Henry James Forman (1879–1966) was an American author and editor whose work left a distinct mark on early twentieth-century media criticism. He is best remembered for his role in translating academic research into popular public discourse, particularly regarding the influence of the emerging motion picture industry on American youth.
Forman achieved widespread recognition with the publication of his 1933 book, Our Movie Made Children. The work served as a comprehensive summary of the Payne Fund Studies, a major national research project investigating how films affected children. Forman's presentation of the data was highly influential, though it drew criticism for its sensationalized approach. Described by some commentators as an alarmist tome, the book focused primarily on the negative outcomes of the studies, thereby fueling public concern and shaping debates around media consumption and censorship in the United States.
