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Movie poster: The Thanhouser Studio and the Birth of American Cinema (2014)
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The Thanhouser Studio and the Birth of American Cinema

2014 · 53 min Documentary
7.5 / 10 · TMDB

One-hour documentary recounts the untold story of the remarkable rise and fall of the Thanhouser Studio, one of American’s pioneering motion picture studios during the first decade of the twentieth century. It traces the evolution of one family’s career as it transitioned from producing live theater to establishing one of the most successful independent silent motion picture studios. The Thanhouser Studio produced and released over 1,000 silent motion pictures that were acclaimed by critics and seen by audiences around the world. Set against a background of the industry playing out in New York, Florida and California, it is a compelling story of fame and fortune, twisted by the vagaries of fate and ending on a bittersweet note.

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📋 Film Details

Year 2014
Genre Documentary
Director Ned Thanhouser
Runtime 53 min.
Rating TMDB: 7.5/10 (2 votes)

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🎬 MovieFinder's Take

The Thanhouser Studio and the Birth of American Cinema is a very strong film rated 7.5/10. Great direction and performances make this one well worth adding to your watchlist.

A high rating speaks for itself — this film found its audience and didn't let them down. Trust the collective taste.

A 2014 film from an era before CGI overload, with real performances that still hit hard. Best for: any evening when you want quality cinema with no compromises.

— MovieFinder Editorial

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