Best Picture 1901
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- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsJehanne d'AlcyBleuette BernonA young woman becomes the eighth wife of the wealthy Bluebeard, whose first seven wives have died under mysterious circumstances.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsIn this trickery extravaganza, Excelsior, the wizard of illusion, pulls out a handkerchief from his pocket, and after that, everything is possible in his rare and spectacular show.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA chemist carries out a bizarre experiment with his own head.
- This film is part of the Mitchell and Kenyon collection - an amazing visual record of everyday life in Britain at the beginning of the twentieth century. Wave to Morecambe's seasiders in 1901, courtesy of this Mitchell and Kenyon tracking shot.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsJehanne d'AlcyGeorges MélièsRight in front of our very eyes, two attractive and feminine women metamorphose into two professional wrestlers who begin a no-holds-barred wrestling match.
- DirectorJames WilliamsonStarsSam DaltonA man, objecting to being filmed, comes closer and closer to the camera lens until his mouth is all we see. Then he opens wide and swallows camera and cinematographer. He steps back, chews, and grins.
- DirectorFrederick S. ArmitageTime-lapse photography is used to show the manual dismantling and demolition of New York's Star Theatre over a period of about 30 days.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsThe picture opens showing a gentleman in full evening dress costume. Removing his opera hat and cloak, he leaves the hat on the table and by a few passes causes it to assume immense proportions. Prior to increasing the size of the hat, he takes from it a table cloth, napkins, knives and forks, and a few dishes. Then the hat is increased in size and he takes therefrom several chairs, after which the guests are produced from the same hat, consisting of two men and two women. They seat themselves at the table and proceed to eat of the good things provided, when the conjurer jumps backward on the table, and in the excitement everything disappears, leaving him as he was before with the original high hat. The scene is so funny that the pictures on the wall assume life and appear to enjoy the situation to such an extent that they almost fall down. After everything is righted the magician bows himself out of the picture.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsIn a mysterious cavern, a magician performs a magic show that includes a dancing skeleton and a woman who is levitated.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothOn the roof of an ancient palace appear a young Knight and his lady. While they are making love an ugly old witch appears and is rather troublesome. The Knight commands her to leave, and when he is about to force her away she sits on her broom and rises to the moon. After disappearing she causes various hob-goblins to haunt the pair, the last of them stealing away the lady while the Knight's back is turned. The Knight, frantic with grief, is suddenly confronted by a Fairy, who presents him with a magical sword, and tells him that he can use it to regain the young woman.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsThe entire story of Christmastide is here depicted. The scene opens in a large boudoir of an apparently wealthy man's home. His children, assisted by their governess, are about to retire. Before lying down they hang up their stockings on the edge of the bed. The picture changes and night appears. We see the housetops of the town and angels are flying about depositing packages in each of the chimneys. Santa Claus is also busy and furnishes our little friends with numerous presents. Again a change in the picture and we see the corridor of the old village church. The sexton, an old grey haired man, stands by, while a number of lusty boys pull the rope attached to the great bell in the belfry. The bell tolling in the steeple bursts into view, after which the interior of the church is seen with the full choir accompanied by the organist and choir boys singing the Christmas hymn. Another change and the boudoir is again before us and the children are looking over their presents while their parents are receiving the congratulations of their friends who have come to visit them. The picture changes into that of the great dining hall with the guests sitting around the table and the beggar is brought in and given a place at the table. The conclusion of this beautiful subject is a pretty tableau. We cannot speak too highly of the dissolving effects of this film. One picture dissolves into the other and thus the story is continuous from beginning to the end. Artistically beautiful.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsA bachelor meets with a magician to conjure the perfect mate.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsThis picture shows the ground floor and also the first floor front of a modern lodging house. In the lower room the landlord and his lady are having dinner, while above them four young men lodgers are competing as to who can make the most noise. Tiring of this amusement, they bore through the floor and let down an enormous spider, which upsets the dinner party. One of the lodgers falls through the ceiling and upsets the place and drives the landlady into hysterics by very cleverly simulating an elephant by means of a tablecloth and two broomsticks. Finally a policeman appears on the scene, but getting under the hole in the ceiling, is completely overwhelmed with furniture.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothStarsDaniel SmithIt's Christmas Eve. The miser Scrooge and his assistant Bob Cratchit finish their work in the office and go home. When Scrooge is going to open his front door, he sees the face of Marley's ghost in the door knocker. Inside he takes on his night dress, eats his supper, and falls asleep at the table. Marly's ghost shows Scrooge a vision of himself at a Christmas in the past. Then the ghost escorts him to the present Christmas, and the homes and families of Bob Cratchit and Fred, where Scrooge sees Bob and Fred drink to him in his absence. At last the ghost shows Scrooge the Christmas that might be. Here Scrooge has to face his own grave and the death of Tiny Tim. Confronted with this Scrooge regrets his callousness and egoism.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA magnificent Venetian oratory. On the left a large bay window through which may be seen the Grand Canal of the city of Venice. In the centre a colonnade and a hemicycle; to the right is a statue of the Madonna. At the beginning of the scene Romeo in his gondola sings to Juliet a sentimental song, then goes away. Hardly has he departed when the colonnade falls to pieces, disclosing the devil. Juliet, frightened, runs to the window and calls Romeo. The latter attempts to enter and protect his fiancée, but at a gesture from the devil the window is instantly covered with a grating and Romeo makes frantic efforts to break it. The devil begins to dance a wild dance before Juliet, who is beside herself from terror. The devil gradually becomes the size of a giant (a novel effect). Juliet implores the statue of Madonna, which becomes animated, descends from its pedestal, and stretching out its arms orders the devil to disappear. The devil grows smaller and smaller and finally becomes a tiny dwarf, then he is lost in space. The window resumes its first form and Romeo embraces his beloved, with the benediction of the Virgin.
- DirectorJames WilliamsonStarsSam DaltonA hungry vagabond snatches a wrapped leg of lamb and jumps into a large wooden barrel to hide. Will he get away scot-free?
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterThe 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 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 the 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.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsGeorges Méliès plays the main character, as he splits into two versions of himself, and changes size.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaStarsJean LiézerBretteauFerdinand ZeccaA burglar is arrested for a murder. He is condemned to death. Before his execution the murderer dreams of his past, of how he was a bank clerk, then turned to crime. The criminal is then taken out of his cell, and a moment later is executed.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA Brahmin comes upon a giant caterpillar, which turns into a cross between a butterfly and a girl: the Brahmin finally turns into a caterpillar.
- These strikingly sharp scenes from Belfast present familiar thoroughfares including Bedford Street and Donegall Place. Fashionable residents peruse upmarket shops and we also glimpse passing horse-drawn transport to the Ormeau and Malone Roads. The film appeared as part of a show at the Ulster Hall in May 1901 and billboards advertising the event appear in shots of Royal Avenue.
- Factory workers including child laborers walk towards a camera and interact with it.
- DirectorGeorge S. FlemingEdwin S. PorterStarsCharmionIn this short silent film, we see Charmion an early vaudeville strongwomen, perform her famous Trapeze disrobing act. During the Victorian era, Charmion believed in promoting physical culture and dress reform for women.
- DirectorJames WilliamsonFirefighters ring for help, and here comes the ladder cart; they hitch a horse to it. A second horse-drawn truck joins the first, and they head down the street to a house fire. Inside a man sleeps, he awakes amidst flames and throws himself back on the bed. In comes a firefighter, hosing down the blaze. He carries out the victim, down a ladder to safety. Other firefighters enter the house to save belongings, and out comes one with a baby. The saved man rejoices, but it's not over yet. Another resident appears upstairs. He jumps.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterA great feature of the Pan-American Exposition, as unanimously conceded by all visitors, was the electric illumination of the Exposition grounds at night. After a great deal of experimenting and patience, we succeeded in securing an excellent picture of the buildings at the Pan-American as they appeared when lighted up at night. All the buildings from the Temple of Music to the Electric Tower are shown, including the Electric Tower itself. The emotional and sensational effects were also secured by starting the panoramic view by daylight and revolving the camera until the Electric Tower forms the center of the field of the lens. Our camera was then stopped and the position held until night, when we photographed the coming up of the lights, an event which was deemed by all to be a great emotional climax to the Pan-American Exposition. Immediately the lights are burning to their fullest brilliancy, the camera is againt set in motion and revolved until the Temple of Music is reached. The motion is then reversed and the camera goes back until it rests on the Electric Tower, thus supplying the climax to the picture. The great searchlights of the Tower are being worked during the entire time the picture is being exposed, and the effect is startling. This picture is pronounced by the photographic profession to be a marvel of photography.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterA most perfect picture of the Pan-American Exposition buildings, including the Electric Tower and Temple of Music, as they appear at night.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsClowns ride in on a wagon drawn by a skeletal horse. The clowns proceed to transform from blackface performers to white costumed clowns, and back again, as they perform zany antics.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothAn up to date idea and a great picture. The professor sits in his laboratory with his newly invented baby incubator. A mother who is anxious for the growth of her child enters, places her baby in care of the professor, who promptly places it in the incubator. An alcohol lamp is lighted under the apparatus, but the professor evidently gets his machine too hot, for in a few seconds the top is opened and the baby taken out. To the great anger of its mother it has grown about two feet in height and has long hair and a full beard.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterThis early docudrama shows Auburn Prison and recreates the electrocution of Leon Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley of the United States. Some versions offer additional footage at the beginning which shows McKinley on the day of his assassination followed by scenes from his funeral.
- A daredevil rides his bicycle down a ramp and attempts to land in a pool of water as a crowd of spectators watches.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsAndré DeedThe funniest of all mystical pictures yet produced. Several body parts of a dancing clown float away from his body and come back again.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaA well-dressed middle-aged man is enjoying a drink at a table with a pretty young woman. He flirts with her, and she seems not to mind his attentions. But is it all too good to be true?
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterA most interesting picture at the Pan-American Exposition. The picture was taken from the north side of the Electric Tower. It presents the most perfect and diversified views of the Transportation Building, Mexican Plaza, the Stadium and the north side of the Electric Tower.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothAn old proprietor is startled by the sudden appearance of a skull. Just as he draws back from the uncanny object, the doors of a mediaeval wardrobe fly back and a hand prods him with a sword. He turns to confront his assailant when it vanishes, and at the same instant the skull flies to the other end of the room. He clutches at the skull, when it turns into the half form of a girl from the waist up, suspended in mid-air. As he gazes in amusement, the other half of the girl, fully dressed from her waist down, walks across the room, and the two halves of the figure join, making a girl complete. In an amorous fashion the old man folds his arms around the girl's waist with the intention of stealing a kiss, but the girl immediately changes into an old woman, who grins in evident delight at the old man's discomfort. In great anger he throws her into the wardrobe and locks the door. Unseen by him, the woman has again become a girl. A great effect is here produced. Through the doors, which are solid and closed, the form of the girl appears through the woodwork. Hastily opening the door, the old man is then confronted by an Egyptian mummy. Other strange things happen. As the pawnbroker flies from the room a large and grotesque head arises from the smoke and slowly advances toward the spectators. Larger and larger the head grows until it fills the entire picture, and appears as though it would swallow the whole audience. A most laughable and mystifying scene.
- DirectorWalter R. Boothjovial looking man is seated nearest the window of a restaurant. He has just finished his meal and the waiter brings a glass of beer, and when he places the glass upon the table, lo, a little sailor boy about six inches high appears from the foam, and climbing down the side of the glass, proceeds to dance a sailor's hornpipe on the table. The sailor then walks toward a large cake of cheese, which is really higher than himself, and from the wedge shaped opening which has been cut, produces a little lady of his own height, with whom he holds a very animated conversation to the great delight of the diner. Another little man appears on the scene, and everything goes smoothly until a quarrel arises among the little people. The picture finishes in an exciting manner, by the sailor and the lady's escort having a lively mix-up. This is one of the most comical effects ever produced in animated photography.
- Workmen on a New York skyscraper descending from the roof by means of a derrick. This picture was taken by means of a special apparatus which enabled the camera to follow the men as they were lowered to the ground.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothPierrot draws a lady in sections, and the parts come alive.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothHere we present a picture that simply convulses an audience with laughter. The scene opens in the bedroom of a hotel. A traveler appears, evidently a "little worse for wear." After stretching and yawning, he proceeds to disrobe. He throws off his coat and vest, but to his surprise and anguish, he suddenly finds himself clothed in a continental uniform. He throws this off in anger, but immediately a policeman's costume flies on him. This is in turn thrown aside in great rage and he finds himself clothed in a soldier's uniform. At last, thinking himself successful, he makes for the bed and finds a skeleton complacently resting on his pillow. The bed suddenly disappears, leaving him seated on the floor, and great quantities of bed clothes rain down from the ceiling. The picture ends leaving the audience simply convulsed in laughter.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothThe brother, impressed by the wizard's magic, asks to help his sick sister.
- DirectorGeorge S. FlemingEdwin S. PorterStarsGilbert SaroniAn old maid is walking about the studio while the photographer is getting his camera ready. She first looks at a hanger, which immediately falls from the wall, not being able to stand her gaze. Then she looks at the clock, and her face causes it to fall to the floor with a crash. She then walks over to the mirror, which suddenly cracks in several places. The photographer then poses her. Just as he is to press the button the camera explodes with a great puff of smoke, completely destroying the camera and demolishing the studio. The picture finishes up with the old maid tipping back in her chair and losing her balance, displaying a large quantity of fancy lace goods. A sure winner.
- StarsBessie GordonMinnie GordonThe scene is a theatre stage with a painted panorama of French garden, with a central alley between lawns, with a couple of marble steps and balcony in front, and a line of trees in the background. Two young women step in front of this scenario, one in black, and the other in white knee-length skirts and sleeveless shirts. Both are curly blondes, keeping their hair in place by means of ribbons. They have 8-ounce boxing gloves (228 grams) well tied to their wrists. They box each other in fast, intuitive action, with not much protection. Most punches end on the opponent's leather clad fists, but several reach their bare arms, and they exchange at least 20 punches to head and chest, at close quarter and with considerable power, showing that both sisters had reasonable training in boxing, and were not afraid of taking punches themselves. The girl in black seems to dominate most of the 1m30s round, though near the end the girl in white does a courageous comeback # not enough to win, if points were awarded. The fight, or the film copy from which the tape was extracted, ends suddenly, after a solid head punch by the black skirted girl # but it's not enough to down her similarly strong opponent.
- One of the most fascinating exhibits on the Midway at the Pan-American Exposition is the Japanese Village. This space occupies about one and one-half acres of ground. It is dotted with pretty miniature lakes, the famous Japanese circle bridges, groves, tea houses, etc. We secured an excellent picture of this village while a troupe of Japanese acrobats were performing. The acrobats themselves are in the foreground of the picture and form the principal feature. The entire length of the film is replete with difficult acrobatic tricks, performed by one of the most skilled troupes in the world.
- The scene opens showing Reuben and his best girl looking for a quiet place to spoon. A photographer enters and suggests taking their pictures. Reuben gets impatient, and walks over to the photographer and insists on peering in the camera. A bad boy enters and ties Reuben's legs to the tripod. Reuben makes a wild dash for the photographer, but falls to the ground on top of the camera, smashing it to pieces. The scene ends with the lovers and Reuben all mixed up in a confused mess upon the ground
- DirectorGeorge S. FlemingEdwin S. PorterStarsA.C. AbadieFlorence GeorgieA winner and sure to please. In front of one of the largest newspaper offices is a hot air shaft through which immense volumes of air are forced by a blower. Ladies in crossing this shaft often have their clothes slightly disarranged. A young man is escorting a young lady and talking very earnestly. They walk slowly along until they stand directly over the air shaft. The young lady's skirts are suddenly raised to an almost unreasonable height, greatly to her horror and much to the amusement of the newsboys, bootblacks, and passersby.
- DirectorRobert W. PaulA satire on the way that audiences unaccustomed to the cinema didn't know how to react to the moving images on a screen - in this film, an unsophisticated (and stereotypical) country yokel is alternately baffled and terrified, in the latter case by the apparent approach of a steam train
- In recording this scene the position of our camera was an excellent one, and we present to the public a most perfect picture of the train's arrival. The engine is decorated with crepe to mark the solemnity of this great historical event. As the train stops at the platform great respect for the dead President is shown by the waiting diplomats and reception committee baring their heads and standing respectfully on one side as the mourners leave the train.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterShows a bedroom in a hotel. On the wall of the room is a conspicuous sign "Don't blow out the gas." A hayseed enters the room, accompanied by a bellboy. The boy deposits the Rube's bag and umbrella, turns a somersault, and vanishes through the door. The Rube then removes his hat and coat and places them upon the table. They immediately vanish. He then blows out the gas. The scene then instantly changes to a funeral procession, headed by Reuben's hearse, and followed by the carriages of his country friends. Strictly up-to-date picture.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterTheodore Roosevelt merrily kills a mountain lion in Colorado while his press agent and photographer record the event for posterity.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarsLaura ComstockThis wonderful dog "Mannie," owned by the vaudeville star, Miss Laura Comstock, is a most learned animal. He has been trained to perform all sorts of tricks, and his intelligence is, perhaps, most marked in his latest and most difficult feat, that of punching the bag. This picture depicts him in a bag punching performance which is really wonderful. His high jumps and lightning-like punches are remarkable and cause one to marvel at the amount of patience that must be necessary to teach a dog such tricks.
- DirectorG.W. BitzerStarsMarcus HannaWilliam McKinleyTheodore RooseveltThe first sequence (ca. 49 ft.), views of President William McKinley speaks to the crowd during his inauguration in Washington, DC. We see crowds on Pennsylvania Ave., NW, passing by the Willard Hotel during the inauguration festivities. A military unit on horseback rides down the court of honor, the area on Pennsylvania Ave., NW, going down 15th to 17th streets. President and McKinley and his party reviews the inaugural parade from a stand here. McKinley tips his hat to the crowd as his carriage passes the Willard Hotel. Stting beside McKinley in the carriage is Sen. Marcus A. Hanna of Ohio with members of the President's special escort, Troop A of the Ohio National Guard, and aides aides with guards. The man riding alone in the second carriage is Vice President Theodore Roosevelt.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterThis film is difficult to classify. It opens on a scene showing a mourner with bowed head sitting in front of what appears to be a tombstone. Shortly afterwards, the face of Abraham Lincoln and then of two other presidents, Garfield and McKinley, can be seen on the monument and then they disappear. There is a figure huddled at the foot of a statue of Justice, as if asking forgiveness.
- StarsTheodore RooseveltScenes of President McKinley's funeral.
- StarsGeorge DeweyJohn Davis LongWilliam McKinleyShort film which documents President McKinley's escort to the Capitol building.
- StarsWilliam McKinleyJoseph Garney CannonJohn DalzellShort film which documents William McKinley's presidential inauguration.