Bizzarrie di una ruota

Bizzarrie di una ruota 1908

1

During an effort to repair a horse carriage a boy grabs the wheel and gives it a push down the hill and towards the city. The wheel turns and turns and causes one accident after the other until everybody runs after it to stop the mayhem. Bizzarrie di una ruota is a slapstick film in love with an object out of control and the confusion it can cause, over and over again in endless variations.

1908

Les Inconvénients du cinématographe

Les Inconvénients du cinématographe 1908

1

In this picture we see how the artists engaged to pose for the pictures make the scene so realistic that they get themselves into all kinds of trouble in the city where people are not familiar with their mode of doing things. The first picture shows the camera set to take a picture of a tragic hold-up. The manager gets the people in position, and when they are ready, a woman and girl are seen walking along the street, when three men spring out from behind a wall, and, after stabbing them, go through their pockets, relieving them of all their valuables.

1908

In a Submarine

In a Submarine 1908

1

A submarine coming into port is seen gliding smoothly on the water and the little rowboat which is to bring the captain of the vessel to his post is seen leaving for shore. We see the dashing young officer bidding his love adieu, and then seating himself in the frail craft is soon once more on duty at the wheel. Away they go, and reaching the wide sea the ship gives a lurch and disappears under the water.

1908

Opening Ceremony of the Čech Bridge

Opening Ceremony of the Čech Bridge 1908

2.00

View on the Čech Bridge from the Pařížská Street. At the bridge head there is a group of the city officials reading their speeches. The festive group of people walks over the bridge towards Letná. Then follows a scene from the opposite side of the bridge, from the right bank of the Vltava River. The group of people then walks back from the Letná side.

1908

Love and Fortune

Love and Fortune 1908

5.00

Created by the young but obviously ambitious French production company Lux Film, founded just two years before by pioneer Henri Joly. The film was released in the United States with the title Love and Fortune, in a version which sought to mellow the character of the male protagonist, at least judging by the synopses in the period press: the American Ascanio was always in love with Graziella, and he only lets himself think of wealth in his dreams.

1908

L'institut de beauté

L'institut de beauté 1908

1

A masher approaches a lady on the street who is elegantly dressed, but when he gets near enough to see her face he changes his mind so suddenly that he is glad to get away. The ugly woman passes on, however, and on reaching the store of a beauty doctor, decides to step in. The M.D. promises her complete satisfaction and gets busy promptly. First he subjects her mud-colored marcelled hair to a treatment, and in a little while she has beautiful raven-black hair. He massages her face and removes all dermatological defects, and finally gets to work on her teeth; in a few more seconds the woman emerges from the place a fine specimen of natural brunette beauty, with teeth like so many pearls. This time when she meets a gentleman on the street he promptly offers his arm.

1908

My Expectations in 1908

My Expectations in 1908 1908

5.00

We can see the children of the director playing and dancing, obviously getting told what to do while it happens, and later on his wife knitting with the children around her.

1908

Nero and the Burning of Rome

Nero and the Burning of Rome 1908

1

Arrival of the Christian Slaves: The captives are brought before Nero. He chooses one fair maiden to serve in his palace. The others are condemned to death for a Roman holiday.

1908

Charlotte Corday

Charlotte Corday 1908

1

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

1908

Diabolical Pickpocket

Diabolical Pickpocket 1908

5.20

A pickpocket manages to escape the police through a series of fantastic tricks. The director is this film is unknown.

1908

The Blue Bird

The Blue Bird 1908

6.00

This is a frustrating watch as there looks to be some great filmmaking there, but a number of scenes (including the beginning and end) are missing, the print is in poor condition. It looks very nice though and the production values are once again quite high, but the current presentation is a shame.

1908