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The Parade's Gone by . . .

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As late as 1931 when Georovesti, Rumania was treated to its first motion-picture show. Twelve peasants were hurt in the rush for the exit.

When Lumière's train arrived at La Ciotat station in 1895, it made history. For it was photographed as it came toward, and past the camera. The motion picture had at last made it possible to show an object approaching an audience.

Lumière selected the head-on view in order to get the whole train into the picture; a side angle would have been inadequate. By doing this he unconsciously added the one element missing from other attempts at simulating movement: dynamism.

Although it was peacefully steaming to a halt, a sight

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familiar to every member of the audience, Lumière's train appeared to be hurtling out of the screen. According to the original reports, some women screamed, others fainted. As it was, they scarcely had time to duck.