The Films of Thomas Edison
Volume 8 (Containing 50 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

A rube couple at a county fair CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1904. SUMMARY Scene I--Driving into the Grounds. Scene II--Machinery department. Scene III--Getting weighed. Scene IV--On the Pike. Scene V--Looking at the big pumpkins. Scene VI--Cattle parade. Scene VII--Trotting race, with female jockeys. Scene VIII-- Hurdle jumping, female riders. Scene IX--High school horse. Scene X--Slide for life.

S.S. "Coptic" at dock CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Taken at the docks of the Pacific Steamship Co., San Francisco, Cal., which is operated in connection with the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. The "Coptic" is one of the best appointed, largest and fastest vessels that traverse the Pacific Ocean, and this view was taken as she was leaving for a voyage to the Sandwich Islands, Japan and China. The multitude of people crowding the decks and dock, waving hands, hats, &c, to each other, makes a stirring and life like scene. The picture is clear and sharp and the figures show life size.

S.S. "Coptic" in the harbor CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Shows the vessel away from the dock and slowly turning. The vessel is seen to good advantage, the four masts, smokestack and hull being faithfully reproduced. Clouds of smoke pour out of the funnel, and volumes of steam out of the exhaust pipe. In the foreground is a dense crowd, among which are numerous Chinamen. Clear and sharp with figures life-size.

S.S. "Coptic" sailing away CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Shows the vessel after she has been fully turned and on her way across the Pacific. The boat shows large and clear with smoke coming from the stack. In the foreground is a constantly changing crowd of people composed of men, women and children. Action is added by some late comers who rush to the dock to wave their last farewell. Life-size, sharp and clear.

S.S. "Queen" leaving dock CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY The following pictures were taken by our artists at various points on the Northern Pacific Railway. We are greatly indebted to their officials who afforded us every opportunity in their power to obtain these splendid views. Many of the scenes are incident to the excitement prevailing at the time of the Klondike gold rush. They show the resources of this company for handling large numbers of people, baggage, freight and excursion parties, and give to prospective tourists and merchants an idea of the facilities with which this road handles traffic of all kinds

S.S. "Queen" loading CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Shows the S.S. "Queen" at Seattle with an immense crowd of miners crowding the decks of the boat and the docks, carrying aboard baggage, implements, etc. Taken at the height of the excitement and gives a good idea of the vast numbers that started for the gold fields.

S.S. "Williamette" leaving for Klondike CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY Probably part of the "Northern Pacific Railway Series" (Edison films catalog): The following pictures were taken by our artists at various points on the Northern Pacific Railway. We are greatly indebted to their officials who afforded us every opportunity in their power to obtain these splendid views. Many of the scenes are incident to the excitement prevailing at the time of the Klondike gold rush. They show the resources of this company for handling large numbers of people, baggage, freight and excursion parties, and give to prospective tourists and merchants an idea of the facilities with which this road handles traffic of all kinds

Sampson-Schley controversy CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1901. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: This subject is in three scenes, showing beautiful dissolving effects. Scene 1 shows Admiral Schley upon the bridge of the Brooklyn commanding the American Fleet in Santiago Harbor. The Spanish fleet is seen to emerge from Santiago Harbor. Simultaneously ships and forts open fire on the American fleet. Scene 2. The Man Behind the Gun. The gun crews are seen manipulating a 13-inch gun repeatedly with terror to Cervera's fleet; one of Cervera's fleet is seen to sink directly from the results of the Brooklyn's firing. A shell is seen to burst among the crew, wounding one of its members. Scene 3. The Man Behind the Teacup shows Admiral Sampson the centre of attraction of a group of old maids at an afternoon tea party.

Sampson and Schley controversy--tea party CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1901. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: This subject is in three scenes, showing beautiful dissolving effects. Scene 1 shows Admiral Schley upon the bridge of the Brooklyn commanding the American Fleet in Santiago Harbor. The Spanish fleet is seen to emerge from Santiago Harbor. Simultaneously ships and forts open fire on the American fleet. Scene 2. The Man Behind the Gun. The gun crews are seen manipulating a 13-inch gun repeatedly with terror to Cervera's fleet; one of Cervera's fleet is seen to sink directly from the results of the Brooklyn's firing. A shell is seen to burst among the crew, wounding one of its members. Scene 3. The Man Behind the Teacup shows Admiral Sampson the centre of attraction of a group of old maids at an afternoon tea party.

San Francisco Chinese funeral CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., [1903] SUMMARY This film shows most of the ceremonial portion of the funeral procession of Tom Kim Yung (1858-1903), military attache to the Chinese legation to the United States. The funeral procession took place at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, September 23, 1903, and was probably the largest ever seen in Chinatown. Tom's death (note that Tom is the family name) was the tragic consequence of a police assault, leading to his subsequent suicide. Following an elaborate service at the Chinese Consulate, the funeral procession formed and proceeded through Chinatown. Then, the participants rode in carriages to the Ning Yung Chinese Cemetery at Colma, just south of San Francisco, for a final ceremony. The body was then returned to Chinatown and kept by an undertaker before being shipped home to China, as was the custom. Tom Kim Yung's suicide was the outcome of a tragic Chinatown incident. Tom was in San Francisco on special duty, having arrived from China a few months earlier, and was soon to leave for Washington, D.C. A colonel in the Chinese Army, he had been one of the imperial bodyguards. On the evening of September 13, 1903, he was returning to the Chinese Consulate on Stockton Street after dining with a merchant. Policeman John Kreamer, apparently mistaking him for a wanted man, insulted him as a degenerate. Tom resisted arrest and was punched in the face by Kreamer, falling to the ground. Another policeman, Officer Brodt, and two bypassers came to assist Kreamer, and Tom was temporarily tied to a fence by his queue, then hauled off to jail where he was held on the charge of assaulting a police officer. A local merchant had him released on bail. Tom brooded over his irreparable loss of face and the impunity of the police until September 14, when he gassed himself from the light fixtures in his room at the Consulate. He left behind a note explaining his reasons for taking his life. Accounts of the subsequent investigation reveal it to have been inadequate at best. Chew Tszchi, First Secretary of the Chinese Legation, came from Washington to attest to Tom's character, having known him in Peking. Tom's diplomatic immunity was completely ignored by the authorities. In Chinatown there was some division over Tom's guilt, and anonymous leaflets distributed during the funeral suggested that Consul General Yung Bow had ordered Tom's suicide. To prevent unrest in Chinatown, Tom's body was released to the care of a Chinese undertaker before the inquest. At the inquest, seven prominent Chinatown citizens testified on Tom's behalf. Officer Kreamer refused even to attend until finally subpoenaed by the city coroner. A verdict of suicide was reached on October 9. Despite requests from the State Department that Governor Pardee and Mayor Schmitz look into the affair, no further action was taken. The whole proceeding highlights the strong anti-Chinese feeling - amounting to open racism - that prevailed at the time.

Sandow CREATED/PUBLISHED [United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1894?] SUMMARY According to vaudeville historian Joe Laurie, Jr., Sandow--who was managed by Flo Ziegfeld--was "the greatest of the strong men and who received the most publicity"

Scene from the elevator ascending Eiffel Tower CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. S UMMARY From Edison films catalog: A marvelously clear picture taken from the top of the elevator of the Eiffel Tower during going up and coming down of the car. This wonderful tower is 1,000 feet in height, and the picture produces a most sensational effect. As the camera leaves the ground and rises to the top of the tower, the enormous white city opens out to the view of the astonished spectator. Arriving at the top of the tower, a bird's eye view of the Exposition looking toward the Trocadero, and also toward the Palace of Electricity, is made, and the camera begins its descent.

Scene in the Swiss village at Paris Exposition CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: 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.

Searching ruins on Broadway, Galveston, for dead bodies CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: This shows the heart of one of the tremendous drifts in the east end of Galveston. Hundreds of dead bodies are concealed in these immense masses, and at the time the picture was taken the odor given out could be detected for miles. The subject shows a gang of laborers clearing away the debris in the search for corpses, one of which was discovered while the picture was being taken.

2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry--parade CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: This picture shows the Canadian troops departing from Quebec for the war in the Transvaal. The scene opens with the soldiers clad in campaign uniform, marching under the triumphal arch, cheered by thousands of spectators who are waving English flags.

Secretary Long and Captain Sigsbee CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films "war extra" catalog: Taken at Washington, in front of the Navy Department, and shows Secretary of the Navy Long and Captain Sigsbee of the ill-fated "Maine" coming down the steps. As they reach the bottom a waiting attaché approaches the Secretary and hands him a letter. In the meantime Capt. Sigsbee and his friend walk toward the immediate foreground, in earnest conversation. They are quickly joined by the Secretary and the attaché. Here they halt and apparently debate some important question. Additional action is lent to the scene by ladies and gentlemen descending the steps. The background is formed by the handsome building of the Navy Department. The figures are full life size, and are excellent portraits of the famous Captain and the Secretary. This picture excites the keenest interest whenever it is shown.

Seminary girls CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: A most amusing and life-like scene, in which a number of young ladies clad in their night robes, are seen engaged in a midnight frolic.

Sham battle at the Pan-American Exposition (in 2 parts) CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1901. SUMMARY Large arches and columns are seen surrounding a flat field. In the foreground of the field, some American Indians on horseback ride toward the camera. The Indians are wearing feathers, war paint, and are carrying frontier rifles across the bare backs of their horses. In the middle of this flat area, men dressed as U.S. Army troops in battle regalia are lined up in the position of skirmishers. They fire at the Indians, who gallop by. The troops move over this flat area while the Indians on horseback circle them.

Sheep run, Chicago stockyards CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: A large flock of sheep being driven over the runs from the cars to the slaughter beds. The sheep, pressed by the driver and frightened by the surroundings and confusion, move very fast.

Shooting captured insurgents CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: A file of Spanish soldiers line up the Cubans against a blank wall and fire a volley. The flash of rifles and drifting smoke make a very striking picture.

Shooting the chutes CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1896] SUMMARY From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: A lively scene on the famous water chutes at Coney Island.

Sioux ghost dance CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., [1894] SUMMARY From Raff & Gammon price list: A very interesting subject, full of action and true to life.

Skirmish of Rough Riders CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Shielded by a thick bit of timber at a turn of the road stands a company of mounted men, awaiting the order to advance. In the foreground, left as the flotsam of battle, is a dead horse from the shelter of which two marksmen are picking off the enemy. Suddenly comes the command, "Forward," and the riders dash up the road, out of sight, leaving behind them a great cloud of dust and smoke. A detachment of infantry covers the advance, and volley repeatedly as they press forward.

Skyscrapers of New York City, from the North River CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1903. SUMMARY Filmed from a moving boat, the film depicts the Hudson River (i.e., North River) shoreline and the piers of lower Manhattan beginning around Fulton Street and extending to Castle Garden and Battery Park. It begins at one of the American Line piers (Pier 14 or 15, opposite Fulton Street) where an American Line steamer, either the "New York" or "Paris," is seen docked [Frame: 0120]. The camera passes one of the Manhattan-to-New Jersey commuter ferries to Jersey City or Communipaw [0860]. Proceeding south, the distinct double towers of the Park Row, or Syndicate Building, erected in 1897-98, can be seen in the background [0866]. A coastal freighter is next [1560], then Trinity Church appears, to the left of which can be seen the Surety Building, as a tug with a "C" on the stack passes in foreground [2032]. Several small steamboats come into view [2136], and the B.T. Babbitt Soap factory at Pier 6 is seen [2300], followed by the Pennsylvania Railroad piers (#5 & #4), with a group of docked railroad car floats [2556], and the Lehigh Valley Railroad piers (#3 & #2), also with car floats [3030]. Next are the Bowling Green Building (rectangular, with facade to camera) [3208], the Whitehall Building (vertical, thin side to camera) [3388], followed by Pennsylvania Railroad Pier #1 [3630]. Pier A (with a clock tower) is seen with the New York Harbor Police steam boat "Patrol" at its end [4654]. The Bowling Green Offices and the Produce Exchange at Bowling Green are visible in the background. The breakwater (sheltered landing) and the New York City Fireboat House appears [5270] and the distinctive round structure, Castle Garden, once a fort and immigrant station, but at the time of filming the City Aquarium, comes into view [5438]. The camera then pans east along the Battery Park promenade: the Barge Office (with tower) is visible in the distance [5804], and further out the Brooklyn shoreline with the grain elevators at Atlantic Avenue can be seen [6088]. This view is continued, with only a minor break in continuity, in the film Panorama of Sky Scrapers and Brooklyn Bridge From the East River. Together they comprise a sweep around the southern tip of Manhattan, from Fulton Street on the Hudson to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Sleighing scene CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1898. SUMMARY A view of a snow-covered road in Central Park. A variety of horse-drawn sleighs ride by the camera from both directions. Only two pedestrians appear.

Soldiers washing dishes CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., c1898.

Sorting refuse at incinerating plant, New York City CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1903. SUMMARY The subject is a group of about thirty men and boys who are sorting combustible refuse, mostly paper, and stuffing it into large sacks. In the background a man in a hat with an emblem on it can be seen unloading trash from a large wagon. Location may be the New York City Sanitation Department's East 17th Street facility, or possibly the incinerator at West 47th Street on the Hudson River.

South Spring Street, Los Angeles, Cal. CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Various equipages pass, including a tally-ho and six white horses. A peculiar, open-end trolley car comes along; bicycle riders and pedestrians.

Spanish dancers at the Pan-American Exposition CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1901. SUMMARY The film was photographed from the area back of the midway of the Pan-American Exposition. The immediate background indicates the camera was in front of the living quarters of the gypsy dancing troupe. Several female gypsies in costume appear and dance.

Stanford University, California CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Taken at the above University, noted the world over, being the personal gift of the late Senator Leland Stanford. The view shows an immense arch in the background through which are seen coming groups of students, some walking, others on bicycles. The figures show life size, clear and distinct. The ivy covered walls of the building form the background to a pleasing picture.

Statue of Liberty CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1898. SUMMARY A three-quarter front view of the Statue of Liberty. The statue was erected twelve years earlier, in 1886.

The stenographer's friend (in 2 parts) CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : [Edison Manufacturing Co., 1910]

A storm at sea CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: While our photographers were crossing the Atlantic Ocean a most wonderful and sensational picture was secured, showing a storm at sea. The picture was secured by lashing the camera to the after bridge of the Kaiserine Maria Theresa [sic], of the North German Lloyd Line, during one of its roughest voyages. The most wonderful storm picture ever photographed. Taken at great risk.

A street Arab CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1898. SUMMARY A preadolescent boy, dressed like a street urchin, performs acrobatic stunts for the camera. From a contemporary Edison Company catalog: A STREET ARAB. Umreichen [code for telegraphic orders]. Shows one of New York's street gamins going through various acrobatic evolutions; he turns handsprings backward and forward, walks the crab, does cart wheels and other kindred feats. An exceptionally unique part of the performance is his standing on his head and twisting around like a top. It is safe to say he will be bald-headed at an early age.

Street car chivalry CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1903. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Scene shows interior of crowded street-car. A young lady enters and every man in the car offers her his seat. Presently an elderly stout lady with arm full of bundles enters. All male passengers immediately bury their faces in their papers, while the lady swings on the strap. A sudden jerk of the car lands her in the lap of a dude, much to the amusement of the other passengers. She pulls herself together, only to be thrown sprawling on the dude again. This time she mashes his high hat. The dude rises and leaves the car, and the old lady gathers up her bundles and sits down with a satisfied smile.

Subub surprises the burglar / Thomas A. Edison, Inc. CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1903. SUMMARY Opens on a bedroom set, with a man in a white nightshirt asleep on a Murphy bed. The bedroom window is raised from the outside, and a man dressed in black clothes and cap enters, furtively looks around the room, and checks to see that the bed's occupant is asleep. The burglar then rummages through the clothes in a chest of drawers and, finding nothing of interest, turns to the homeowner's pants near the bed. As the burglar finds and pockets a wallet, Subub awakes, sees the burglar, and activates the bed so that it closes up into the wall. The underside of the Murphy bed appears to be metal, with what look to be six canon or gun holes. As the burglar turns and notices the folded bed, gunfire shoots from the bed's portholes. With the sixth and final shot, the burglar blows up and disappears in a cloud of smoke, through the use of stop-motion cinematography. An American flag is raised from the top of the curious weapon and the bed unfolds, with Subub gleefully clapping and waving his arms.

Sunset Limited, Southern Pacific Ry. CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Taken at Fingal, Cal., where the world-renowned "Sunset Limited" trains pass each other. One runs on a side track, and the other dashes by at a high rate of speed. Switch is then turned, and the train passes on, slowly receeding from view.

Surf at Monterey CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: The water breaks over the rocks, and is dashed into silvery spray, high into the air. Exceptionally fine water effects.

Sutro Baths CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Another view in which the figures show larger. A springboard furnishes the bathers with much amusement; also a toboggan slide.

Sutro Baths, no. 1 CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1897. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: One of the sights of San Francisco. A 50-foot slide is used by the bathers, who toboggan down its slippery surface in all positions. The bathers are clad in black trunks, making fine contrast with the flesh tints.

Swiss village, no. 2 CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: The scene opens by showing the village girls driving home a herd of cows, and shows the native peasantry of Switzerland returning from their daily occupation--watching the herds. After driving the cattle to their shelter, the boys and girls congregate in front of the old barn and go through a native dance, to the amusement of the spectators. These pictures are marvelously clear and distinct, showing every feature of the participants.

Taking President McKinley's body from train at Canton, Ohio CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Thomas A. Edison, Inc., 1901. SUMMARY This film was photographed from two camera positions, and shows the area where the guard of honor (pallbearers) is removing the casket containing the remains of President McKinley from the railroad car. The second camera position shows the pallbearers as they carry the casket to the hearse and place it inside.

Tenderloin at night CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899.

10th U.S. Infantry, 2nd Battalion, leaving cars CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films "war extra" catalog: Hurrah--here they come! Hot, dusty, grim and determined! Real soldiers, every inch of them! No gold lace and chalked belts and shoulder straps, but fully equipped in full marching order: blankets, guns, knapsacks and canteens. Train is in the background. Crowds of curious bystanders; comical looking [Afro-American] "dude" with a sun- umbrella strolls languidly in the foreground, and you almost hear that "yaller dog" bark. Small boys in abundance. The column marches in fours and passes through the front of the picture. More small boys--all colors. The picture is excellent in outline and full of vigorous life.

Terrible Teddy, the grizzly king CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1901. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: A burlesque on Theodore Roosevelt hunting mountain lions in Colorado and taken from the New York Journal and Advertiser. The scene opens in a very picturesque wood. Teddy with his large teeth is seen running down the hill with his gun in hand, followed by his photographer and press agent. He reconnoitres around a large tree and finally discovers the mountain lion. He kneels on one knee and makes a careful shot. Immediately upon the discharge of his gun a huge black cat falls from the tree and Teddy whips out his bowie knife, leaps on the cat and stabs it several times, then poses while his photographer makes a picture and the press agent writes up the thrilling adventure. A side splitting burlesque.

Three acrobats CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1899. SUMMARY Vaudeville stage act of two male and one female clown-acrobats who make use of a constructed "break-away" wall of spring-hinged windows and doors. Begins with a male clown in dark tights and leotard with a white clown collar tumbling through the set's upper window, as a second male in a light suitcoat over dark tights and leotard tumbles out the bottom window. Both men have painted faces and wild clown hair. As they chase each other in and around the wall's doors, a dark-haired woman in light tights and leotard, without greasepaint, surreptitiously hits one of the male clowns with a board. That man thinks it is the other male who has struck him, and the chase continues. This business is repeated with a bucket. As the first male clown kicks the other, however, the woman is spotted and blamed for the incident, resulting in a chase between all three "acrobats" in and out of the set's doors.

Torpedo boat "Morris" running CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: This scene was taken at Newport, R. I., and shows this wonderful torpedo boat running at the rate of thirty miles an hour. When the boat came in front of the camera it discharged a gigantic Whitehead torpedo, which is seen to dive into the water like an enormous fish.

Tourists going round Yellowstone Park CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., c1899. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Rapidly one after the other coach after coach passes before the camera. First comes a big one, six horses, crowded top and inside with tourists. They wave hats and handkerchiefs as they pass. Then comes another; then follows four more, each drawn by a four-horse team, while ten or a dozen more are strung out far into the distance. This is the Christian Endeavor excursion touring through the Yellowstone Park under the able management of the Northern Pacific Railway Co.

Trained cavalry horses CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1898. SUMMARY From Edison films catalog: Shows the wonderful intelligence of these Troop F, 6th U.S. Cavalry, horses. At a command they lie down promptly, and at another order scramble to their feet.

The tramp's unexpected skate CREATED/PUBLISHED United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1901. SUMMARY On a stage with a painted backdrop of a terrace overlooking a park, a man identified as a tramp by his ragged costume and beard lies asleep against a potted palm tree. Two boys enter from screen right, each rolling on one skate. They see the sleeping tramp, communicate to each other through gestures the gag they have in mind, and bend down to untie their skates. The boys then tie the skates on the feet of the sleeping hobo, and awake the man by raising and then dropping one of his legs. The tramp quickly wakes and jumps up to grab the boys, only to roll and slip, then fall on his back, as the boys easily run around him. As the tramp struggles to his feet and then falls again, the boys laugh at and taunt the hapless man. The comedic actions and pratfalls of the tramp on roller-skates are repeated.

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.