All Films

American Falls from Luna Island

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

The first movie audiences took particular delight in scenes of rushing, churning water. These scenes of Niagara Falls were taken in September 1896, while Dickson and Bitzer were filming McKinley and the Empire State Express.

Roi et Reine d'Italie

1896 • 1 min • France

King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy stepping down a staircase, followed by their escort, before climbing into a horse-drawn carriage.

American Falls from Above, American Side

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

The camera shows a view of the American Falls and Goat Island.

The Burning Stable

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

A burning wagon is dragged from the barn by the firemen, and four horses are rescued from the flames by the stablemen. Thick volumes of smoke pour from the doors and windows. (Edison catalog)

Edison Drawn by 'World' Artist

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

Artist draws Thomas Edison.

Hyde Park Bicycling Scene

1896 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Going to the Fire

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

A crowd watches the Newark Fire Department respond to a call.

Scene on the River Thames

1896 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Dangled precariously off a boat, a baby falls into the river. Many people on the bank quickly scramble to its rescue.

A Morning Bath

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

“Mammy is washing her little pickaninny. She thrusts him, kicking and struggling, into a tub full of foaming suds.” (Edison film catalog)

Rough Sea at Dover

1896 • 1 min • United Kingdom

The surf pounds against a breakwater on which are visible several people standing. The wall looks to be about 20 feet above sea level and extend at least 100 feet into the water. A large wave rolls picturesquely along the wall toward the shore. Smaller waves follow. Then the scene changes to river water flowing. We see both shores: in the foreground a log and tree branch are visible; on the far shore, there appears to be a low wall with trees beyond it. The camera is stationary in both shots.

A Morning Alarm

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

"This scene shows almost the entire Fire Department led by the Chief, responding to an alarm. The horses, said to be the finest of their kind in the country, present a thrilling spectacle as they dash rapidly by, flecked with foam, and panting from the exertion of their long gallop"--Maguire & Baucus catalogue. 50 ft. strip, filmed November 14, 1896, in Newark, New Jersey.

Shooting the Chutes

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

The camera shows a water ride at Bergen Beach at Coney Island. A raised track filled with water forms a chute, and a small boat full of park visitors slides down the chute. Alongside, empty boats are hauled back up to the top of the ride.

The Bad Boy and the Gardener

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

A lady watering the garden with a hose, a mischievous boy stops the flow of water until she looks for the cause, when he permits the water to flow, resulting in the lady taking an unexpected bath. The father then appears and chastises the youthful culprit. One of the best films ever made.

Hard Wash

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

This scene of an African-American woman vigorously scrubbing a black baby was immensely popular with early audiences, and was featured on Biograph’s programs in London and Paris, as well as various locations in the U.S. Edison’s almost identical version, A Morning Bath, was made a few weeks after this was first shown.

Herald Square

1896 • 1 min

Formed by the junction of Broadway, Sixth Avenue and 35th Street. The picturesque low roofed Herald building is plainly shown; also the passing crowds and group of idlers.

Fatima's Coochee-Coochee Dance

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

The dancer Fatima, well-known for her dancing shows at the World's Exhibition in 1893, performs for the camera. She opens her act by twirling around a few times, and then she does the 'muscle dance' for which she had attracted considerable notoriety.

Comic Costume Race

1896 • 1 min • United Kingdom

Three athletes make their way to wicker baskets that contain a mishmash of wacky costumes. They need to dress up as quickly as they can, and make their way back on the running track.

Les Deux Gosses

1896 • 1 min • France

London Street Scene / Turn Out of a Fire Brigade

1896 • 2 min • United Kingdom

The first part of the film shows an actuality street scene of traffic in the Strand. Behind the traffic we can see the entrance to the Gaiety Theatre on the Strand, advertising its latest show 'My Girl'. The second part is a different film altogether, spliced onto the first and is R W Paul’s Turn Out of a Fire Brigade filmed in November 1896 in Newcastle at the Westgate Road fire station. The film date is 1896.

A Sea Cave Near Lisbon

1896 • 1 min • United Kingdom

The water beats relentlessly against the Hell's Mouth (Boca do Inferno), one of the main natural attractions of Lisbon's west coast, filmed from above almost in a vertical plunge onto the deep, rocky ground.

Feeding the Doves

1896 • 1 min • United States of America

A woman and a young girl each carry containers of bird feed, and they toss occasional handfuls to the chickens and doves in the farmyard. Most of the chickens stay nearby, but the doves occasionally fly off and then return to eat more.

Guillaume II et Nicolas II à cheval

1896 • 1 min • France

Wilhelm II and Nicholas II, on horseback, parade in front of the cheering crowd, during the inauguration ceremony of William I's monument in Breslau, Germany (nowadays Wroclaw, Poland).

On Westminster Bridge

1896 • 1 min • United Kingdom

The Twins' Tea Party

1896 • 1 min • United Kingdom