The Cine-Files Presents BUSINESS HISTORY: Thomas Edison and the Movie Murder Mystery

The Cine-Files Presents BUSINESS HISTORY: Thomas Edison and the Movie Murder Mystery

Author: Steve Morris & John Rocha December 11, 2025 Duration: 55:41

Hello Cine-Files fans! Pushkin Industries, a podcast company we are sure you are all familiar with, reached out to ask us to help with the launch of their new show Business History. Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small, bringing to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the archives of commerce and finance. 

They sent us an episode that fits with our conversations on movies. It details Thomas Edison's role in the mysterious disappearance of the true inventor of the movie camera. The man who invented the movie camera got on a train in France in 1890 and was never seen again. The wife of Louis Le Prince thought she knew who’d ordered her husband’s disappearance and presumed murder - Thomas Alva Edison. Many people were simultaneously racing to develop moving pictures - so had Edison decided to bump off his closest rival so he could win? The story of who deserves the credit for the movies is a murky one - involving bitter betrayal, courtroom drama and soft-core porn.

We hope you enjoy it. If you do, find more tales of founders, business success, and spectacular failures on Business History, available on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.


Don’t forget to support The Cine-Files at https://www.patreon.com/TheCineFiles


Purchase any film we feature at https://www.cine-files.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCineFilesPod/?ref=bookmark


This episode is sponsored by/brought to you by the following sponsors:

HIMS. Hims is a one-stop telehealth service for men's wellness and care, providing treatment options for hair loss, ED & more. Check out HIMS at: www.hims.com

WASHINGTON RED RASPBERRIES: Crafted exclusively for freezing and grown in the rich, fertile soil of Washington by generations of passionate American farmers, these berries have a legacy of excellence. Picked at peak ripeness, Washington red raspberries are frozen within hours of harvest—often on the same farm as they were grown. Visit their website for more info at: www.redrazz.org

UNCOMMON GOODS: Discover unique gifts created by independent makers at Uncommon Goods. You'll find something for everyone you love—including you. Visit their website for some great gifts at: www.uncommongoods.com

SECRET NATURE: OUR MISSION Feeling is the secret, and our mission is to help people feel better everyday. High-CBD, low-THC means all the benefits and none of the common negative side effects like anxiety and paranoia. We have been breeding and growing high CBD cannabis for over 10 years, and are excited to finally offer these revolutionary products to people all over the world. It’s time for a new wave of cannabis that can enhance your lifestyle, not hinder it. Visit their website at www.secretnature.com


FOLLOW:

Follow John Rocha: @therochasays

Follow Steve Morris: @srmorris

Follow us on Twitter @cine_files

Follow us on Instagram @thecinefilespodcast



Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com
* Check out Hims: https://hims.com/CINEFILES
* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/cineflies
* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code CINEFILES20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hosted by Steve Morris and John Rocha, The Cine-Files is a weekly deep dive into the movies that matter. This isn't just a review show; it's a guided tour through the layers of a single film, examining the craft, context, and conversation surrounding it. Each episode selects one picture-whether a classic, a contemporary standout, or an overlooked gem-and unpacks its artistic themes, the historical moment it came from, and the vision of the filmmakers behind it. The discussion naturally extends to how these works echo through cinema today, drawing connections that illuminate both the past and present of the medium. For anyone who watches a movie and immediately wants to discuss the director's choices, the cultural impact, or the hidden details in the script, this podcast provides that thoughtful, engaging dialogue. Listen in for analysis that treats film with the seriousness and enthusiasm it deserves, transforming the way you see the stories on screen. The Cine-Files is built for the curious viewer who believes every great film has more to say long after the credits roll.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Cine-Files
Podcast Episodes
435 JAWS 50th Anniversary LIVE Discussion and Tribute [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:24
On this episode of The Cine-Files LIVE, hosts John Rocha and Steve Morris revisit Steven Spielberg's horror masterpiece JAWS on its 50th anniversary! The iconic film stars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and…
434 CRIMSON TIDE Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:03
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha bring the USS Alabama into dock as they finish off their exploration of Tony Scott's 1995 submarine action thriller CRIMSON TIDE starring Gene Hackman and De…
433 CRIMSON TIDE Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:45
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha return to the USS Alabama to resume their exploration of Tony Scott's 1995 submarine action thriller CRIMSON TIDE starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington…
432 CRIMSON TIDE Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:35:45
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha go back to 1995 to begin their exploration of Tony Scott's submarine action thriller CRIMSON TIDE starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. Written by Mic…
431 ANT-MAN (2015) Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:09
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha wrap up their travel back to Phase 2 of the MCU to bring you Part 2 of their exploration of 2015's ANT-MAN from director Peyton Reed and starring Paul Rudd,…
430 ANT-MAN (2015) Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:08
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha travel back to Phase 2 of the MCU to begin their exploration of 2015's ANT-MAN from director Peyton Reed and starring Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline…
429 FARGO (1996) Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:19
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha end The Season of the Coen Brothers with Part 3 of their deep dive and exploration of FARGO. This modern black comedy crime classic that elevated the Coen br…
428 FARGO (1996) Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:32
On this episode of The Cine-Files, Steve Morris and John Rocha continue The Season of the Coen Brothers with Part 2 of their deep dive and exploration of FARGO. This modern black comedy crime classic that elevated the Co…