The History of Film Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:28:40 -0700 https://historyoffilm.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 The History of Film yes Support this Podcast 50634801-ef1c-54ce-9910-1ae464286dca Jacob Aschieris serial false A (mostly) chronological exploration of international film history. Each episode is a deep dive into the history of the people, events, technologies, cultural forces, and most all the movies that have molded cinema into what it is today! Join host Jacob Aschieris and other listeners for an in depth, thoughtful listening experience, and learn why no story ever written for the screen is as dramatic as the story of the screen itself!]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Film, Movie, Film History, Cinema, History, Old Movie, Cinema, Jacob Aschieris https://storage.buzzsprout.com/8anmxe27szc0pkszkymq02vxtxro?.jpg The History of Film A New Translation of a Master Filmmaker: Dr. Anne McKnight on Long Take A New Translation of a Master Filmmaker: Dr. Anne McKnight on Long Take An interview with Japanese media scholar Anne McNight about her new book Long Take. Long Take is a collection of interviews and other material by or about Akira Kurosawa, one of most famous and influential filmmakers in world history. These are being translated and published into English for the first time.   

You can find Dr. McKnight's new translation here:

https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517903299/long-take/



Support the show

]]> An interview with Japanese media scholar Anne McNight about her new book Long Take. Long Take is a collection of interviews and other material by or about Akira Kurosawa, one of most famous and influential filmmakers in world history. These are being translated and published into English for the first time.   

You can find Dr. McKnight's new translation here:

https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517903299/long-take/



Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-18918484 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:00:00 -0700 3032 full false 37- Abel Gance, and the Prelude to the Post-War 37- Abel Gance, and the Prelude to the Post-War An episode about Gance, covering his life and movies from birth to just before of the release of his monumental film J'accuse.

Support the show

]]> An episode about Gance, covering his life and movies from birth to just before of the release of his monumental film J'accuse.

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-18757728 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0800 1493 full false 36- Women's Pictures, Staring Women, that Women Were Watching 36- Women's Pictures, Staring Women, that Women Were Watching An episode all about proper (or not explicitly patriotic) melodrama as it was developing in France during the war. Who were these movies made for? What were they about? Well, let's find out.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> An episode all about proper (or not explicitly patriotic) melodrama as it was developing in France during the war. Who were these movies made for? What were they about? Well, let's find out.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-17562949 Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0700 1878 full false 35- French Patriotic Melodrama 35- French Patriotic Melodrama This episode is a little smaller in scope than usual. But like one my great podcasting heroes, my ambition for this show is to tell the history of film without any gaps. We cover two examples of an important, though ultimately short lived, sub-genre: The Patriotic Melodrama. We discuss and analyze the 1916 film Alsace, directed by Henri Pouctal, and the 1917 Mothers of Frances, directed by René Hervi .

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> This episode is a little smaller in scope than usual. But like one my great podcasting heroes, my ambition for this show is to tell the history of film without any gaps. We cover two examples of an important, though ultimately short lived, sub-genre: The Patriotic Melodrama. We discuss and analyze the 1916 film Alsace, directed by Henri Pouctal, and the 1917 Mothers of Frances, directed by René Hervi .

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-16279840 Sat, 14 Dec 2024 17:00:00 -0800 1897 full false 34- American Invasion, Sessue Hayakawa, and "The Cheat" 34- American Invasion, Sessue Hayakawa, and "The Cheat" In this episode we cover just how, exactly, American cinema came to dominate Europe in the wake of WW1. We take a look at the economic practices that facilitated the "invasion" of American cinema onto French screens. We also examine one picture in particular, The Cheat, which exemplifies the technical sophistication of U.S. national cinema, and that film's reception by the City of Lights.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> In this episode we cover just how, exactly, American cinema came to dominate Europe in the wake of WW1. We take a look at the economic practices that facilitated the "invasion" of American cinema onto French screens. We also examine one picture in particular, The Cheat, which exemplifies the technical sophistication of U.S. national cinema, and that film's reception by the City of Lights.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-16124081 Sun, 17 Nov 2024 19:00:00 -0800 3407 full false 33- War on Film, Film at War 33- War on Film, Film at War This week we cover the effect of The War on the French film Industry. While The Conflict's Titanic needs did a real number on French production, it did also help develop a new kind of documentary filmmaking: The Newsreel, which was then put to work in service to the Republic.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> This week we cover the effect of The War on the French film Industry. While The Conflict's Titanic needs did a real number on French production, it did also help develop a new kind of documentary filmmaking: The Newsreel, which was then put to work in service to the Republic.

If you would like to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

History of Film Discord: https://discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF
Letter Boxed: https://boxd.it/3cZn3

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-16039762 Sun, 03 Nov 2024 09:00:00 -0800 1336 full false 32- Foundation of Death, Foundation of Light 32- Foundation of Death, Foundation of Light This episode reexamines some topics we have already looked at, but this time as context for one of history's greatest butcheries, rather than as pure film history. The development of cinema is intertwined with the forces that defined the 20th century. Today we explore how the First World War and the movies are cut from the same fabric, as we set the stage for some of the screen's greatest epochs -- German Expressionism, French Impressionism, Soviet Montage, and the Golden Age of American Silent Film. All that is tied up in The War, so let's start our journey facing it head-on. 

-Jake

If you would like to email the show, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

]]> This episode reexamines some topics we have already looked at, but this time as context for one of history's greatest butcheries, rather than as pure film history. The development of cinema is intertwined with the forces that defined the 20th century. Today we explore how the First World War and the movies are cut from the same fabric, as we set the stage for some of the screen's greatest epochs -- German Expressionism, French Impressionism, Soviet Montage, and the Golden Age of American Silent Film. All that is tied up in The War, so let's start our journey facing it head-on. 

-Jake

If you would like to email the show, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-14514014 Thu, 15 Feb 2024 18:00:00 -0800 1525 full false Announcement – Plans and Reasons Announcement – Plans and Reasons The History of Film Podcast has been on Haitus since May of 2022. This announcement officially ends that. Let's get back to it!

If you have any ideas on how I can improve the show, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

See you soon!

-Jake!     

Support the show

]]> The History of Film Podcast has been on Haitus since May of 2022. This announcement officially ends that. Let's get back to it!

If you have any ideas on how I can improve the show, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

See you soon!

-Jake!     

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-13386318 Thu, 10 Aug 2023 17:00:00 -0700 295 full false 31- Gertie: The First Animated Character 31- Gertie: The First Animated Character In this episode we finish up our series on early animation by covering Gertie the Dinosaur and The Sinking of the Lusitania, both animated by Winsor McCay. Next time it's back to Europe, where we will cover the the effect of the First World War on European film!

I decided to end the Patreon, at least for the foreseeable future. It was a hard decision, but I wasn't in the position to devote the time that I wanted and needed to make the channel what I wanted it to be. A special thank you to all my patrons for their support. I hope that I can find a way to bring all of the ideas I had for it to life for you in the future!

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

The history of the film has a discord server, which you can access through this here link:
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Support the show

]]> In this episode we finish up our series on early animation by covering Gertie the Dinosaur and The Sinking of the Lusitania, both animated by Winsor McCay. Next time it's back to Europe, where we will cover the the effect of the First World War on European film!

I decided to end the Patreon, at least for the foreseeable future. It was a hard decision, but I wasn't in the position to devote the time that I wanted and needed to make the channel what I wanted it to be. A special thank you to all my patrons for their support. I hope that I can find a way to bring all of the ideas I had for it to life for you in the future!

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

The history of the film has a discord server, which you can access through this here link:
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Support the show

]]> Buzzsprout-10622203 Sun, 15 May 2022 15:00:00 -0700 1864 full false 30- Animation Before the Dinosaur 30- Animation Before the Dinosaur This is the first of two episodes (only two, I promise) about the great animator Winsor McCay. We cover his life before he became a filmmaker, and his two first movies: Little Nemo (1911) and How a Mosquito Operates (1912).

The history of the film has a discord server, which you can access through this here link:
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Thank you to my wonderful patrons who helped make this show possible! A special thank you to patron Ed & Shari for supporting this program in such a big way. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.


Support the show

]]> This is the first of two episodes (only two, I promise) about the great animator Winsor McCay. We cover his life before he became a filmmaker, and his two first movies: Little Nemo (1911) and How a Mosquito Operates (1912).

The history of the film has a discord server, which you can access through this here link:
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Thank you to my wonderful patrons who helped make this show possible! A special thank you to patron Ed & Shari for supporting this program in such a big way. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.


Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-10152329 Sun, 27 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0800 1583 full false 29- Phantasmagoria 29- Phantasmagoria It's a new year, and the History of Film is back! In this episode, we cover the life and achievements of French animator Emile Cohl, as he creates the first paper film animation, and brings fluidity and grace to a medium he helped invent!

Thank you to my wonderful patrons who helped make this show possible! A special thank you to patron Ed & Shari for supporting this program in such a big way. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

You can join the History of Film discord server by using this link;
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Support the show

]]> It's a new year, and the History of Film is back! In this episode, we cover the life and achievements of French animator Emile Cohl, as he creates the first paper film animation, and brings fluidity and grace to a medium he helped invent!

Thank you to my wonderful patrons who helped make this show possible! A special thank you to patron Ed & Shari for supporting this program in such a big way. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

You can join the History of Film discord server by using this link;
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-9910764 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 18:00:00 -0800 1446 full false 28- Drawings That Can Dance 28- Drawings That Can Dance The long promised day is finally here! We dive into the world of animation, examine ancient Iranian pottery, and meet animators named Charles-Emile Reynaud and James Stewart Blackton, as we begin our journey though a whole other kind of cinema.

Thank you to my wonderful patrons who help make this show possible! A special thank you to patron Ed & Shari for supporting this program in such a big way. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

You can join the History of Film discord server by using this link;
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Support the show

]]> The long promised day is finally here! We dive into the world of animation, examine ancient Iranian pottery, and meet animators named Charles-Emile Reynaud and James Stewart Blackton, as we begin our journey though a whole other kind of cinema.

Thank you to my wonderful patrons who help make this show possible! A special thank you to patron Ed & Shari for supporting this program in such a big way. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

You can join the History of Film discord server by using this link;
discord.gg/Ud8EcEzvSF

Support the show

]]> Buzzsprout-9611674 Thu, 25 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0800 1936 full false 27- The Fall of Babylon, The Fall of Griffith 27- The Fall of Babylon, The Fall of Griffith In this episode we take a look at Griffith's second most famous movie, Intolerance, and examine its production, structure, and impact. We also (finally) finish the long arc of Griffith's story, and bring his career, and his time here on the podcast, to a close.

I would like to give special credit to my wonderful patron Ed & Shari for supporting this episode and helping to make this show possible. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

Support the show

]]> In this episode we take a look at Griffith's second most famous movie, Intolerance, and examine its production, structure, and impact. We also (finally) finish the long arc of Griffith's story, and bring his career, and his time here on the podcast, to a close.

I would like to give special credit to my wonderful patron Ed & Shari for supporting this episode and helping to make this show possible. If you want to support this show, read your name down here in the credits, and get access to cool bonus content, you can! By visiting patreon.com/historyoffilm and becoming a patron, you can play an integral part in actually making this show exist.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
You can visit historyoffilmpodcast.com to access helpful resources for this episode.

Support the show

]]> Buzzsprout-9501922 Sat, 06 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0700 2081 full false 26- The Birth of a Nation: Part III 26- The Birth of a Nation: Part III This is the last of it. In this episode, we dig into how and why The Birth of a Nation was so influential, and who was influenced by it. I am happy to say that next week we will be moving on from here. So three cheers for that.

If you would like to email me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
You can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com
and you can support the show at patreon.com/historyoffilm

Thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> This is the last of it. In this episode, we dig into how and why The Birth of a Nation was so influential, and who was influenced by it. I am happy to say that next week we will be moving on from here. So three cheers for that.

If you would like to email me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
You can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com
and you can support the show at patreon.com/historyoffilm

Thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> Buzzsprout-9445804 Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:00:00 -0700 3326 full false 25- The Birth of a Nation: Part II 25- The Birth of a Nation: Part II When I write these, I never know just how long they will be. As it turns out, talking about a film that has had a huge impact on the development of film history, and made the world so much worse, is taking a lot of words. So, this is the second of what I hope to be three episodes of The Birth of a Nation. In this episode, we describe the plot of the movie in detail (though I still skipped a couple of things here and there for the sake of brevity, believe it or not), and talk about how the ideas present in the story interact with each other.

The clip I play toward the end is from the 1993 Documentary D. W. Griffith: The Father of Film, directed by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill. 

You can contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website: historyoffilmpodcast.com to view resources for each episode.

Support the show

]]> When I write these, I never know just how long they will be. As it turns out, talking about a film that has had a huge impact on the development of film history, and made the world so much worse, is taking a lot of words. So, this is the second of what I hope to be three episodes of The Birth of a Nation. In this episode, we describe the plot of the movie in detail (though I still skipped a couple of things here and there for the sake of brevity, believe it or not), and talk about how the ideas present in the story interact with each other.

The clip I play toward the end is from the 1993 Documentary D. W. Griffith: The Father of Film, directed by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill. 

You can contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website: historyoffilmpodcast.com to view resources for each episode.

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-9278380 Tue, 28 Sep 2021 20:00:00 -0700 2026 full false 24- The Birth of a Nation: Part I 24- The Birth of a Nation: Part I Well, where it is. The Birth of a Nation is an extremely important movie. It would be hard to overstate it. In this episode, we cover the original novel the film was based on, and the film-making process for the movie. 
So, spoilers for a 106-year-old movie, The Birth of a Nation is an evil film. other than the films that were created by the Nazi regime during WWII, I don't think there have been movies that have spread so much evil and hate that have been so widely received. We have to deal with it, so we will do so now.

If you would like to email me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

]]> Well, where it is. The Birth of a Nation is an extremely important movie. It would be hard to overstate it. In this episode, we cover the original novel the film was based on, and the film-making process for the movie. 
So, spoilers for a 106-year-old movie, The Birth of a Nation is an evil film. other than the films that were created by the Nazi regime during WWII, I don't think there have been movies that have spread so much evil and hate that have been so widely received. We have to deal with it, so we will do so now.

If you would like to email me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-9245602 Wed, 22 Sep 2021 22:00:00 -0700 1588 full false Bonus: Film as Cultural Artifacts Bonus: Film as Cultural Artifacts This is the first of (hopefully) a recurring series of episodes on film critical theory. Today, with special guest Melissa Favara, we cover the idea of cultural production. This is kind of the broadest way of looking at movies, as a product of a culture rather only the work of an individual or group of filmmakers. This is a lens with witch to look at movies, and a tool for building context for the movies we will encounter throughout this series. I hope you enjoy it!

You can email me at:
historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

Support the show

]]> This is the first of (hopefully) a recurring series of episodes on film critical theory. Today, with special guest Melissa Favara, we cover the idea of cultural production. This is kind of the broadest way of looking at movies, as a product of a culture rather only the work of an individual or group of filmmakers. This is a lens with witch to look at movies, and a tool for building context for the movies we will encounter throughout this series. I hope you enjoy it!

You can email me at:
historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-9147103 Mon, 06 Sep 2021 06:00:00 -0700 904 bonus false 23- D. W. Griffith 23- D. W. Griffith Here it is! Its an episode and a subject that has been a long time coming, and it's one that is less important then people used to think, though perhaps a little more important than some people say it is now.
D. W. Griffith was a filmmaker who invented nothing, innovated on much, and influenced many (including influencing people to commit acts of viscous evil and pernicious violence). In today's episode, we cover his early life and career, and talk about some of the movies that would lead him to making  The Birth of a Nation. You can learn more about some of Griffith's movies in Episode 13, 15, and 16a of this show.

If you would like to email me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

I hope you enjoy thew show!
-Jake

Support the show

]]> Here it is! Its an episode and a subject that has been a long time coming, and it's one that is less important then people used to think, though perhaps a little more important than some people say it is now.
D. W. Griffith was a filmmaker who invented nothing, innovated on much, and influenced many (including influencing people to commit acts of viscous evil and pernicious violence). In today's episode, we cover his early life and career, and talk about some of the movies that would lead him to making  The Birth of a Nation. You can learn more about some of Griffith's movies in Episode 13, 15, and 16a of this show.

If you would like to email me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

I hope you enjoy thew show!
-Jake

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-9140747 Sat, 04 Sep 2021 19:00:00 -0700 1981 full false 22- Italian Futurism and Everything Else 22- Italian Futurism and Everything Else Hello and welcome back! This is everything about early Italian films that we didn’t cover in the last two episodes. That means we talk a little about how Italian studios were run throughout the 1910s,  Important actors not playing Maciste, influential directors (including another of the most prolific women of early film), and a film movement: Futurism. We talk about the movement’s origin, and its only surviving film – Thaïs – and how it, and the whole Italian film industry, entered a decline throughout the 1920s.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at
histoeyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

And you can visit the show's website at
Historyoffilmpodcast.com

Support the show

]]> Hello and welcome back! This is everything about early Italian films that we didn’t cover in the last two episodes. That means we talk a little about how Italian studios were run throughout the 1910s,  Important actors not playing Maciste, influential directors (including another of the most prolific women of early film), and a film movement: Futurism. We talk about the movement’s origin, and its only surviving film – Thaïs – and how it, and the whole Italian film industry, entered a decline throughout the 1920s.

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at
histoeyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

And you can visit the show's website at
Historyoffilmpodcast.com

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-9089194 Wed, 25 Aug 2021 20:00:00 -0700 2520 full false Announcement: Updates on "The History of Film" Going Forward Announcement: Updates on "The History of Film" Going Forward A few words on exciting changes that are coming to "The History of film in very  near future.

historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
historyoffilmpodcast.com

Support the show

]]> A few words on exciting changes that are coming to "The History of film in very  near future.

historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
historyoffilmpodcast.com

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-8968904 Tue, 03 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0700 226 bonus false 21- Astonishing Super Spectacles 21- Astonishing Super Spectacles This week it's all about two movies Quo Vadis?  from 1912 or 1913 and Cabiria from 1914. 

If you would like to visit the show's website, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast.com. 
You can email me at historyoffilm@gmail.com.

thank you so much for listening! I hope to see you next week!

Support the show

]]> This week it's all about two movies Quo Vadis?  from 1912 or 1913 and Cabiria from 1914. 

If you would like to visit the show's website, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast.com. 
You can email me at historyoffilm@gmail.com.

thank you so much for listening! I hope to see you next week!

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-8928483 Mon, 26 Jul 2021 23:00:00 -0700 1963 full false 20- Rise of the Roman Film Empire 20- Rise of the Roman Film Empire This is the first of a planned three-episode series about Italian film from before the 1920's and the rise of fascism in Italy. In this very first episode, we cover the earliest origins of Italian film, though much more briefly than we did French film, mostly because there isn't as much written about it. We also go into some detail about the astonishing 1911 special effects wonderland The Inferno directed by a bunch of Italian guys whose names I struggle with. 

If you would like to contact me you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com

Support the show

]]> This is the first of a planned three-episode series about Italian film from before the 1920's and the rise of fascism in Italy. In this very first episode, we cover the earliest origins of Italian film, though much more briefly than we did French film, mostly because there isn't as much written about it. We also go into some detail about the astonishing 1911 special effects wonderland The Inferno directed by a bunch of Italian guys whose names I struggle with. 

If you would like to contact me you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-8818284 Mon, 05 Jul 2021 23:00:00 -0700 1360 full false 19- Murderers, Vamps and Deviants: The Work of Louis Feuillade 19- Murderers, Vamps and Deviants: The Work of Louis Feuillade It is a little late, but it is also long! This is one I have been researching and working on for a long time.
This week it's all about a new kind of serial film–one that takes us out of the light, and into the shadowy depths of a criminal and violent Paris. Louis Feuillade takes us to depths not before plumbed by this show, as we give some much-deserved attention to serial films made by the man whom Alice Guy hand-picked to be her replacement. Fantomas and Les Vampires are two excellent movie serials that will keep you on the edge of your seat! You can watch them on YouTube, but if you have access to it through your local library, I recommend you use the streaming service Kanopy to give them a watch!

The clip I used of Alfred Hitchcock I got here. You can see resources for this episode and others at historyoffilmpodcast.com, and you can contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

Happy Listening!
-Jake

Support the show

]]> It is a little late, but it is also long! This is one I have been researching and working on for a long time.
This week it's all about a new kind of serial film–one that takes us out of the light, and into the shadowy depths of a criminal and violent Paris. Louis Feuillade takes us to depths not before plumbed by this show, as we give some much-deserved attention to serial films made by the man whom Alice Guy hand-picked to be her replacement. Fantomas and Les Vampires are two excellent movie serials that will keep you on the edge of your seat! You can watch them on YouTube, but if you have access to it through your local library, I recommend you use the streaming service Kanopy to give them a watch!

The clip I used of Alfred Hitchcock I got here. You can see resources for this episode and others at historyoffilmpodcast.com, and you can contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.

Happy Listening!
-Jake

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-8683433 Thu, 10 Jun 2021 21:00:00 -0700 2099 full false 18- Heroines and Villains Every Week! Early U.S. Serial Film 18- Heroines and Villains Every Week! Early U.S. Serial Film Forget movies that are a mere five reels long, how about three hundred!? In the United States during the "nickelodeon era" of film history, movies got longer in more ways than the ones we have been covering recently. Some became the first film series with continuing stories! We cover that transition and its greatest star in today's episode!
Make sure to visit the website, historyoffilmpodcast.com, for this week's episode–there is some information there that is important but didn't make it into the show for various reasons. This includes the very literal origins of the word "cliffhanger" and examples of some of the movies we talked about in this episode. 
If you would like to email me, you can contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you, and happy listening!

Support the show

]]> Forget movies that are a mere five reels long, how about three hundred!? In the United States during the "nickelodeon era" of film history, movies got longer in more ways than the ones we have been covering recently. Some became the first film series with continuing stories! We cover that transition and its greatest star in today's episode!
Make sure to visit the website, historyoffilmpodcast.com, for this week's episode–there is some information there that is important but didn't make it into the show for various reasons. This includes the very literal origins of the word "cliffhanger" and examples of some of the movies we talked about in this episode. 
If you would like to email me, you can contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.
Thank you, and happy listening!

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-8622594 Tue, 01 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0700 1356 full false 17- Film D'art 17- Film D'art Just as promised in episode 15, this week we begin our journey through the early influences of feature-length movies that will eventually take us into the studio era of the U. S. film industry and D. W. Griffith. Film D'art is more important for what it inspired than what it accomplished, and funnily enough, is skipped over entirely in a book I have on the History of French film, but is still worth discussing. It represents the last holdouts from the Edison/Black Maria style of filmmaking. This "un-cinematic" style of filmmaking will, happily, be in the rearview mirror (unless you count some of the crummy movies I tried to make as a freshman in high school). 

If you want to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
you can visit the show's website at "historyoffilmpodcast.com"

Support the show

]]> Just as promised in episode 15, this week we begin our journey through the early influences of feature-length movies that will eventually take us into the studio era of the U. S. film industry and D. W. Griffith. Film D'art is more important for what it inspired than what it accomplished, and funnily enough, is skipped over entirely in a book I have on the History of French film, but is still worth discussing. It represents the last holdouts from the Edison/Black Maria style of filmmaking. This "un-cinematic" style of filmmaking will, happily, be in the rearview mirror (unless you count some of the crummy movies I tried to make as a freshman in high school). 

If you want to email me you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
you can visit the show's website at "historyoffilmpodcast.com"

Support the show

]]> Jacob Aschieris Buzzsprout-8580246 Mon, 24 May 2021 13:00:00 -0700 1136 full false 16a- Florence Lawrence 16a- Florence Lawrence This episode is actually a bonus episode, rather than the other “bonus” episode I’ve released, which was 30 minutes long and took weeks to make. 

This episode gets a little heavy, but suicide is a heavy subject. If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, know that there is help. In the United States, you can visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org to make contact with people who are here to help you right now. You can also call them on the phone, just dial 800-273-8255. 

I'm a great admirer of the writer and philanthropist, John Green, who put it excellently when he said “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” People struggling with suicidal thoughts make it through them, and you, or the people you know, can too. 

I'm sorry that I don't have the information here of other countries, but this kind of help is available in many places across the world.

I also really recommend This Was Hollywood by Carla Valderama. It's entertaining and packed full of information that I used for both this episode and episode 16. 

If you would like to contact me you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website, historyoffilmpodcast.com.


Jake.

Support the show

]]> This episode is actually a bonus episode, rather than the other “bonus” episode I’ve released, which was 30 minutes long and took weeks to make. 

This episode gets a little heavy, but suicide is a heavy subject. If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts, know that there is help. In the United States, you can visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org to make contact with people who are here to help you right now. You can also call them on the phone, just dial 800-273-8255. 

I'm a great admirer of the writer and philanthropist, John Green, who put it excellently when he said “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” People struggling with suicidal thoughts make it through them, and you, or the people you know, can too. 

I'm sorry that I don't have the information here of other countries, but this kind of help is available in many places across the world.

I also really recommend This Was Hollywood by Carla Valderama. It's entertaining and packed full of information that I used for both this episode and episode 16. 

If you would like to contact me you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website, historyoffilmpodcast.com.


Jake.

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8539608 Mon, 17 May 2021 22:00:00 -0700 563 bonus false 16- The Stars are Born 16- The Stars are Born 16- The Stars are Born

Here it is, episode 16, which in my heart, is the Kill Bill Vol. II of the podcast. This one pares a lot with episode 15, so I have a couple of brief recaps of the last episode to make the episode flow a little better.
I played a clip from Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal from 1982 and was very tempted to play the emperor’s death sounds again when I was talking about the downfall of Edison’s trust.
If you would like to contact me you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website, historyoffilmpodcast.com, to access resources for each episode. I'm a little behind on updating it, but by the end of the week (22 May 2021), it should be all caught up. 

-Jake

Support the show

]]> 16- The Stars are Born

Here it is, episode 16, which in my heart, is the Kill Bill Vol. II of the podcast. This one pares a lot with episode 15, so I have a couple of brief recaps of the last episode to make the episode flow a little better.
I played a clip from Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal from 1982 and was very tempted to play the emperor’s death sounds again when I was talking about the downfall of Edison’s trust.
If you would like to contact me you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and you can visit the show's website, historyoffilmpodcast.com, to access resources for each episode. I'm a little behind on updating it, but by the end of the week (22 May 2021), it should be all caught up. 

-Jake

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8539603 Mon, 17 May 2021 22:00:00 -0700 1061 full false 15- Feature Presentations 15- Feature Presentations This is actually the first of a two-part episode that I was originally going to call "Trustbusters." This week, we cover the early events of Carl Laemmle's life and see the feature film become the dominant form of cinematic presentation in the United States.  Next week it is the star system and the exodus to California, where the center of film production has stayed (in the U.S. at least) ever since.

If you would like to contact me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
and you can visit the show's website at http://historyoffilmpodcast.com

Thanks, and I will see you next week!
-Jake, May 2021

Support the show

]]> This is actually the first of a two-part episode that I was originally going to call "Trustbusters." This week, we cover the early events of Carl Laemmle's life and see the feature film become the dominant form of cinematic presentation in the United States.  Next week it is the star system and the exodus to California, where the center of film production has stayed (in the U.S. at least) ever since.

If you would like to contact me, you can do so at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
and you can visit the show's website at http://historyoffilmpodcast.com

Thanks, and I will see you next week!
-Jake, May 2021

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8496891 Mon, 10 May 2021 20:00:00 -0700 1163 full false 14a- Inside the Nickelodeon 14a- Inside the Nickelodeon This was a wonderful episode to produce, even if it was tricky. If you would like to learn all of the things that I didn't get to in this episode, like some of the wonderful names nickelodeon’s had, I really can't recommend At The Picture Show: Small-Town Audiences and the Creation of Movie Fan Culture by Kathryn Fuller enough. I wish there was an audiobook for it (but I feel that way about every book).

A couple of clarifying points–
I assume the "Latin races" that were talked about in the quote from the beginning of the episode were intended to be in reference to people of ethnically Italian origin. I'm fairly confident about this, as I don't think that LatinX people were a major minority population in the metropolitan centers of the Northeastern United States at the turn of the 20th century. People of Italian origin, however, definitely were, which is the basis of my assumption. I use the term "Latin races" as a segue to talk about LatinX peoples in the Southwestern United States, but by doing so I was removing the term from its original context.
Women were not common in Nickelodeons of the South and Midwest, but undoubtedly some women, on rare occasions, would have seen movies. I'm not aware of any legal blockade against women attending movies, as was the case with the black populations of the South, but rather extremely powerful social and religious conventions. Still, for all intents and purposes, as I stated in the show, nickelodeons in these regions were dominated by white men and boys.

The song I played in the show was "Let's Go into a Picture Show" as performed by Byron G. Harlan. It was written by Jack Norworth and was released as an Edison Phonograph record in 1909. If you would like to listen to the song in full (I didn't play the first verse in the show) you can look it up on YouTube, or, as I did, the UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive. 

Support the show

]]> This was a wonderful episode to produce, even if it was tricky. If you would like to learn all of the things that I didn't get to in this episode, like some of the wonderful names nickelodeon’s had, I really can't recommend At The Picture Show: Small-Town Audiences and the Creation of Movie Fan Culture by Kathryn Fuller enough. I wish there was an audiobook for it (but I feel that way about every book).

A couple of clarifying points–
I assume the "Latin races" that were talked about in the quote from the beginning of the episode were intended to be in reference to people of ethnically Italian origin. I'm fairly confident about this, as I don't think that LatinX people were a major minority population in the metropolitan centers of the Northeastern United States at the turn of the 20th century. People of Italian origin, however, definitely were, which is the basis of my assumption. I use the term "Latin races" as a segue to talk about LatinX peoples in the Southwestern United States, but by doing so I was removing the term from its original context.
Women were not common in Nickelodeons of the South and Midwest, but undoubtedly some women, on rare occasions, would have seen movies. I'm not aware of any legal blockade against women attending movies, as was the case with the black populations of the South, but rather extremely powerful social and religious conventions. Still, for all intents and purposes, as I stated in the show, nickelodeons in these regions were dominated by white men and boys.

The song I played in the show was "Let's Go into a Picture Show" as performed by Byron G. Harlan. It was written by Jack Norworth and was released as an Edison Phonograph record in 1909. If you would like to listen to the song in full (I didn't play the first verse in the show) you can look it up on YouTube, or, as I did, the UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive. 

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8437994 Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:00:00 -0700 1791 bonus false 14- Growing Audiences and Consolidating Power 14- Growing Audiences and Consolidating Power The reason my voice sounds just a little off is because I have been pretty sick for more than a week now. This is far and away the best I have sounded in a while though, so I went into the makeshift recoding booth and gave you my best!
This week's show its all about the growth of cinemas's audiences and industry, and attempts by powerful people (mostly Thomas Edison) to control that industry. Towards the end of the show I use a few seconds from the 1977 film Star War's directed by George Lucas.
If you would like to email me, you can do so at: historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
And you can visit the show's website at: historyoffilmpodcast.com

Thanks for listening and enjoy!

Jake

Support the show

]]> The reason my voice sounds just a little off is because I have been pretty sick for more than a week now. This is far and away the best I have sounded in a while though, so I went into the makeshift recoding booth and gave you my best!
This week's show its all about the growth of cinemas's audiences and industry, and attempts by powerful people (mostly Thomas Edison) to control that industry. Towards the end of the show I use a few seconds from the 1977 film Star War's directed by George Lucas.
If you would like to email me, you can do so at: historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
And you can visit the show's website at: historyoffilmpodcast.com

Thanks for listening and enjoy!

Jake

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8316292 Sun, 11 Apr 2021 20:00:00 -0700 1725 full false 13- Edwin S. Porter and the Revolution of the Shot 13- Edwin S. Porter and the Revolution of the Shot It’s a big one again this week! We complete our second and Gil episode focused on filmmaker Edwin S. Porter, and discuss how his movies relate to film history. This includes technical innovations, genre development, and early examples of voyeurism in film. 

There are several movie clips used in the show, but one of them is unusual for this program. It’s an excerpt from an IGN video review. The link for you to watch the whole review yourself is this here: https://youtu.be/_ee8aFnRvgY

If you would like to contact me, email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. You can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com. I will have the episode 13 webpage up in a day or two. 

-Jake,

23 March 2021

Support the show

]]> It’s a big one again this week! We complete our second and Gil episode focused on filmmaker Edwin S. Porter, and discuss how his movies relate to film history. This includes technical innovations, genre development, and early examples of voyeurism in film. 

There are several movie clips used in the show, but one of them is unusual for this program. It’s an excerpt from an IGN video review. The link for you to watch the whole review yourself is this here: https://youtu.be/_ee8aFnRvgY

If you would like to contact me, email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. You can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com. I will have the episode 13 webpage up in a day or two. 

-Jake,

23 March 2021

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8193989 Tue, 23 Mar 2021 02:00:00 -0700 1829 full false 12- Edwin S. Porter and Parallel Editing 12- Edwin S. Porter and Parallel Editing Edwin S. Porter and some of his early films and achievements are highlighted here, as well as some achievements that he did not... well, achieve. 

There are a couple of references that didn't fit into the flow of the show that I would like to put here:

All of the definitions I used in todays episode were taken directly from the third edition of Film: A Critical Introduction by Maria Pramaggiore and Tom Wallis published by Person in 2011. I felt it would be tedious to say that three times during the show. The boo published by Kodack is How to Make Good Movies: A Complete Guide got the Amateur Movie Maker, published in the year?? by ???? Seriously, there is basically no information about this book’s publication inside of it besides "printed in the United States of America." I did a little bit of searching online and all I have found is that it is from the 1950's. These old filmmaking instructional books are helpful because they cover the ways people were making film before the advent of digital cameras and editing, which is understandable the focus of much of the internet's filmmaking resources. 

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
and you can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com

see you next week!
-Jake

Support the show

]]> Edwin S. Porter and some of his early films and achievements are highlighted here, as well as some achievements that he did not... well, achieve. 

There are a couple of references that didn't fit into the flow of the show that I would like to put here:

All of the definitions I used in todays episode were taken directly from the third edition of Film: A Critical Introduction by Maria Pramaggiore and Tom Wallis published by Person in 2011. I felt it would be tedious to say that three times during the show. The boo published by Kodack is How to Make Good Movies: A Complete Guide got the Amateur Movie Maker, published in the year?? by ???? Seriously, there is basically no information about this book’s publication inside of it besides "printed in the United States of America." I did a little bit of searching online and all I have found is that it is from the 1950's. These old filmmaking instructional books are helpful because they cover the ways people were making film before the advent of digital cameras and editing, which is understandable the focus of much of the internet's filmmaking resources. 

If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
and you can visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com

see you next week!
-Jake

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8137905 Sun, 14 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0700 1806 full false 11a- The Movies of Alice Guy 11a- The Movies of Alice Guy It's the second part of episode 11, in which we cover Alice Guy's movies. Movies, after all, are just as much a part of film history as the people who made them (more actually). 
In this episode, we discuss:
Faust et Méphistophélès (1903)
A Story Well Spun (1906)
The Drunken Mattress (1907)
A Sticky Woman (1906)
Madame’s Cravings (1906)
The Consequences of Feminism (1906)
La Esmerelda (1905)
The Barricade (1907)
The Girl in the Armchair (1912)
A House Divided (1912)
A Fool and His Money (1912)
Ocean Waif (1916)

That looks like a big list, but the episode is still fun I promise. If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.  I will see you next week!

Support the show

]]> It's the second part of episode 11, in which we cover Alice Guy's movies. Movies, after all, are just as much a part of film history as the people who made them (more actually). 
In this episode, we discuss:
Faust et Méphistophélès (1903)
A Story Well Spun (1906)
The Drunken Mattress (1907)
A Sticky Woman (1906)
Madame’s Cravings (1906)
The Consequences of Feminism (1906)
La Esmerelda (1905)
The Barricade (1907)
The Girl in the Armchair (1912)
A House Divided (1912)
A Fool and His Money (1912)
Ocean Waif (1916)

That looks like a big list, but the episode is still fun I promise. If you would like to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com.  I will see you next week!

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-8025198 Wed, 24 Feb 2021 16:00:00 -0800 1791 bonus false 11- Titans of French Film 2: Leon Gaumont and Alice Guy 11- Titans of French Film 2: Leon Gaumont and Alice Guy A longer episode this week, and we aren't even done yet! In this exciting episode, we cover the early career of Leon Gaumont and his first star director Alice Guy, the first female filmmaker. It was worth the wait, and I will see you next week!

-Jake

Support the show

]]> A longer episode this week, and we aren't even done yet! In this exciting episode, we cover the early career of Leon Gaumont and his first star director Alice Guy, the first female filmmaker. It was worth the wait, and I will see you next week!

-Jake

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-7835107 Fri, 12 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800 2068 full false 10- The Life and Work of Max Linder 10- The Life and Work of Max Linder CORRECTION: Okay, it turns out Max Linder is much more remembered than I thought he was. Not only is he featured, albeit briefly, in many of the texts I didn't initially find him in, but he is even mentioned in the 2009 film Inglorious Bastards directed by Quinten Tarantino. The reason I thought he wasn't in many film history books were:
A) I had a lot less of them, and
B) He is usually featured much later, sometimes even after Chaplin and Silent Hollywood because many textbooks follow an order of "early film–Hollywood–everything else" in their chaptering. 
I am thrilled to be wrong about this because I love Linder's work, and the more people who know about him the better.

-Jake, May 2021

This week we cover one of the amazing forgotten pioneers of comedy film: Max Linder. All of the movie clips you hear are from Maude Linder's 1983 documentary The Man in the Silk Hat. You can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, or visit the shows website, still under construction, at historyoffilmpodcast.com.

Support the show

]]> CORRECTION: Okay, it turns out Max Linder is much more remembered than I thought he was. Not only is he featured, albeit briefly, in many of the texts I didn't initially find him in, but he is even mentioned in the 2009 film Inglorious Bastards directed by Quinten Tarantino. The reason I thought he wasn't in many film history books were:
A) I had a lot less of them, and
B) He is usually featured much later, sometimes even after Chaplin and Silent Hollywood because many textbooks follow an order of "early film–Hollywood–everything else" in their chaptering. 
I am thrilled to be wrong about this because I love Linder's work, and the more people who know about him the better.

-Jake, May 2021

This week we cover one of the amazing forgotten pioneers of comedy film: Max Linder. All of the movie clips you hear are from Maude Linder's 1983 documentary The Man in the Silk Hat. You can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, or visit the shows website, still under construction, at historyoffilmpodcast.com.

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-7381456 Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:00:00 -0800 1362 full false 9- Titans of Early French Film 1: Pathé 9- Titans of Early French Film 1: Pathé We cover the life and accomplishments of Charles Pathé! This is actually the first in a series of at least two episodes, as I hope to upload one about Leon Gaumont and Alice Guy within two weeks. Thank you all for staying with me through my December 2020 hiatus. Look forward to exciting shows this upcoming year! Also, I accidentally said that my email was historyoffilm@...com (I wish) it is actually historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> We cover the life and accomplishments of Charles Pathé! This is actually the first in a series of at least two episodes, as I hope to upload one about Leon Gaumont and Alice Guy within two weeks. Thank you all for staying with me through my December 2020 hiatus. Look forward to exciting shows this upcoming year! Also, I accidentally said that my email was historyoffilm@...com (I wish) it is actually historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. Thank you for listening!

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-7150471 Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:00:00 -0800 980 full false 8- George Albert Smith and the Brighton School 8- George Albert Smith and the Brighton School It was a big episode this time, and it took me a long time to write. But here it is! As I said at the end of the episode, a huge thanks to Stephen Herbert and Luke McKernan, whose work has proved to be the single most referenced resource I have used in making the show so far. You can their website here: https://www.victorian-cinema.net
The definition I used for "tracking Shot" came from the third edition of Film: A Critical  Introduction by Maria Pramaggiore and Tom Wallis, which has a very helpful glossary.  Another thanks to my dear friend Jerry, who in ten minutes of teaching me how to use the free and open source program Audacity made this the best-sounding episode so far.
If you want to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.  To see visual aids for this episode, visit https://www.historyoffilmpodcast.com/ which will have resources listed under episode 8.

Movie clips used in this episode are
Hercules, directed by  Ron Clements and John Musker (1997)
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, directed by Wes Anderson (2004)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail,  directed by Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones (1975)

Support the show

]]> It was a big episode this time, and it took me a long time to write. But here it is! As I said at the end of the episode, a huge thanks to Stephen Herbert and Luke McKernan, whose work has proved to be the single most referenced resource I have used in making the show so far. You can their website here: https://www.victorian-cinema.net
The definition I used for "tracking Shot" came from the third edition of Film: A Critical  Introduction by Maria Pramaggiore and Tom Wallis, which has a very helpful glossary.  Another thanks to my dear friend Jerry, who in ten minutes of teaching me how to use the free and open source program Audacity made this the best-sounding episode so far.
If you want to contact me, you can email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.  To see visual aids for this episode, visit https://www.historyoffilmpodcast.com/ which will have resources listed under episode 8.

Movie clips used in this episode are
Hercules, directed by  Ron Clements and John Musker (1997)
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, directed by Wes Anderson (2004)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail,  directed by Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones (1975)

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-6427129 Tue, 17 Nov 2020 14:00:00 -0800 1777 full false 7- Georges Méliès and the Magic of Editing 7- Georges Méliès and the Magic of Editing In the most dramatic and magical episode of the show so far, we cover the life and achievements of cinemas first great magician, Georges Méliès. The only movie clip is from the 2011 film Hugo, which touches on subjects of film history and Méliès specifically.  I cover the origins of edition, and the first special effects, called "in camera effects." As of 21 October, 2020, the website still isn't up yet, but I am working on it, I promise! you need to see Georges Méliès' movies to understand just how special they are, and I hope within a few weeks to make that possible through the shows website again.

Movie Recommendation:
Its October, so it obligatory that a recommend a scary movie to you. This time, its the Val Lewton produced 1942 masterpiece Cat People,  a classic horror film thats easy to miss under the ocean of classic Universal Studio's monster pictures (though I love all of those too). Cat people is more eerie than frightening, but includes some of the best moments of tension in classic Hollywood fright films. The titular cat person, whose tale is just as tragic as it is fascinating, haunts a man and woman who become less sympathetic the more you think about them. I hope you enjoy, and like always, try and see the move in the context it was made in, and you may find it frightening too!

Support the show

]]> In the most dramatic and magical episode of the show so far, we cover the life and achievements of cinemas first great magician, Georges Méliès. The only movie clip is from the 2011 film Hugo, which touches on subjects of film history and Méliès specifically.  I cover the origins of edition, and the first special effects, called "in camera effects." As of 21 October, 2020, the website still isn't up yet, but I am working on it, I promise! you need to see Georges Méliès' movies to understand just how special they are, and I hope within a few weeks to make that possible through the shows website again.

Movie Recommendation:
Its October, so it obligatory that a recommend a scary movie to you. This time, its the Val Lewton produced 1942 masterpiece Cat People,  a classic horror film thats easy to miss under the ocean of classic Universal Studio's monster pictures (though I love all of those too). Cat people is more eerie than frightening, but includes some of the best moments of tension in classic Hollywood fright films. The titular cat person, whose tale is just as tragic as it is fascinating, haunts a man and woman who become less sympathetic the more you think about them. I hope you enjoy, and like always, try and see the move in the context it was made in, and you may find it frightening too!

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-6010054 Wed, 21 Oct 2020 23:00:00 -0700 1597 full false 6- Lumiere "Firsts" and Advancements in Film Before Georges Méliès 6- Lumiere "Firsts" and Advancements in Film Before Georges Méliès This week we look at some of the "firsts" in film history as they occurred in the Lumiere's early projections. We also describe a few advancements in film technology, including the Latham Loop, and the Geneva Drive.

I have had to take the website down for a little while. There were just too many tech issues. But you can still listen at historyoffilm.buzzsprout.com. But I will return with a website soon. You can email me still at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

Movie Recommendation:
Have you ever heard of Seconds? It's a 1966 film directed by John Frankenheimer, and starring Rock Hudson. The best way I can describe it is like an episode of The Twilight Zone that has blossomed into a gorgeous, existentially terrifying movie that is unlike anything else I have ever seen. I first heard about it from this video here, and the good people at Criterion have made an amazing print. 

Support the show

]]> This week we look at some of the "firsts" in film history as they occurred in the Lumiere's early projections. We also describe a few advancements in film technology, including the Latham Loop, and the Geneva Drive.

I have had to take the website down for a little while. There were just too many tech issues. But you can still listen at historyoffilm.buzzsprout.com. But I will return with a website soon. You can email me still at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com

Movie Recommendation:
Have you ever heard of Seconds? It's a 1966 film directed by John Frankenheimer, and starring Rock Hudson. The best way I can describe it is like an episode of The Twilight Zone that has blossomed into a gorgeous, existentially terrifying movie that is unlike anything else I have ever seen. I first heard about it from this video here, and the good people at Criterion have made an amazing print. 

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-5563204 Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:00:00 -0700 949 full false 5- The Lumiere Brothers and Projected Cinema 5- The Lumiere Brothers and Projected Cinema This episode we cover an exciting, but ultimately unfruitful, film made in the Black Maria, and voyage to Europe to meet the Lumiere family, and their incredible contributions to cinema.

I told you the clips would start becoming useful just as soon as I could make them do it! This week we have sound clips from
The Edison-Dixon Experimental Sound Film (1895?)
Singing in the Rain (1954)
Amelie (2001) (the only one that isn't applicable to the episode)
Hugo (2011)

Support the show

]]> This episode we cover an exciting, but ultimately unfruitful, film made in the Black Maria, and voyage to Europe to meet the Lumiere family, and their incredible contributions to cinema.

I told you the clips would start becoming useful just as soon as I could make them do it! This week we have sound clips from
The Edison-Dixon Experimental Sound Film (1895?)
Singing in the Rain (1954)
Amelie (2001) (the only one that isn't applicable to the episode)
Hugo (2011)

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-5202349 Sat, 29 Aug 2020 15:00:00 -0700 1177 full false 4- Edison, Dixon and The Black Maria 4- Edison, Dixon and The Black Maria Let's all go to the movies! Sorry, I am two days late. Today we discuss the kinetograph, and the movies made on it, including Fred Ott's Sneeze, Comic Boxing, Serpentine Dance, and more.
If you want to contact me, my email is historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. The website for the show is historyoffilmpodcast.com.
I am using soundbites from movies as transitions, reminders of what this is all leading up to, and for my enjoyment (I hope yours too). Once we reach sound film, these clips will be relevant to the topic at hand, I promise. In this episode, these clips are:
The 39 Steps (1935)
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
Harakiri (1962) (One of my favorite movies of all time, if not my favorite)
Amadeus (1984)

Support the show

]]> Let's all go to the movies! Sorry, I am two days late. Today we discuss the kinetograph, and the movies made on it, including Fred Ott's Sneeze, Comic Boxing, Serpentine Dance, and more.
If you want to contact me, my email is historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. The website for the show is historyoffilmpodcast.com.
I am using soundbites from movies as transitions, reminders of what this is all leading up to, and for my enjoyment (I hope yours too). Once we reach sound film, these clips will be relevant to the topic at hand, I promise. In this episode, these clips are:
The 39 Steps (1935)
3:10 to Yuma (1957)
Harakiri (1962) (One of my favorite movies of all time, if not my favorite)
Amadeus (1984)

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-4930886 Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0700 1306 full false 3- The Birth of Cinema 3- The Birth of Cinema Kodak, Edison, and Dixon are introduced, as are their first roles in the story of film history. Next week we cover movies they made.
I use movie clips as transitions in this show. Once we reach sound film, all the clips will be very pertinent, but for now, it is just for the joy of movies and as a reminder of where we are eventually headed. This week the movies were:
Iron Man (2008)
Sabrina (1954)
Jaws (1975)
Brining up Baby (1938)
If you want to contact me, please email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and visit the show's website: historyoffilmpodcast.com.
Happy listening and I will see you next week!

Support the show

]]> Kodak, Edison, and Dixon are introduced, as are their first roles in the story of film history. Next week we cover movies they made.
I use movie clips as transitions in this show. Once we reach sound film, all the clips will be very pertinent, but for now, it is just for the joy of movies and as a reminder of where we are eventually headed. This week the movies were:
Iron Man (2008)
Sabrina (1954)
Jaws (1975)
Brining up Baby (1938)
If you want to contact me, please email me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com, and visit the show's website: historyoffilmpodcast.com.
Happy listening and I will see you next week!

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-4615211 Sat, 18 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0700 1169 full false 2- Cinema's Artistic Antecedents 2- Cinema's Artistic Antecedents Cinema was not born of void. Earlier inventions, including, but not limited to, the magic lantern, diorama theater, the photograph, and vaudeville contributed to what went on in front of the camera in the earliest days of film history. Visit the show's website, historyoffilmpodcast.com for show notes, and contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy the show!
I am using soundbites for movies as transitions, reminders of what this is all leading up to, and for my enjoyment (I hope yours too). Once we reach sound film, these clips will be relevant to the topic at hand, I promise. In this episode, these clips are:
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
They Live (1988)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Support the show

]]> Cinema was not born of void. Earlier inventions, including, but not limited to, the magic lantern, diorama theater, the photograph, and vaudeville contributed to what went on in front of the camera in the earliest days of film history. Visit the show's website, historyoffilmpodcast.com for show notes, and contact me at historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. Enjoy the show!
I am using soundbites for movies as transitions, reminders of what this is all leading up to, and for my enjoyment (I hope yours too). Once we reach sound film, these clips will be relevant to the topic at hand, I promise. In this episode, these clips are:
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
They Live (1988)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Support the show

]]> History of Film Buzzsprout-4469306 Mon, 06 Jul 2020 22:00:00 -0700 1168 full false 1- Cinema's Earliest Prehistory 1- Cinema's Earliest Prehistory The foundations of cinema from cave paintings to the invention of the chronophotographic gun. Visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com. If you want to get in touch, I would love to hear from you! My email is, predictably, historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. Audio from movies are used here as transitions, to spice up the show and to remind us where the show is going; clips are from Casablanca (1942), The Maltese Falcon (1941),  and Rushmore (1999). 

Jake from the future here! Edgar Degas is not a filmmaker he is a painter. I misread the book I was using when I referenced this. If we do, for some reason, talk about Degas, it will not be in the context of filmmaking, because he... wasn't a filmmaker.
Yours,
-Jake
12 April 2021

Support the show

]]> The foundations of cinema from cave paintings to the invention of the chronophotographic gun. Visit the show's website at historyoffilmpodcast.com. If you want to get in touch, I would love to hear from you! My email is, predictably, historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com. Audio from movies are used here as transitions, to spice up the show and to remind us where the show is going; clips are from Casablanca (1942), The Maltese Falcon (1941),  and Rushmore (1999). 

Jake from the future here! Edgar Degas is not a filmmaker he is a painter. I misread the book I was using when I referenced this. If we do, for some reason, talk about Degas, it will not be in the context of filmmaking, because he... wasn't a filmmaker.
Yours,
-Jake
12 April 2021

Support the show

]]> Jacob Buzzsprout-4242653 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0700 1536 full false