All Films

The Magician's Cavern

1901 • 3 min • France

A very enthusiastic magician performs several tricks.

The Prince of Magicians

1901 • 2 min • France

A magician does tricks with the aid of his assistant, the Human Pump.

What Happened on Twenty-Third Street, New York City

1901 • 1 min • United States of America

A street level view from the sidewalk, looking along the length of 23rd Street. Following actuality footage of pedestrians and street traffic, the actors, a man in summer attire and a woman in an ankle-length dress, walk toward the camera.

Another Job for the Undertaker

1901 • 1 min • United States of America

Shows a bedroom in a hotel. On the wall of the room is a conspicuous sign "Don't blow out the gas." A hayseed enters the room, accompanied by a bellboy. The boy deposits the Rube's bag and umbrella, turns a somersault, and vanishes through the door. The Rube then removes his hat and coat and places them upon the table. They immediately vanish. He then blows out the gas. The scene then instantly changes to a funeral procession, headed by Reuben's hearse, and followed by the carriages of his country friends. Strictly up-to-date picture. (Edison Catalog, 1901)

Obseques de la Reine Victoria en 1901. Cortège funèbre de militaires “horse guards”.

1901 • 3 min

A short film

Pan-American Exposition by Night

1901 • 1 min

A great feature of the Pan-American Exposition, as unanimously conceded by all visitors, was the electric illumination of the Exposition grounds at night. After a great deal of experimenting and patience, we succeeded in securing an excellent picture of the buildings at the Pan-American as they appeared when lighted up at night.

Le char funèbre

1901 • 1 min • France

An impression of the funeral parade for Victoria, Queen of England, filmed in London (via https://catalogue-lumiere.com/le-char-funebre/)

In a Hurry to Catch a Train

1901 • 2 min

The wife gets up, runs to the clock and seeing the time, hurriedly awakens her husband. They will miss the train. In their hurry they cannot find their clothes, madam starts to put on her vest when it immediately changes to the husband's pants, the same happens to the husband. They quarrel and throw all the clothes upon the floor. During the struggle they both fall and upon rising again they are fully dressed, but as they go out, they discover that they are dressed in each others clothes. Another quarrel ensues, and they are again in their night garments. In desperation they run away followed by their clothes.

The Man with the Rubber Head

1901 • 3 min • France

A chemist carries out a bizarre experiment with his own head.

Scrooge; or Marley's Ghost

1901 • 6 min • United Kingdom

Filmed in 35mm and in black and white, this short silent film was produced by the English film pioneer R. W. Paul, and directed by Walter R. Booth and was filmed at Paul's Animatograph Works. It was released in November 1901. As was common in cinema's early days, the filmmakers chose to adapt an already well-known story, in this case A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, in the belief that the audience's familiarity with the story would result in the need for fewer intertitles. It was presented in 'Twelve Tableaux' or scenes. The film contains the first use of intertitles in a film.

President McKinley Taking the Oath

1901 • 1 min • United States of America

Filmed at the second inauguration of William McKinley on March 4, 1901, this short captures the president taking the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol. Although Thomas Edison has sometimes been mistakenly named as director, he was never credited as director on any films; the actual director of this short is unknown.

The Magic Sword

1901 • 3 min • United Kingdom

On the roof of an ancient palace appear a young Knight and his lady. While they are making love an ugly old witch appears and is rather troublesome. The Knight commands her to leave, and when he is about to force her away she sits on her broom and rises to the moon. After disappearing she causes various hob-goblins to haunt the pair, the last of them stealing away the lady while the Knight's back is turned. The Knight, frantic with grief, is suddenly confronted by a Fairy, who presents him with a magical sword, and tells him that he can use it to regain the young woman.

Drama at the Bottom of the Sea

1901 • 1 min • France

Using a blue tint to set the scene under the sea, this is a short, surprisingly violent film where two divers fight to the death with axes over some treasure beneath the waves.

An Idyll Under a Tunnel

1901 • 1 min • France

To the modern viewer, it may seem peculiar that there are several movies in which a man sneaks a kiss off a young woman in a darkened railway car, all produced in the first few years of the motion picture.

Dream and Reality

1901 • 1 min • France

A well-dressed, middle-aged man is enjoying a drink at a table with a pretty young woman. He flirts with her, and she seems not to mind his attentions. But is it all too good to be true?

The Fairy of the Black Rocks

1901 • 3 min • France

A peasant refuses to help a poor old woman to carry a bundle of wood. The old woman transforms to a beautiful fairy seated in a magnificent chariot and punishes the man with visions of phantoms in a cemetery in order to teach him a lesson.

An Over-Incubated Baby

1901 • 1 min • United Kingdom

An up to date idea and a great picture. The professor sits in his laboratory with his newly invented baby incubator. A mother who is anxious for the growth of her child enters, places her baby in care of the professor, who promptly places it in the incubator. An alcohol lamp is lighted under the apparatus, but the professor evidently gets his machine too hot, for in a few seconds the top is opened and the baby taken out. To the great anger of its mother it has grown about two feet in height and has long hair and a full beard. (Edison Catalog)

Opening of the Pan-American Exposition Showing Vice President Roosevelt Leading the Procession

1901 • 2 min • United States of America

This is a great historical event. Our cameras were stationed in the center of the Esplanade looking toward the Main Approach to the Pan-American Exposition...

Execution of Czolgosz with Panorama of Auburn Prison

1901 • 4 min • United States of America

This early docudrama shows Auburn Prison and recreates the electrocution of Leon Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley of the United States.

An Extraordinary Dislocation

1901 • 2 min • France

A clown performs various feats of magic based on his ability to detach and reattach different parts of his body.

History of a Crime

1901 • 5 min • France

A convicted criminal dreams about his past the night before his execution.

President McKinley Reviewing the Troops at the Pan-American Exposition

1901 • 2 min • United States of America

The President is seen on the reviewing stand at the Stadium, escorted by President Milburn, of the Pan-American Exposition...

The Haunted Curiosity Shop

1901 • 2 min • United Kingdom

An old proprietor is startled and haunted by the strange happenings inside his curiosity shop.

Conquering the Skies

1901 • 1 min • France

A man flies his plane "Fend l'Air" over Paris.