As the 19th century drew towards its close, the Victorians were able to enjoy a new leisure activity in the form of the 'moving photographs' projected by the Cinematograph and similar devices. This lecture will look briefly at the technology that made this possible, including who developed it and where, before considering other aspects of what became an enormously popular form of entertainment. How accessible was it to different social classes; and what was so exciting about films such as 'Father Playing with his Children', 'Rough Sea at Ramsgate' and 'Gardener Burning Weeds'. The first purpose-built cinemas were not opened until the early 20th century - so where did the Victorians watch their films? Given their highly inflammable nature, what sort of control was exercised over these venues - or over content that might be considered 'unsuitable' for a public audience? We will also consider the impact of newsreel film at the cinema, particularly to a nation at war in South Africa.
Course aim
This lecture will focus on the development of the cinema as a new leisure activity for the Victorians towards the end of the 19th century, considering the technical developments that made it possible, its audiences, and the content that they viewed.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identify the real and perceived dangers of the cinema in the late 19th century.
What else do I need to know?
Your lecture will be delivered in a ‘traditional’ talk-to-camera style, but there will be opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussion at the end. Slide-show images will be used to illustrate key points, and a short summary of the lecture will be posted to Canvas soon after the event.
View full course information sheet
