All Films

The Kiss in the Tunnel

1899 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Produced and directed by George Albert Smith, the film shows a couple sharing a brief kiss as their train passes through a tunnel. The Kiss in the Tunnel is said to mark the beginnings of narrative editing. It is in fact, two films in one, hence the 2 min length. Firstly, the G.A. Smith film here for the central cheeky scene in the carriage. The train view footage however is Cecil Hepworth's work, entitled 'View From An Engine Front - Shilla Mill Tunnel', edited into two halves in order to provide a visual narrative of the train entering the tunnel before the kiss and then leaving afterwards. More information about the filming of the phantom train ride can be found searching for the Hepworth film separately.

A Wringing Good Joke

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

"Grandpa sits nodding in his armchair in the kitchen, where a sout, jolly washerwoman is washing clothes. While the woman leaves the tub to talk to a book agent, a small boy enters, and ties grandpa's chair to a towel which is hanging over the tub. The washerwoman begins vigorously wringing the clothes. The towel is drawn into the wringer, and as grandpa is sitting with his feet on the stove and the chair tilted back, a collision is brought about by the towel pulling grandpa and the tub together. This is a crowning success as a comic picture."—Edison Catalog

General Lee's Procession, Havana

1899 • 2 min • United States of America

Filmed on January 1, 1899, this Edison short shows a victory march by General Lee and the Seventh Army Corps. When watching these early films it's best to look at them as a newsreel because you're really not going to get any type of entertainment like we expect from films today. There isn't any story, performances or direction here and instead we pretty much just see a part of history as these men, war vets of course, are being celebrated for their jobs.

King John

1899 • 2 min • United Kingdom

Based on Shakespeare's play, Act V, Scene vii: King John is in torment, and his supporters fear that his end is near. As he writhes in agony, he is attended by Prince Henry, the Earl of Pembroke, and Robert Bigot. Prince Henry tries repeatedly to comfort his delirious father, but to no avail - John's pain is too great.

New York Police Parade, June 1st, 1899

1899 • 3 min • United States of America

An excellent view of 'The Finest,' on their annual parade and inspection, June 1, 1899. The head of the column is just turning into 14th street from Broadway, the Morton House forming part of the background. Crowds line both sides of the cable car tracks, falling back as the band heading the first division swings around Dead Man's Curve, and passes the camera.

Wonderful Absinthe

1899 • 1 min • France

Gentlemen get into a misunderstanding over absinthe.

Astor Battery on Parade

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

The Astor Battery became famous after the Spanish-American war and these young men are on display in this Edison short, which was shot on Saturday, January 21, 1899. We see a parade cross Broadway onto Union Square with the mounted police, the band and then the Astor Battery. The footage of this short is still in very good condition, which adds a lot considering how little footage is available of these men.

Cripple Creek Bar-Room Scene

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

Rowdy patrons visit an Old West saloon.

The Astor Tramp

1899 • 2 min • United States of America

"A side splitting subject, showing the mistaken tramp's arrival at the Wm. Waldorf Astor mansion and being discovered comfortably asleep in bed, by the lady of the house."

A Visit to the Spiritualist

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

A countryman goes to see a spiritualist and is frightened by what he sees.

Coaches Arriving at Mammoth Hot Springs

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

Edison released this as part of their "Northern Pacific Rainway" and "Alaska and Yellowstone National Park" series.

Cleopatra's Tomb

1899 • 2 min • France

A lost film. A man digging inside an Egyptian tomb chops up a mummy, then resurrects the woman inside it. This film is presumably lost.

U.S. Cruiser 'Raleigh'

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

"A panoramic view of the 'Raleigh,' as she lies at anchor off 27th Street, North River, April 17, 1899. Captain Coghlan stands among a group of officers near the bridge. The 'Raleigh' fired the first gun at Manila, and is the first boat of the Pacific Squadron visiting New York. All the details of the famous battleship are clearly shown as the launch from which the picture was taken moves rapidly around her."

2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Parade and Embarkation

1899 • 4 min • United States of America

This film captures the departure of the 2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry, from Quebec for the war in South Africa. Soldiers in campaign uniform march under a triumphal arch to the cheers of flag-waving crowds before proceeding to the wharf and embarking on the transport Sardinian, bound for the Transvaal.

Emperor and Empress of Germany

1899 • 1 min • Germany

A military parade through Berlin.

Stealing a Dinner

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

“Another exhibition by Prof. Leonidas' troop of cats and dogs. One of the dogs is shown stealing his dinner from the table in his master's absence. In order to cover his own crime, the dog places a cat on the table, where she is found when the master comes in.” (AMB Picture Catalogue, 1902)

Tourists Going Round Yellowstone Park

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

You see a shot of three horse-drawn wagons on a dirt road with some mountains in the far background...

Poker at Dawson City

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

People spill drink on themselves, supposedly after a poker game during the Yukon Gold Rush.

Admiral Dewey Receiving the Washington and New York Committees

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

Showing Committee of Arrangements visit to the Admiral on board the U.S. Cruiser Olympia.

Upside Down; or, The Human Flies

1899 • 1 min • United Kingdom

A magician performs tricks. First with a top hat, then with his audience.

Capture of Trenches at Candaba

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

The Filipinos execute a flank movement and re-occupy the trenches, cutting off the advance guard of Americans. The rebel flag waves over the ditch and they defend their positions bravely. A fierce charge by our soldiers makes them give way and they scatter in all directions. The officer in command pays dearly for his desperate sortie.

Bicycle Trick Riding, No. 2

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

This Edison short features famed cyclist Neidert performing a series of impressive bicycle stunts on stage, including riding backwards, balancing on one pedal, and rearing the bike onto its back wheel. The film was listed in Edison’s catalog as No. 2, indicating it followed an earlier trick cycling short (now believed lost), and is unrelated to the later British production The Trick Cyclist (1901). Although Thomas Edison has sometimes been mistakenly named as director, he was never credited as director on any films; this short was directed by James H. White.

Casey at the Bat

1899 • 1 min • United States of America

"The umpire makes a decision that Casey doesn't like, and an argument follows, during which Casey deftly trips him up, and continues the argument on the ground. The other players run from the bench and join in the rumpus. The fielders come running in and the pile on the home plate looks like a foot ball scrimmage. A solemn warning to all rotten umpires."

Admiral Dewey Taking Leave of Washington Committee on the U.S. Cruiser 'Olympia'

1899 • 2 min • United States of America

"Showing the gallant Admiral standing directly in front of the camera, life size, his head bare, graciously bidding his guests adieu. This was exhibited at the Eden Musee and Koster and Bial's, New York, to 18,000 people the next day after the picture was taken."