on the one hand, the thrilling plot of the film,

depicting the first of the greatest disasters of the 20th century, and, on

the other hand, new technologies of film making, used by James Cameron, the

producer. Everybody wanted to see if the film was really worth eleven

‘Oscar’ awards.

‘Titanic’ is the latest screen version of the tragedy happened on

April 14-15, 1912 during the maiden voyage of the British luxury passenger

liner. The vessel sank with a loss of about 1,500 lives:men, women,

children. Their voyage on board the dream ship ended in a nightmare. It

revealted all human vices: arrogance, self-satisfaction, greed, selfishness

and self-confidence. But at the same time this tragedy showed the best

traits of humancharacter: the sense of duty and responsibility, self-

sacrifice and short but immortial love. The love-story about Jack and Rose,

a young poor artist and a 17-year old girl from the upper society, arouses

uor sympathy and admiration. Paired with the main story-line, it adds much

to the impression of the film. ‘Titanic’ made the leading actors Leonardo

Di Caprio and Kate Winslent international celebrities. The music of James

Horner created a special atmosphere in the film and has become popular with

the public.

The film is interesting not only from the artistic point of view, but

from the technical ones as well. Both the ship and the ocean are virtual,

created by computers. Besides, we can see unique pictures of ‘The Titanic’

buried in the depth of the ocean. Its wreck was found lying in two pieces

on the ocean floor at the depth of about 4,000 ..metres. The pictures were

taken with the help of the Russian ocean-explores and shown to the whole

world.

By the way, the film was directed by James Cameron, famous for creating

very expensive films with new special effects, which were the biggest box-

office success. ‘Titanic’ is not an exception. Critics say the film has

opened a new era in film production. I think they are right.

Literature.

1. In The USA. Martha Bordman

2. Introducing The USA. Milode Broukol, Peter Murphy.

3. Children’s Britannica. Volume 7.

4. Английский яык. Н.Г. Брюсов, Н. А. Лебедеваю

5. США и Американцы. Г. В. Нестерчук, В. М. Иванова.

6. Иностранные языки в школе №3.

7. Иностранные языки в школе №6.

8. Английский язык. Устные темы. А. С. Сушкевич, М. А. Маглыш.

Vocabularly.

Mothion picture industry - киноиндустрия

Release - выход на экран

Nervous breakdown - нервное расстройство

Mercilessly - безжалостно

To keep one’s grip - продолжать овладевать умами

To hit the nail on the head - попасть прямо в точку

Skit - пародия

Antics - ужимки, шутки

Unheard-of - неслыханный

Reentry - возвращение

Flock - стекаться толпами

Plot - сюжет

Depict - изображать

Screen version - экранизация

Shooting - (кино) съемка

Nightmare - кошмар

Reveal - показывать, обнаруживать

Vice - порок, зло, недостаток

Arrogance - высокомерие, надменость

Trait of character - черта характера

Immortial - бессмертный, вечный

Wreck - остов разбитого судна

Direct - ставить (фильм)

Essential - необходимый

Indispensable - незаменимый

Trade skills - профессиональные

Aim - стремиться

Be at one’s disposal - быть в чьем-то распоряжении

Facilities - возможности, удобства

Inspiration - вдохновение

Enrich - обогощать

Genre - жанр

Aspiration - стремление, желание

Pricless - бесценный

Spitting image - точная копия

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