The Crowd

Directed by King Vidor, 'The Crowd' follows John Sims, an ambitious young man who moves to New York City believing he is destined for greatness, only to find himself lost in the anonymous masses. The film is a groundbreaking piece of silent cinema that honestly portrays the struggles of ordinary working-class life, marriage, and shattered dreams. Its naturalistic style, innovative cinematography, and emotionally honest storytelling set it apart as one of the greatest American films ever made.

• King Vidor shot scenes on real New York streets using hidden cameras.
• The film has no traditional Hollywood happy ending.
• MGM executives initially disliked the film's downbeat tone.
• James Murray was discovered working as an extra by Vidor.
• The film features a remarkable crane shot into a skyscraper window.

• You've got to be good in that town if you want to beat the crowd.
• The crowd laughs with you always... but it will cry with you for only a day.
• I'm going to be somebody. Somebody big.
• We do our dreaming alone, but we live our lives together.
• A man can't just be nothing. He's got to be something.