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  • Film, Video
    Astor Battery on parade "As they appeared in New York on Saturday, January 21 [i.e., January 23], 1899 on their return from active service in the Philippines. The picture is taken as they cross Broadway, Union Square, north. First come the mounted police, proud and prancing, then the band, then the famous Astor Battery, marching twenty-four abreast. As the second file approaches, the order is given to "change...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - American Vitagraph Company - Smith, Albert E. (Albert Edward) - Blackton, James Stuart
    • Date: 1899
  • Film, Video
    Taking President McKinley's body from train at Canton, Ohio
    Title from Edison films catalog, no. 135: Body leaving the train at Canton, Ohio | Title from Edison films catalog, no. 225: Body leaving the train, Canton, Ohio
    "Here, as in the other pictures, we secured a most advantageous location, and we present a life-size view of the casket containing the body of President McKinley as it is slowly and carefully taken from the window of the car which bore it from the Capitol to Canton. The casket is placed upon the shoulders of ten stalwart sailors and soldiers and borne to...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    U.S. cavalry supplies unloading at Tampa, Florida
    United States cavalry supplies unloading at Tampa, Florida | Title from the Internet movie database: U.S. Cavalry unloading ambulance supplies
    "Here is a freight train of thirty cars loaded with baggage and ambulance supplies for the 9th U.S. Cavalry. In the foreground a score of troopers are pulling, lifting and hauling an ambulance from a flat car. It slides down the inclined planks with a sudden rush that makes the men "hustle" to keep it from falling off. Drill engine on the next track...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Troops embarking at San Francisco Shows troops of the First Regiment, California Volunteers, boarding the Pacific Mail steamer City of Peking to serve in the Philippine theater of the Spanish-American War. The film was shot at the Pacific Mail Steamship Company dock between 10:50am and 1:50pm on Friday, May 13, 1898. The dock was located at First Street between Brannan and Townsend streets. The camera is probably facing north.....
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Sandow
    Variant title from Biograph production log: Sandow (no breathing)
    Strong-man Eugene (Eugen) Sandow poses in a long shot on a bare stage against a black background, wearing only tight trunks and laced sandals. He begins with his arms folded against his chest, looking off screen left, then strikes a variety of poses that accentuate his muscular development. These positions include flexing his right arm with the fist to his head and face to...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Sandow, Eugen - American Mutoscope Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1896
  • Film, Video
    The martyred presidents "The scene opens with a beautiful woman who represents Columbia seated at the altar of Justice. As if from out of space there slowly appears a perfect and lifelike picture of Abraham Lincoln. The forming of the picture is first noticed by the appearance of what seems to be a mere spot on the front of the altar. This spot slowly enlarges and is...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S.
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    President McKinley taking the oath "This film records President McKinley taking the oath of office. The first camera position shows the seating arrangements prepared for the spectators and witnesses on the steps of the Capitol. At the time the film was taken, there were many empty seats. The second camera position shows the inaugural party during the swearing-in ceremonies. All that can be seen is the black draped balcony...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    General Wheeler and Secretary Alger
    Title in Biograph production log: Gen. Wheeler and Sec'y Alger | Title in American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue: Gen. Wheeler and Secretary of War Russell A. Alger at Camp Wikoff
    "This picture was taken in front of Gen. Wheeler's headquarters at Camp Wikoff during Gen. Alger's tour of inspection of the camp. The two distinguished military men are seen overlooking the immense camp ground, and then turning and walking toward the camera. The negative is very fine photographically, and the portraiture unexcelled"--American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue.
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope Company
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Major General Shafter "The commander of the 5th Army Corps rides forward with a party of officers. He wears a white helmet, a broad expanse of shirt bosom and a general air of avoirdupois. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    McKinley and party
    Title in American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue [MI]: President McKinley's inspection of Camp Wikoff
    "This picture has been very popular wherever it has been shown on the Biograph. To begin with, the film is unusually fine photographically, and the picture is taken from a point of view which shows the immense distances of Camp Wikoff with its multitude of tents in the background. The President, with Vice-President Hobart and Secretary of War Russell A. Alger, appear in an...
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope Company
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Special delivery messenger, U.S.P.O.
    Title from Biograph production log: Special delivery messenger delivering letter
    "As the scene opens, the front of a house, the shrubbery, a staircase, and the sidewalk are visible. From camera left, using a flying dismount, comes a bicycle rider in the uniform of a special delivery messenger. After parking his bicyle, he goes up the stairs to the front door of the house. A woman emerges, he hands her a letter, returns to his...
    • Contributor: Weed, A. E. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Roosevelt's Rough Riders
    Shooting title in Biograph production log: Roosevelt's Rough Riders at drill
    "A charge full of cowboy enthusiasm by Troop "I," the famous regiment, at Tampa, before its departure for the front"--American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue.
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope Company
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Transport "Whitney" leaving dock "This boat was the first one to leave for the South with troops. On board is a battalion of the 5th U.S. Infantry. She is a sidewheeler, and the churn of her wide paddles makes the white foam seethe and boil as she backs out of the dock. The constant seesaw of the walking beam on the upper deck, the moving men on board...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Military camp at Tampa, taken from train
    Variant title from Edison motion pictures, 1890-1900: Military camp, Tampa, panoramic view
    "A wide plain, dotted with tents, gleaming white in the bright sunshine. Soldiers moving about everywhere, at all sorts of duties. In the background looms up a big cigar factory; giving the prosaic touch to the picture needful to bring out in sharp contrast the patriotism with which the scene inspires us. The camera was on a rapidly moving train, so the panoramic view...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Secretary Long and Captain Sigsbee "Taken at Washington, in front of the Navy Department, and shows Secretary of the Navy Long and Captain Sigsbee of the ill-fated "Maine" coming down the steps. As they reach the bottom a waiting attaché approaches the Secretary and hands him a letter. In the meantime Capt. Sigsbee and his friend walk toward the immediate foreground, in earnest conversation. They are quickly joined by...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Dance, Franchonetti Sisters
    Variant title from American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue: Dance, Franchenette Sisters
    Three young women with dark, curly hair stand on a stage with a black background and patterned carpet or tile underfoot. They wear tights, ballet shoes, and frilly dresses to the knee with multiple petticoats and ruffled drawers. They begin by raising their right legs up by their heads, and then perform a dance with a variety of kicks and leg movements, their hands...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Cake walk
    Title in American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue, Nov. 1902 [MI], p. 12: Coon cake walk | Title in Biograph photo catalog, v. 1 [MI]: Darkey cake walk | Cakewalk
    Five African Americans--three men and two women--perform a cakewalk, a dance featuring fancy strutting that was named after the prize awarded in the original contests. The dancers wear rather formal attire, with the men in dark suits and black tie and the women in full-length, high-collared dark dresses; one woman carries a small American flag. As they step in place against a light background,...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Comedy cake walk
    Comedy cakewalk
    Five African Americans--three men and two women--perform an exaggerated cakewalk in fancy evening clothes. Two of the men wear formal black tie in tuxedos with tails, while the third wears a gray tux of shiny material with an extremely long overcoat and exaggerated cuffs. All have matching top hats and canes. The women wear highly decorated hats and tight-fitting, frilly dresses of only mid-calf...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Karina
    Alternate title in AFI catalog: film beginnings, 1893-1910: Karina, specialty dancer
    On a bare stage with a black background stands a woman with short, curly hair, wearing a dark dress with a sleeveless top, low-cut bodice, mid-calf length skirt, and layers of petticoats. Smiling at the camera, she seductively raises her skirt to reveal the multiple white petticoats, as well as her lacy, white bloomers to the knees, white tights, and a garter on her...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Karina - Bonine, R. (Robert K.)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Coach at rural post office, U.S.P.O.
    Title from Biograph production log: Coach exchanging mail at rural P.O.
    This section of the postal film is concerned with a stagecoach pulled by four horses arriving and delivering a pouch of mail to a rural post office for rerouting. Also visible is the post office delivery wagon.
    • Contributor: Weed, A. E. - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    President Roosevelt and the Rough Riders
    Title in American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue [MI]: Col. Theodore Roosevelt and officers of his staff | Title in Biograph photo catalog, v. 2 [MI]: Col. Theodore Roosevelt and staff | Title in Biograph production log: Col. Roosevelt and staff, Camp Wikoff
    "This picture shows Col. Roosevelt, accompanied by Lieut. Greenway and other prominent officers of the Rough Riders, galloping up to his headquarters, where he dismounts and walks into his tent. This view was taken in the camp with the Rough Riders, and is an excellent picture of Col. Roosevelt in the environment he loves so well"--American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue.
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope Company
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    U.S. troops landing at Daiquirí, Cuba
    United States troops landing at Daiquirí, Cuba | Title in Edison films catalog, no. 105: U.S. troops landing at Baiquiri, Cuba
    "These are the first U.S. troops to land on Cuban soil, June 22, 1898. The picture shows a long perspective view of the pier at Baiquiri [sic], the point chosen so strategically for the landing of General Shafter's army. At the end of the wharf are the coal dumps and ore elevators used by the mining company operating the famous iron mines at Juragua,...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly - Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Delivering mail from sub-station The subjects seen by the camera are a portion of a large building with columns in front that indicates it is a government building and three small shuttle streetcars across the street from the camera position. As the film progresses, the shuttle cars leave. Twice during the film a larger streetcar passes in front of the camera position.
    • Contributor: Weed, A. E. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Train taking up mail bag, U.S.P.O.
    Train taking up mail bag, United States Post Office
    "The subject of this Postal Department documentary is "snatching" the mail bag from the suspended post by the railroad mail clerk. As the film begins, a man climbs the steps leading to the device that suspends the mail bag in the air. A train can be seen in the distance approcaching the mail bag. At the end of the film, the mail bag is...
    • Contributor: Weed, A. E. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Governor Roosevelt and staff
    Title in American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue: Col. Theodore Roosevelt and staff escorted by Troop "A" of New York | Title in Biograph bulletins, 1896-1908: President Roosevelt and staff | Title in Biograph production logs: Gov. Roosevelt and staff & Troop "A"
    Governor Theodore Roosevelt, accompanied by Troop A of the "Rough Riders", appears in the land parade in honor of Admiral George Dewey. Roosevelt is only visible in the first few feet of film, riding alone in front of the troops. He turns his head and removes his hat in salute before he passes from view.
    • Contributor: Armitage, F. S. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1899