Louis Lumiere Died Today

[Mitchell Dvoskin]

Born 1864, Died 1948

[Douglas Meltzer]

It must have been an incredible experience to attend that first screening of ten Lumiere films (less than a minute each) in 1895.

[Dominique De Bast]

The article is in French but you can see a picture of the builiding, now the Scribe hotel, where the first public projection was held. There is a only one sentence to remind it. If you scroll down, you can see a lonk to the ten films projected on that historical day. https://www.unjourdeplusaparis.com/p...ublique-cinema

[Larry Arpin]

Here's a Google translate of the article:

Passing in front of 14, boulevard des Capucines (9th arrondissement), one notices only the very luxurious Hôtel Scribe, drowned in the permanent tumult of the Parisian Grands Boulevards. If you take a closer look, you will notice a commemorative plaque at the entrance to the restaurants and lounges of the Hotel:

"Here on December 28, 1895 took place the first public projections of animated photography using the cinematograph, a device invented by the Lumière Brothers."

While the first photograph of a human being was taken in Paris, it was also in the capital that the first public cinema screening took place. Paris, an eternal link with the history of art!

On the site of the present Scribe Hotel was in the 19th century Le Grand Café, the basement of which was used on December 28, 1895 by Auguste and Louis Lumière to present to the public a new invention: the cinematograph.

A device already presented to a group of scientists several months earlier (March 22, 1895), which the Lumière Brothers later wanted to introduce to the general public. They headed first towards the Folies-Bergère and the Grévin Museum, but, faced with the refusal - even contempt - of the directors of the performance halls, decided to choose a less prestigious place for their screenings, and rented the Indian lounge from Big coffee.

[Dominique De Bast]

Thanks, Larry. I should have added a translation.

Here is the last part of the article (La presse est conviée, mais ne viendra pas. Deux affiches collées de part et d’autres de l’entrée du Café annoncent le “cinématographe Lumière“, tandis que les organisateurs tentent de séduire les passants. Au prix de 1 Franc, tarif un peu élevé pour l’époque où un ticket de spectacle valait aux alentours de 30 centimes, seuls 33 curieux participeront à ce moment historique. Au moment même où le mur s’anima, diffusant “La Sortie de l’Usine Lumière à Lyon”, les spectateurs furent cloués sur leurs sièges. La séance dura en tout 20 minutes, découpée en 10 petits films. Le cinéma est né.)

Personnal translation so it's aproximate, apologize.

Journalists were invited but didn't come. Two posters sticked on both parts of the café entrance announces the "cinematographe Lumière" while the organizators were triying to attract passers-by. With an entrance fee at 1 franc, a little pricy for that time when an entertainment ticket was around 30 centimes (0.30 franc), only curious people took part at this historical moment. At the very moment when the wall animated itself showing "La sortie de l'usine Lumière à Lyon", the audience was rooted to their seats (if that can be said so in English). The show lasted in total during 20 minutes, with 10 little films. The cinema was born.