What if there was an old-timey joke and we took it as fact?
That happened! One "fact" people know about early films is that audiences panicked at oncoming trains but it actually started out as a joke, as we see in the 1901 British comedy THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH.
That happened! One "fact" people know about early films is that audiences panicked at oncoming trains but it actually started out as a joke, as we see in the 1901 British comedy THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH.
May 7, 2025 at 10:48 PM
What if there was an old-timey joke and we took it as fact?
That happened! One "fact" people know about early films is that audiences panicked at oncoming trains but it actually started out as a joke, as we see in the 1901 British comedy THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH.
That happened! One "fact" people know about early films is that audiences panicked at oncoming trains but it actually started out as a joke, as we see in the 1901 British comedy THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH.
“The streets are full of admirable craftsmen, but so few practical dreamers.”
~ Man Ray
Admiration of the Orchestrelle for the Cinematograph, 1919
#ManRay #Surrealism
~ Man Ray
Admiration of the Orchestrelle for the Cinematograph, 1919
#ManRay #Surrealism
July 21, 2025 at 1:19 AM
“The streets are full of admirable craftsmen, but so few practical dreamers.”
~ Man Ray
Admiration of the Orchestrelle for the Cinematograph, 1919
#ManRay #Surrealism
~ Man Ray
Admiration of the Orchestrelle for the Cinematograph, 1919
#ManRay #Surrealism
do you guys ever catch urself thinking in “notes on the cinematograph“ style
October 1, 2026 at 1:42 PM
do you guys ever catch urself thinking in “notes on the cinematograph“ style
• VR-Frühentwicklung, ventilatorgestützt und mit Cinematograph.
(Cycling Magazine, 1896)
(Cycling Magazine, 1896)
June 29, 2026 at 9:16 PM
• VR-Frühentwicklung, ventilatorgestützt und mit Cinematograph.
(Cycling Magazine, 1896)
(Cycling Magazine, 1896)
Pathe Pagoda Cinematograph by Pathe Freres (c. 1918)
May 14, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Pathe Pagoda Cinematograph by Pathe Freres (c. 1918)
Silent movie edition!
THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH (1901) was a joke that was taken seriously by later generations. "Look at this smock-wearing country dolt, I bet he thinks movie trains will hit him!" quickly became a much-repeated "fact" about early cinema.
THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH (1901) was a joke that was taken seriously by later generations. "Look at this smock-wearing country dolt, I bet he thinks movie trains will hit him!" quickly became a much-repeated "fact" about early cinema.
September 30, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Silent movie edition!
THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH (1901) was a joke that was taken seriously by later generations. "Look at this smock-wearing country dolt, I bet he thinks movie trains will hit him!" quickly became a much-repeated "fact" about early cinema.
THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH (1901) was a joke that was taken seriously by later generations. "Look at this smock-wearing country dolt, I bet he thinks movie trains will hit him!" quickly became a much-repeated "fact" about early cinema.
'Notes on The Cinematograph' is a favorite book of mine. It collects Robert Bresson's reflections on cinema written as short aphorisms.
#cinema
#cinema
January 9, 2025 at 10:47 AM
'Notes on The Cinematograph' is a favorite book of mine. It collects Robert Bresson's reflections on cinema written as short aphorisms.
#cinema
#cinema
I have reluctantly been persuaded to start a ticky-tock, as the recent cinematograph appeared there unattributed, in spite of my fairly unambiguous request otherwise. I do not expect to frequent the thing, but needs must.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRpXk5rD/
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRpXk5rD/
May 5, 2026 at 9:26 PM
I have reluctantly been persuaded to start a ticky-tock, as the recent cinematograph appeared there unattributed, in spite of my fairly unambiguous request otherwise. I do not expect to frequent the thing, but needs must.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRpXk5rD/
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRpXk5rD/
A bumpkin's fear of a cinematic train in THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH (1901) was meant as a spoof.
The idea that audiences were terrified by Lumiere's famous train shot is likely a myth, no contemporary accounts describe panic and such claims didn't emerge until decades later.
The idea that audiences were terrified by Lumiere's famous train shot is likely a myth, no contemporary accounts describe panic and such claims didn't emerge until decades later.
January 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
A bumpkin's fear of a cinematic train in THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH (1901) was meant as a spoof.
The idea that audiences were terrified by Lumiere's famous train shot is likely a myth, no contemporary accounts describe panic and such claims didn't emerge until decades later.
The idea that audiences were terrified by Lumiere's famous train shot is likely a myth, no contemporary accounts describe panic and such claims didn't emerge until decades later.
125 years ago:
The Countryman and the Cinematograph (UK)
A satire on the way that audiences unaccustomed ...
1901-10-01
#ClassicFilm
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/179000
The Countryman and the Cinematograph (UK)
A satire on the way that audiences unaccustomed ...
1901-10-01
#ClassicFilm
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/179000
October 1, 2026 at 7:48 PM
125 years ago:
The Countryman and the Cinematograph (UK)
A satire on the way that audiences unaccustomed ...
1901-10-01
#ClassicFilm
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/179000
The Countryman and the Cinematograph (UK)
A satire on the way that audiences unaccustomed ...
1901-10-01
#ClassicFilm
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/179000
My essay, "The Cinematograph and the Noematograph," is out at Big Think. It's my attempt to work out what exactly is "AI art" and why it might be interesting to human artists and art consumers. Let me know what you think!
bigthink.com/high-culture...
bigthink.com/high-culture...
The cinematograph, the "noematograph," and the future of AI art
From the cinematograph to the "noematograph," the Hugh-winning author explores how technology has, and may still, breed new artistic forms.
bigthink.com
April 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
My essay, "The Cinematograph and the Noematograph," is out at Big Think. It's my attempt to work out what exactly is "AI art" and why it might be interesting to human artists and art consumers. Let me know what you think!
bigthink.com/high-culture...
bigthink.com/high-culture...
Virtual reality, circa 1897
July 10, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Virtual reality, circa 1897
Provoke the unexpected. Expect it.
-- Robert Bresson, Notes on the Cinematograph
-- Robert Bresson, Notes on the Cinematograph
June 2, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Provoke the unexpected. Expect it.
-- Robert Bresson, Notes on the Cinematograph
-- Robert Bresson, Notes on the Cinematograph
On Feb 4, 1895, the Lumière brothers patented the cinematograph, a device that could record, develop, and project film. This revolutionized entertainment, laying the foundation for modern cinema and shaping how stories are told through motion pictures.
#StayCurious #Skystorians #DiveIntoDiscovery
#StayCurious #Skystorians #DiveIntoDiscovery
February 4, 2025 at 10:52 PM
On Feb 4, 1895, the Lumière brothers patented the cinematograph, a device that could record, develop, and project film. This revolutionized entertainment, laying the foundation for modern cinema and shaping how stories are told through motion pictures.
#StayCurious #Skystorians #DiveIntoDiscovery
#StayCurious #Skystorians #DiveIntoDiscovery
'Notes on The Cinematograph' by Robert Bresson has always been a favorite book of mine.
It collects Robert Bresson's reflections on cinema written as short aphorisms.
It collects Robert Bresson's reflections on cinema written as short aphorisms.
April 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
'Notes on The Cinematograph' by Robert Bresson has always been a favorite book of mine.
It collects Robert Bresson's reflections on cinema written as short aphorisms.
It collects Robert Bresson's reflections on cinema written as short aphorisms.
I have no idea why everyone's talking about this beautiful Federico Vicentini cover for CYCLOPS #2 all of a sudden, but I'll take it.
Is there a forthcoming cinematograph or radio play I should know about?
Is there a forthcoming cinematograph or radio play I should know about?
December 29, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I have no idea why everyone's talking about this beautiful Federico Vicentini cover for CYCLOPS #2 all of a sudden, but I'll take it.
Is there a forthcoming cinematograph or radio play I should know about?
Is there a forthcoming cinematograph or radio play I should know about?
yeah definitely, I can forgive him like I can forgive tolkien writing in britain in the 30s that he wasn’t impressed yet with the “cinematograph”
July 29, 2024 at 12:48 AM
yeah definitely, I can forgive him like I can forgive tolkien writing in britain in the 30s that he wasn’t impressed yet with the “cinematograph”
Pykes Cinematograph Theatre Finsbury Park
March 4, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Pykes Cinematograph Theatre Finsbury Park
The main character in THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH, as the title indicates, was meant to be a bumpkin, which would have been immediately obvious to British audiences of the day thanks to costuming the actor in a smock.
The joke was "this guy's such a hick, he's afraid of movie trains!"
The joke was "this guy's such a hick, he's afraid of movie trains!"
May 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
The main character in THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE CINEMATOGRAPH, as the title indicates, was meant to be a bumpkin, which would have been immediately obvious to British audiences of the day thanks to costuming the actor in a smock.
The joke was "this guy's such a hick, he's afraid of movie trains!"
The joke was "this guy's such a hick, he's afraid of movie trains!"
Virtual reality, circa 1897
July 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Virtual reality, circa 1897
James Joyce is also famous for establishing Ireland's first cinema. It was on Mary Street in Dublin and called the Cinematograph Volta.
Fans of Mr Joyce's letter-writing style will be amused to note that he promised punters entertainment that was "educating and of a high moral character".
Fans of Mr Joyce's letter-writing style will be amused to note that he promised punters entertainment that was "educating and of a high moral character".
June 16, 2025 at 2:12 PM
James Joyce is also famous for establishing Ireland's first cinema. It was on Mary Street in Dublin and called the Cinematograph Volta.
Fans of Mr Joyce's letter-writing style will be amused to note that he promised punters entertainment that was "educating and of a high moral character".
Fans of Mr Joyce's letter-writing style will be amused to note that he promised punters entertainment that was "educating and of a high moral character".
Today is Cinematograph Day. 🎥
December 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Today is Cinematograph Day. 🎥
An S+ rating means the cdrama #TheRoadToSplendor is considered of the highest quality in crew, cast, production (set and costumbre design, cinematograph and any other technical aspect), and strong expectations for domestic and international distribution.
What does that mean? Quality production?
August 16, 2026 at 11:03 PM
An S+ rating means the cdrama #TheRoadToSplendor is considered of the highest quality in crew, cast, production (set and costumbre design, cinematograph and any other technical aspect), and strong expectations for domestic and international distribution.
Cambridge Center for Adult Education has a class called Storytelling through Video. They cover lightin, cinematograph, and editing.
April 26, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Cambridge Center for Adult Education has a class called Storytelling through Video. They cover lightin, cinematograph, and editing.