Dickson Experimental Sound Film

Dickson Experimental Sound Film 1894

6.27

William K.L. Dickson plays the violin while two men dance. This is the oldest surviving sound film where sound is recorded on the phonograph.

1894

The Luck of Roaring Camp

The Luck of Roaring Camp 1917

1

The story takes place in a small struggling mining town located in the foothills of the California mountains at the time of the gold rush. The camp is suffering from a long string of bad luck. With only one woman in their midst, it seems as though the miners have no future. However, the tide turns when a small boy is born. "Thomas Luck" is the first newborn the camp has seen in ages; things are looking up.

1917

Chris and His Wonderful Lamp

Chris and His Wonderful Lamp 1917

1

A young man buys an Aladdin’s lamp at an auction and employs the genie to help him see his love.

1917

Corner Madison and State Streets, Chicago

Corner Madison and State Streets, Chicago 1897

4.40

The busiest corner in Chicago. Cable cars and street traffic of all descriptions. Hundreds of shoppers. Fine perspective view looking north toward the Masonic Temple.

1897

R.F.D., 10,000 B.C.

R.F.D., 10,000 B.C. 1917

5.80

Set in prehistoric times, this short film was created for the Edison Company by Willis H. O'Brien, a pioneer of American stop-motion animation.

1917

The Last Sentence

The Last Sentence 1917

1

George Crosby, a New York lawyer, with a passion for painting, wearied of his legal duties, sails for Brittany, where he meets Renée Kerouac, a fisher-maiden, and sketches her as a Corregan, a fairy who destroys the men who refuse her love. Hoel Kalloc, her betrothed, becomes jealous, and George marries her, after saving her from Hoel's brutality.

1917

Loading baggage for Klondike, no. 6

Loading baggage for Klondike, no. 6 1897

3.92

This was the first ship sailing for the Klondike from Seattle during the gold rush of 1897. The picture shows the excitement and enthusiasm that attended the great Klondike exodus. Crowds of anxious gold seekers watch the loading of their outfits, clothing, kits and provisions into the hole of the Williamette.

1897

The Light in Darkness

The Light in Darkness 1917

1

Bank cashier Ramsey Latham is sentenced to prison for violation of the banking laws. On his way to the penitentiary, he encounters Hilary Kenyon, a young girl who speaks encouragingly to him. Later he is surprised to discover that Hilary is also a prisoner, having been found guilty of manslaughter for killing a man who attacked her.

1917

Horses loading for Klondike, no. 9

Horses loading for Klondike, no. 9 1897

3.60

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.

1897

Launch of Life Boat

Launch of Life Boat 1897

3.20

This Edison short delivers everything the title says. In 24-seconds we see a boat being lowered into the water led by Capt. Joseph Hodgson. The boat is put into the water and it quickly disappears out of frame on a drill helping them prepare for a real sinking.

1897

Hotel Vendome, San Jose, Cal.

Hotel Vendome, San Jose, Cal. 1897

3.80

This Edison short takes us to San Jose, CA where we visit the Hotel Vendome (just as the title suggests).

1897

The Usurer's Grip

The Usurer's Grip 1912

4.50

Here with the Edison Company -- most notably Charles Ogle as the usurer -- we see a 'typical' case of the victims of usury. Although offered as a 'realistic' view of the effects of usury, it veers frequently into melodrama.

1912

Skirmish Between Russian and Japanese Advance Guards

Skirmish Between Russian and Japanese Advance Guards 1904

3.50

Renactment of a skirmish that was likely to have occurred in the Russo-Japanese War. Opens with an establishing scene entitled "A Japanese outpost on the Yalu River," which shows the Japanese soldiers of the infantry outpost doing rifle drills and raising the flag. Following scenes are entitled "The Attack," "The Capture," and "The Retreat". In them, the Japanese fire their cannon; the Russian infantry demolish the camp, replace the Japanese flag with their own, and then fire their rifles at the enemy; and the Japanese recapture the outpost and once again run up their flag. Photographed from a single camera position.

1904

Fast mail, Northern Pacific Railroad

Fast mail, Northern Pacific Railroad 1897

4.10

Here is a twelve car train dashing along at a high rate of speed. It is seen first in the distance and approaches and then passes by the camera...

1897

The Sea Lions' Home

The Sea Lions' Home 1897

4.30

The famous Seal Rocks at Golden Gate Park are here shown. Sea lions in their wild state are lying on the rocks and swimming and diving in the water.

1897

Buffalo Fire Department in Action

Buffalo Fire Department in Action 1897

4.60

Ten horse-drawn pieces of equipment of the Buffalo Fire Department pass by a stationary camera that looks down a broad avenue as they come toward it...

1897

Falls of Minnehaha

Falls of Minnehaha 1897

4.20

The 'Laughing Waters' of Longfellow's 'Hiawatha.' A beautiful view of this picturesque and celebrated waterfall.

1897

Free-for-All race at Charter Oak Park

Free-for-All race at Charter Oak Park 1897

3.40

Great horse racing on the famous Hartford track, showing start and finish of a 2.04 3/4 heat run by the fastest harness horse in the world, John R. Gentry.

1897

The Law of the North

The Law of the North 1917

6.00

When Edith Graham returns from school to live with her father, Lieutenant Graham, at a Northwest Mounted Police post in Hudson's Bay, she finds herself courted by two suitors, Corporal John Emerson and Reginald Annesley, the latter of whom is a wealthy purchasing agent for the post. Annesley however is also involved with the half-breed Marie. When Marie tells him she is carrying his child Annesley kills her and attempts to frame Emerson. However, Edith is suspicious and sets out to find the truth.

1917

One Touch of Nature

One Touch of Nature 1917

5.20

Bill Cosgrove, a hot new rookie for the New York Giants, hits a cold streak during the deciding game of the World's Series.

1917