A Storm at Sea

A Storm at Sea 1900

5.80

While our photographers were crossing the Atlantic Ocean a most wonderful and sensational picture was secured, showing a storm at sea. The picture was secured by lashing the camera to the after bridge of the Kaiserine Maria Theresa, of the North German Lloyd Line, during one of its roughest voyages. The most wonderful storm picture ever photographed. Taken at great risk. (Edison Films, 1901)

1900

Pierrette's Escapades

Pierrette's Escapades 1900

5.20

"Les Fredaines de Pierrette" is the collective name of four short films of 20 meters each ("Arrivée de Pierrette et de Pierrot", "Arrivée d'Arlequin", "Suite de la danse", and "Départ d'Arlequin et de Pierrette"), attributed to Alice Guy (although not confirmed in any primary source), in which Columbine resists Pierrette's courting in favor of Harlequin. From July 1901, the series were made available hand-colored.

1900

Scene from the Elevator Ascending Eiffel Tower

Scene from the Elevator Ascending Eiffel Tower 1900

5.94

“A marvelously clear picture taken from the top of the elevator of the Eiffel Tower during going up and coming down of the car. This wonderful tower is 1,000 feet in height, and the picture produces a most sensational effect. As the camera leaves the ground and rises to the top of the tower, the enormous white city opens out to the view of the astonished spectator. Arriving at the top of the tower, a bird's eye view of the Exposition looking toward the Trocadero, and also toward the Palace of Electricity, is made, and the camera begins its descent. The entire trip is shown on a 200-foot film. 30.00. We furnish the ascent in 125 foot film.” (Edison film catalog)

1900

Dewar's Scotch Whisky

Dewar's Scotch Whisky 1900

1

From behind a curtain three men appear on screen. The first wears a combination of tuxedo and kilt. The second wears a Scottish kilt and holds a spear and a shield. The third wears a military tunic and sword. All three attempt to dance a version of the Highland Fling. In the background a banner with the words Scotch Whisky emblazoned on it is clearly visible.

1900

Going to Bed Under Difficulties

Going to Bed Under Difficulties 1900

6.40

A man takes off his clothes in preparation for bed, only for new clothes to spontaneously generate, leading to comical consternation.

1900

Naval Sham Battle at Newport

Naval Sham Battle at Newport 1900

2.80

Showing the attacking forces drawn up in line of battle. They immediately commence firing on the shore batteries. The batteries return the fire with telling effect, but are at last silenced by the overwhelming forces of the enemy. In the distance can be seen the ruins of a bridge destroyed by the invading forces. The smoke thickens as the firing becomes general, and the effect is superb.

1900

The Art of 'Making Up'

The Art of 'Making Up' 1900

1

Kathryn Osterman, the well-known vaudeville comedienne, in a complete exposition of the methods of "making-up" the face for the stage. She shows the penciling of the eye-brows, blackening the eye lashes, rouging the lips, applying the grease paint and so forth. The work is done in a very dainty and interesting way. Only the head and shoulders of the subject are shown; the figure thus being very large. (AMB Picture Catalogue, 1902)

1900

Why Jones Discharged His Clerks

Why Jones Discharged His Clerks 1900

4.00

Two delinquent clerks are seated in a broker's office engaged in a game of cards. The boss suddenly appears walking through the corridor. The cards are thrown down in great haste and when the employer enters the office the clerks are apparently busily engaged in their work.

1900

Kitty Mahone

Kitty Mahone 1900

3.00

Walter Gibbons was one of Britain's most forward-thinking film entrepreneurs, and deeply entranced by the music hall. In 1900 he launched his 'phono bio tableaux', which synchronised songs recorded by famous music stars on disc with a film of the performance. Sadly, all but one of the films are lost, making this last survivor a unique record of a major Victorian music hall star in sound and vision, as well as the oldest British 'sound film', nearly thirty years before the 'talkies' arrived. Lil Hawthorne, who performs this song, was a well-known American singer, often adopting a male persona, although she was not strictly a male impersonator.

1900

Automobile Parade

Automobile Parade 1900

5.00

The famous Madison Square Garden forms the background of this excellent picture. A number of very fine automobiles pass in this strip, coming close to the camera and show clear and life size. A very strange coincidence in the closing of the picture is two old ladies who drive by in a dilapidates looking buggy drawn by a long eared mule. This is a remarkable picture showing up-to-date means of transportation in New York City, and the incident of the mule and the two old ladies adds a sufficient amount of humor.

1900

The Flea

The Flea 1900

1

A woman climbs out of bed and lifts her nightdress to search for a flea. Reconstructed from a late 1800s flip book

1900

A Raid on a Chinese Opium Joint

A Raid on a Chinese Opium Joint 1900

1

A Chinese man lures a white girl into his den and teaches her to smoke opium. Police raid the place in a nick of time and arrest him.

1900