Welcome to “The Picture Show Man”, a website dedicated to exploring the history of motion pictures.

 

Journey through those “thrilling days of yesteryear” when a new entertainment medium was created, developed, organized, and finally transformed into today’s multibillion–dollar motion picture industry.

more about this website >>

Watch historically important films and read about their background:

• The first film ever copyrighted, "The Sneeze" >>
• The first screen kiss, the "May Irwin Kiss" >>
• The first box–office blockbuster, "The Great Train Robbery" >>
• The first cartoon, "Humorous Phases of Funny Faces" >>

Our Questions & Answers section is arguably our most popular destination. Here you will find detailed answers to many unusual questions concerning the history of motion pictures. Listed below are a few examples:

• Who was the first actor to be filmed doing a death scene?
• What is the total number of feature films that have been produced worldwide?
• When was the first film score released on a record, and what was it?
• When was color first used in motion pictures?

Be sure to check out these popular articles:

• James Dean – Hollywood's Rebel
• Singin' in the Rain – Hollywood's Greatest Musical!
• Movie Censorship – A Brief History
• "Film Noir" – What Is It?
• The National Audiovisual Conservation Center (NAVCC)

Includes recently released items that will enhance any collection:
       (go to "Recommendations", or click on the buttons below,
                                  for many more suggestions)

                  All purchases will help support this website . . .

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