Search Films, Videos

  • Film, Video
    Going through the tunnel "On the way to Santa Monica, Cal., the train approaches, runs through and emerges from a tunnel. Train passes in opposite direction. Camera is at front end of train, giving a very novel view. 100 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 94. "Southern Pacific Company series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Street mail car, U.S.P.O.
    Street mail car, United States Post Office | Title in Biograph production log: Street mail car and mail wagon | Street mail car and mail wagon
    "The first scene appears to have been taken on a main thoroughfare of large city. In the immediate foreground is a horse-drawn U.S. mail vehicle waiting at the side of a streetcar track. Soon a streetcar approaches the camera position. It stops beside the mail vehicle and the driver unloads mail sacks from the streetcar. He then puts some sacks from his wagon onto...
    • Contributor: Weed, A. E. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Exploding a Whitehead torpedo "The torpedo was exploded in fifteen fathoms of water. The picture shows the water, mud and rocks being thrown high up in the air, and will give an idea of the destructiveness of one of these missiles. 25 feet"--Edison films catalog.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1900
  • Film, Video
    Lower falls, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Park "The film shows the grandeur of a waterfall against the heavy growth of timber on each side. The distance of the waterfall from the camera did not permit the complete fall of the water to be shown"--Early motion pictures.
    • 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: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Dance, Franchonetti Sisters
    Variant title from American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue: Dance, Franchenette Sisters | 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
    Cupid and Psyche
    Variant title from Edison motion pictures, 1890-1900: Cupid and Psyche dance | Cupid and Psyche dance
    "An original dance by the Leander Sisters, performed at the Sutro Baths, San Francisco, Cal. One is dressed as Cupid, with the accompanying wings, bow and arrow; the other represents Psyche. The dance is full of grace and action and the figures show life size and very clear. The costumes are white and show up in beautiful contrast to the dark background, which is...
    • Contributor: White, James H. (James Henry) - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Blechynden, Frederick - Leander Sisters - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Afi/Holt (H.L.) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Levi & Cohen, the Irish comedians
    Levi and Cohen, the Irish comedians
    Opens on a vaudeville or variety stage with a flat painted curtain of a stone fence and garden. On the right side of the stage sits a sign that reads "Zuzu Daffy, Singing Soubret." A boy in an usher's uniform crosses the stage and replaces the sign with one that reads "Levi and Cohen, Irish Comedians." The boy exits, and the curtain rises to...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Bitzer, G. W. - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Union Iron Works "Here was built the peerless battleship "Oregon." The scene is taken at lunch hour, and shows a great throng of employees leaving the shop. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 94, March 1900, p. 21. "Southern Pacific Company series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding the extreme cold of the winter...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Giant coal dumper "Erie Railroad Series: The following subjects present novel and interesting views along the line of the Erie, such as do not always come within the observation of the general tourist. We are indebted to the courtesy of the Erie officials, whose kind co-operation in affording us every facility within their power has enabled us to procure these unusual and effective pictures"--Edison films catalog. "Shows...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Heise, William - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • 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
    U.S. battleship "Oregon"
    United States battleship "Oregon" | Title in American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue: Battleship "Oregon" | Battleship "Oregon"
    "This picture of the pride of the United States Navy was made on the occasion of the Peace Jubilee in New York City, and was taken from a tug passing the warship on its way up the North River. The entire crew are on deck, and a beautiful view of this wonderful craft is afforded"--American Mutoscope & Biograph picture catalogue. Views on the starboard...
    • Contributor: 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
    Scene in Chinatown This film was shot in an alley of San Francisco's Chinatown on Saturday, September 15, 1900, at midday. The topography of the site (sloping down to the far street), the width of the alley, the location of utility poles [Frame: 0255], and the location of buildings across the far street suggest that the view is north from Washington Street down Washington Place (today's Wentworth...
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Ackerman, Raymond - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1900
  • Film, Video
    Princeton and Yale football game
    Title in Edison films catalog, no. 288: Yale-Princeton football game | Yale-Princeton football game
    "First is shown a fine panoramic view of the grandstand at the Yale field, showing the enormous gathering of football enthusiasts who have come from far and near to witness the giants struggle for the collegiate championship. The Tigers are next seen entering the field on a run, closely followed by the Yale men. The principal plays of the game are next seen. Some...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Abadie, Alfred C. (Alfred Camille)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Exchange of mail at rural P.O., U.S.P.O.
    Title from the Biograph picture catalog: Exchanging of mail by wagon | Title from the Biograph production log: Exchange of mail at P.O. by rural wagon | Exchange of mail at rural post office, U.S.P.O. | Exchanging of mail by wagon | Exchange of mail at P.O. by rural wagon
    "The opening scene shows a yard in front of what seems to be a two-story house. A small boy is standing in front of the house near a post box fastened to one of the columns supporting the roof of the building. A horse-drawn rural delivery wagon drives up and a man gets out, delivers mail, gets back in, and drives the wagon out...
    • Contributor: Weed, A. E. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Foxy Grandpa and Polly in a little hilarity
    Shooting title in Biograph Co. prod. records [MI]: Grandpa & Polly in a little hilarity (dance) | Grandpa & Polly in a little hilarity (dance)
    Opens on a stage with a stone fence and a painted backdrop of a forest or garden. Husband and wife team of Hart and DeMar as cartoon characters Foxy Grandpa and Polly enter hand-in-hand from behind the fence. Grandpa has a bald pate with bushy white hair on the sides, a big bulbous nose, and a potbelly, dressed in a light-colored suit with a...
    • Contributor: Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Brady, William A. - Hart, Joseph - Bonine, R. (Robert K.) - Demar, Carrie - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Bunny
    • Date: 1902
  • Film, Video
    President McKinley and escort going to the Capitol "The film begins by showing military personnel on horseback. The camera was positioned on a side street and photographed representatives of several different companies of American cavalry. Just as the film ends, foot soldiers and West Point cadets preceding the two horse-drawn carriages, one containing President McKinley's party, come into view"--Early motion pictures. "This most excellent picture was secured at the junction of Pennsylvania...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    The Cardinal's conspiracy "A princess will have nothing to do with a neighboring prince her father, the king, has chosen for her. The Cardinal suggests that the prince disguise himself as a guard, and arranges for him to save the princess from three thugs. She falls in love with him, and the Cardinal underscores his advantage by having the prince imprisoned. The princess, of course, does all...
    • Contributor: Lawrence, Florence - King, Rose - Bitzer, G. W. - O'Moore, Barry - Cumpson, John R. - O'Sullivan, Tony - Kirkwood, James - Griffith, D. W. (David Wark) - Biograph Company - Avery, Charles ... Lawrence, Florence - King, Rose - Bitzer, G. W. - O'Moore, Barry - Cumpson, John R. - O'Sullivan, Tony - Kirkwood, James - Griffith, D. W. (David Wark) - Biograph Company - Avery, Charles - Moore, Owen - Pickford, Lottie - Pickford, Mary - Quirk, Billy - Johnson, Arthur V. - Sennett, Mack - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Powell, Frank E.
    • Date: 1909
  • Film, Video
    The necklace The Kendricks are a young couple, excited to have been invited to an important social event. Mrs. Kendrick buys a new gown and borrows a jeweled necklace from a friend. At the ball, the necklace it is stolen, and the Kendricks spend their whole lives and go deeply into debt to replace it, even though, unbeknownst to them, the necklace is only costume jewelry....
    • Contributor: Miles, David - Johnson, Arthur V. - Griffith, D. W. (David Wark) - Biograph Company - Quirk, Billy - Sennett, Mack - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - King, Rose - Bitzer, G. W. - Kirkwood, James ... Miles, David - Johnson, Arthur V. - Griffith, D. W. (David Wark) - Biograph Company - Quirk, Billy - Sennett, Mack - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - King, Rose - Bitzer, G. W. - Kirkwood, James - Harris, Caroline - Pickford, Lottie - Pickford, Mary - Moore, Owen - Inslee, Charles (Charles E.) - Lawrence, Florence - O'Sullivan, Tony - Longfellow, Stephanie - Powell, Frank E. - Avery, Charles - Prior, Herbert - Marvin, Arthur W. - Maupassant, Guy De - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1909
  • Film, Video
    Ameta
    Shooting title in Biograph production records: Ameta the lily dance | Ameta the lily dance
    Two large squares of white fabric completely cover a woman standing on a stage with a paneled wall as a backdrop. The fabric is supported in front and back of her by some sort of flexible poles along the top edge. The woman bends these rods and peaks out from the resulting hole, with her head and neck visible. She then performs what appears...
    • Contributor: Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Armitage, F. S. - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Ameta
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Opening ceremonies, New York subway, Oct. 27, 1904
    Title from AFI catalog, film beginnings, 1893-1910: Opening ceremonies, New York subway, October 27, 1904
    "New York City's Subway railroad was opened to public travel on the above date. The contract for the present Subway was awarded December 18, 1897, and work was commenced March 24, 1900. The picture opens with Mayor McClellan, City Officials, State Senators, Congressmen and railroad officials leaving the City Hall and entering the Subway station. A panoramic view of City Hall Park and surroundings,...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Gilroy, William J. - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S.
    • Date: 1904
  • Film, Video
    Torpedo boat "Morris" running
    Title in Edison films catalog: U.S. torpedo boat "Morris" running at full speed | Variant title in Edison motion pictures 1890-1900: Torpedo boat "Morris" running under full speed | U.S. torpedo boat "Morris" running at full speed | Torpedo boat "Morris" running under full speed
    "This scene was taken at Newport, R. I., and shows this wonderful torpedo boat running at the rate of thirty miles an hour. When the boat came in front of the camera it discharged a gigantic Whitehead torpedo, which is seen to dive into the water like an enormous fish. 75 feet"--Edison films catalog.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1900
  • Film, Video
    Little Miss Lillian
    Title from Edison films catalog: Little Lillian, danseuse | Title from copyright catalog: Little Lillian, toe danseuse | Variant title from M/B/RS preliminary catalog card: Little Miss Lillian, toe danseuse
    "Little Miss Lillian, the marvelous child toe dancer, and youngest premiere danseuse in the world. The picture shows her in four different dances, her beautiful costumes changing mysteriously after each dance"--Edison films catalog.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Warwick Trading Company - Graham, Lillian - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Buffalo stockyards
    Title in Edison films catalog: Buffalo stock yards | Buffalo stock yards
    "A long line of horses, mules and ponies are led, driven and ridden into the yards, where they are sold and distributed"--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
    White Horse Rapids "This picture was taken at the historical point signified by the above title, where so many daring and venturesome miners have lost their lives in attempting to shoot these mad and turbulent rapids in their flat bottom boats, constructed for the purpose of navigating the treacherous Yukon River, which flows through the rich gold fields of Alaska. This picture was secured at the time...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Bonine, R. (Robert K.) - Crahan, Thomas
    • Date: 1900
  • Film, Video
    Fireboat "New Yorker" in action
    Fireboat "New Yorker" in action--excerpts
    A demonstration by the famous fireboat "New Yorker." The picture shows the fireboat with all its nozzles spurting water as it goes back and forth in front of the camera. Put in service on February 1, 1891 as Engine Company 57, the "New Yorker" was stationed at the Battery near Castle Garden, where her crew lived aboard. She was 125 feet long, 25 feet...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Smith, James Blair
    • Date: 1903-01-01