Ramsaye started his professional career as an engineer, but switched to journalism when he joined the staff of the Kansas City Star and Times in 1905.

While at Mutual, he produced some Charlie Chaplin comedies and founded Screen Telegram, which achieved conspicuous success during World War I.

After producing and editing numerous adventure films including Grass (1925) and Simba: King of the Beasts (1928) with explorers Martin and Osa Johnson, he became editor-in-chief of Pathé News and Audio Review.

[5] As one of the first extensive overviews of the development of the movie industry, it was highly influential on cinema historiography (at least in the United States) and remained in print until late in the 20th century.

[citation needed] In 1931, Ramsaye joined the Quigley Publishing Company as editor of the Motion Picture Herald, a post he held until 1941.