Of Money & Magic: The Industry and Artistry of Early American Film

“A Movie Camera Study Of Those Who Mean Most To It” from MGM Studios, 1927

An Exhibit at
Free Library of Philadelphia
Rare Book Department – 3rd floor
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Presented by the Theatre Collection of the Rare Book Department, this exhibition celebrates the early celluloid era while tracing the development of the moving picture from cinema prehistory to the advent of sound. By examining these changes from the perspective of the actors, directors, producers, and studios (including the Philadelphia-based Lubin Film Manufacturing Company), visitors will see how business, technology, and artistic expression dovetailed to create and grow what has become one of the most popular of all modern entertainments. The exhibition features film stills, advertising, studio documents, and artifacts such as an original 1904 Lubin projector.

This exhibit runs August 12, 2013 through January 11, 2014; Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.