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When the movies were young
When the movies were young

Chapter XXIX

Chapter 29 of When the movies were young is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.
The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.
Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.
Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.
Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

When the movies were young

Chapter XXIX

Chapter 29 of When the movies were young is here in full — 153 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.
Line 2
The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.
Line 3
Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.
Line 4
Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.
Line 5
Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Coronation noun US /ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃən/

the ceremony of installing a new monarch

From this reading “Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.”

Delhi noun US /ˈdeli/

a city in north central India

From this reading “Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.”

fated adjective US /ˈfeɪtɪd/

(usually followed by “to”) determined by tragic fate

From this reading “Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.”

Griffith's noun US /ˈɡrɪfɪθs/

possessive form of “griffith” — United States film maker who was the first to use flashbacks and fade-outs (1875-1948)

interlude noun US /ˈɪntərluːd/

an intervening period or episode

From this reading “Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.”

movies noun US /ˈmuːviz/

plural of “movie” — a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement

From this reading ““THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.”

subsidiary noun US /səbˈsɪdieri/

an assistant subject to the authority or control of another

From this reading ““THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.”

Urban adjective US /ˈɜːrbən/

relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area

From this reading “Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

last year adjective + noun

In this reading “The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.”

rather startled adverb + adjective

In this reading “Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.”

mysterious reason adjective + noun

In this reading “Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.”

Great things adjective + noun

In this reading “Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.”

All words in this reading · 99

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1912

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

achievedverbUS /əˈtʃiːvd/

past form of “achieve” — to gain with effort

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

Aitken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/

having a strong desire for success or achievement

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

AmericanounUS /əˈmerəkə/

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/

-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

becomingadjectiveUS /bɪˈkʌmɪŋ/

according with custom or propriety

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

Biograph

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

BIRTHnounUS /bɜːrθ/

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

bitnounUS /bɪt/

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

briefadjectiveUS /briːf/

of short duration or distance

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

colornounUS /ˈkʌlər/

a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

color-photography

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

CompanynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

CoronationnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃən/

the ceremony of installing a new monarch

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

DelhinounUS /ˈdeli/

a city in north central India

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

destinedadjectiveUS /ˈdestɪnd/

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/

suitable to or characteristic of drama

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

Durbarnoun

the room in the palace of a native prince of India in which audiences and receptions occur

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/

a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

fatedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtɪd/

(usually followed by “to”) determined by tragic fate

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

FifthnounUS /fɪfθ/

a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

fringyadjective

at or constituting a border or edge

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

fruitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfruːtfəl/

productive or conducive to producing in abundance

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

GeorgenounUS /dʒɔːrdʒ/

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

GreatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

Griffith'snounUS /ˈɡrɪfɪθs/

possessive form of “griffith” — United States film maker who was the first to use flashbacks and fade-outs (1875-1948)

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

HarryverbUS /ˈheri/

annoy continually or chronically

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

honorsnounUS /ˈɑːnərz/

plural of “honor” — a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

ImperialadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɪriəl/

relating to or associated with an empire

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

interludenounUS /ˈɪntərluːd/

an intervening period or episode

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

IslandnounUS /ˈaɪlənd/

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

Kinemacolor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

Kinemacolor's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

lastadjectiveUS /læst/

immediately past

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

LateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

LongadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

marksnounUS /mɑːrks/

English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

Messrs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

moviesnounUS /ˈmuːviz/

plural of “movie” — a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

MutualadjectiveUS /ˈmjuːtʃuːəl/

common to or shared by two or more parties

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/

of an obscure nature

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

NATIONnounUS /ˈneɪʃən/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

otherwiseadverbUS /ˈʌðərwaɪz/

in other respects or ways

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

picturesnounUS /ˈpɪktʃərz/

plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

productionnounUS /prəˈdʌkʃən/

the act or process of producing something

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/

on the contrary

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

seeminglyadverbUS /ˈsiːmɪŋli/

from appearances alone

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

SmithnounUS /smɪθ/

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

startedverbUS /ˈstɑːrtɪd/

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/

workplace for the teaching or practice of an art

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

subsidiarynounUS /səbˈsɪdieri/

an assistant subject to the authority or control of another

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

UrbanadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrbən/

relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Great things were achieved in America in the movies, and great things might have been achieved in America in Kinemacolor, but it was destined otherwise.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Kinemacolor was fated to be but a brief though fruitful interlude in color-photography in the movies, which, for some seemingly mysterious reason, is so long in arriving.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

Whitestone

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “THE BIRTH OF A NATION” Late in the summer of 1912 the Kinemacolor Company of America, a subsidiary of the English company, started the production of movies in color at a studio in Whitestone, Long Island.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Messrs. Urban and Smith had rather startled the world with their color pictures of the Coronation of George the Fifth of England, and the Durbar Imperial at Delhi; and even though their pictures were a bit fringy, they were becoming ambitious for honors in color movies along dramatic lines.

yearnounUS /jɪr/

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading The year of Kinemacolor’s endeavor also marks Mr Griffith’s last year with Biograph, for he went to the Mutual with Harry Aitken while I became leading woman with the Kinemacolor.

Chapter 29 of When the movies were young by Linda Arvidson holds 153 sentences, grouped into 31 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 29 of When the movies were young contain?

Chapter 29 holds 153 sentences of When the movies were young, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 29 of When the movies were young by Linda Arvidson exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 153 sentences, grouped into 31 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 29 of When the movies were young?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 29 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 29 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading When the movies were young

Common questions about reading When the movies were young by Linda Arvidson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of When the movies were young?

Yes. All 3654 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #68850 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of When the movies were young is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #68850, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does When the movies were young take to read?

About 304 minutes of reading across 731 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in When the movies were young

Words and structures a reader meets early in When the movies were young, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Printed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When the movies were young; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
United
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When the movies were young; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
States
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When the movies were young; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
America
A word that appears in the opening chapter of When the movies were young; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.