The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television Commission, which actively promotes use of the state as a venue for television and movie production, offers a filmography of movies made in the Garden State on its website, njfilm.org. However, the commission's filmography only goes back to 1978. And, in reality, movies have been made in New Jersey since the birth of the industry.

Motion pictures have been filmed here since Thomas Edison built the “Black Maria” movie studio in West Orange in 1893. The early silent era found the state as the setting for adventures, melodramas and historical productions including what is accepted as the first feature film, “The Great Train Robbery,” released in 1903 and filmed at locations in Essex and Morris counties.

Even when Hollywood took over as the home of the movie industry, New Jersey continued to play host to scenes from both classic and obscure productions and, with the advent of television, any number of TV shows and specials.

Here’s a look at just some of the catalog of movies made in New Jersey before 1980. Be sure to click on the captions button for even more about film greats in the Garden State.

Next week: A historical tribute to New Jersey's bravest, the firefighters of the state. Have any pre-1980 photos of the men and women who've protected us? Send a jpg and description to ghatala@starledger.com.