What is a Roadshow Film?

Over the years since cinema became popularized about 100 years ago in the 1920s there have been many different ways for movies and films to be presented, booked, and advertised. Different eras certainly had different ideas in store as to what would attract moviegoers to the cinema and what type of advertisements would lead to sold out shows. Just as various types of films, like roadshows, were classified based on the genre, subgenre or era for which they were popular, we also see certain classifications based largely on design and how the shows were presented. So, what is a roadshow film and what were roadshows like?

What is a Roadshow Film?

The roadshow film dates back to the very early 1900s. And was in fact a term that was more widely representative of the touring company of a theatrical stage show.

Oftentimes, the travelers involved in the Circus would be called the roadshow. In the early days of cinema, some films were presented in a similar manner.

They provided viewers the exclusivity of a live performance. In which the films would open only in the best theaters in the biggest cities. And they would play ONLY at the cinemas for sometimes up to a whole year.

Roadshow films were presented as a theatrical event. This type of engagement took the stand as quite possibly the most bold, and attractive way of booking, advertising, and selling movies of the era. 

Where Does the Term Roadshow Film Originate?

The roadshow film originates from the first feature length silent film that was shown in a proper theater on West 45 Street in 1912. The four reel film featured four acts in which the curtains would close for intermission during each reel change.

This, the first instance of a “roadshow” film, became a commercial broadcast success. People loved it.

Roadshow films had reserved seats that provided the sense of first-class, supply and demand. Which would make them worth more to visitors. Seats to roadshow films would be sold weeks or months in advance. And during the film a live orchestra would play in the theater.

It is believed the film director Robert Wise is the one who, after seeing The Ten Commandments, roadshow style as a child, coined the term.

Roadshow Films History

Roadshow films became popular throughout the 1950s. And continued into the 1960s before they eventually died off in the 1970s. While studios engaged in and loved the idea of the roadshow film for quite a while, the idea wouldn’t last forever.

During the historical time of roadshow films theaters would sell tickets out in advance. They would make a lot of money even on films that otherwise may not have garnered so much attention.

Despite them being no longer a part of film today, much of how we see movies in theaters now. Purchasing tickets for seats in advance of the show, watching shows that are most popular, etc. It dates back to the history of the roadshow film.