The Film Industry of Fort Lee.

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Fort Lee enjoys their cities history and happiness.

Fort Lee was the Nation’s First “Hollywood.”

Today, Hollywood, California is most often considered to be the filmmaking capital of America, if not the world.  However, this has not always been the case.  In fact, little more than a hundred years ago, the town of Fort Lee, New Jersey was at the heart of the fledgling filmmaking industry.  This seemingly odd circumstance resulted because of at least four practical reasons.  First, Thomas Edison invented the movie camera in nearby West Orange and soon after established the very first movie studio there.  A second reason for Fort lee’s rise as a moviemaking mecca was its proximity to New York City and its large pool of theater actors.  Thirdly, the town was located in the country’s main commercial and population hub at the time.  Lastly, it offered diverse and easy to access landscapes for filming locations.

The Fort Lee Film Industry is Born

Fort Lee’s early status as the nation’s first major film-producing center largely developed because of the efforts of inventor Thomas Edison.  In 1886, Edison invented the kinetoscope, the world’s first motion picture camera.  Eventually, in 1893, the inventor built the first movie production studio, “Black Maria,” on the grounds of his West Orange workshop, a mere thirty miles away from Fort Lee.  After acquiring several patents related to his new invention and forming a movie production syndicate, Edison became the dominant force in the film industry for several years.  The movies of his companies, like the popular 1907 silent film “Rescued from an Eagle’s Nest,” introduced other would-be moviemakers to the area as a prime filming location.           

Benefits of Locating in Fort Lee and How it Fueled the New Industry

Located across from Manhattan, where the present-day George Washington Bridge crosses the Hudson River, Fort Lee was an ideal location for movie studios.  This was true for various obvious reasons, like:

• Fort Lee was near centers of movie making technology, making it more convenient for firms to acquire and maintain equipment
• The town was located just across the river from the nation’s largest and most famous theater district, giving studios easy access to a large pool of talented actors  
• It was in the heart of America’s largest population and commercial center, which put filmmakers closer to potential funding sources, made film production and distribution much easier, and gave firms access to more venues to showcase their movies
• The area around the town offered diverse landscapes, including various urban and natural environments, ideal for films depicting varied international settings   

All of these benefits were quickly noticed by other aspiring film directors and motion picture production companies that settled there between 1907 and 1918.  Famed directors like D.W. Griffith shot hundreds of movies around Fort Lee and, by 1918, eleven or more production studios had located there.        

The Notable Movies and Actors of the Fort Lee Era

At its zenith, the Fort Lee motion picture industry cranked out hundreds of films and hosted the talents of several notable actors and actresses.  Some of the more notable films from the era included:

• The Call of the Wild (1908), a Western melodrama about the relationship between an Indian brave and a white woman
• The Battle (1911), a picture set during the American Civil War
• Robin Hood (1912), a movie about Robin Hood and his merry men
• The Blue Bird (1918), a fantasy film
• Within Our Gates (1919), a theatrical response to D.W. Griffith’s controversial picture The Birth of a Nation (1915) and the earliest known film made by an African American

In these early days of motion pictures, it was not uncommon to see famed industry celebrities walking about in this community on the Hudson.  A few of the more recognizable A-list stars that passed through the area while working on movies were:

• “Fatty” Arbuckle
• Lionel Barrymore
• Lillian Gish
• Mary Pickford
• Will Rogers
• Rudolph Valentino

These particular actors and actresses were so influential that they defined the silent film era and essentially all of them are remembered today.

The End of Fort Lee’s Golden Age

Fort Lee’s time as the movie capital of the world effectively ended in 1918.  The frigid winter of that year, combined with coal shortages fostered by the First World War, made it difficult for local film studios to heat their facilities and continue production.  In addition to this hardship was the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 that forced production companies to close for weeks at a time.  Ultimately, all these problems motivated these firms to relocate to the Los Angeles area.     

As you can see, unforeseen circumstances can upset the plans of anyone.  This is why the water damage mitigation experts at SERVPRO of Fort Lee would like to remind you that we are always ready to deal with your water-related issues.  Call us anytime at (201) 496-6024 for assistance.

What Does SERVPRO Do to Remediate Your Water-Related Problems?

Once SERVPRO technicians are onsite, they quickly get to work on mitigating potential water damage.  They locate, dry, deodorize, and repair water-impacted structural elements and household contents.  Some of the specific measures our skilled professionals take to remediate your home’s water damage are:

• Quickly identifying water sources and affected materials with moisture sensors/meters and infrared cameras
• Effectively repairing leaks that are causing your water issues
• Rapidly removing all standing water with wet vacs and powerful extractors
• Using cutting edge air movers, dehumidifiers, and Injectidry systems to dry surfaces and areas in your home affected by excess moisture
• Disinfecting and deodorizing impacted carpeting and furnishings with innovative injection devices
• Employing ultra-low volume and thermal foggers to kill harmful microbes and neutralize odors

These time-tested procedures are highly effective in mitigating your home’s water-related problems and saving you money in the long run.

Your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of Fort Lee understand the ultimate impact of water damage on your home and life.  With that said, we want you to know that our water damage mitigation team is ready to help you whenever you need us.  Call us at (201) 496-6024 for assistance.