3 Things about Cliffhangers from New Jersey history

I don’t remember where I read it, but New Jersey was once the major film making site. I may have also learned this from a documentary series on Turner Movie Classics. 

1.  Thomas Edison didn't invent movies. He improved upon moving making technology that developed in France. Tom Edison lived in New Jersey. The first studio was therefore at his laboratories. It worked well for actors because back then actors worked the stage. In between shows, when they needed money, they took a trip to Central Jersey and filmed a short.  

2. The term cliffhanger comes from New Jersey movie-making. Episodic short action movies would end with an unresolved action scene where the hero is in danger. This made the viewer come back to the movie theater next week to find out what happens. One of the more famous of these serialized action series was “The Perils of Pauline.” Somehow in every movie, Pauline got  pushed in front of trains or thrown of cliffs. Those cliffs were found in Ft. Lee New Jersey. 

3. Every move had her hanging from a cliff. Hanging from a cliff became –cliff hanging- to become another cliffhanger ending.  (Pauline’s constant cliff falling became cliché and mundane).

If you wish to see one of the early serials from movie-land New Jersey. The Perils of Pauline DVD set is available at Amazon. (You're welcome for the plug)

the link: www.amazon.com/Perils-Pauline-Serial-Pearl-White/dp/B000LY271A

JJ Lair is the author of Mix Tapes and Stuff. It takes place in 1986 in North Jersey. The book is filled with bits of historical facts that Mix uses to try to find the lost Schulyer Mine. 

The book is available at: http://www.amazon.com/Mix-Tapes-Stuff-JJ-Lair-ebook/dp/B00KFTKCKE/