Phantom ride

Phantom rides were an early genre of film popular in Britain and the US at the end of the 19th century. Known more generally as "panoramas" at the time, phantom rides were one of the first types of motion picture ever publicly demonstrated. Pre-dating true narrative, the films simply show the progress of a vehicle moving forwards, usually shot by mounting a camera on the front. Much of the footage was shot by cameramen who actually strapped themselves to the front of a train.^[1][2]

While the majority of phantom rides were filmed from the front of a train there were variations on the theme particularly in later examples. The term "phantom ride" was applied because there was no visible means of propulsion. The position of the camera meant that only the track and scenery could be seen and the movement appeared to be coming from an invisible force. Like most early films, phantom rides only lasted a few minutes.^[1]

History

Most films before phantom rides used static cameras with all the action happening within the scene. This new style of film-making popularised the idea of motion created by the movement of the camera. The audience were wowed by the speed and unique perspectives that these films introduced, for the first time experiencing the view of travelling while seated in a small hall. Though the first films showed local tracks the demand for new footage led to more exotic locations being filmed. This brought a new dimension to the genre, showing foreign lands to those who would otherwise never see them.^[1]

Leaving Jerusalem by Railway and The Haverstraw Tunnel, released in 1897 by the Lumière brothers and the American Mutoscope Company respectively, are considered the first examples of phantom rides in cinema. It features a train travelling along the West Shore Railroad in New York and then through the eponymous tunnel.^[3] Several other films replicated the effect over the coming years to an impressed audience.

The concept of phantom rides was to dramatically change with the opening of Hale's Tours of the World in 1906. A predecessor to modern simulators and 4-D films, these shows involved more than just the projected video footage. The cinema itself was designed to physically mimic the experience of being in the carriage of a train, with piped sounds of train whistles and rushing steam adding to the visuals. The benching was even designed to shake to add realism to the feeling of movement along the track. Hale's Tours were successful enough for them to open four venues in London and several others across the UK.^[1]

The popularity of phantom rides was short-lived. The rapid development of film-making techniques meant that the audience quickly moved onto other things and by 1910 they no longer accepted these single-shot visuals. Narrative in film progressed and phantom rides were demoted to being one scene out of several in more story-driven movies.^[1] 4-D films have revitalised the genre, using similar techniques to show riders on rollercoasters and in racing cars.

See also

• History of film

References