Two Chinese men (in full regalia) and an American-style tough are sitting at a table, eating out of bowls, all of them using chop sticks; The American is quite practiced with his chopsticks, eating things of large size and indeterminate composition.
"A series of admirable living pictures, posed by competent artists, and faithfully representing well-known art masterpieces, notably the works of Sarony. At the opening of each picture, curtains are thrown aside by two pages, the picture remains for a short interval in complete repose, and the curtains are drawn. In other words, these living pictures are shown exactly as in first-class vaudeville theatres, and were prepared with equal care." Series was finished by 1903 and the films were shown as one presentation.
In China at the turn of the 20th century, there was a rebel group called the Society of the Harmonious Fist, otherwise known as Boxers. They attacked Westerners and any Chinese who associated with Westerners. In this short, a Chinese government executioner prepares to behead a captured Boxer rebel.
A dramatic scene - and exactly what moving pictures were invented for. With a fixed camera and without a traditional narrative, this film nevertheless tells a compelling story as a cast of men and boys fight an impending crisis. It's not known whether this fire was real or staged, but the tension is palpable as horse after horse emerges from the smoking barn. There's even comedy in the foreground as one man loiters at the pump a little too long, sloshing bucketloads of water on to the ground. (BFI.org.uk)
The funeral of composer Johan Peter Emilius Hartmanns in Vor Frue Kirke.
Brazilian President Manuel Ferraz de Campos Salles visits Argentina in 1900.
Animal herding across a large river.
A splendid scene, showing a large number of curious Filipino boats being worked on the Pasig River near Manila by natives. The picture is unusually fine photographically.
Passengers travelling in litters in the French protectorate of Annam
The picture opens with a crowd of Swiss boys and girls dressed in native costumes, marching down the street in this very unique and picturesque village. Each happy and smiling face is clearly shown as they pass the camera. The scene ends by the boys and girls congregating in the square and dancing to the strains of an accordion played by one of the happy villagers.
Possibly the sensation of the flight of a bird can be nearest realized by being on deck of one of the U.S. Government's fleet torpedo boats racing at its highest speed through the water. This picture was taken under these conditions and shows the beautiful scenery comprising the harbor of Newport, R. I. In the foreground, the spray of the vessel and the foam on the water gives a fair idea of the rapidity at which this boat is moving.
An antisemitic comedy in which two Jewish clothiers cut prices until one buys the other's stock.
“The filmmaker took several different scenes shot earlier between 1896 and 1899 and double-printed two sets of images together to create a new artistic creation. The transformation of a stage dance into a unique ciné-dance could only be possible in cinema - Bruce Posner
Mitchell & Kenyon.
Visit of President Émile Loubet and his entourage. Lumière Catalogue #1153.
A highland fling
Short film about the 25th anniversary celebration of the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany.
Showing the Whilrpool Rapids as they are seen from the front of a car on the Great Gorge Road.
Pennsylvania's historic Horseshoe Curve, photographed by an Edison cameraman in 1900.
