What year is considered the beginning of the Hollywood studio system?

The year 1927 is significant in the context of the Hollywood studio system because it marks the transition from silent films to "talkies" with the release of "The Jazz Singer," which was the first significant motion picture to feature synchronized sound. This technological advancement fundamentally changed the film industry, allowing studios to create films that were more engaging and accessible to audiences, leading to an increase in moviegoing and the establishment of star systems.

Following this pivotal change, major studios began to consolidate their power, leading to the growth of the vertical integration model where studios controlled the production, distribution, and exhibition of films. As a result, the late 1920s, particularly 1927, is viewed as the beginning of the Hollywood studio system, characterized by the rise of major film studios, star contracts, and the establishment of a specific formula for filmmaking that defined the era.

This year set the foundation for the studio system's development throughout the 1930s and beyond, making it an important milestone in the history of motion pictures.