Things To Do In New York: The American Museum of Moving Image

Today's Things To Do In New York is the American Museum of Moving Image, located in Astoria, NY.


The museum talks about the history of image in America, starting from the first photos, then going on to the first versions of motion pictures, talkies, TV, modern-day movies, and everything in between.


The museum combines history and science with old props, cameras, and other movie eqiupment.


For instance, these were the 1950s era TV cameras. They were sleek and efficient.


As a former theatrical lighting designer, I was happy to see their selection of old light equipment.


The rings in lense help dispurse the light wider than normal...that's what I learned at the Hartwick College Theatre Department for about 80K.


Because light looks different on film than in the eye, there are various kinds of equipment that are used to measure it.


The old TV sets were fun to look at.


This baby was a TV and a tape deck! How amazing that must have been. I even bet it was in high fedelity.


Old phone equipment was also on display.


Old-style film projectors were shown, along with related editing equipment.


There was a special Gumby exhibit. Here is Gumby walking on the Moon. He's a patriotic fellow.


Here's Gumby stuff through the years.


Even Eddie Murphy's Saturday Night Live Gumby costume.


There was a person on hand who demonstrated stop motion animation...using a Gumby clay doll.


Props were a big part of the museum. Here's the Yoda puppet from the Empire Strikes Back.


...and a Chewbacca head!


Proving that no detail is unimportant, here is Marlon Brando's teeth for the Godfather. This allowed his cheeks to spread out. Cool stuff.


There was a great costume display. Some notable ones were on display, like Robin William's Mork costume from Mork & Mindy.


More modern filmmaking techniques were demonstrated, like the blue/green screen used for special effects.


Near the end of the exhibit, merchandizing is given recognization. Here are some lunchboxes for Welcome Back Kotter, Mork & Mindy, and E.T. I might have actually owned the E.T. one.


There was an impressive display of Star Trek action figures. I had some of these, but I was more of a Star Wars and GI Joe guy.


One of the big hits of the museum however is the game room, where they have old videogames. They have Space Invaders, Ms. Pac Man, Asteroids, and others. This "perfect" lady was playing a dancing game.

It's a great time. Do check it out. You can take the R/V train to Steinway Street, and it's just a couple of blocks away.

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