Martin L. Johnson
@martinlj.bsky.social
Film historian and urbanist. Co-president of Domitor, the international society for the study of early cinema. Coming attractions include A Teaching Companion to Silent Cinema (Rutgers) and a history of advertising film.
Computers putting college graduates out of work in ... checks date ... 1964.
September 26, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Computers putting college graduates out of work in ... checks date ... 1964.
I’m in the room! More CHC folks should go to @yimbytown.bsky.social.
September 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I’m in the room! More CHC folks should go to @yimbytown.bsky.social.
My dog’s name is Bela!
August 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
My dog’s name is Bela!
A six-mile section of the Ecusta Trail is opening soon in Hendersonville. In 2009, when the Bolin Creek Trail was first approved by the Carrboro Town Council, the Ecusta Trail was still a privately owned rail line. 16 years later, it’s a greenway for all to enjoy.
June 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
A six-mile section of the Ecusta Trail is opening soon in Hendersonville. In 2009, when the Bolin Creek Trail was first approved by the Carrboro Town Council, the Ecusta Trail was still a privately owned rail line. 16 years later, it’s a greenway for all to enjoy.
Probably. But I bet there are places that have enough demand for such a service. It also seems that could design something that would work temporarily. In Italy, they have train cars reserved for bikes.
June 7, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Probably. But I bet there are places that have enough demand for such a service. It also seems that could design something that would work temporarily. In Italy, they have train cars reserved for bikes.
Paula Felix Didier on decolonial preservation practices, discusses the need to circumvent the historical marginalization of Latin American cinema. #NitratePictureShow
May 30, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Paula Felix Didier on decolonial preservation practices, discusses the need to circumvent the historical marginalization of Latin American cinema. #NitratePictureShow
Of course, the Novelty Theater in Redding, California, near where the robbery (and murder) took place in April 1904, decided to show the film again in May, just so people could see what inspired the incident.
March 17, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Of course, the Novelty Theater in Redding, California, near where the robbery (and murder) took place in April 1904, decided to show the film again in May, just so people could see what inspired the incident.
In 1904, two amateur criminals decided to re-enact the film The Great Train Robbery (1903). They were successful, to a degree, but didn't bring enough dynamite to blow up the safe. That, and the train they attempted to rob didn't have any money on board.
March 17, 2025 at 1:26 AM
In 1904, two amateur criminals decided to re-enact the film The Great Train Robbery (1903). They were successful, to a degree, but didn't bring enough dynamite to blow up the safe. That, and the train they attempted to rob didn't have any money on board.
I must admit, learning that I was cited in a new book titled "Academic Writing as if Readers Matter" did cause a moment of panic. Fortunately, my section heading was cited as a model, not a cautionary tale! @princetonupress.bsky.social press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
March 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I must admit, learning that I was cited in a new book titled "Academic Writing as if Readers Matter" did cause a moment of panic. Fortunately, my section heading was cited as a model, not a cautionary tale! @princetonupress.bsky.social press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Could you make an Ask round sticker that's the size of the "beg" button?
March 10, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Could you make an Ask round sticker that's the size of the "beg" button?
1913 in review, as a motion picture. El Paso, Texas.
March 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
1913 in review, as a motion picture. El Paso, Texas.
In 1999, Chapel Hill built a new middle school but refused to construct a sidewalk because they didn't want students to walk to school. Twenty-six years later there's still no sidewalk, and the school system is having trouble running adequate bus service.
March 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
In 1999, Chapel Hill built a new middle school but refused to construct a sidewalk because they didn't want students to walk to school. Twenty-six years later there's still no sidewalk, and the school system is having trouble running adequate bus service.
For example, see Brookline's 130 acre public golf course, just five miles from Fenway Park, and a twenty-minute walk from a T stop. The land values likely support a development of 2-3K homes.
February 11, 2025 at 3:59 AM
For example, see Brookline's 130 acre public golf course, just five miles from Fenway Park, and a twenty-minute walk from a T stop. The land values likely support a development of 2-3K homes.
For example, the annual budget for UNCCH's libraries is $50 million. Of that, more than 20 percent ($11 million) comes from Facilities & Administrative support, aka indirect support from NIH, et al. If Trump's cuts are applied to that total, this number could drop to as low as $3 million.
February 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
For example, the annual budget for UNCCH's libraries is $50 million. Of that, more than 20 percent ($11 million) comes from Facilities & Administrative support, aka indirect support from NIH, et al. If Trump's cuts are applied to that total, this number could drop to as low as $3 million.
In 1915, a Cincinnati newspaper held a contest to rename the term used to describe moviegoers. Instead of audience (which implies an audience that hears), a 12-year girl proposed we use "optience."
January 21, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In 1915, a Cincinnati newspaper held a contest to rename the term used to describe moviegoers. Instead of audience (which implies an audience that hears), a 12-year girl proposed we use "optience."
New York censors' proposed cuts for Battleship Potemkin, targeting the Odessa Steps scene. 1926. (h/t the MPPDA Archive).
January 21, 2025 at 2:07 AM
New York censors' proposed cuts for Battleship Potemkin, targeting the Odessa Steps scene. 1926. (h/t the MPPDA Archive).
Prophecy in 1925.
January 19, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Prophecy in 1925.
In 1979, students at UNC formed an anti-disco organization called ACID (Association to Counteract the Influence of Disco). Within weeks, there was a counter organization, WILD (We Insist on Loving Disco).
January 18, 2025 at 8:28 PM
In 1979, students at UNC formed an anti-disco organization called ACID (Association to Counteract the Influence of Disco). Within weeks, there was a counter organization, WILD (We Insist on Loving Disco).
And, of course, Blue Velvet was largely filmed in Lumberton, NC, though the L.A. Times was skeptical whether it'd be popular with the locals. (From 1986)
January 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
And, of course, Blue Velvet was largely filmed in Lumberton, NC, though the L.A. Times was skeptical whether it'd be popular with the locals. (From 1986)
RIP David Lynch, who directed what is perhaps the best film ever made in the state of North Carolina. (Newspaper clippings from 1984; Blue Velvet was filmed in Wilmington, NC in the summer and fall of 1985).
January 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
RIP David Lynch, who directed what is perhaps the best film ever made in the state of North Carolina. (Newspaper clippings from 1984; Blue Velvet was filmed in Wilmington, NC in the summer and fall of 1985).