I read that early moviegoers would freak out thinking the onscreen actuon was real (i.e. running away from an onscreen train). Is this true? Are there any notable examples of this? | AskHistorians Archive Observer

I read that early moviegoers would freak out thinking the onscreen actuon was real (i.e. running away from an onscreen train). Is this true? Are there any notable examples of this?

by DownFromYesBad

Searocksandtrees

hi, you may find something useful in these earlier posts...

Is there any truth to the story of an early film audience panicking when a film of a train approaching the camera was played? - /u/texpeare discusses reactions to the film L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat
Are there techniques in movies and TV which only became possible due to increased sophistication of the audience? - a few comments about early film techniques in relation to audience comprehension