Movies Before Hollywood:
        A Legacy of Film Making in the Tri-State Area

Location Filming  |  Cuddebackville   |   Who Came   |   Locally Made Films

The Museum's exhibit

This exhibition illustrates the development of early film making, focusing on films made in the Tri-State area up to 1915. The film industry was centered in New York City during these early years, and many short and feature silent films were made throughout the surrounding counties.

During the period of 1895 to 1910, New York City was the capital of film production and distribution. New York City was the natural center for film making because of the availability of acting talent, props, theatrical expertise and money. Many of these early film companies were only in existence for a few years or even only a few months, then going bankrupt or merging with another company.

Location Filming

Most of the film companies based in New York City between 1895 and 1912 and even later, shot the interior scenes for their films in established film studios, and shot the exterior scenes at numerous outdoor locations throughout the area. All film companies went out on location for filming exterior scenes, and they utilized many surrounding areas and especially Fort Lee, New Jersey. Fort Lee was an ideal place to film because it was easily and cheaply reached by a ten-cent ferry ride from 125th Street in Manhattan.

Film companies soon tired of using the Fort Lee area exclusively, and sought other areas for new location filming. Trips of a few days or even a few weeks were taken to predetermined locations, and in this short time, three or more films could be made. In Orange County, the small hamlet of Cuddebackville was a favorite and well used location.

Cuddebackville

D.W. Griffith

Cuddebackville was a favorite and fondly remembered spot for location filming. The Biograph Company came here in 1909, 1910 and 1911. The Victor Film Company, with Florence Lawrence, filmed here in 1912, and the Pathe Freres Company with Pearl White (star of The Perils of Pauline) stayed here during May and June of 1912. In 1913, a small film company named GEM also filmed in Cuddebackville.

When working for the Biograph Company, D.W. Griffith brought the film company to Cuddebackville on six separate occasions, three times in 1909, twice in 1910 and once in 1911.

Twenty films were completed, which utilized the beautiful unspoiled natural surroundings for breathtaking location shots for Indian and western films, historical dramas and even comedies. Cuddebackville had everything needed to make films, varied scenic possibilities, housing facilities and it was accessible by train from New York City. D.W. Griffith felt that the canal, Neversink River, nearby rocky cliffs and the colonial stone houses were perfect for films.

Mary Pickford

The Caudebec Inn was located on Oakland Valley Road a short distance from Route 209 on the left side of the road facing the D&H Canal freight basin. It was a summer hotel that could hold approximately eighty guests at capacity, which included some guests sleeping on cots in the halls. During this early film making period, it was known as an inn popular with New York City businessmen, politicians and of course, film companies.


Who Came to the Tri-State Area?

Lillian Gish
  • D.W. Griffith (1875 - 1948)
  • Lillian Gish (1896 - 1993)
  • Florence Lawrence (1886 - 1938)
  • Mabel Normand (1894 - 1930)
  • Mary Pickford (1893 - 1979)
  • Mack Sennett (1880 - 1960)


Films known to have been made in Cuddebackville

Poster for 'The Eagle's Mate'
  • The Indian Runner's Romance, American Biograph 1909
  • The Mended Lute, American Biograph 1909
  • The Hessian Renegades or 1776, American Biograph 1909
  • The Little Darling, American Biograph 1909
  • In Old Kentucky, American Biograph 1909
  • Muggsy Becomes A Hero, American Biograph 1909
  • Comata the Sioux, American Biograph 1909
  • A Fair Exchange, American Biograph 1909
  • Leather Stocking, American Biograph 1909
  • Fools of Fate, American Biograph 1909
  • Mountaineers Honor, American Biograph 1909
  • In Life's Cycle, American Biograph 1910
  • Willful Peggy, American Biograph 1910
  • A Summer Idyll, American Biograph 1910
  • The Modern Prodigal, American Biograph 1910
  • That Chink at Golden Gulch, American Biograph 1910
  • The Broken Doll, American Biograph 1910
  • The Gold Necklace, American Biograph 1910
  • The Revenue Man and the Girl, American Biograph 1911
  • The Squaw's Love, American Biograph 1911
  • The Forest Rose, Thanhouser 1912