All Films

Chinese Laundry Scene

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

The pursuit of Hop Lee by an irate policeman.

Cock Fight, No. 2

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

Two gamecocks are fighting inside a wire cage, while two spectators look on in the background. The two men agree to make a bet on the outcome. One of them shows his money to the other, who is commenting on the fight.

The Barber Shop

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

“Interior of Barber Shop. Man comes in, takes off his coat; sits down, smokes; is handed a paper by attendant, who points out a joke; both laugh. Meantime the man in the chair is shaved and has his hair cut. Very funny.” (Edison's Latest Wonders, 1894)

The Boxing Cats

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

"A glove contest between trained cats. A very comical and amusing subject, and is sure to create a great laugh." (by Edison Films)

Fire Rescue Scene

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

"Firemen in working uniform, rubber coats, helmets, and boots. Thrilling rescue from burning building. Smoke effects are fine." - from the Edison Catalog

Athlete with Wand

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

An athlete demonstrating various poses.

The Hornbacker-Murphy Fight

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

A referee and five fans (including a waiter in his apron) look on as two young men box. The dark-haired, slightly taller boxer throws a right and the light-haired smaller one goes down; but he's up before the referee starts counting. After the knockdown, the boxers mostly hit each other's gloves. The fans, at least one of whom is sitting inside the ring, show no animation. They're all men, dressed in a range of late 19th-century garb.

Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

James J. Corbett and Peter Courtney meet in a boxing exhibition.

Glenroy Bros., No. 2

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete".

Caicedo (with Pole)

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

King of the slack wire. His daring feats of balancing as he performs his thrilling feats in midair show that he is perfectly at home.

Japanese Dancers

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

Three sisters dance the Mikado in this very early film from the Edison company.

Luis Martinetti, Contortionist

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

Luis Martinetti, a contortionist suspended from acrobatic flying rings, contorts himself for about thirty seconds. This is one of the first films made for Edison's kinetoscopes.

Glenroy Brothers (Comic Boxing)

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete", which depicts a boxer with a classic style trying to contend with an opponent who uses a very unorthodox approach.

Imperial Japanese Dance

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

A graceful performance of the Mikado dance, featuring three Japanese women in elaborate traditional costume. Originally noted for its striking effect when hand-colored.

Annabelle Butterfly Dance

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dances. For this performance, her costume has a pair of wings attached to her back, to suggest a butterfly. As she dances, she uses her long, flowing skirts to create visual patterns.

Dickson Experimental Sound Film

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

William K.L. Dickson plays the violin while two men dance. This is the oldest surviving sound film where sound is recorded on the phonograph.

Carmencita

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

The first woman to appear in front of an Edison motion picture camera and possibly the first woman to appear in a motion picture within the United States. In the film, Carmencita is recorded going through a routine she had been performing at Koster & Bial's in New York since February 1890.

Buffalo Bill

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

The famous army scout in an exhibition of rifle shooting. A fine picture of the principal, and beautiful smoke effects.

Sioux Ghost Dance

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

From Edison films catalog: One of the most peculiar customs of the Sioux Tribe is here shown, the dancers being genuine Sioux Indians, in full war paint and war costumes. 40 feet. 7.50. According to Edison film historian C. Musser, this film and others shot on the same day (see also Buffalo dance) featured Native American Indian dancers from Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and represent the American Indian's first appearance before a motion picture camera.

Sandow: The Strong Man

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

Eugen Sandow, who claims to be the strongest man in the world, appears in the Edison Company's film studio.

Band Drill

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

A scene from Charles Hoyt's 'A Milk White Flag': A brass band marches out, led by bandmaster Steele Ayers. When Ayers reaches his position, he turns around and directs the musicians as they take up their own positions.

Annie Oakley

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

A short Edison Black Maria studio film featuring famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley, known as “Little Sure Shot.” Born Phoebe Ann Oakley Mozee in Ohio in 1860, she rose to global fame performing with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show. Accompanied (likely) by her husband and fellow marksman Frank Butler, Oakley’s diminutive stature belied her legendary marksmanship.

Bucking Broncho

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

Lee Martin, one of the cowboy stars in 'Buffalo Bill's Wild West', rides a bronco as a crowd looks on. While the horse is trying to throw Martin off its back, another cowboy stands on top of a fence rail and occasionally fires his six-shooter, to spur on both horse and rider.

Buffalo Dance

1894 • 1 min • United States of America

Long before Hollywood started painting white men red and dressing them as 'Injuns' Edison's company was using the genuine article! Featuring for what is believed to be the Native Americans first appearance before a motion picture camera 'Buffalo Dance' features genuine members of the Sioux Tribe dressed in full war paint and costume! The dancers are believed to be veteran members of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Filmed again at the Black Maria studios by both Dickson and Heise the 'Buffalo Dance' warriors were named as Hair Coat, Parts His Hair and Last Horse. Its quite strange seeing these movies at first they all stand around waiting to begin and as they start some of the dancers look at the camera in an almost sad way at having lost their way of life.