This 1960s footage compilation features various cinema screens and stages from the past, with some shots drawn from theatrical films or advertisements. Created by projectionist and filmmaker Vernon Sundfors, the collage of screenings traces the development and diversity of cinematic contexts, from grand theatre screenings to small, intimate viewings at home. Screenings of silent cinema icon Mack Sennett and the Fun Factory sit alongside secluded horror showings and a crowd gathering for a preview of the 1921 romance The Sheik.

The rapid evolution evident in this compilation is a reminder that feature films remain a relatively new medium. Since the early 1900s, filmmakers have branched into diverse creative directions and courted a range of audiences, and the clip shows that present-day film lovers have always been interested in the contexts and technologies of the recent past. Near the end of the excerpt, viewers can also spot a 35mm projector, a format that remains popular into the 21st century.

Explore more of After Dark – a Deep Dive into Australian nightlife that draws on decades of material from the NFSA collection.