Dickson Experimental Sound Film

Dickson Experimental Sound Film

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.

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Carmencita

Carmencita

The first woman to appear in front of an Edison motion picture camera and possibly the first woman to appear in a motion picture within the United...

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The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

A short film depicting the execution of Mary, Queen of the Scots. Mary is brought to the execution block and made to kneel down with her neck over...

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Annabelle Serpentine Dance

Annabelle Serpentine Dance

In a long, diaphanous skirt, held out by her hands with arms extended, Broadway dancer Annabelle Moore performs. Her dance emphasizes the movement...

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Annabelle Butterfly Dance

Annabelle Butterfly Dance

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dances. For this performance, her costume has a pair of wings attached to her back, to...

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Monkeyshines, No. 1

Monkeyshines, No. 1

Experimental film made to test the original cylinder format of the Kinetoscope and believed to be the first film shot in the United States. It...

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Blacksmithing Scene

Blacksmithing Scene

Three men hammer on an anvil and pass a bottle of beer around. Notable for being the first film in which a scene is being acted out.

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Newark Athlete

Newark Athlete

Experimental film fragment made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film.

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The Kiss

The Kiss

They get ready to kiss, begin to kiss, and kiss in a way that brings down the house every time.

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Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze

Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze

A man (Thomas Edison's assistant) takes a pinch of snuff and sneezes. This is one of the earliest Thomas Edison films and was the second motion...

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Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory

Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory

“This film is remarkable in several respects. In the first place, it is full life-size. Secondly, it is the only accurate recent portrait of the...

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The Boxing Cats

The Boxing Cats

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

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Dickson Greeting

Dickson Greeting

William K.L. Dickson brings his hat from his one hand to the other and moves his head slightly, as a small nod toward the audience. This was the...

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Caicedo (with Pole)

Caicedo (with Pole)

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.

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The Barber Shop

The Barber Shop

“Interior of Barber Shop. Man comes in, takes off his coat; sits down, smokes; is handed a paper by attendant, who points out a joke; both laugh...

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Monkeyshines, No. 2

Monkeyshines, No. 2

Experimental film that follows up on the results of "Monkeyshines, No. 1". Once again, an Edison company worker moves around in front of the motion...

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Chinese Laundry Scene

Chinese Laundry Scene

The pursuit of Hop Lee by an irate policeman.

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Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley was probably the most famous marksman/woman in the world when this short clip was produced in Edison's Black Maria studio in West...

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Souvenir Strip of the Edison Kinetoscope

Souvenir Strip of the Edison Kinetoscope

Eugen Sandow, who claims to be the strongest man in the world, appears in the Edison Company's film studio.

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Buffalo Dance

Buffalo Dance

Long before Hollywood started painting white men red and dressing them as 'Injuns' Edison's company was using the genuine article! Featuring for...

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