Fantastic Etiquette Screen Cards for Unruly Cinema Goers In 1912

You think going to the cinema now is hard work, dealing with the smart phone users, the Nacho munchers and the language school teacher explaining to her students the Into The Woods plot in Spanish, French and whatever language they use in Hell. Well, in 1910, things were worse. In a word: hats. Back then the silent cinema was rife with bad manners. John D Scott and Edward Van Altena set about controlling the uncouth with screen cards.

The Library of Congress, describes them as words “superimposed on humorous photograph, and the whole shown in a fancy carved frame.”

And they are marvellous:

 

 

 

 

Spotter: The Library of Congress