Film and TV History in 1916

Feb 17 Sigmund Romberg, James Hanley, Harold R. Atteridge and Edgar Smith's musical "Robinson Crusoe Jr", featuring Al Jolson, opens at the Winter Garden Theatre, NYC; runs for 139 performances

Feb 26 Mutual signs Charlie Chaplin to a film contract

Jun 24 Mary Pickford becomes the first female film star to get a million dollar contract

Sep 5 "Intolerance", silent film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Vera Lewis and Ralph Lewis, is released

Nov 19 Samuel Goldfish, Edgar and Archibald Selwyn establish Hollywood's Goldwyn Pictures; Goldfish later changes his name to Goldwyn