Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland 1903

6.00

This is the first movie version of the famous story. Alice dozes in a garden, awakened by a dithering white rabbit in waistcoat with pocket watch. She follows him down a hole and finds herself in a hall of many doors.

1903

William Tell

William Tell 1903

5.21

Historical legend composed of five Scenes. 1. William Tell's heroism. 2. The Plot. 3. The Apple. 4. Death of Gessler. 5. The Swiss cheer their Liberator. This popular and interesting legend takes place amidst the country life of the mountain populations. The beautiful and picturesque sites which exist in Switzerland have given us an opportunity of utilising the resources our theatre affords, and our scene-painters have been able to have a free run on their imaginations, and have completed the work by a series of magnificent scenes in the most artistic character.

1903

Betsy Ross Dance

Betsy Ross Dance 1903

4.20

Presumably the woman is Betsy Ross, and she's quite a pretty woman with tumbling dark hair and coltish legs. She dances energetically, but it all looks spontaneous and un-choreographed meaning that there's not a lot of rhythm to her movements.

1903

Hammerfest

Hammerfest 1903

4.60

A panorama shot of the Norwegian town and harbour of Hammerfest. Believed to be the earliest surviving film of Norway.

1903

Petticoat Lane

Petticoat Lane 1903

1

Join the Sunday morning crowds at the famous East End market, home of London's rag trade.

1903

The Kingdom of the Fairies

The Kingdom of the Fairies 1903

6.91

At the royal court, a prince is presenting the princess whom he is pledged to marry when a witch suddenly appears. Though driven off, the witch soon returns, summons some of her servants, and carries off the princess. A rescue party is quickly organized, but the unfortunate captive has been taken to a strange, forbidding realm, from where it will be impossible to rescue her without some special help.

1903

Electrocuting an Elephant

Electrocuting an Elephant 1903

2.65

This is a film taken of the execution of Topsy, an elephant employed to help build Luna Park on Coney Island.

1903

Pres. Roosevelt's Fourth of July Oration

Pres. Roosevelt's Fourth of July Oration 1903

4.00

The best and most characteristic picture of the President ever made. The camera is close by so that every feature shows out sharp and distinct. The President is first seen coming on the stand laughing and shaking hands with friends and being wildly cheered by everybody. Then comes the speech. The President is very enthusiastic and is shown at his best. All his well known mannerisms are very apparent. The picture ends with a view of the departure of the President with Mrs. Roosevelt in a carriage. Before the carriage starts the President is held up and interviewed by reporters.

1903

The Infernal Cake-Walk

The Infernal Cake-Walk 1903

5.59

Pluto, having seen the earth, comes back home amazed at the success of that well-known dance, the "cake-walk." He has brought back with him two noted well-known dancers, who start their favorite dance amidst the flames.

1903

The Witch's Revenge

The Witch's Revenge 1903

5.00

Two guards bring a sorcerer into the hall of a palace of the time of the Middle Ages. The king who follows them orders the sorcerer to be chained and to be condemned to death for his practice of witchcraft. He begs the king to permit him just one hour of liberty, assuring the king that he will create, thanks to his power, a charming woman, worthy of becoming the king's consort. The king, after a moment of hesitation, agrees.

1903

Willie's Camera

Willie's Camera 1903

1

This is a very humorous and a very natural scene. Two mischievous small boys rig up a fake camera with a piece of stove pipe and a box, and persuade a gushing old maid to sit for her picture. When she is carefully posed, the camera emits a flood of soot and she is thoroughly covered. The small boys dance with glee.

1903

The Melomaniac

The Melomaniac 1903

6.54

The leader of a marching band demonstrates an unusual way of writing music.

1903

The Dude and the Burglars

The Dude and the Burglars 1903

4.00

Two burglars have just entered an elegant-looking home, but before they can proceed, the woman of the house enters the room. One of the burglars seizes her, but then her husband enters and gets her free of the burglar's grasp. But the husband did not notice the second burglar, who now comes to the aid of his partner - and a tense confrontation is about to begin.

1903

Apparitions

Apparitions 1903

5.40

Alone in his room at an inn, a lustful old man is haunted by spirits.

1903

The Monster

The Monster 1903

6.01

An Egyptian prince has lost his beloved wife and he has sought a dervish who dwells at the base of the sphinx.

1903

The Gay Shoe Clerk

The Gay Shoe Clerk 1903

5.42

A woman being fitted for shoes exposes her ankle to the shoe clerk, who is intrigued. He kisses her, but her chaperone hits him with her umbrella.

1903