William K.L. Dickson

"A little while ago there was a great convention of women's clubs of America. Mrs. Edison is interested in women's clubs and their work and she decided to entertain the Presidents of the various clubs at the Convention. Edison entered into the plan, and when 147 club women visited his workshop he showed them a working model of his new Kinetograph, for that is the name he has given to the most wonderful of all his wonderful inventions..." (imdb)

A young man stands before the camera holding a club in each hand, horizontal to the ground. He raises the heads of the two clubs in unison, by rotating the clubs without lifting his arms. The film then shows the same footage over again, at different speeds. (imdb)

The earliest extant sound film. (imdb)

One of W.K.L. Dickson's laboratory workers horses around for the camera. (imdb)

Three Sioux Indians perform a 'buffalo dance', while two others use drums to supply a rhythm. The three dancers move around in a circle as they perform the various actions that are part of the dance. (imdb)

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dances. For this performance, her costume has a pair of wings attached to her back, to suggest a butterfly. As she dances, she uses her long, flowing skirts to create visual patterns. (imdb)

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dance routines. She uses her dance steps and her long, flowing skirts to create a variety of visual patterns. (imdb)

"The noted dancer, who goes through her graceful act exactly as she does at Koster & Bial's, New York." (from Edison's Latest Wonders, 1894) (imdb)

Vaudeville star Eugen Sandow, who claims to be the strongest man in the world, appears in the Thomas Edison Company's film studio. Eugen Sandow, who appears without props or equipment, flexes his muscles and assumes a variety of poses that are designed to highlight his physique. (imdb)

A stationary camera looks at a large anvil with a blacksmith behind it and one on either side. The smith in the middle draws a heated metal rod from the fire, places it on the anvil, and all three begin a rhythmic hammering. After several blows, the metal goes back in the fire. One smith pulls out a bottle of beer, and they each take a swig. Then, out comes the glowing metal and the hammering resumes. (imdb)

A man (Edison's assistant) takes a pinch of snuff and sneezes. This is one of the earliest Edison films and was the first motion picture to be copyrighted in the United States. (imdb)

Annie Oakley shoots some stuff.

This short film recreates King John's death scene at the end of the play (imdb.com)

An abridged version of the tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. (imdb)

Two gamecocks fight in the Edison Company film studio. This feature was remade later in the same year, with additional detail added. (imdb)

Customer gets a lightning-fast shave. (imdb)

A fine exhibition of horsemanship by Lee Martin, a genuine cowboy. This particular broncho is an unusually wicked one. (from Edison Films) (imdb)

In the background, five fans lean on the ropes looking into the ring. The referee is to the left; like the fans... (imdb)

Luis Martinetti, a contortionist suspended from acrobatic flying rings, contorts himself for about thirty seconds. This is one of the first films made for Edison's kinetoscopes. (imdb)

"King of the slack wire. His daring feats of balancing as he performs his thrilling feats in midair show that he is perfectly at home." (Edison Films)

A stationary camera observes two fighting cocks on a raised platform, with chicken wire behind them. On the far side of the chicken wire are two men, on either side of the frame. We see just the head of the man on our left and the head and chest of the man on our right, who is clearly in charge. Money changes hands twice as the cocks fight. Feathers fly. The man on our right points and shakes his finger. Both cocks are still standing when the film ends. (imdb)

James J. Corbett and Peter Courtney meet in a boxing exhibition, with special conditions that will allow the Thomas Edison Company to film the match and show it on their Kinetograph. The match consists of six one-minute rounds. The popular James J. Corbett had earlier defeated the great John L. Sullivan and must be considered a heavy favourite. But, at least for a while, Peter Courtney seems to be holding his own. (imdb)

A scene from Charles Hoyt's 'A Milk White Flag': A brass band marches out, led by bandmaster Steele Ayers. When Ayers reaches his position, he turns around and directs the musicians as they take up their own positions. (imdb)

A serpentine dance being performed by the dancer whose name is the main title of the film. (imdb)

The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete". (imdb)

Hadji Cheriff, a performer known for a variety of unusual abilities, demonstrates part of his act in the Edison studio. (imdb)

A gymnast assumes a number of positions while holding a wand in both hands. (imdb)

In an experiment that follows up on the results of 'Monkeyshines, No. 1', an Edison company worker again moves around in front of the motion picture camera. (imdb)

A charming representation of the Mikado dance by three beautiful Japanese ladies in full costume. Very effective when colored. (from the Edison Catalog) (imdb)

Two men wearing boxing gloves prepare to spar in the Edison Company studio. (imdb)

Billy Edwards and a challenger named Warwick fight an exhibition boxing match. (imdb)

Firemen in working uniform, rubber coats, helmets, and boots. Thrilling rescue from burning building. Smoke effects are fine. (imdb)

A group of Sioux Indians from Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition demonstrates a dance called a "ghost dance". (imdb)

The pursuit of Hop Lee by an irate policeman. (imdb)

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... (imdb)

A seconds-long Edison film of two fencers.

A handshake. An experimental film, never released to the public. Selected frames were published in the journal The Phonogram in 1892. (imdb)

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs her popular serpentine dance routine. She twirls around, and as she does so, she uses her long skirts to create a variety of patterns. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

The tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where he runs into an odd group of men drinking and playing bowls. He drinks some of their mysterious brew and passes out. When he wakes up under a tree he is astonished to find that 20 years have passed and things are a lot different. This is a charming story about how America changed due to the Revolutionary War, only in a different and more subtle way than ever told before. (imdb)

Scene represents section of the interior of a Chinese Opium Den. (imdb)

The Pickaninnies (1894), showing three Negro youths doing a jig and breakdown. (imdb)

A referee and five fans (including a waiter in his apron) look on as two young men box. The dark-haired, slightly taller boxer throws a right and the light-haired smaller one goes down; but he's up before the referee starts counting. After the knockdown, the boxers mostly hit each other's gloves. The fans, at least one of whom is sitting inside the ring, show no animation. They're all men, dressed in a range of late 19th-century garb. (imdb)

"This view was made at the Scheveningen Baths. It shows a number of bathers enjoying themselves in the surf. Several picturesque Holland boats are moored in the background." (imdb)

The boulevard in front of the Kurhaus, with pedestrians and a terrace.

A pair of dogcarts cross a small stream. The second dog seems more hesitant than the first, and pitches his cart over, sending the contents into the water.

An Edison company worker makes large gestures in front of a Kinetoscope to test the new camera system. (imdb)

Annabelle Dances in William K.L. Dickson's 1894 short film.

Four men at work in a forge. The uses hammers and and anvil to beat metal.

"A glove contest between trained cats. A very comical and amusing subject, and is sure to create a great laugh." (by Edison Films) (imdb)

A moving view from the Ealing zone in London in the early XX Century taken from a tram.

A short of Mr. Grundy dancing. He's a Black man in a jockey outfit and there's someone in a horse costume dancing next to him.

A fascinating, up-to-date dancing diversion by four pretty girls in stunning costumes.

A beautiful view of one of the most celebrated spots in the French capital. A magnificent fountain is playing in the background of the picture, and elegant equipages drive by

Naval Exercise, United Kingdom.

Men in black masked robes carry an ornate coffin past a church, while a crowd looks on. (imdb)

Showing several of these peculiar craft coming in, anchoring in the surf, and the crews wading ashore.

Many gondolas in Venice harbour with a fishing boat in the background.

Monks marching in Rome.

A magnificent picture, taken aboard H.M.S. 'Repulse' during the annual manoeuvres of the British Channel fleet. At the opening of the picture a sailor is seen painting a barbette. While he is at work a ten-inch gun is swung in such a position as to throw him from his perch into the sea. It is evident in an instant that he is unable to swim. Life-buoys are thrown in to the water, and several seamen dive from the deck of the vessel.

One of the pictures to be seen in the machine, for example, was that of a blacksmith shop in which two men were working, one shoeing a horse, the other heating iron at the forge. One would be seen to drive the nail into the shoe of the horse's hoof, to change his position and every movement needed in the work was clearly shown as if the object was in real (life). In fact, the whole routine of the two men's labour and their movements for the day was presented to the view of the observer.

One of the series gives successive pictures of an athlete in an unsuccessful attempt to turn a somersault. (imdb)

Reenactment of Jesus Christ with his cross.

In the foreground of the picture is seen the feeding pond in the pelicans' cage. A quantity of fish is thrown into the water in view of the pelicans, which are confined in a separate compartment. As the door of this compartment is opened, the ungainly birds rush forth, and with much squawking and flapping of wings, plunge into the water and scramble for their food.

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.