Below is a timeline for all of the notable events pertaining to the home movies business (movies for the home on film formats). It should be noted that this website uses the term, “Home Video,” in two different ways. Firstly, it uses it as an umbrella term for the viewing of movies in the home, physical or otherwise. Secondly, its also the label given to the era in time where movies are being released on physical video formats.
1939
Official Films
Official Films is formed by producer Leslie Winik to distribute home movies.
July 13th, 1940 (Billboard, 1940/07/20, p. 68)
The Panoram is Demonstrated
The Mill’s Novelty Company demonstrates the Panoram at the National Education Association Convention. It is a coin-operated jukebox that projects 16mm music performances (called “soundies”) on a TV-like screen. They were launched commercially the following year.
January 4th, 1947
Universal Pictures Purchases Castle Films
Universal purchases a controlling interest in Castle Films through their non-theatrical division, United World Films for $1.5 million. They become the first studio to own a home movies division.
July 17th, 1948 (Billboard, 1948/07/24, p. 18)
Mel Blanc Sues Castle Films
Mel Blanc sues Castle Films among others for $260,000 for distributing a cartoon and song with his signature Woody Woodpecker laugh without authorization.
May 12th, 1959 (Billboard, 1959/04/20, p. 30)
Cinebox
The Cinebox is first launched at the Milan Fair. It is an Italian movie jukebox which improved upon the Panoram of twenty years prior. Unlike the Panoram, it used color 16 mm film and gave its user the ability to choose from 40 performances. It is introduced to the U.S. in 1963.
1960 (Billboard, 1961/04/16, p. 53)
Scopitone
The Scopitone was a French movie jukebox competing with the Italian Cinebox. It also used color 16 mm film, but gave its user a selection from 36 performances. Sold for 25,000 francs. Introduced to the U.S. in 1964.
1962
Technicolor Instant Movie Projector
A projector that used “magi-cartridges”. These cartridges housed short 8mm films and did not require threading. Believed to have inspired the videocassette.
1968
Disney Creates Their Own Home Movies Division
Disney drops Hollywood Film Enterprises to create their own home movies label, releasing titles on the Super 8 format.
1977
Universal Changes the Name of Castle Films to “Universal 8”
Universal conducts a complete upgrade of their own home movie division by rebranding it as “Universal 8.”
1989 (Derran 1989 Catalog)
Derran Films Releases a Feature-Length Super 8 Release of “Star Wars”
Derran films in the U.K. releases a full-length print of Star Wars (1977) on Super 8. This is the only time that the the film is ever released in full to the public on film. It is on 4 600ft reels and is presented in scope. It sells for £289 (for the stereo version).