The Films of Thomas Edison
Volume 1 (Containing 45 films)

Edison's laboratory was responsible for the invention of the Kinetograph (a motion picture camera) and the Kinetoscope (a peep-hole motion picture viewer). Most of this work was performed by Edison's assistant, William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, beginning in 1888. Motion pictures became a successful entertainment industry in less than a decade, with single-viewer Kinetoscopes giving way to films projected for mass audiences. The Edison Manufacturing Co. (later known as Thomas A. Edison, Inc.) not only built the apparatus for filming and projecting motion pictures, but also produced films for public consumption. Most early examples were actualities showing famous people, news events, disasters, people at work, new modes of travel and technology, scenic views, expositions, and other leisure activities. As actualities declined in popularity, the company's production emphasis shifted to comedies and dramas.

This collection features 341 Edison films. The earliest example is a camera test made in 1891, followed by other tests and a wide variety of actualities and dramas through the year 1918, when Edison's company ceased film production.

Here are some sample clips from four of the movies on this CD

Here is a description of each film on this CD

Admiral cigarette CREATED/PUBLISHED [United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897]

Admiral Dewey landing at Gibraltar CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., c1899. NOTES Filmed ca. Sept. 5, 1899, when Admiral Dewey stopped off at Gibraltar on his way to New York City and the first of his homecoming celebrations.

Admiral Dewey leading land parade CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: On Riverside Drive; showing Naval Brigade of North Atlantic Fleet, followed by Schley, Sampson, Miles, and other celebrities. The Admiral is in carriage with Mayor Van Wyck.

Admiral Dewey leading land parade, no. 2 CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Showing Central Park in back-ground.

Admiral Dewey receiving the Washington and New York committees CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Showing Committee of Arrangements' visit to the Admiral on board the U.S. Cruiser Olympia.

Admiral Dewey taking leave of Washington committee on the U.S. cruiser "Olympia" CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Showing the gallant Admiral standing directly in front of the camera, life size, his head bare, graciously bidding his guests adieu. This was exhibited at Eden Musee and Koster and Bial's, New York, to 18,000 people the next day after the picture was taken.

Advance of Kansas Volunteers at Caloocan CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: From the thick underbrush where the Filipinos are massed comes volley after volley. They are making one of those determined stands that marks Caloocan as the bloodiest battle of the Filipino rebellion. Suddenly, with impetuous rush, Funston's men appear. They pause but for a moment, to fire, reload and fire. The color bearer falls, but the standard is caught up by brave Sergeant Squires and waves undaunted in the smoke and din of the receding battle. This is one of the best battle pictures ever made. The first firing is done directly toward the front of the picture, and the advance of the U.S. troops apparently through the screen is very exciting; the gradual disappearance of the fighters sustaining the interest to the end.

After launching CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Taken near the Union Works, San Francisco, Cal., immediately after the launching of the Japanese Man-of-war "Chitose." The scene opens with the pleasure yacht "Unadilla" passing in the immediate foreground, her decks loaded with passengers. The boat slowly passes, until the stern is directly to the audience. The water in the wake of the yacht is churned by her screw propeller into a milky stream. As the yacht recedes and the perspective widens, a fishing smack shows on the left, while in the right foreground is a small row-boat. Sharp and clear.

American falls from above, American side CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1896. SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: Shows glittering ice background and a group of photographers preparing to take pictures.

Amy Muller CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1896] SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: A beautiful fantastic toe dance.

An animated luncheon CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: The scene takes place in a fashionable cafe. A well dressed couple enter and after a careful perusal of the menu, conclude on an order of boiled eggs and Welsh rarebit. The obliging waiter delivers the order. The guests break open the eggs, and two beautiful white chickens fly across the room. The diners then perform a similar trick with the Welsh rarebit just served, and two beautiful white rabbits hop from the dish and are seen kicking and squirming as they are lifted to the floor. It was all a joke but the waiter was not on. Your audience will catch on, for it is a good lively subject, full of action.

Annie Oakley CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1894] SUMMARY From Raff & Gammon price list: The "Little Sure Shot" of the "Wild West," exhibition of rifle shooting at glass balls, etc.

Arabian gun twirler CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY A bearded man performs a rifle twirling act on a stage with a painted backdrop of a city street corner. He wears a white turban and a dark two-piece costume of tunic and baggy pants that narrow at the knees; perhaps the costume of an Arab infantryman. The tricks he performs include throwing the spinning rifle in the air and catching it; twirling the gun in front of him, above his head, behind his back, to the side of his torso, and under his leg; and twirling the rifle as he switches hands.

Armour's electric trolley CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: Shows the private electric railway of Messrs. Armour & Co. in their great Chicago yards.

Army pack train bringing supplies. CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1906. SUMMARY This film highlights the role of the United States Army in transporting supplies following the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco. The Army's relief operations headquarters was at their base, the Presidio, outside the burned part of the city. The Army played a major role in relief and refugee operations. In the first weeks after the fire, food, water, tents, blankets, medical supplies, and hay for horses, were the principal needs. To pay for these supplies, Congress appropriated nearly $2.5 million in emergency aid for San Francisco. An estimated 300,000 people were camped out in late April, but the number had dropped to 25,000 by July, and emergency relief switched to long-term care in the substantial camps of "earthquake cottages."

Arrest in Chinatown, San Francisco, Cal. CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1897. SUMMARY This film shows the arrest and conveyance of a Chinese man in Chinatown, watched by a crowd of onlookers. The precise date of this film and the arrest charge are uncertain. It is possible that the arrest was connected with the smuggling of illegal immigrants from China. By mutual agreement between China and the United States, a small quota of merchants and students was allowed to immigrate yearly, but few legal immigrants actually were of these professions, and illegal immigration continued. One of the San Francisco residences for new arrivals was located at 830/832 Washington Street, the general location from which the arrest party ascends at the start of the film. A second possible cause for the arrest is tong activity. Chinatown at this time was plagued with warfare between various tongs (gang associations of rootless and under-enfranchised immigrants and non-family members). The murder of tong kingpin Fong Ching - called "Little Pete" - in January 1897 set off a flurry of tong violence that continued for months. The practice of tying the queue up on the head, a fashion supposedly confined to tong "hit men" called "highbinders" was in fact common among laborers. The arrested man has followed this practice and his rough canvas jacket suggests he is a peddler or shophand by (legitimate) profession. A third possible arrest charge may involve illegal gambling. Stout's Alley was lined with gambling houses, many owned by the late Fong Ching. Pawnbroker shops were nearby. The circular sign seen at left in the first part of the film is a pawnbroker's sign. All of the local streets had Chinese names. Washington Street was Wa Sheng Shong Hong ("Waystation to Prosperity Street"), Stout's Alley was Lou Shong Hong ("Old Spanish (Mexican Gambler) Alley") and Waverly Place was Ten How Mui Gai ("Ten How Temple Street"). These names are still in use.

Arrival of McKinley's funeral train at Canton, Ohio CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1901. SUMMARY It is apparent that the camera was placed on a platform of a train station. A steam locomotive pulling several passenger cars can be seen nearing the camera position and coming to a stop. The remainder of the film is concerned with the people who get off the train and walk off the platform.

Arrival of the Governor General, Lord Minto, at Quebec CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1902. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: This picture shows the Governor General, the Earl of Minto, accompanied by the Countess of Minto and their household, crossing the river in ice canoes. On the Quebec side the canoes find a solid ledge of ice projecting about 200 yards from the wharf, and over this the blanket clad snow shoers haul the Governor, his wife and guests. A very excellent picture of the Governor General of Canada clad in his winter travelling costume.

The artist's dilemma CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1901. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: The scene opens in an artist's studio, the artist asleep in his chair. A large old fashioned clock opens and a young lady comes out and awaking the artist, requests him to paint her picture. While the artist is executing the work a clown comes down from the clock, takes in the situation and begins to make love to the lady. The artist detects him and compels him to desist his love making. He continues to paint. The clown becomes interested and asks the artist to allow him to paint the picture, and begins smearing a whitewash brush over the canvas, when lo, a most perfect image of the young lady appears. The image then steps down from the frame, joins the young lady in the studio, and the figures, each a perfect counterpart of the other begin to dance to the great astonishment of the artist. The clown then by waving his hand causes the figures of the two girls to merge into one. The artist then assumes his seat and awakens from his dream with a great shock.

An artist's dream CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: The scene opens in the interior of an artist's studio. Mephisto appears mysteriously and signals the pictures to come to life. They step down from the frames and walk forward, admiring their costumes. Mephisto then touches the artist on the shoulder, awaking him, and disappears. The artist, after rubbing his eyes, sees the picture on his right hand side and jumps up to embrace her. After embracing her once, he makes a second attempt and she disappears. The artist now wakes up, jumps to his feet and runs to see if the pictures are still in the frames. He examines them and finding that they are still fast on the wall, realizes that he has been dreaming and seeks consolation in the bottle.

Astor Battery on parade CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., c1899. SUMMARY From The Phonoscope, January 1899, p. 15: As they appeared in New York on Saturday, January 21 [sic], 1899, on their return from active service in the Philippines. The picture is taken as they cross Broadway, Union Square, north. First come the mounted police, proud and prancing, then the band, then the famous Astor Battery, marching twenty-four abreast. As the second file approaches, the order is given to "change arms" and the rifles shift from right to left shoulder. The men march well, with rapid gait, and present a fine spectacle, dressed in their long dark overcoats. A group of ladies on a balcony wave their handkerchiefs, and the crowds that line the sidewalks show their enthusiasm. As the Battery passes out of sight, men and boys run across the street, and a hansom cab brings up the rear. The picture was taken late in the afternoon, and the exposures were slow; consequently the film must be reproduced slowly to give the best results.

The Astor tramp CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog, no. 105: A side-splitting subject, showing the mistaken tramp's arrival at the famous New York hotel, the Waldorf-Astoria. The tramp inquires as to changing his nationality and asks also as to the results of this prospective change. The music and words accompanying are explanatory and can be either sung or spoken. The tramp calls to ask Waldorf's opinion as to whether he should become an English citizen, and finding no flunky at the door, he climbs up-stairs. He sees an inviting bed and says he will lie down and wait for Waldorf. A lady discovers the tramp asleep. He was arrested, but is discharged. He is extremely humorous, as he uses a puff box and powder, standing very vainly before a mirror as he makes himself up. Length 100 feet, complete with words of song and music.

Athlete with wand CREATED/PUBLISHED [United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1894?] Filmed February 1894, in Edison's Black Maria studio.

Aunt Sallie's wonderful bustle CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1901. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: A sudden gust of wind sweeps Auntie's bonnet from her head, and she, in attempting to regain it, becomes overbalanced and falls over the stone-wall, landing on her bustle. Upon striking she immediately rebounds, disappearing from view. Alighting, she again rebounds and then lands safely beside her badly frightened companion. This picture is highly amusing and bound to create a great deal of laughter.

Automobile parade CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1900. SUMMARY This may be the first annual automobile parade, held on November 4, 1899 in downtown Manhattan. At least ten different makes and models are seen, including electric and steam powered machines. Only three years earlier, in 1896, Henry Ford, Charles Brady King, Alexander Winton and Ransom Eli Olds had each introduced their gasoline cars. In 1900, the first National Auto Show was held at Madison Square Garden and the favorites were the electrics and the steamers. In 1901, new oil fields in Texas made gasoline affordable. That same year, mass production techniques were introduced into car manufacturing. These two factors would prove to be key developments in the rapid growth of the American automobile industry.

Band drill CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1894] SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: From "Milk White Flag." Marching band with leader at the head.

Battle of Mafeking CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: In the opening of this picture we see in the foreground a company of Highlanders preparing for a charge on the Boer entrenchments seen in the distance. Just in advance of the Highlanders, two pieces of artillery have just been placed in position, and these immediately open fire upon the enemy. After several volleys from the battery, the Highlanders charge. They only reach a point just in advance of the battery, when they are attacked on the flank by a troop of Boer Cavalry, who come on the scene riding like madmen. All the Artillerymen fall about their guns except one, who runs to join the Highlanders, but is brought to earth by a shot from one of the Cavalrymen. The Boers close with the Highlanders and a hand to hand fight is waged, in which the smoke becomes so thick that it is difficult to distinguish Boer from Briton. A Cavalryman is seen to fall mortally wounded from his horse, who walks off the field with an empty saddle. This is a very exciting picture.

Bicycle trick riding, no. 2 CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY Opens with a man riding a bicycle in a backwards circle, on a stage with a painted backdrop of a city street. He dismounts, then remounts the cycle and rides in a forwards circle, pausing and balancing for a moment as he rears up and spins the front wheel. Continuing in the circle, the man moves in front of the handlebars and continues pedaling briefly. For his next trick, the cyclist makes one circle and then pauses center stage as he does a balancing act to the left side of the bike, with his left leg on the pedal and his right on the front wheel. Ends after he remounts but continues to hold the bicycle motionless.

Bird's-eye view of San Francisco, Cal., from a balloon CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1902. SUMMARY As early as 1874, passenger balloon flights were being made over San Francisco. San Franciscans - and Americans in general - were fascinated with the thrills and dangers of flight. Although balloon technology had not advanced greatly by the turn of the century, attempts at man-powered flight were sustaining public interest. The era of powered flight arrived in 1903 with the Wright brothers' flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The balloon used in this film was owned by Professor T. S. Baldwin, who had earlier displayed it in San Francisco in 1893-94. His return to San Francisco followed an engagement at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York (1901). The balloon made headlines shortly before this filmed flight, when it burst its moorings on November 2, 1901, carrying eight terrified passengers fifty miles south to Pescadero. Although nobody was hurt, the balloon was almost swept out to sea. This film shows aerial views of an informal fairground and surrounding north-central San Francisco from Professor Baldwin's captive balloon on a late winter afternoon in late 1901 or early 1902. Restrained by hemp ropes, the hydrogen-filled balloon rose to a height of 1,500 feet before being winched back to the ground. Edward Dudley is named as one of the "aeronauts" who controlled the balloon, which could carry up to twenty passengers at a fare of one dollar per person. The long shadows suggest that this was one of the last flights of the day.

Bird's-eye view of dock front, Galveston CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Showing dismantled cars, wrecked warehouses, schooners and tugs that had been stranded on the docks; also the tents that had been rigged up for the poor people who had been left entirely homeless.

Black Diamond express CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1896. SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus supp. catalogue: This scene presents the famous Lehigh Valley "flyer" emerging from a wood in the distance and approaching the camera under full head of steam. A section gang in the foreground, engaged in repairing track, wave their hats to the engineer, who is leaning out of the cab window. The snowy linen which the porters wave from the platform of the dining car adds to the effect produced. The "Black Diamond" is undoubtedly the handsomest and one of the fastest trains in America, and the subject is the only one in existence showing an express train making seventy miles an hour.

Blanket-tossing a new recruit CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Company F, 1st Ohio Volunteers, initiating a new man. Nineteen times he bounces in the blanket, and each toss is funnier than the last one.

Boers bringing in British prisoners CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Here we have a mixed Company of Gordon Highlanders, Irish Fusilliers and English Lancers, as a group of prisoners taken to the rear by a troop of Boer Cavalry. The expression of their faces show who is the victor, and who the vanquished. You can read in the dust and smoke-begrimed countenances of the prisoners, the story of their stubborn resistance to superior numbers before they surrender: while the Boers give expression to their feelings, by cheering and waving their hats in triumph as they pass by.

Bombardment of Taku forts, by the Allied fleets CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: The scene opens by showing the battleships maneuvering for a position. They finally draw up in line of battle and commence firing on the shore batteries. Immense volumes of smoke arise from the fleet and from the distant shore. Shots are seen to fall thickly among the vessels and immense bodies of water are thrown up by the explosion of mines. A very exciting naval battle.

Bowery waltz CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Shows James T. Kelly and Dorothy Kent, of Waite's Comedy Company, in the famous "Bowery dance." The dancers are dressed in costumes characteristic to the surroundings, and the dance as shown is an exact reproduction. The subject shows many humorous situations, is clear, sharp, and the figures show full life size.

The boxing cats (Prof. Welton's) CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1894] SUMMARY From Raff & Gammon price list: A very interesting and amusing subject.

Breaking of the crowd at military review at Longchamps CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. UMMARY From Edison films catalog: This picture shows thousands of people leaving their seats in the grand stand and going across the parade grounds toward Paris. A very sharp and clear picture.

Bucking broncho CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1894] SUMMARY From Raff & Gammon price list: An out-of-door scene. The men and horse of this subject are from "Buffalo Bill's Wild West."

Buffalo dance CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1894] NOTES According to Edison film historian C. Musser, this film and others shot on the same day (see also Sioux ghost dance) featured Native American Indian dancers from Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and constitutes the American Indian's first appearance before a motion picture camera.

Buffalo Fire Department in action CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From F.Z. Maguire & Co. catalogue: Another of those stirring fire scenes which have proved so popular. There are ten pieces of apparatus in the picture. Every piece fully manned is under full headway, and is shown almost head-on to the beholder. Several of the engines and wagons are drawn by three horses abreast. Fireman appear putting on their coats, etc., while the engines and trucks rush by. Many of the engine horses in the picture are white and the speed at which they break into the scene and pass full size under the very eye of the observer is startling. The engines are fired up and there are dust, steam and smoke effects all through the film.

Buffalo police on parade CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: A street scene showing parade of the entire Buffalo Police Department, 16 men abreast, with military band.

Buffalo stockyards CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: A long line of horses, mules and ponies are led, driven and ridden into the yards, where they are sold and distributed.

Building a harbor at San Pedro CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1901. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: This picture was secured from a launch furnished by Mr. Eager, President of the California Construction Co., who are fulfilling this

The burglar's slide for life (in two parts) CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1905. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: The first scene shows the interior of a room in an apartment house. A burglar enters and seeing a portable vapor bath in the corner of the room gets into it to hide. Presently two ladies enter. One is the lady of the house and she is evidently showing her friend through the rooms. The new vapor bath interests her friend, so she lights the lamp and explains how it is operated. Soon the steam begins to come out of the top of the bath. Out jumps the burglar, carrying the cloth sides with him, and makes his escape by jumping through the window. The ladies now call the dog, who rushes into the room and follows the burglar. In jumping out of the window the burglar seizes a clothes line stretched from the house to a pole in the back yard and endeavors to reach the ground by a succession of slides from floor to floor. In the meantime the dog follows suit and finally overtakes the burglar in mid-air and securely fastens his teeth in the burglar's trousers. They both finally drop to the ground together and after a struggle the burglar manages to free himself and climbs to the top of a ten-foot fence. The excitement has aroused the whole neighborhood and in every back yard window a man or woman is leaning out, cheering and yelling encouragement to the dog. Reaching the top of the fence the burglar stops to get his breath and imagining himself perfectly safe he turns round and puts his fingers to his nose. In an instant the dog is after him again and before he can move the dog leaps to the top of the fence and pulls him back into the yard. While the dog keeps his hold the women beat the burglar with brooms, to the intense delight of all.

Burial of the "Maine" victims CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films "war extra" catalog: Taken at Key West, Fla., March 27, 1898. First comes a detachment of sailors and marines in the left foreground, while at the right is seen a crowd of small colored boys, which precedes any public procession in the South. Then follow the nine hearses, each coffin draped with THE FLAG. At the side of each wagon walk the pall bearers, surviving comrades, their heads bowed in attitudes of grief. Next come naval officers and marines, and lastly a procession of carriages, followed by a large crowd on foot. The scene is reproduced as it actually occurred. The figures are life size and well in the foreground.

This CD is created to run on both Windows and Macintosh computers using an HTML menu to navigate to the various movies. IMPORTANT: These CDs are designed to be played in your computer - not your DVD player.

The Thomas Edison Film Library V1 - 45 Films for $9.97