År 1908 - 21

In this screaming comic is shown the amount of mischief that can be accomplished by one small boy. (Moving Picture World synopsis.)

A drunk dreams that he is carried off to Hell.

An art student inherits a sum of money and has his fellow students over to celebrate. Chaos ensues.

A young Spaniard treats his wife with utter indifference, and, leaving her heartbroken, goes to the woman whom he has placed before her in his affections. The wife, whose pride is injured by being cast off for a courtesan, follows her husband and sees him join his sweetheart at their rendezvous. The pair stroll down the river, where they enter a small boat, and, unconscious that they are being watched by the cast-off wife from the shore, they float along while the gallant lover strums on his guitar and sings songs of love to the queen of his heart. The jealous wife keeps a close watch on them until they land on a square, where they join in the revelry with other happy young lovers.

Acting on the Darwin theory, that man descended from a monkey, a scientist experiments towards turning man back to the monkey stage. He inoculates a number of persons with the preparation and after the subjects reach their homes the reversing process begins, and they become monkified. Their antics are uproariously funny. The scientist is unable to turn them back to human beings again, so they are collected in a large cage and places on exhibition. Here they are visited by an ape dressed in human attire. (Moving Picture World)

Compilation of actuality footage and short films capturing public and royal scenes from the life of King Oscar II of Sweden — including arrival at Expositions, jubilees, parades, naval activities, and official receptions. Serves as a visual tribute following his death.

An early account of Marat's murder, and the subsequent arrest, trial, and execution of Charlotte Corday.

The Magistrate's Conscience - A drama from Pathé Frères.

Tonbild (early form of sync sound film). The music is the sextet from Act Two of Lucia di Lammermoor, sung in German.

The story follows an absurdly calm and indifferent man whose every action is extreme yet executed with total composure. When his doorbell breaks, he shoots a mirror to summon his valet. On a walk, he shoots down a window that drops on a man’s head, lights a cigarette in front of an oncoming car, and hijacks a cab at gunpoint. At a hotel, he breaks dishes, tips a waiter who spills soup on him, and leaves wearing another guest’s coat. Even when stabbed by robbers, he calmly removes the dagger and hands it to a policeman. Returning home, he shoots open his door, but his composure is finally tested by mosquitoes. His valet catches and powders each insect, astonishing his otherwise unflappable master.

Actuality segment showing King Gustaf V’s visit to Ystad on 10 July 1908. Footage includes his arrival in a landau with white horses, interactions with local dignitaries, parade of military, crowds by the train station, and waving farewell as he departs.

Actuality film showing King Gustaf V of Sweden and Queen Victoria (of Baden) on a visit to Berlin. Scenes likely include public ceremonies, military or civic honors, crowds, and royal arrival. Intended for newsreel-style exhibition in Sweden.

Pierrot and his Columbine are seated at a little feast with another friend, when Pierrot becomes jealous of his friend's attentions to the girl and orders him from the room. The friend complies promptly and the lover, in despondence, begins to drink until he is almost helpless. In this condition he wanders out.

"The angel in this film is a little girl who is struggling hard to keep alive her old mother, who is lying ill on a pile of rags. She tries in various piteous ways to scrape together-enough to keep her parent alive, and one scene shows her on the steps of the church, where are also gathered a number of beggars of various descriptions. As the people leave the church they pass through and give their mite as they will; in this way the girl receives a few coins and with this she purchases some refreshment for her mother. With skipping, joyful steps the little angel goes back to the hovel and bends over the form. But as she reaches down her mother suddenly falls back, and in another moment is dead. The child, dazed and taken completely by terrible surprise, quakes for a few seconds with emotion then loses her reason..." Moving Picture World, March 1908

An old man attempts to hang a picture on the wall and asks for a step-ladder. His assistant takes a little too long to get it to him.

A kabuki scene starring actors Ichikawa Udanji an Uchikawa Unosuke.

Precious footage of the 1908 Olympics shows the main venue, White City Stadium, with brief glimpses of pole vaulting, gymnastics, high jump, swimming, throwing the discus, tug of war and women’s archery.

Mrs. Neverrest is a very energetic woman and is passionately fond of sports of every description, and being blessed with a large fortune indulges freely in all her different sporting proclivities.... She goes to the top of a high mountain with great ease and there awaits her panting servant, who not being a thorough sportsman like his mistress suffers severely from all this exertion.... [After various activities,] the indefatigable woman returns to her dwelling, dresses for dinner and has still enough energy left to receive her various admirers and enjoy their society. —Moving Picture World