The Twins' Tea Party (1896) User Reviews

First of Two

[boblipton · 6/10 · 1 December 2006]

Although the Internet Movie Database lists this as an 1897 production, the British Film Institute DVD release of Paul's films in 2006 claims this was part of his original Alhambra show in 1896 and proved to be so popular it was remade two years later. Perhaps the IMDb dating is a compromise of the two editions.

In any case, when we compare this to the Lumiere's pictures of babies, particularly Lumiere's QUERELLE ENFANTINE (1895), we notice that 1: the composition and background are simpler -- face on shot, blank wall behind -- and that the children are much more natural, livelier, and humorous -- they wear big floppy hats. The Lumieres came from photography and understood composition. Paul was selling to a music hall audience, far more boisterous than Lumiere would ever be.

A Good Effort For 1896

[Tornado_Sam · 10 December 2017]

In the year 1896, filmmaking was very new--a novelty. It was so amazing for people to see movement on screen that early filmmakers rarely tried anything that included more of a plot. A lot of the time, films showed everyday life without any storytelling. So for 1896 this is a great effort as there is a bit of a plot and is generally more entertaining. It's all about two little kids who are having a tea party. But then they get into a big fight and one slaps the other, apparently over a piece of cake. While that might not sound exciting, for 1896 it's exceptional. A work of fiction. This was a big success and it's easy to see why because of the period.

(Note: This is technically a remake of the Lumiere Bros' "Childish Quarrel" which was made the same year, except that film is more of a closeup and there is a background, not just a blank wall, plus the camera composition is more elaborate).

As the title says

[Horst_In_Translation · 2/10 · 28 September 2015]

"The Twins' Tea Party" is a 30-second silent, black-and-white short film from almost 120 years ago. The director is the very prolific silent film pioneer Robert W. Paul and the film's title says it all basically. We see a bunch of very young children (too young to act) have something along the lines of a tea party. It's nothing really memorable or interesting, so I think this is not even close to the best in terms of film from the 19th century. Most Méliès and also most Paul films are far more worth a watch than this one here. Best thing about it is maybe that it was over so quickly. Cannot say I recommend this at all, unless you really have a deep interest in the forming years of cinema. Thumbs down.