Phantom ride
Encyclopedia
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 "panorama
s" 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.
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.
The Haverstraw Tunnel
, released in 1897 by the American Mutoscope Company
, is considered to be the first example of a phantom ride. It features a train travelling along the West Shore Railroad
in New York and then through the eponymous tunnel. 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 film
s, 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.
The popularity of phantom rides was shortlived. 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. 4-D films have revitalised the genre, using similar techniques to show riders on rollercoasters and in racing cars.
Panorama
A panorama is any wide-angle view or representation of a physical space, whether in painting, drawing, photography, film/video, or a three-dimensional model....
s" at the time, phantom rides were one of the first types of motion picture ever publicly demonstrated. Pre-dating true narrative
Narrative
A narrative is a constructive format that describes a sequence of non-fictional or fictional events. The word derives from the Latin verb narrare, "to recount", and is related to the adjective gnarus, "knowing" or "skilled"...
, 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.
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.
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.The Haverstraw Tunnel
The Haverstraw Tunnel
The Haverstraw Tunnel is an early film released in 1897 by the American Mutoscope Company. It is considered to be the first example of a phantom ride and features a train travelling along the West Shore Railroad in New York and then through the eponymous tunnel....
, released in 1897 by the American Mutoscope Company
American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
The American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, was a motion picture company founded in 1895 and active until 1928. It was the first company in the United States devoted entirely to film production and exhibition, and for two decades was one of the most prolific, releasing over three thousand short...
, is considered to be the first example of a phantom ride. It features a train travelling along the West Shore Railroad
West Shore Railroad
The West Shore Railroad was the final name of a railroad from Weehawken, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City, north along the west shore of the river to Albany, New York and then west to Buffalo...
in New York and then through the eponymous tunnel. 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
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
and 4-D film
4-D film
4-D film is a marketing term that describes an entertainment presentation system combining a 3-D film with physical effects in the theatre, which occur in synchronization with the film...
s, 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.
The popularity of phantom rides was shortlived. 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. 4-D films have revitalised the genre, using similar techniques to show riders on rollercoasters and in racing cars.