Ask the Editors Archive

Movies

When and where was the first movie theater?
In the movies, what's a gaffer and what's a grip?
What movie has made the most money at the U.S. box office?
Could you please tell me the first film John Wayne appeared in? I believe it was in 1933.
The Disney movie Mulan is supposed to be based on an ancient epic legend. Where can I read that legend in its original context, but in English?
Would you know the number of how many domestic theatrical tickets for the movies were sold in 1979 vs. 1998?
I can't remember the title of the movie that includes the following scene: Jack Nicholson is in a restaurant and he orders a plain sandwich, but the waitress says it's not on the menu. So he orders something else and says "hold this" and "hold that" until he gets what he wants. Can you help me?
What percentage of movies have been rated R?
While watching an old Roy Rogers TV series last weekend, my husband and I started a contest matching "heroes" names with the names of their horses. We were able to match just about everyone, but neither of us can remember who rode a horse named "Koko." Can you help us?
What dialect are the characters in Guys and Dolls speaking?
What's a "best boy" in film credits, and why is there never a "best girl"?
Where did the phrase "and that's what dreams are made of" come from? Who said it?
What is the list of movies that have made the most money at the box office?
How do you say "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" backwards?
Did Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid really exist?
I would like to start a John Wayne newsletter and/or fan club. I am a collector and have 158 movies. Does either of these things already exist?
Did Humphrey Bogart really say "Play it again Sam"? And what movie was it in?
Was The Wizard of Oz the first color film?