That Marvel—The Movie A Glance at Its Past, Its Promising Present and Its Significant Future

"That Marvel—The Movie" by Edward S. Van Zile is a historical account written in the early 20th century. This work explores the evolution of the motion picture, examining its past advancements, current relevance, and future potential as a significant cultural medium. The book contends that motion pictures have the capacity to transcend simple entertainment and serve as a universal language that could impact society positively. The opening of the book sets the stage by discussing the importance of learning from humanity's historical mistakes, suggesting that traditional books often fail to reach the masses. Van Zile argues for the motion picture's unique ability to visualize this collective experience, positioning it as a crucial tool for education and enlightenment in a modern world fraught with challenges. He emphasizes that the motion picture has rapidly evolved from a mere novelty to a powerful medium for reflecting on and shaping the human experience, underscoring the significance of properly harnessing its potential for the betterment of civilization. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward Sims Van Zile was an American writer. He published fiction, non-fiction, biographies, a commentary on war, and a history of the early days of movies. In 1904, in an essay about him, Book News Biographies said "for the past ten years Mr. Van Zile has been known to the reading public through many short stories, novelettes and a few novels".