Search Films, Videos

  • Film, Video
    New Brooklyn to New York via Brooklyn Bridge, no. 1 "The film was photographed from a single-camera position from the front of a railroad train as it crossed the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan"--Early motion pictures.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1899
  • Film, Video
    Wreck of the "Vizcaya"
    Title in American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue: Wreck of the "Viscaya" | Theodore Roosevelt Association title: Wreck of the Viscaya in Santiago, Cuba, 1898
    Spanish armored cruiser Vizcaya was destroyed by the U.S. Navy on July 4, 1898, while trying to escape a blockade of Santiago Bay in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. "This is a wonderfully impressive picture, taken on the morning after the battle in which the Spanish navy was destroyed. This battleship, once the "Pride of Spain," is shown a ruined hulk on the beach,...
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Theodore Roosevelt Association Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope Company
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Colonel Funston swimming the Bagbag River
    Copyrighted as: Colonel Funstan (i.e., Funston) swimming the Baglag River | Colonel Funstan swimming the Baglag River | Colonel Funston swimming the Baglag River | Colonel Funstan swimming the Bagbag River
    A fictionalized reenactment of an incident in the Spanish-American War when an American officer swam the Bagbag River despite the presence of enemy soldiers on the opposite shore. He jumps into the river under cover of fire by his men at the enemy, leading some on a raft, and eventually the American flag is unfurled in victory.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1899
  • Film, Video
    10th U.S. Infantry, 2nd Battalion, leaving cars
    Tenth United States Infantry, Second Battalion, leaving cars | Erroneous title from copyright catalog: 10th U.S. Infantry and Battalion leaving cars
    "American infantry troops dressed in field uniforms of the Spanish-American War can be seen close to the foreground of the camera position. Three companies of men, in columns of fours, march by the camera. In the background are railroad passengers, indicating the film was photographed on a rail siding area"--Early motion pictures.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Leonard-Cushing fight "An actual six-round contest between Mike Leonard, commonly called the "Beau Brummel" of pugilism, and Jack Cushing. Full of hard fighting, clever hits, punches, leads, dodges, body blows and some slugging. Sold by rounds. Each round contains 150 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 105.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Kinetoscope Exhibition Company - Dickson, W. K.-L. (William Kennedy-Laurie) - Heise, William
    • Date: 1894
  • Film, Video
    Corbett and Courtney before the Kinetograph
    Title inEdison films catalog no. 105: Corbett-Courtney fight
    "This fight consists of six rounds, each round on a film 150 feet long. It is not a fac-simile or a "fake" of any description, but an actual contest between James J. Corbett, former champion of the world, and Peter Courtney. The films are listed as 1st Round, 2nd Round, 3rd Round, 4th Round, 5th Round, and 6th Round"--F.M. Prescott catalog, June, 1897.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Kinetoscope Exhibition Company - Dickson, W. K.-L. (William Kennedy-Laurie) - Heise, William
    • Date: 1894
  • Film, Video
    S.S. "Queen" loading
    Steamship "Queen" loading
    "Shows the S.S. "Queen" at Seattle with an immense crowd of miners crowding the decks of the boat and the docks, carrying aboard baggage, implements, etc. Taken at the height of the excitement and gives a good idea of the vast numbers that started for the gold fields"--F.Z. Maguire catalogue.
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Procession of floats "Taken at San Francisco, Cal., at the Golden Jubilee. In the foreground are seen crowds of people, all being very close to the camera. The first float is drawn by four white horses and is at least twenty feet long. It carries a full load of little school girls, who sit along its full length facing the sides of the street. This is followed...
    • 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
    Delivering newspapers
    Distributing a war extra | Delivering a war extra on Union Square | World news wagon
    The film shows a group of about fifty pre-adolescent boys running and crowding around a one-horse paneled newspaper van that pulls up in the foreground of the picture. On the side of the van is a sign reading "New York World." As they gather around the rear of the vehicle, a fight breaks out between two of the boys. The film ends as the...
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Bitzer, G. W. - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Marvin, Arthur W.
    • Date: 1899-01-01
  • 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
    The Corbett-Fitzsimmons Fight
    Alternate Title: Corbett-Fitzsimmons title fight | Alternate Title: Corbett's last fight
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    N.Y. Journal despatch yacht "Buccaneer"
    New York Journal despatch yacht "Buccaneer" | N.Y. Journal dispatch yacht "Buccaneer" | New York Journal dispatch yacht "Buccaneer"
    "Shows the despatch boat of the "New York Journal" steaming through the water, having aboard the war correspondents. This is one of the fastest yachts engaged in the business. She approaches rapidly and as she cuts through the sea her prow throws the water in a white spray on either side. This is an excellent picture of a good subject. The bow waves are...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Wash day in Mexico
    Title in Edison films catalog: Washday in Mexico
    "Mexican International R. R. Series: the interesting views catalogued below were photographed by our artists, while enjoying the special privileges extended to Mr. Edison's party. Under a broad and intelligent management, the Mexican International is increasing its tourist business every year. The pictures show what a quaint and wonderful foreign country lies at the very gateway of our southern frontier"--Edison films catalog. "In front...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    The fleet steaming up North River
    Fleet steaming up the North River
    "Shows the "Brooklyn," flying Schley's twin-starred blue flag. Every detail brought out with wonderful clearness. Excursion craft in the distance. Bow of the "Indiana" appears toward end of film. 150 feet"--Edison films catalog.
    • Contributor: American Vitagraph Company - Smith, Albert E. (Albert Edward) - Blackton, James Stuart - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Admiral Dewey receiving the Washington and New York committees
    Variant title: Reception committee aboard the "Olympia" | Variant title: Committee of Arrangements' visit to Admiral Dewey
    "Showing Committee of Arrangements' visit to the Admiral on board the U.S. Cruiser Olympia. 100 feet"--Edison films catalog no. 94. One of 20 films advertised in Edison films catalog no. 94, under the category "Dewey Doings." From the catalog: We equipped eight parties on the occasion of Admiral Dewey's arrival in New York Harbor, Wednesday, September 27th, 1899, and secured the following excellent moving...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Brook Foundation Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1899
  • Film, Video
    Falls of Minnehaha "The "Laughing Waters" of Longfellow's "Hiawatha." A beautiful view of this picturesque and celebrated waterfall. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Heise, William - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Feeding the doves "A farm yard picture, showing a young girl and her baby sister scattering grain to the doves and chickens. The fluttering birds and excited fowls give an abundance of action to the scene, which is one of the prettiest, clearest and most attractive ever taken"--Maguire & Baucus catalogue.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Heise, William - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1896
  • Film, Video
    Horses loading for Klondike, no. 9
    Variant title in Edison motion pictures 1890-1900: Horses loading for the Klondike
    "The wharf is crowded with live stock, and the huge derrick slowly drops the large box or sling into the bunch. Into this cradle a horse is led, and is slowly hoisted and swung over to the deck of the steamer. This picture is taken ten minutes before sailing time"--Edison films catalog. "Northern Pacific Railway Series. The following pictures were taken by our artists...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • 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
    Sandow
    Variant title from Edison motion pictures 1890-1900: Sandow | Copyright title: Souvenir strip of the Edison Kinetoscope, Sandow, the modern Hercules | Sandow, the modern Hercules
    Strong-man Eugen Sandow stands against a black background with his arms up and hands behind his head. He strikes a variety of poses that demonstrate his upper body muscular development.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Heise, William - Dickson, W. K.-L. (William Kennedy-Laurie) - Hendricks (Gordon) Collection (Library of Congress) - Sandow, Eugen
    • Date: 1894
  • 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
    Packing ammunition on mules, Cuba "Dotting the horizon on the right of the picture is the great fleet of transports, while scattered all along the beach and piled high to the left are hundreds upon hundreds of ammunition cases. Soldier boys in the foreground are packing the boxes on the patient army mules. An officer stands by bossing the job. Two boxes are tied on each mule"--The Phonoscope, October...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Paley, William Daly
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Luis Martinetti
    Variant title from Edison films 1890-1900: Louis Martinetti | Erroneous title from Edison films 1890-1900: Louis Martinelli | Title in Maguire & Baucus catalogue: Louis Martinetti, contortionist
    "Gymnast and contortionist, performing on flying rings"--Raff & Gammon price list.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Martinetti, Luis - Dickson, W. K.-L. (William Kennedy-Laurie) - Hendricks (Gordon) Collection (Library of Congress) - Heise, William
    • Date: 1894
  • Film, Video
    U.S. battleship "Indiana"
    US battleship "Indiana" | United States battleship "Indiana" | Variant title from Edison motion pictures 1890-1900: U.S.S. "Indiana" coaling at sea
    "Taken at the Dry Tortugas, and shows the most powerful fighting machine in the world to-day as she lies at anchor taking on coal. The decks are covered with marines and sailors. An immense barge lies along side, from which a large gang of negroes are hustling "King coal" into the battleship, on whose decks the coal passers run to and fro. The view...
    • 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