All Films

Félix Mayol Performs "White Lilacs"

1905 • 2 min • France

Felix Mayol performs Théodore Botrel's 'Lilas-blanc'.

Mr. Jack in the Dressing Room

1904 • 1 min • United States of America

We see three pretty actresses in a surprisingly spacious and clean dressing room, backstage at a theatre. Their costumes indicate that the entertainment on offer here is something less than grand opera: one actress is dressed somewhat demurely, but another is in (by 1904 standards) a skimpy chorus-girl costume, whilst the third is dressed like the principal boy in a panto: fully covered, but in a form-fitting outfit that makes clear her feminine charms.

Japanese Acrobats

1904 • 2 min • United States of America

A Japanese juggler performs some marvelous juggling feats with a boy. Lying on his back on the floor, he spins the boy with his feet and makes him turn numerous somersaults

Bolton v Burton United

1904 • 2 min

Bolton Wanderers overpower the shortlived Burton United at Burnden Park under rainy skies.

The Strenuous Life; or, Anti-Race Suicide

1904 • 5 min • United States of America

A married couple faces the demands of what Theodore Roosevelt called 'the strenuous life'.

Labor Day Parade

1904 • 3 min

Shows a parade through bunting-draped streets, probably in the town of Leominster, Mass.

Empress Dagmar Arrives By Train

1904 • 1 min • Denmark

Dagmar arrives by train.

Auto Boat Race on the Hudson

1904 • 2 min

The single camera position was from the point of view of the judge of the course. The films shows a boat race between small, motor-driven speed boats, which were approximately twenty feet long with the inboard engine decked over. Many boats of various designs and spectators can be seen as if the locale were a yacht club basin or yacht mooring.

Ruffian's Dance

1904 • 2 min • France

A couple performs the Ruffian's Dance.

Commissioner Higgins Visits Ahmedabad Girls' School

1904 • 4 min • India, United Kingdom

Salvation Army officials are given a welcoming salute on a visit to a girls' school in Gujurat, western India. Actuality short showing Salvation Army leader visiting a site in India.

Basket Ball, Missouri Valley College

1904 • 1 min • United States of America

A womens' basketball game from 1904, documented.

Japanese Funeral

1904 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Early 20th century film footage of Japan.

Fountains of Versailles

1904 • 2 min • France

Colored footage of fountains in the park of Versailles.

Boar Hunt

1904 • 5 min • France

This dynamic actuality film documents the hunting of a boar from the first bugle call to the distribution of the spoils.

Living London

1904 • 11 min • United Kingdom

The 280 different views comprising this series depict sights along a route over the most important thoroughfares of London, not merely showing street scenes with the principle edifices, monuments, bridges, etc., but include “snapshots” of the various human types and their different occupations and pleasures to be found in all the districts touched upon in our “Bioscopic Ramble,” from fashionable West End London to the slums of Whitechapel etc.

Elephants Bathing in Ceylon River

1904 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Lomas, a talented photographer specializing in wildlife and hunting subjects, turned his hand to filming for Charles Urban, making several trips to the Far East, including Borneo. Here he is in Ceylon, showing mahouts bathing their elephants.

Filipino Scouts, Musical Drill, St. Louis Exposition

1904 • 2 min • United States of America

Exhibition by Uncle Sam's troops in the Filipino Concession at the St. Louis Exposition

Launch of the Filey Lifeboat

1904 • 2 min

On the Yorkshire coast, a Victorian crew launch their lifeboat the old-fashioned way, with a horse-drawn slipway

Edge's Motor Boat. The Napier Minor

1904 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Powerboat racing was a brand-new sport in 1904. Selwyn Edge initially won the race off Cowes (Isle of Wight) in the British-made Napier Minor as a substitute for the Napier II, but was later disqualified. Clearly the filmmakers thought at the time that they were filming the victor.

Preston North End v Wolverhampton Wanderers

1904 • 5 min • United Kingdom

The Lillywhites take on the Wolves at Deepdale, watched by a large crowd and the club mascot.

Buster's Dog to the Rescue

1904 • 2 min • United States of America

Scene IV of the Buster Brown Series. Shows a kitchen and Bridget busy making crullers. Buster enters and begs Bridget to give him one. Bridget refuses and places all the crullers in a basket on the top pantry shelf. She warns Buster not to touch them, and leaves the room. Buster secures a stepladder and proceeds to climb to the top. As he is about to secure the coveted prize his mamma enters, chastises him severely, and ties Buster fast to the table, and leaves the room.

City Hall to Harlem in 15 Seconds, Via the Subway Route

1904 • 2 min • United States of America

Casey enters a subway station nearby City Hall and walks down the tunnel. He lights a fuse to set off a blast and runs away. Thinking the fuse has gone out, he creeps cautiously up to it, when it suddenly goes off, Casey is blown through the tunnel, all the way to Harlem.

Bucking Broncos

1904 • 2 min • United States of America

Some cowboys of the Wild West Show saddle bronchos not without difficulties.

Opening of the Drill Hall in Accrington by General Baden-Powell

1904 • 5 min • United Kingdom

It shows General Baden-Powell, hero of the Anglo-Boer war, and his family visiting Accrington.