Movie Previews Are Called “Trailers” Because They Were Originally Shown After the Movie

Just like how dessert traditionally comes after dinner, movie trailers weren't always the appetizer to your main film. You'll be surprised to learn that these promotional clips got their name in 1917 because theaters originally showed them after the feature presentation. While today's previews come before the movie, the term "trailer" has stuck around. Want to know how this practice evolved and why studios made the switch? The story behind this shift reveals fascinating details about early cinema.

The Birth of Movie Trailers in 1913

As part of the trailers evolution, Granlund filmed rehearsal footage of the show and presented it at Loew's theaters.

What you mightn't know is that this early marketing technique was described as an "entirely new and unique stunt" at the time.

Granlund's success led him to create trailers for all Loew productions, including Charlie Chaplin films.

The trailers of this era primarily consisted of key scenes from films that were carefully selected to entice audiences.

He also pioneered the slide technique for promoting upcoming films, which sparked a marketing revolution in the movie industry.

This innovation led to the creation of the National Screen Service in 1919, which would dominate trailer production for decades to come.

Why These Previews Got Their Peculiar Name

The name "trailer" might seem odd for something you watch before a movie, but there's a logical historical explanation. In cinema's early days, these promotional clips actually played after the main feature ended, literally "trailing" it.

The term's trailer history dates back to 1917 when it first appeared in The New York Times. As the marketing evolution of movies progressed, studios realized these previews would work better before the main feature.

But even after moving to their pre-movie slot, the name "trailer" stuck around. Today, movie trailer releases can generate as much excitement as the films themselves.

These early trailers were simple one-minute clips that featured dramatic text and popular stars. While some people now call them "previews," the original name has remained the industry standard for over a century.

The National Screen Service Era

Movie advertising underwent a dramatic transformation when Herman Robbins founded National Screen Service (NSS) in 1919. NSS influence grew rapidly, and by the 1940s, they controlled 90% of movie paper distribution through exclusive studio contracts.

You'd find NSS's impact everywhere in the advertising evolution of theaters across America. They created, printed, and distributed all promotional materials through their regional offices. At its peak, NSS trailers reached 25 million viewers weekly.

They even developed a smart tracking system – each piece had a special NSS number with the release year followed by additional digits. After materials were used, theaters could return for credit toward future advertising needs.

If you were a theater owner back then, you'd work directly with NSS or their subcontractors to rent advertising materials. This system dominated until the mid-1980s when studios started handling their own advertising.

The Golden Age of Movie Marketing

While NSS dominated the distribution side, Hollywood's marketing magic truly blossomed between the 1930s and 1980s.

You'd see studios transforming movie promotion through innovative promotional strategies that captured the public's imagination.

During this era, you could find celebrity endorsements everywhere – from glossy fan magazines to radio interviews. Short promotional films helped generate public buzz around upcoming releases.

Studios mastered the art of creating eye-catching movie posters that turned stars into icons. They didn't stop there – they developed sophisticated trailers that evolved from simple previews into compelling mini-stories.

These marketing efforts reached 80 million moviegoers every week during the industry's peak.

As television gained popularity in the 1960s, you'd notice even more creative marketing approaches.

Press junkets became elaborate affairs, while TV commercials joined the promotional mix.

The studios knew they needed to work harder than ever to get you into theater seats.

From Simple Clips to Marketing Masterpieces

Since their humble beginnings in 1913, movie trailers have evolved from basic promotional clips into sophisticated marketing tools. The evolution reflects a deep understanding of trailer psychology and audience engagement that's developed over decades.

You'll notice how trailers transformed from simple scene collections with text in the 1910s-1930s to more structured formats in the 1940s-1950s. The addition of dramatic narration and standardized formats helped grab viewers' attention. Television broadcasts opened up new possibilities for longer, more detailed previews that could reach wider audiences.

By the 1960s-1970s, you'd see more artistic approaches, with directors like Kubrick and Hitchcock revolutionizing trailer techniques through montage-style editing. The rise of pop music integration transformed trailers into less dramatic, more accessible previews.

The 1970s-1990s brought the iconic voice of Don LaFontaine and his famous "In a world…" tagline, while the rise of blockbusters led to more complex marketing campaigns with multiple trailer formats.

Modern Trailer Production and Digital Revolution

The digital revolution has completely transformed how today's movie trailers come to life. Through digital innovation, filmmakers now use advanced editing software, CGI effects, and high-quality cameras to create visually stunning teasers that grab your attention. These new techniques allow producers to create trailers that deliver an emotional rollercoaster for viewers. Modern producers know that a trailer must tell the story within the first 30 seconds to maintain viewer interest.

• Social media platforms let trailers reach millions of viewers worldwide instantly.
• Data analytics help customize trailers for different audience groups.
• Mobile-friendly formats guarantee you can watch trailers on any device.

You'll find today's trailers are designed with audience engagement in mind, using everything from interactive elements to personalized content.

Streaming platforms integrate trailers seamlessly into your viewing experience, while A/B testing helps producers determine what catches your eye.

With tools like motion graphics and professional sound design, modern trailers have become powerful marketing tools that generate buzz long before a movie's release.