Mannequins in movies

Karen Henry History mannequin movie Mannequins movies research

Since the dawn of cinema scriptwriters and film directors have used mannequins in movies. See below for examples of films in which mannequins star in important roles.

L'Artiste et le Mannequin (Georges Melies, 1900, 1min 09seconds)

Ref: Youtube

Mannequin Vivant (1903, 1min 30seconds)

The original and first "Mannequin movie" was filmed in 1904 - in fact it was one of the first films ever made. It was called Mannequin Vivant - "Living Mannequin" in English and was French origin. It was distributed by the Pathé Frères (Pathé brothers) in France. 

The movie is about two men and a mannequin. The men are surprised that a mannequin can fight back.

Mannequin (1926)

A few years later in 1926, in the USA, another movie with the title 'Mannequin' is released. In 1933, the film, 'Mannequin', was released in the UK, and shortly thereafter in 1937, another version with the same title 'Mannequin' was released in the USA - with actually nothing to do with window mannequins. In total there are just about 25 movies with the word 'mannequin' in the title.

Auto Mannequins video newsreel film

Automatic Mannequins! The latest thing for window decoration - from 1950. Length: 1min 17 seconds. An electric motor in mannequin turns mannequin around.

See British Path.com - film archive.

"Autons" in Doctor Who - "Spearhead from Space" - part of Mannequin Mania Box Set (1970)

The Autons are an artificial life form from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, and adversaries of the Doctor. First appearing in Jon Pertwee's first serial as the Doctor, Spearhead from Space in 1970, they were the first monsters on the show to be presented in colour. 

See the DVD box set here.

Mannequin (1987)

Mannequin the movie 1987 stars Andrew McCarthy, Kim Cattrall, James Spader, G.W. Bailey.

  • Starring: Andrew McCarthy, Kim Cattrall, James Spader, G.W. Bailey
  • 1987
  • Directed by Michael Gottlieb
  • Formats:
    • DVD Region 1 format (US, US territories and Canada)
    • DVD Region 2 format (UK, Europe, Japan, South Africa and the Middle East)


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