All Films

Fishermen and Boat at Port Said

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee

1897 • 7 min • United Kingdom

A series of actuality films showing the procession to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

Ballet Libella

1897 • 1 min • France

A woman wearing dragonfly wings performs a romantic dreamlike dance.

The First Sleigh-Ride

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

“This subject taken just after the recent first fall of snow, shows two enthusiastic horsemen indulging in a "brush" with their respective horses and cutters.” (Maguire & Baucus)

Charity Ball

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

A Victorian couple dancing.

The Vanishing Lady

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Robert W. Paul production, "The Vanishing Lady", 1897. A magician sits a lady under a rug and makes her disapppear, before she reappearing in a field, alongside an ass, and several other women.

Life Guards and Princes North of St Paul's

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Head of Procession Including Bluejackets

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Leander Sisters

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

“A clever characteristic dance called the 'Yellow Kid.' Very unique. Stage is in the Sutro Baths, San Francisco, Cal., and the audience is composed largely of bathers.” (Edison Catalog)

Serpentine Dance - Annabelle

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

1897 version of Annabelle Moore performing a serpentine dance.

Royal Carriages Passing Westminster

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Dragoons Passing St Paul's

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

“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 great inventor. The scene is an actual one, showing Mr. Edison in working dress engaged in an interesting chemical experiment in his great Laboratory. There is sufficient movement to lead the spectator through the several processes of mixing, pouring, testing, etc. as if he were side by side with the principal. The lights and shadows are vivid, and the apparatus and other accessories complete a startling picture that will appeal to every beholder.” (Edison Catalog)

Royal Carriage Arriving at St Paul's

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Lurline Baths

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

"The main feature is the toboggan slide. Some sit down while others lie down, either head or feet first."

Fun on the Clothesline

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

A 19th century wire-walker performs his stage act on a woman's clothesline. An early comedy by pioneer director Robert W. Paul.

Cupid at the Washtub

1897 • 1 min • United Kingdom

A playful variation on A Soldier's Courtship, producer Robert W. Paul's smash hit from the previous year, this film spies on a young man trying to tease a kiss from a young girl doing the washing at a tub. For his efforts, the man receives a dunking in the tub himself and much hilarity follows.

Ambulance Call

1897 • 1 min

"Stable door opens and ambulance dashes out into the street. Policeman holds back a furniture van till ambulance passes by."

Fishing Smacks

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

Another Edison film shot in San Francisco at the Fisherman's Wharf. Once again the camera is looking down on a group of men doing their jobs.

Procession, I

1897 • 1 min • France

Groups of men and women, parading in Interlaken, Switzerland, some of them carrying banners.

Admiral Cigarette

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

Late 1800s cigarette advertisement produced by Thomas Edison Manufacturing.

Buffalo Stockyards

1897 • 1 min • United States of America

From Edison films catalog: A long line of horses, mules and ponies are led, driven and ridden into the yards, where they are sold and distributed.

Repas d'indiens

1896 • 1 min • France

Native Mexican people grouped in front of the camera.

Port et Vésuve

1896 • 1 min • France