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Arts & Entertainment

Photos: These Slides From 1912 Scolded Your Bad Movie Theater Behavior

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We here at LAist think it's your civic duty to not be obnoxious at the movie theater. Based on these amazing vintage slides uncovered from the archives of the Library of Congress, it's validating to know that even a century ago we were admonishing people for acting like jerks at the picture show.

These paper slides were all made circa 1912 by Scott and Van Altena, a slide manufacturer that folded in 1919, and it's a nice reminder that the movie experience was a little different back then. Movies, which were usually much shorter too, often ran as double-features and sometimes included live musical or comedy acts. But other than that, audience behavior doesn't seem to have changed all that much—aside from the introduction of cell phones to annoy you even more.


Popping up behind the seats of two unassuming women while crossing your eyes is also not allowed.
No stomping, you hooligans!
That means you too, movie critic Jan Wahl.
Moo.
Don't forget to remove the hats!
Oh geez now that's an awfully passive-aggressive way of making the same message as before. Sheesh.
That probably means D.W. Griffith's The Musketeers Of Pig Alley, the "first gangster film," wasn't shown at this respectable establishment.
"Annoyed" is the 1912 euphemism for "sexually harassed."
Shows were often double-features with live performances, hence this slide. Also, is that even enough time to pee?
Awwwwww.
Play the hits!
That is a big umbrella.
Thank you, come again![h/t HuffPo]

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