1908
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- DirectorLouis J. GasnierA laundry man parks his horse-drawn cart to make a delivery. While he is inside, his horse sees a bag of oats and starts to eat them. By the time the man comes back outside, the horse has eaten a whole bag of oats, and has so much energy that he begins to race out of control.
- DirectorJ. Searle DawleyStarsMiss EarleJinnie FrazerD.W. GriffithA family is terrified when an eagle carries off its young child.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonStarsPaul PanzerA one-armed man obtains an artificial limb which he cannot control.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderA housewife tires of her husband's annoying behavior and returns to her mother. At first, the husband is quite pleased to have the house all to himself. But he quickly discovers that even the most basic domestic chores can be fraught with difficulty.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithG.W. BitzerStarsArthur V. JohnsonLinda ArvidsonGladys EganOn a warm and sunny summer's day, a mother and father take their young daughter Dollie on a riverside outing. A gypsy basket peddler happens along, and is angered when the mother refuses to buy his wares. He attacks mother and daughter but is driven off by the father. Later the gypsy sneaks back and kidnaps the girl. A rescue party is organized but the gypsy conceals the child in a 30 gallon barrel which he precariously places on the tail of the wagon. He and his gypsy-wife make their getaway by fording the river with the wagon. The barrel, with Dollie still inside, breaks free, tumbling into into the river; it starts floating toward the peril of a nearby waterfall . . .
- DirectorÉmile CohlThe first all-animated film in history, a series of scenes without much narrative structure, but morphing into each other.
- DirectorAndré CalmettesCharles Le BargyStarsCharles Le BargyAlbert LambertGabrielle RobinneFrance, at the end of the sixteenth century. Henry III decided to eliminate his rival, the Duke of Guise, and, therefore, calls him in the castle of Blois. The mistress of the duke, warned of the King's intentions, informs him, but the noble, sure of his own authority, went there anyway. In Cabinet-Vieux castle Duke is stabbed by guards of the King, while he attends the murder hidden behind the curtains. Eventually, Henry III does burn the duke body to discard.
- DirectorOtis TurnerStarsHobart BosworthBetty HarteDr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.
- StarsCharles KentFlorence TurnerCaught off-guard by Indian mutineers, a British soldier saves his last bullet for his daughter lest she be taken. This silent film features an original, scene-specific piano score compiled from period appropriate photoplay music.
- StarsTom RickettsThe miser Scrooge passes down a London street the morning before Christmas, on his way to his counting house. So much is he detested that no one speaks to him until a beggar approaches, asks for alms, and is angrily stricken to the ground. A spirit appears and tells the miser that the beggar will again appear that night. Scrooge approaches his counting house, and as he is entering, the beggar again appears before him. He places his hands before his eyes to shut out the apparition, and when he looks again the figure has vanished. The interior of the counting house where Bob Cratchett, the clerk, and Fred, the nephew of Scrooge, are attending to their duties. Fred announces that he has just been married. His bride, together with the crippled boy, Tiny Tim, enter the office. Looking out the window, they discover the approach of Scrooge, and at the advice of Fred the ladies conceal themselves. Scrooge enters and is told of Fred's marriage. He kisses the bride, but immediately regretting his action, orders them out of the office. They plead for a Christmas holiday, to which Scrooge eventually consents. The spirit appears and leads Scrooge from the office. A merry throng on a London street, with a stranger scattering money to the children who gather about him. The spirit leads Scrooge to the throng, who shun him as he endeavors to speak to them at the command of the spirit. The cripple at the lodgings of Scrooge, and the latter entering, still led by the spirit. The beggar warms himself by the fireplace, while Scrooge in anger attempts to strike him, when he is transformed into the image of the dead partner of the miser. Horror-stricken, Scrooge sinks into a chair, and looking into the fireplace seeks a vision of his boyhood days. With a cry he sinks to the floor. The spirit again compels him to look into the fireplace, where he sees a vision of his forsaken sweetheart, as well as that of himself as a young business man. Thoroughly overcome, he falls to the floor exhausted, but the spirit again raises him with a command to follow him from the office. The meager home of the Cratchetts, where, at the command of the spirit, he showers money upon the ill-paid clerk and his happy family and is again led away. The Christmas festivities at the home of Fred, the nephew of Scrooge, Fred toasts his uncle, but the company refuse to drink to the toast. Scrooge, concealed in the recess of the window, notices this, and coming forward, showers them with money, promising that hereafter he will lead a different life. The spirit and Scrooge in the lodgings of the latter, where Scrooge falls upon his knees in prayer. Christmas Day, Scrooge gives a banquet to all his house can hold, including Fred, the Cratchetts and his friends, where he promises that in the future he will live to achieve the happiness of others.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsFlorence LawrenceArthur V. JohnsonLinda ArvidsonBased on Shakespeare's play: Petruchio courts the bad-tempered Katharina, and tries to change her aggressive behavior.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónStarsSegundo de ChomónJulienne MathieuAn enthusiastic young couple is astounded with modern technology's giant leaps in the fascinating field of electricity.
- DirectorWilliam TilghmanStarsAl J. JenningsFrank CantonQuanah ParkerA gang of outlaws are planning a bank robbery. After making preparations, they commit the robbery and make their escape amidst a sharp exchange of bullets. They return to their meeting place, and then hurriedly continue onwards, with lawmen close behind them.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsCharles InsleeHarry SolterFlorence LawrenceGeorge Redfeather, the hero of this subject, returns from Carlisle, where he not only graduated with high honors, but was also the star of the college football team. At a reception given in his honor by Lieut. Penrose, an Indian agent, the civilized brave meets Gladys, the lieutenant's daughter, and falls desperately in love with her. You may be sure he is indignantly repulsed by Gladys and ordered from the house for his presumption by her father. With pique he leaves, and we next find him in his own room, crushed and disappointed, for he realizes the truth: "Good enough as a hero, but not as a husband." What was the use of his struggle? As he reasons, his long suppressed nature asserts itself and he hears the call of the wild: "Out there is your sphere, on the boundless plains, careless and free, among your kind and kin, where all is truth." Here he sits; this nostalgic fever growing more intense every second, until in a fury he tears off the conventional clothes he wears, donning in their stead his suit of leather, with blanket and feathered headgear. Thus garbed, and with a bottle of whiskey, he makes his way back to his former associates in the wilds. He plans vengeance and the opportunity presents itself, when he surprises Gladys out horseback riding. He captures her after a spirited chase and intended holding her captive, but she appeals to him, calling to his mind the presence of the All Powerful Master above, who knows and sees all things, and who is even now calling to him to do right. He listens to the call of this Higher Voice, and helping her to her saddle, sadly watches her ride off homeward.
- DirectorFrancis BoggsOtis TurnerStarsL. Frank BaumFrank BurnsGeorge E. WilsonLost film that adapted L. Frank Baum's books "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", "The Marvelous Land of Oz", "Ozma of Oz" and "John Dough and the Cherub". Only the narration script, read by L. Frank Baum himself, and production stills survive.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsHarry SolterLinda ArvidsonCharles InsleeA young couple are enjoying a romantic interlude in the young woman's home, when her father discovers them and angrily chases the young man out of the house. They thus decide to elope, and they make plans accordingly. But as they are leaving, a thief discovers their plans, and he decides to turn the situation to his own advantage.
- DirectorPercy StowAn outlaw saves a captured man from the sheriff's gallows.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsJulienne MathieuThe old merchant bids his lovely daughters adieu and departs with an assistant on a business trip. After riding for a long distance through the forest the two travelers suddenly realize that they have lost their way. So, dismounting, they walk first in one direction and then in another in an effort to find the path which leads back to the village, and while they are thus exploring they come upon a beautiful garden in a remote part of the wood, where they sit down for a while to rest. The old merchant is attracted by the beautiful roses, stoops to pick up a few, when suddenly there appears out of a flame gushing up from the ground an ugly looking beast who reprimands the old man severely for trespassing on his premises and threatens him with death unless he promises him one of his beautiful daughters. After the old man has given his word the beast directs them to the right path, and the merchant is once more in his family circle. He tells his daughters of his meeting with the beast and of the terrible fate that is in store for her unless he gives one of them up to the ugly monster. The most beautiful of the three girls decides to sacrifice herself in order to save her father. She starts out for the beast's abode. Arriving in the garden, she is helping herself to the roses, when lo! he appears. When she sees what a repulsive creature he is, she spurns him, but on second thought she is touched with pity for the poor creature and follows him to his hut, where she finds him dying of grief at the thought of losing one so beautiful. A few kind words from her and he is suddenly transformed from a horrible beast to a dashing looking youth with whom she immediately falls in love. The last picture shows the young couple hastening to her father's home, where a splendid feast is given in honor of their marriage.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsMlle. BodsonGeorges MélièsThe opium fiend is seen in a den, puffing on this terrible narcotic. He then falls fast asleep and dreams that he is at home with his wife. He asks for something to drink and he is given wine, which he does not care for, and he is finally given some bottled beer and a glass, but he complains that the glass is too small and he gets a very large sized glass receptacle, into which his wife and maid servant pour the contents of the bottle. As he is about to drink the glass passes from his hand mysteriously, sailing through the room and out of the window to the moon, which drinks the beer and the empty glass is returned to its owner by Diana, who rides below on her crescent moon. The opium fiend tries many times to embrace her, but she always disappears from her original position; and once, when he almost gets her, she has changed into a most ugly creature. He hurls at this hideous transformation everything within his reach. The scene then changes, showing the fiend, awake, throwing the different things at the Chinaman attendant of the opium den.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónStarsJulienne MathieuAndré DeedIn the middle of a theatre stage, much to our surprise, a modern sculptor's minuscule creations come to life, until the grand finale where an astonishing metamorphosis awaits.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonStarsPaul PanzerFlorence LawrenceJohn G. AdolfiTwo feuding houses are united with the marriage and eventual death of their children.
- DirectorMario GalloStarsSalvador RosichEliseo GutiérrezRoberto CasauxThe director Mario Gallo made the first film with an argument from Argentina, although the opinions of scholars are not coincident as to their temporal order.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonWilliam V. RanousStarsCharles KentWilliam SheaMaurice CostelloShakespeare's historical tragedy of the rise and fall of Julius Caesar, told in fifteen scenes.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniLucien NonguetStarsJulienne MathieuA beautiful daughter having been born to the king and queen, the nine most important fairies of the country are called upon to be godmother of the child, and as the ceremony takes place each blesses the child with a special virtue or talent. The welfare of the child seems assured, when all at once the oldest, ugliest and therefore forgotten fairy, appears on the scene and, furious at the slight, puts upon her, curses the baby princess and predicts that she will die poisoned by the prick of the spool of a spinning wheel. The godmother fairies, however, sooth the grief-stricken mother by telling her that her daughter will not die but only fall asleep, as well as everything living which surrounds her for one hundred years. To avoid this calamity, the king orders that every spinning wheel be destroyed under penalty of death, and the king's messenger is seen reading the command. The next scene shows the grown-up princess closely watched by a stately matron. This trusted servant, however, apparently growing too old for her task, falls asleep, and in a moment the princess is out of her apartment bound on an investigation tour. She comes to a small stairway leading to a garret and there, to her astonishment, finds an old woman spinning. Having never seen a spool, she tries to imitate the old dame, but alas, pricking her finger, falls into a dead sleep. Then is shown on the screen the whole castle in peaceful slumber, the hedges growing up and hiding the castle from view, for thus it must remain undisturbed for one hundred years. The next scene represents a young and dashing prince going out with his suite for a hunt, and one can easily detect by the difference in their attire that they belong to another epoch than that in which the charming princess lived. We follow the prince through the woods and dales until dusk, coming unawares, he finds himself lost in a thick bush. He calls for help, and an old shriveled man appears who, with one movement of his stick, causes the shrubs and trees to make way, and there appears to the eyes of the astonished rider a most beautiful castle. Pushed forward by curiosity, he rushes to the entrance, the doors opening before him as he goes along. In the chambers and halls everything is stillness and sleep, but he does not stop to think, being apparently carried along by an irresistible force, until he reaches the bedchamber of the slumbering princess. At sight of this beautiful, picture of youth, he falls on his knees, kisses the hand of the sleeper, and as by magic everything in the castle awakes and comes back to life. The last scene shows the prince and princess surrounded by their attendants and rejoicing over their good fortune.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsFernande AlbanyGeorges MélièsAn eccentric photographer demonstrates the wonders of technology to a couple who want to be photographed by his innovative wireless procedure that accents one's inner personality. Are they prepared for the harsh truth of the camera's eye?
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónProving adept at every possible camera trick, Segundo de Chomón was brought by Charles Pathé to his studio at Vincennes, near Paris, to make trick films in imitation of Jules Verne (such as this one, inspired by A Trip to the Moon (1902)).
- DirectorVladimir RomashkovStarsYevgeny Petrov-KrayevskyThe first Russian narrative film.
- DirectorRomeo BosettiLouis FeuilladeStarsRenée CarlA beautiful young woman walking home from visiting the shops. Causes more than enough problems for every man she passes, who stop to admire her beauty.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsAndré MélièsThe old granny reads to a little girl from a book, and between paragraphs she tells the child of the wonders of Fairyland. Then, the child tiring, she places it affectionately in bed, and after prayers the little girl falls to sleep. Suddenly the child sees a guardian fairy appear from a cross and she is invited to take a stroll to the land of child's wonders. The fairy takes her little hand and begins to lead her through wonderful grottoes of mystic design and awe-inspiring grandeur, until they come to a great land where there are wonderful toys innumerable and defying description, which go through their various movements in an almost human way. From Toyland the fairy leads the little girl to the realm of King Sweet, where all is fruit and candy. From there the wondering child is taken to another land where sweet flowers and trees and ferns, hanging plants, hedges and bowers nod and smile and beckon her onward. The child is entranced by the beauty of it all, but is also tired by her journey and sits down to rest. Soon she nods off to sleep; but her exclamations of joy and wonderment are not silenced, and grandmother, hearing her voice, comes to her side, and the little girl finds herself back in her own little bed again.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónStarsJulienne MathieuFrom the rocky center of a fountain a fairy emerges, and with a wave of her wand she causes to appear a huge, green bullfrog, which begins to hop around the fountain. Suddenly the rocks disappear and the scene is enveloped in showers of multi-colored fire; when the rocks again appear there is a tableau of posing girls revolving round it. Several changes of pose and costume now take place, embracing the artistic employment of white horses and heroic male figures, and one change reveals only a gigantic green frog. The film closes with the appearance of the fairy once more.
- DirectorArthur Melbourne CooperA boy dreams toys come to life.
- DirectorLouis J. GasnierStarsMax LinderA well-grown boy sees a box of his father's cigars, and pockets one. He goes downstairs, and no sooner is he out of the building when he joyously sticks the cheroot into his mouth. Feeling like a man, he goes to a nearby café, orders a drink, and then lights the weed. A close range view of his face is now given. He is flirting with a girl sitting near him. In a little while the cigar begins to act, and between the smiles towards the damsel there is interspersed a sickly expression. The sick feeling gains, but the young man keeps on smoking until he feels very ill; still unwilling to admit defeat. he loosens his collar and coat in an endeavor to be comfortable, but the waiter finally sees him and starts him home. Very ill and groggy, he finds the keyhole after much groping, and enters the wrong room. Here an indignant lodger seizes him and fires him downstairs. This seems to revive him somewhat, and the poor, sick boy makes his way to his own home where his fond mother is seen administering to the would-be man.
- A lady and her sweetheart are seated in a park when the young man notices that the object of his affection is possessed of a considerable number of stray hair over her physiognomy. He is about to desert her when a happy thought strikes him and he visits a chemist who prepares a lotion which is to eliminate the hair. The treatment is applied, but when the poultice is removed the woman is possessed of a full beard. An idea occurs to the man, and acting upon it he promptly marries the girl and then engages in the hair tonic business. His wife makes an excellent feature for his street demonstrations, and the venture is so successful that he soon finds himself the possessor of great wealth.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsFlorence LawrenceGeorge GebhardtGladys EganThis early D.W. Griffith short shows the director's interest in Jewish ghetto life, portrayed here with sympathy and sentimentality. The melodramatic plot involves the conflict between generations in an immigrant Jewish family.
- DirectorGeorge Albert Smith
- DirectorFrancis BoggsThomas PersonsStarsHobart BosworthFrancis BoggsA complete performance of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO filmed as a stage play with curtains between the five acts: Act I. "The Sailor's Return," Act II. "Twenty Years Later," Act III. "Dantes Starts on His Mission of Vengeance," Act IV. "Dantes as the Count of Monte Cristo," Act V. "Dantes Accuses His Enemies," and "finis" at the end. This is the oldest known film of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. Also, it depicts the oldest known film of the San Diego coast.
- DirectorWallace McCutcheonStarsFlorence AuerEdward DillonD.W. GriffithAt a political club, the members debate whose bust will replace that of Theodore Roosevelt. Unable to agree, each goes to a sculptor's studio and bribes him to sculpt a bust of the individual favorite. Instead, the sculptor spends their fees on a dinner with his model during which he becomes so inebriated that he is taken to jail. There he has a nightmare, wherein three busts are created and animated from clay (through stop-motion photography) in the likenesses of Democrat William Jennings Bryan and Republicans Charles W. Fairbanks and William Howard Taft. Finally an animated bust of Roosevelt appears.
- A painter, passing by a blind woman on the street, led by her faithful dog, finds the picture so pathetic that he takes the poor cripple to his studio, where she poses for him as a beggar woman. When the painting is completed he sends her to her home, after having given her a few dimes for her trouble. The old woman, on reaching her hovel, is met by her son, who brutally ill-treats her, for he is brutality and vice personified. To pay for drink the wretch does not hesitate to take the poor blind woman's painfully earned money, and not finding sufficient to satisfy his wants, sells her faithful guide, the poodle dog, to a fellow in crime. They are both seen enjoying in their wicked way the poor mother's pennies, and the dog, feeling himself free once more, returns to his old mistress. They both go forth in the streets again, when the old woman, losing her hold on her pet dog, goes in the wrong direction and falls down a steep cliff. The dog, intelligent and devoted, remembering the kind treatment received at the painter's house, goes for help and is soon returning to the place of the accident with the young artist and a gang of sturdy, kind-hearted men. The poor cripple is hauled out of her terrible position and the young artist and his pretty wife, appalled by such misery; take the old woman and her faithful dog to their home, and the last picture shows the young couple and the once poor beggar woman now enjoying happiness.
- Imagine ten pickaninnies turned loose and on mischief bent. Farmer catches one leaving but Nine. Nine Happy Snowballs on a Swing gate. One gets knocked out then there are Eight. Eight Black Cherubs, swimming at "Eleven," Mammy catches "Rastus," that leaves Seven. Seven Jolly Coons on a Tramp play tricks. Tramp wakes up and nabs one vamoose the Six. Six Bad "Chillun" fooling 'round a Hive, Bees get busy now there's only Five. Five Inky Kids crawl thro' a hencoop door, Farmer scares one away that leaves Four. Four Smoky Kids hunting up a Tree. Gun explodes, whiz! "Skiddo" the Three. Three Black Lambs nothing else to do. Investigate a deep Well now there's Two. Two Cute Ebonites with Auntie having fun. "Mandy" gets a ducking all gone but One. One Chubby Coonlet with a toy Pop-gun. Monkeyed 'round a 'gaitor now there's None.
- A young prince, wearied of life, chooses to sit and pine away. Efforts on the part of friends and subjects to cheer him prove unavailing. He is taken before a sorcerer and given the counsel to don a happy man's shirt. A search is now instigated for a happy man. Soldiers enjoying themselves at a road house are questioned, and for answer the happiness of a soldier's lot is depicted by the vision, beautifully blended, of a soldier on battlefield with wife and children at home hoping for his speedy return, which might never come. A wealthy banker is next approached as he is being carried about by his servants, and for an answer a vision shows them the man's home, where in the chamber the wife succumbs to dread disease, leaving him disconsolate. A young lover paying court to his sweetheart offers his answer in a vision showing where he is reprimanded for his attentions to the daughter and forever forbid the premises by her parents. Finally a poor shepherd lad is encountered, and he seems to be the very incarnation of happiness. Taken before the prince, he is requested to remove his shirt, and to the consternation of all develops that the happy man wears only a cloak of fur and requires no shirt of any kind.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsJean-Marie de l'IsleJeanne GrumbachHenri DesfontainesThe young hero, Frederick, is leaving his country home and going to the city to attend the bull fight, and while there he meets and woos a beautiful maiden, forgetting his own little sweetheart at home. The charming miss strolls with him and he tells her of his undying love and vows to live for her alone. As he leaves her at her home and strolls away her former lover comes along and, seeing them together, remonstrates with the girl, but she coldly tells him that it is all over between them and that she loves another. The next day Frederick meets the girl again and proposes to her and she accepts him, and immediately he takes her to his home to introduce her to his parents, who are a trifle demure in receiving her, knowing his treatment to his former faithful little sweetheart. Everything bids fair for their happiness when the maiden's cast-off lover appears and sends in for Frederick, and upon meeting him presents him with a letter which he had received from her telling him that he was the only man she ever loved. Frederick takes the letter and when he confronts the girl with it she coolly admits her authorship of the missive, and immediately he becomes distracted and denounces her and orders her from the house. She leaves the place and returns to her former sweetheart, while poor Frederick's life is wrecked, for in his heart he loves her with a supernatural love and everywhere he goes he sees her beaming face before him.
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaIn this interesting picture we are given a vivid idea of the principal incidents connected with the Dreyfus case, which caused such a stir in military circles in the year of 1894. Alfred Dreyfus, an officer on the general staff, was charged with selling secrets to a foreign power. He was tried and judged guilty on flimsy evidence, and sentenced to imprisonment on Devil's Island, where he remained for eight years, until his influential friends, who took up his case in earnest, proved it was a plot formed by other officers, who subsequently confessed to having forged the documents. He was finally pardoned by President Loubet, and returned to his place in the army. In the first scene we sec Esterhazy take the papers from Henry's desk and send them to Baron von Schwarzkoppen, Henry sees him take them, but does not let it become known, for it was he who forged the document and placed it where it might be taken. A porter working in the baron's office discovers the document on the desk, and takes it to the Minister of War, who suspects Dreyfus. He sends for the doomed man and makes him sign his name. This done, he compares the writing with the document, and accuses him of treason. He calls on the secret service men. and Dreyfus is arrested. We next sec him in his cell, where he is visited by his faithful wife, who firmly believes in his innocence. He is brought into court and, after a short trial, the unfortunate man hears the terrible sentence pronounced upon him. He is then degraded in the public square in the presence of his fellow officers and comrades, by being stripped of his stripes and buttons and his sword is broken over the knee of his superior officer. He is then led away a prisoner, branded as a traitor, and is a pathetic sight, indeed, as he starts for his lonely prison on Devil's Island. We see him in his solitude as he passes the time looking across the sea and dreaming of home and family in his native land far away. Finally, after years of patient suffering, during which his friends fight for his vindication. Esterhazy confesses the forgery and soon after commits suicide. The glad tidings of pardon are brought to the prisoner in his little cabin, and we next see him returning to France, where he is reinstated in the position he formerly held in the army.
- DirectorVan Dyke BrookeThis thrilling story of the days of '61 and '65 shows a scene in the woods and our hero doing sentry duty. His work has been tiresome, his strength is about given out and he sits down to rest. He falls asleep and is awakened by the general and a squad of soldiers, who come unexpectedly upon him, place him under arrest and march him off to the guardhouse. He is later brought to the general's headquarters, where he is tried for his laxity. The buttons are torn from his uniform and he is otherwise degraded and sentenced to be shot. In the guardhouse the man sits meditating over the fate in store for him. He is visited by the chaplain, who consoles him as best he can. As a last resort the prisoner determines to write home and have his wife intercede in his behalf. She succeeds in getting a reprieve in a thrilling manner.
- A band of outlaws on the sea coast make their miserable and dishonest living by luring ships from their course to be dashed to pieces on the rockbound coast. They tie a lantern on the horns of a cow and lead her along the beach, and the ship, seeing its gleam, heads for the light, and as a consequence is soon on the rocks, where it is dashed to pieces. The pirates gather up the rich merchandise as it floats to shore, and make the surviving crew and passengers prisoners, taking them to a cave, where the casks and boxes are broken open and the spoils distributed among the gang. One of the wreckers saves the life of one of the passengers, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family, who has lost consciousness after battling with the waves, and he tries to make the unfortunate girl as comfortable as possible in her squalid surroundings. The rest of the robbers imbibe too freely of the contents of some of the casks and before long it has its effect and they all fall asleep. The young fellow, seizing this opportunity, takes the girl and leads her out of the place, and after many adventures he manages to take her to her home, which is a beautiful manor. Her friends, who are worried lest she is lost in the storm, are overjoyed at having her safely returned, and as a mark of appreciation they invite the youth to stay and accept their hospitality. He gladly consents, for he is deeply in love with the maiden, and it is not long before she lets him know that the feeling is mutual. His visit to her home is one of joy and happiness, and eventually the happy young couple are married.
- DirectorRicardo de BañosRicardo de Baños takes the viewer through some of the most important streets of Barcelona. A city tour filmed inside of a tram presenting not only the place, one of Spain's most famous cities, but also the curious observers who watch the tram goes by, sometimes even running in front of it.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsCharles InsleeHarry SolterGene GauntierBill Preston, a heartless road about too despicable to associate with white men, had gathered about him a little band of low-down redskins whom he ruled by extreme despotism. At any rate, they all feared him, as he, with them, terrorized the whole country 'round by acts of pillage, arson, and worse. Despite his black nature, Bill was a handsome fellow who, under different conditions, might be called attractive. There is reason why Nellie Carson, a girl of the frontier, should fall violently in love with him and cast her lot with his. She soon finds out his true nature, but even then she seems to be held by an irresistible power. He tries to cast her off, leaving her lying wounded and insensible in the road after a stormy scene between them. She is discovered by a girl of the mountains who offers to help her to her mountain home. Though moved by the girl's kindness, she rejects her offer, choosing to go her own way on the road of life she has chosen. The mountain girl drives off and is waylaid by Bill, who seizes her and drags her to his camp. Nellie, coming along later, discovers evidence of what has taken place, and with a feeling of pity for the girl, and jealousy of Bill, resolves to save her. She arrives at camp at nightfall and manages to release the girl and get away, but unfortunately her revolver drops to the ground, and exploding, awakens the gang. The girl's plight looks bad, and would have been disastrous had not one of the Indians, who had always shown a weakness for Nellie, handicapped Bill. This enabled the girls, who mounted the one horse, to get a lead. However, Bill and his red devils are fast gaining on them, and several of his bullets have taken effect in poor Nellie's body, who has sacrificially placed herself between the mountain girl and Bill. The girl's apprehension seems inevitable, when the Indian rides up, and Bill, with a dagger wound in the breast, falls from his horse, thereby closing his contemptible career. This in a measure demoralizes the gang, and the girls reach the mountaineer's cabin, but Nellie is mortally wounded and expires as she is taken from the horse, the good Indian driving up just in time to claim her body that he might bury it. This subject is an exceptionally thrilling one, with photography of the highest order, and many of the scenes tinted.
- DirectorÉmile CohlThe nightmare of Émile Cohl's chalk animation is one of unreliable appearances. Fishermen catch fish which eat them whole. Ladders transform into coils which just as suddenly take the form of angry mustachioed soldiers. The human figure at the receiving end of these transmogrifications is subject to all manner of degradations. Genuinely unsettling, THE PUPPET'S NIGHTMARE anticipates Don Hertzfeldt's stick-figure fantasias by a century.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsAlexandre ArquillièreJacques GrétillatJacques VarennesPart One: The opening scene shows the interior of the squalid little home, where Gervaise has waited all night for Lantier's return, but when the latter enters the place, he casts the tearful woman aside with a gesture of ill-humor, begging her to leave him in peace. Gervaise takes her bundle of clothes and starts for the public wash house, where, after being assigned to a place, she begins her toil. A young woman named Virginie enters, and taking her place at a tub next to Gervaise, taunts the latter about the loss of her lover, for it is Virginie who has supplanted Gervaise in the affections of Lantier. Soon a little boy arrives at the laundry with a note which he hands to Gervaise, and the latter on opening it reads the following soul-crushing words: "I have had enough of your jealous outbursts, and have decided to leave you. Don't worry about me: I have found consolation. Lantier." The disconsolate woman's rival stands by with a triumphant sneer on her face and under her breath makes slurring remarks, whereupon Gervaise turns on Virginie, giving her a terrible heating. Gervaise has still another shock in store for her, for on leaving the place she is horrified to see her rival Virginie enter a cab with Lantier and drive away. The next scene takes place a few months later, when we see Coupeau, who has been Gervaise's staunch friend all through her sorrow, meet the latter in the park and propose marriage to her. The happy Gervaise accepts the generous hearted fellow, and on their way home they stop to inform their friends of the coming event. Gervaise, who has a strong aversion to drink, makes Coupeau swear that he will never touch a drop of intoxicating liquor. The couple are married and live happily together for five years, for Coupeau, who is a tinsmith, works steadily and is devoted to his wife and proud of their little home. Virginie, however, has never forgotten the humiliation she endured that eventful day In the laundry, when Gervaise attacked her, and she is ever on the alert to have revenge. One day when Gervaise and her little daughter carry Coupeau his lunch, we see the latter come down from the housetop where he is working, and going with his little family to a secluded spot, he enjoys a hearty repast. Virginie, who has been haunting the neighborhood, climbs upon the scaffolding and loosens some of the boards. As Coupeau climbs the ladder to return to work he stops for a moment to wave good-bye to his dear ones, when suddenly the planks give way under his feet and he is precipitated to the ground below. The other workmen who hurry to the scene tenderly raise the injured man and carry him to his home. Part Two: During Coupeau's convalescence, Gervaise has a birthday, and in honor of the event the happy couple give a little party to their few good friends. It is at this function that Gervaise sees her husband take his first drink. From that day, Coupeau loses all ambition and self-respect, and refuses to return to work. His poor wife is made to shoulder the responsibilities of the household while he spends his time in the tavern. One day Coupeau happens to meet Lantier in the saloon and in the course of conversation bets the latter than be can drink eight brandies while the clock strikes eight. The wager is placed, but Coupeau loses, for he is only able to finish six before he is helplessly intoxicated. At this juncture Gervaise enters the place and, seeing the condition of her husband, begs him to go home with her, but the drunken man positively refuses to move. Finally Conpeau is attacked with delirium tremens and after a difficult struggle with his companions, is carried a raving maniac to the hospital, where he remains for two years. On leaving the hospital, Coupeau is warned against the use of strong liquors; the smallest glass, he is told, will cause immediate death; he may, however, partake of a very little red wine. He is accompanied home by a friend, who stops on the way and purchases a bottle of wine. Great indeed is the joy in the little home when Coupeau arrives, and after an effusive greeting, Gervaise takes her basket and hastens off to purchase some food for the poor invalid. While Gervaise is absent the heartless Virginie slips into the room and substitutes a bottle of whiskey for the wine. Soon the sick man feels the need of a drink, so going to the closet he picks up the bottle and raises it to his mouth, but scarcely has it touched his lips when he realizes that he is doomed. Burning with the desire for liquor, the unfortunate man drains the bottle of its contents and is immediately seized with delirium tremens. After much suffering the victim of drink falls prostrate upon the floor, where his lifeless form is found by his unhappy wife upon her return.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónStarsJulienne MathieuA young woman passing through a cemetery at night is suddenly startled by a voice coming from one of the graves. She wishes to rush away, but the ghost appearing compels her to remain. He explains to the terrified girl that she must go to the kingdom of Satan and get a bottle of the Water of Life, which she must bring back to him. The girl consents to do as he desires and starts forth on her expedition after the precious fluid. She summons a lot of soldiers and friends to her aid, and we follow the whole army down into the bowels of the earth. Arriving at the gate of Satan's kingdom, they mount a chariot of fire and, arriving at the devil's palace, give fight to the demons mounting guard over their king, and after having defeated them rush into the palace. Now Satan, seeing his life in peril, disappears in a cloud of smoke, and thunder, and is seen again as he dashes through his vast domains gathering together his people, and while they await the conquering chariot another fight ensues. The devil is beaten again and the bottle of life is stolen by the leader of the victorious army, and they are all about to depart when a terrible explosion takes place and the chariot and its occupants are dashed to the ground. All are killed: but the brave woman who undertook the expedition, and she goes forth alone, meeting on her way dragons and vampires, who try to stop her progress towards earth. She defeats them all, however, and arriving at the ghost's grave raps on the marble slab, the ghost appears, drinks the water and is immediately transformed into a beautiful prince. The last scene of this interesting film shows the happy marriage of the once-deceased man and the beautiful and courageous bride.
- The oldest existent Polish film deals with the forced Germanisation of western Polish regions and the school protest in Wrzesnia with its harsh repercussions.
- DirectorJohann SchwarzerA housemaid is cleaning a studio. When she sees a sculpture of a nude woman in life-size, lying on a couch, she starts to compare this idealized body with her own. She takes off her clothes one by one, thus revealing her own naked body step by step, and she compares the various parts of her body with those of the statue. The master of the house enters the studio. When he sees his housemaid naked, he tells her to go into the next room, and then goes into that room himself.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonIn this picture we anticipate the probable means of navigation in the coming century. A young lady and a friend are observed entering an air-ship. The vehicle is loaded with ballast, sand bags, vegetables, etc., the passengers carrying spy-glasses. They laugh heartily, shake hands and are off. Another individual is seen equipped with wings scurrying through the clouds. Leaving the aerial navigators for a moment, we see a Hebrew walking down the street. Some sawdust falls upon him. He glances up in a rage, then proceeds on his way. Presently some vegetables drop on him. A glimpse of the air-ship shows the occupants laughing and throwing various articles at the unsuspecting pedestrian below. Some passersby, noticing the Jew having his troubles, stop and look upward, and they are showered with vegetables, etc., as well. A policeman is walking along on his beat when a lot of things fall on him. By this time quite a crowd has collected. An air-cycle cop is summoned, mounts his machine and flies upward. Our Hebrew friend finally reaches his place of business and enters just as a man comes in to pawn a pair of wings. The broker is delighted, gives the loan, tries on his strange equipment, and soars up into the sky. The air-cycle cop gives pursuit, catches the Hebrew and clubs him. He falls through space, lights on the moon for a moment, then drops down, down into the ocean. We see him sinking lower and lower until he strikes the bottom of the sea. He flirts with the mermaids, but a whale suddenly appears and scares the poor man almost to death, then devours him. On board a ship the sailors are fishing. The hooks are baited and thrown overboard. We see it descending until the whale swallows it and is pulled up on deck. The sailors beat the struggling fish, cut it open and our Jewish friend comes out and does a Hebrew sailor hornpipe.
- DirectorTheo FrenkelA maid steals a divorced father's child and takes it to the mother.
- Two criminals lure a doctor away from his home with a phony note about a child's illness. After the doctor rushes off, the criminals break into his house and menace his wife and child. By the time the doctor realizes what has happened, his family faces a desperate situation.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsHarry SolterFlorence LawrenceLinda ArvidsonIt would have taken more than the wonderful powers of deduction of a Sherlock Holmes to dispel the mystery that shrouded the disappearance of a case of jewels at the home of wealthy stockbroker Robert Jenkins, and although they were eventually brought to light, it was through a most remarkable accident. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins are getting ready for an evening at the opera, and. as usual Mrs. Jenkins is tantalizingly slow in her preparations, and is almost carried out of the house by the impatient Jenkins. Baby Jenkins is very much in evidence, and requires a bribe to induce her to remain contented with the maid. This Mrs. J. furnishes in the shape of a papier-maché doggie, the head of which is removed to find its interior filled with candy. Mrs. Jenkins is inclined to deck herself out in her diamonds, and takes the case from the strong-box, but in her anxiety to appease her husband's flustering, she hurriedly kisses baby and departs, forgetting all about the jewels. They are not long in the theater before the thought of the diamonds comes to her, and the awful possible result of her carelessness. She will not rest until Mr. Jenkins takes her home. On arriving there, sure enough her worst fears are apparently confirmed. There on the desk lies the jewel case empty. Good heavens. what's to be done? No one was in the house but the baby and nurse, both of whom are now abed. There is no trace or sign of the entrance of a thief. How did it happen? Well, the detectives are summoned and put to work on the case, but without success, although a reward of $10,000 is offered for the apprehension of the robbers and return of the jewels. The detectives finally give the matter up. Poor Jenkins is certainly up against it, for the loss of the jewels is the beginning of a streak of wretched luck. He is beaten on all sides in the stock market until at length he is forced to the wall. Poverty, disgrace and even starvation stare him and his loved ones in the face. Forced to sell his house and then the furniture to satisfy his creditors, he is in the depths of despair as he stands and views his precious little one playing on the floor with her doggie, unconscious of the anguish of her father. Piece by piece the household effects are seized, until there remains but a couple of chairs, on one of which Baby places her doggie. At that moment the door opens and Smithson, Jenkins' friend, enters to offer his sympathy and aid. Smithson is a good hearted, blustering fellow, and in the enthusiasm of his friendship, flusters about, finally throwing himself into the only chair in the room, not noticing the toy, of course crushing it to atoms. Leaping to his feet, he is profuse in apologies, when, lo and behold. there among the fragments of the broken dog lay the diamonds. The clouds that hung over the household are dissipated and the little family may start anew. There are many sensational incidents in the course of the film; one showing the curb market of New York is most unique.
- DirectorPercy StowProspero and his daughter Miranda must take refuge on an enchanted island. There Prospero, who himself has magical powers, releases the spirit Ariel from a spell, and also meets the savage Caliban. Then Prospero uses his powers to create a tempest that shipwrecks some of the persons who caused his exile.
- DirectorGilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' AndersonOur heroine is in love with a manly young chap, whose love for her is unbounded. An old maiden aunt tyrannizes over the girl and forbids the girl to receive him when he calls. Of course, the girl disobeys, and the pair are enjoying a loving tete-a-tete when the aunt appears, and is horrified. She sends the girl to her room, in spite of her pleading, and forcibly assists the hero to leave. The aunt intercepts a note the girl has written to her lover, making an appointment to meet him at a certain place and be married. The aunt conceives of a scheme of wearing the girl's clothing and heavy veil, meeting the young man and marrying him herself. She goes to the girl's room, makes her take off her outer clothing, puts same on and locks the door to the room, then sets out to keep the engagement with the young lover. The girl in the meantime, opening her window, discovers a tramp sleeping, awakens him, gives him note and instructions. The tramp hurries away, delivers the note to the lover before the aunt arrives. The lover, apprised of the aunt's scheme, turns tables on the old lady by dressing the tramp in his clothes, and leaving the tramp to meet the old maid. He then releases the girl by means of a ladder. The lovers hurry to the church in time to witness the marriage of the aunt and the tramp. The lovers are then united in marriage and go to meet the aunt and her husband. The aunt, discovering the trick, is wild with rage, but concludes a man's a man, and to the disgust of the tramp refuses to release him. The subject abounds with absurd situations, and will prove n great laugh producer.
- DirectorWallace McCutcheonStarsEdward DillonD.W. GriffithA wealthy old alchemist and inventor has just perfected a motion picture camera with which he hopes to revolutionize the art of animated photography, and our story opens with the old man in his library studying out the plans of his invention. A telegram calls him hurriedly away. He replaces the papers in his safe, but, in his haste, neglects to lock it, which oversight is pardonable, as his wife and daughter are in the room at the time. The daughter's hand is sought in marriage by a worthy young man, whose attentions are looked upon with favor by herself and her parents. But he has a rival in the person of a contemptible villain, whose motives are purely mercenary, reasoning that this new invention will greatly enhance the father's already ample wealth. He has met with little or no encouragement from the girl, but is determined to have her at any hazard, so calling at the house shortly after the old man departs, is ushered into the library by the maid, who goes to inform her mistress of his arrival. While left alone in the room he espies the door of the safe ajar. Making sure that he will suffer no interruption, he goes through the safe and secures the coveted plans, secreting them in his pocket just as the girl enters. He renews his protestations, of love, but is again repulsed, and when he becomes insultingly persistent, receives a blow in the face and is ordered from the house by the incensed girl. He goes, but swears vengeance. The father now returns and goes to his laboratory to make a final test of his invention. Threading the camera with photographic film, he starts the motor, when the villain enters to lay his proposal for the girl's hand before him. It is, of course, rejected, and the villain threatens the old man, flaunting before his very face the cherished designs, of his invention. The old man, white with rage, leaps at the throat of the villain, forgetting about the camera, which is whirling through its mechanism yard after yard of negative film. During this scene the young girl is in the library relating to her fiancé her experience with the odious suitor, and upon leaving he is assured that there is nothing to fear in that direction. She then goes to the laboratory, and the horrible sight that greets her freezes the blood in her veins, for there upon the floor lays her dear old father cold in death. Bending over his lifeless body she picks up a dagger papercutter which the murderer, whoever he be, had taken from her father's desk. There she kneels beside the prostrate form transfixed with horror, with this poniard tightly clutched in her nerveless hand, when the villain enters with, others and boldly accuses her of parricide. Appearances are unfortunately against her, so she is led away to prison. Circumstantial evidence is so strong that the world believes her guilty and all desert her except her poor old mother and her faithful lover, who visits and consoles her in her prison cell, vowing he will leave no stone unturned to run to earth the real culprit. Visiting the laboratory, the young man makes a startling discovery. While rummaging through the old alchemist's effects, his attention is drawn towards the new camera and although having but a vague knowledge of the art of animated photography, he has, through his association with the old inventor, a limited idea of its importance, and some little talent in chemistry, so he examines the camera and finds that one of the film boxes contains film. This he take into the "dark room" and develops a short strip sufficiently to see a faint outline of a scene. "My God! Just as I thought!" He hurries with the box of film to the old mans assistant, who develops it and prints a positive. Armed with this convincing evidence, he rushes into the courtroom, and with the permission of the presiding judge, sets up a moving picture machine and projects the result of his discovery upon the wall. The scene here pictured completely exonerates the young girl by showing the actual murder of the old man by the villain, who, during this exposition tries to bolt, but his escape is cut off, and he is taken into custody for the- heinous crime he committed. -- The Moving Picture World, January 18, 1908
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsRenée CarlChristiane MandelysLéonce PerretAnd in the fourth day Holofernes made a feast to his own servants only, and called none of the officers to the banquet. Then he said to Bagoas the eunuch, who had charge over all that he had, "Go now, and persuade this Hebrew woman which is with thee, that she come unto us, and eat and drink with us." Then went Bagoas from the presence of Holofernes and came to her, and he said, let not his fair damsel fear to come to my Lord, and to be honored in his presence and drink wine, and be merry with us, and be made this day as one of the daughters of the Assyrians, which serve in the house of Nebuchadnezzar. Then said Judith unto him, who am I now, that I should gainsay my Lord? Surely whatsoever pleaseth him I will do speedily, and it shall be my joy unto the day of my death. So she arose, and decked herself with her apparel and all her woman's attire. Now, when Judith came in and sat down, Holofernes' heart was ravished with her. Then said Holofernes unto her, drink now, and be merry with us. So Judith said, I will drink now, my Lord, because my life is magnified in me this day more than all the days since I was born. Then, she took and ate and drank before him what her maid had prepared. And Holofernes took great delight in her, and drank much more win than he had drank at any time in one day since he was born. Now, when the evening was come, his servants made haste to depart, for they were all weary, because the feast had been long. And Judith was left alone in the tent, and Holofernes lying alone upon his bed; for he was filled with wine. And none was left in the bedchamber, neither little nor great. Then Judith, standing by his bed, said in her heart. O! Lord, God of all power, look at this present upon the works of mine hands for the exaltation of Jerusalem. For now is the time to help thine inheritance, and to execute mine enterprises to the destruction of the enemies which are risen against us. Then she cam to the pillar of the bed, which was at Holofernes' head, and took down his fanchion from thence, and approached to his bed, and took hold of the hair of his head, and said, Strengthen me, O! Lord, God of Israel, this day. And she smote twice upon his neck with all her might, and she took away his head from him, and tumbled his body down from the bed, and pulled down the canopy from the pillars; and anon she went forth, and gave Holofernes, his head, to her maid; and she put it in her bag of meat; so they twain went together according to their custom unto prayer; and when they passed the camp, they compassed the valley, and went up the mountain of Bethulia, and came to the gates thereof. Then said Judith afar off to the watchman at the gate, Open, open now the gate; God, even our God, is with us, to show his power yet in Jerusalem, and his forces against the enemy as he hath even done this day. Now, when the men of the city heard her voice, they made haste to go down to the gate of their city, and they called the elders of the city. And then they all ran together, both small and great, for it was strange unto them that she was come; so they opened the gate, and received them, and made a fire for a light, and stood round about them. Then she said to them with a loud voice, "Praise, praise God, praise God, I say, for he hath not taken away his mercy from the house of Israel, but hath destroyed our enemies to mine hands this night."
- DirectorMario CaseriniStarsFernanda Negri PougetHamlet suspects his uncle has murdered his father to claim the throne of Denmark and the hand of Hamlet's mother, but the prince cannot decide whether or not he should take vengeance.
- DirectorWallace McCutcheonStarsD.W. GriffithLinda ArvidsonEdward DillonA husband finishes packing a suitcase, and then says good-bye to his wife. As soon as he is gone, the wife has her maid help her to dress for a costume ball. Meanwhile, the husband meets a friend, and the two of them put on costumes and go to the same party. At the ball, the husband and wife meet without recognizing each other, then they dance together, and start a flirtation. Once they become suspicious of each other, they each make plans to trap the other.
- DirectorGeorges DenolaThe scene of this beautifully colored film is laid in that period of the French Revolution, showing the tragic ending of Charlotte Corday, who, through her iron nerve, planned to rid France of Marat, one of the leaders of the revolution, because be represents in her mind the party responsible for so many crimes. Charlotte Corday was born in Normandy of noble parentage, and was a girl of striking beauty and a powerful personality. Being highly educated, she made a close study of current polities, and was in sympathy with a party known as the Girondins, whose power was overthrown. While living at Caen she met and talked over conditions with Barbarous, a leader of the party, and. through him she learned that Marat was an enemy to France, so takes it upon herself to avenge the death of many who were being sent to the guillotine every day. She comes to Paris, where she writes to Marat, begging him to grant her an audience, and stating that she has important information to reveal, but he would not see her. Finally she goes to his home, and when she is refused admittance, forces her way in and presents herself to Marat, who is seated in a bathtub. She tells him the names of the men at Caen who are affiliated with the Girondist party, and as he eagerly writes them down, mentioning that they will die on the guillotine, she plunges a knife into his heart, killing him instantly. The servants and police rush in and drag her to jail through the clamoring mob who are eager to strike her down. Taken then to the tribunal of justice, she makes a confession of her guilt and is condemned to die. Listening to her doom with cold indifference, she is then taken back to prison, and we next see her on her way to the guillotine, followed by a mob which howls with fury as the beautiful girl bravely mounts the steps and stands erect, her face pale, her eyes steady, facing death like a soldier. Laying her beautiful head on the block, in an instant all is over with Charlotte Corday.
- DirectorOtis TurnerStarsHobart BosworthBetty HarteOtis Turner
- In this beautiful incline we see Princess Florine with her queen mother and sister Trouty in their apartment in the castle. Trouty, who is very ugly, is the spoilt child of the family, while Florine, who is beautiful, seems to be in no great favor with her mother, the Queen. The King now enters, bearing a message from Prince Charming, stating that he intends paying a visit, They make great preparations to entertain the young nobleman, and when he arrives they receive him with great pomp and ceremony. He is introduced to Florine and falls desperately in love with her at first sight, but the mother, who has other designs for her royal guest, presents Trouty, who she hopes will captivate the young man, but when the Prince sees her ugly face he turns away in disgust and leaves. The Queen has Florine locked up in the tower so as to be rid of her and her beguiling ways; but the girl's governess succeeds in getting the keys away from the keeper and is assisting Florine to in escape when they meet the Queen on the stairs and she forces the girl back into her prison. In the meantime, Prince ('harming, who has come to aid in the rescue, is waiting at the foot of the stairs. The mother, bent on having her way, throws a veil over Trouty's head, and the happy Prince, thinking the veiled lady is the beautiful Florine, gently leads her away to the fairy Queen and King, who make great preparations for the wedding. Just as they are about to be married he discovers the deception and denounces the woman, and refuses to accept her as his wife. The King, to protect him in his designs, turns him into a blue bird and he flies away, paying a visit to Florine in the tower. The soldiers chase the bird and capture it, and take it back to the Fairy King, who changes it into Prince Charming again. The young man is then supplied with an army, which he leads in an attack on the castle, and, rescuing Florine, carries her away to Fairyland. The last picture shows the grand reception and the marriage of the happy Prince and Florine, while they kneel and receive the father's blessing.
- We see a working dog, a beggar's dog, a shepherd's dog, and a milkman's dog. The working dog is locked inside a large wire wheel; the dog runs inside the wheel, turning it to run a machine. The beggar's dog pulls its legless master, who's sitting on a low cart, down the street. The shepherd's dog keeps a flock of at least 20 sheep in a tight circle. The milkman's dog pulls a cart on which is mounted a large cylinder of milk. A lad leads the dog to a house with a Dutch door; the top half of the door opens, and the lady of the house hands out a pitcher that the boy fills as the dog waits.
- DirectorGilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' AndersonStarsHarry McCabeThe subject illustrates the eventful life of the James and Ford brothers, from the .time the former left their home after the attempted lynching of Dr. Samuels to the surrender of Frank James to Governor Crittenden of Missouri. Among the thrilling and vividly graphic incidents are the "hold up" at the County Fair in Kansas City, and the robbery of the Chicago and Alton train, showing a race between rough riders and a locomotive. The death of Jesse is depicted, according to history.
- DirectorRicardo de BañosStarsKing Alfonso XIII
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonCharles KentStarsMaurice CostelloFlorence LawrenceWilliam V. RanousThe story of the ill-fated love affair between Marc Antony and Cleopatra.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarsCharles OgleHerbert PriorGreat historic picture of The Tea Party in Boston Harbor, 1773.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónExperimental color film that shows a magician and his assistant making objects and people appear and disappear. Then they stack up some blocks and a moving picture of a little girl appears on them.
- DirectorÉmile CohlA cast of stick figures plays out a series of comic vignettes.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónA Pierriette, standing near a crescent moon, snatches five pink suits from the air, and shaking each, it becomes a clown, who seats himself on the moon. In military unison they push their faces through a series of grimaces, and then leaning forward too far, they all go falling down from the moon. It is a long drop, but they reach some kind of bottom and there they execute a peculiar dance; as each jumps over the other in a game of leap-frog, he is transformed into a grotesquely attired negro minstrel, and from that guise into that of a Chinaman. Several dances, in the course of which they also change to girls, follow each other, after which, coming back to their own again, the five clowns begin to fall upward, and are soon back on the moon again.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsCharles ClaudelGeorges MélièsTwo lovers are blinded by the sacred fire when they intrude upon the Genii's lair. They get their vision restored later after an old man takes pity on them and heals their eyes.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsFlorence LawrenceHarry SolterLinda ArvidsonWhile spending the night at wealthy widow Wharton's home, Myrtle steals a pearl necklace and cleverly hides the loot. Little does she know the widow knows a thing or two about fingerprinting.
- DirectorJ. Searle DawleyStarsViolette HillMr. BarryMarie MurrayCupid visits a ballroom dance and tries to bring a couple together.
- DirectorManuelGeorges MélièsStarsEmile GajeanGalloisHenri VilbertAn actor, late for his production, struggles to make it.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsFlorence LawrenceLinda ArvidsonRobert HarronStruggling with poverty and a relative's declining health, a young woman struggles to find employment.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónA pickpocket in a plaid suit is constantly on the run from the police. He doesn't have any trouble evading the cops, as his magic powers can get him out of the tightest situations. Using special effects, the pickpocket can jump into tight suitcases, unravel into a plaid rug, and disappear into thin air, among other things.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónSome gnomes are searching for a wonderful spider that weaves webs of golden coins. Intent on their search, they are unaware that their movements are closely followed by a poor woodcutter, who also penetrates into their caves when they have caught the spider and imprisoned it there. He watches the wonderful spider making gold and other articles with wonder and in this scene the moving picture camera has excelled itself in turning out some good tricks, and finally he steals the golden spider. He returns to his hut and the spider spins numerous gold coins, but he becomes miserly so that when a poor beggar asks for help he refuses. Immediately his golden hoard changes into a mass of crawling insects and the accusing faces of the gnomes rise in the background.
- DirectorJ. Searle DawleyEdwin S. PorterAn office worker takes desperate measures in an attempt to get up on time in the morning.
- DirectorÉmile CohlA magician gives a young girl a magic hoop which, when mounted on a wall, displays fantastic images.
- DirectorJanaki ManakiMilton ManakiA short black and white film documenting Macedonian culture.
- DirectorWallace McCutcheon Jr.StarsLinda ArvidsonFlorence AuerEdward DillonThe daughter of a staid New England minister is brought up in absolute ignorance of the ways of the outside world, and, when she gets the slightest inkling of its glamour, it makes a decided impression. Into her hands have fallen several theatrical newspapers, and she and her girl chum eagerly digest their contents, recounting in glowing terms what seems to be a golden existence. So wrought up were they that they immediately give vent to their ebullient spirits by indulging in a quasi-dramatic performance. This is a scene of broad burlesque, and, during its enaction, the minister enters and is greatly shocked, not to say incensed. A stormy scene occurs between him and his daughter, which ends with her leaving home. She applies for a position in the chorus of a New York opera company. What a contrast she makes at the trial of voices, but with determination she pulls through the ordeal and is accepted. Owing to her sweet face and manners, together with a beautiful voice, her rise in the profession is rapid. Still, she has found that all is not gold that glitters, and while her artistic success is most agreeable, life for her is empty, cold and cheerless, made more odious by the appearance of the inevitable vile, flattering tempter. Numerous letters has she written to her dear old father, but no response, for he has torn them into shreds before he even broke the seal. "Oh, God, if I could only go back. If this all would prove but a dream." But, no, there is the dark fathomless future before her. The tempter would have her go with him, and there seems to be no alternative. She is now surely at the crossroads of life. She makes a final appeal to her father in a telegram begging him to come to see her performance on the night following, which he does. Down the aisle of the theater comes the old minister in bewilderment, so unaccustomed is he to the surroundings, as through the peekhole in the curtain drops the girl views the scene in ecstasy. After the performance the old man makes his way to the back of the stage, where he once more folds his daughter to his heart, while her would-be lover views the scene with unconcealed chagrin. The story is a most touching one.
- DirectorAndré HeuzéStarsMax LinderIt is just a few moments before the ball, and the beau, by his strenuousness in dressing, has torn a huge rent in the seat of his only pair of trousers. Hastily seizing a needle and thread, he tries to sew them while on his person, and just manages to get a few stitches in; thus depending only on his own ingenuity, he decides to go to the function. He does well by summoning a cab. He reaches his destination all right, and is next seen in the reception room, where he uses a cushion to shield the faulty spot, bowing to right and left, but holding fast to the cushion. Going to the buffet with a lady, he keeps a chair close to the rent, and when an obliging waiter takes this from him he frantically grabs a platter and manages to cover up. But in the ballroom he dances with a handkerchief trailing gracefully behind him; finding this protection meager, however, he appropriates his partner's fan for the purpose. His downfall comes only when the lady asks him to tie her shoe lace. He is stunned by the request, but pulls himself together and makes a daring attempt to oblige one-handed; but this feat being impossible he gives up, and the guests discover the tear. The beau sits on the floor in despair, but too late, for all are already gathered round him, and 'mid much laughter and ridicule he succeeds in dashing out of the room without turning his back toward the company.
- DirectorLewin FitzhamonStarsBlairBarbara HepworthCecil M. HepworthA dog chases a kidnapper's car and while he is in a pub, drives it home.
- DirectorÉtienne ArnaudÉmile CohlStarsRenée CarlMaurice VinotThe misadventures of a guest in an automatic hotel.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsAlice TissotGeorges WagueRenée CarlThe goddess Minerva is jealous of the young Arachne who is more skilled than her in weaving and attracting everyone's attention. Out of spite, Minerva sends Arachne to hell and other dimensions then transforms her into a spider that will eternally weave its web.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsCharles InsleeHarry SolterGeorge GebhardtThe central figure is an old miser, who in parsimony is a Harpahon who, like Fosene, boarded his money in a secret cellar, where he met his death. We first find him begging on the street; a young girl passes and drops her purse, which the miser picks up. When she returns to regain it he knocks her insensible and makes off. Finding a generous roll of notes in the purse, he goes to the bank to have them exchanged for gold coin. A couple of thugs witness the transaction and are at once infected by the money fever. They follow the miser to his home, the cellar, and while he sleeps they break in and are securing the money when he awakes. They pounce upon him and he is made to pay the penalty of his greed with his life. The thugs go to their own squalid hovel, which is presided over by an old hag. She is sent from the room and they divide the spoils. While the division is equal, each is invidious of the other's share. They retire, both possessed of the same thought, one waiting for the other to fall asleep. One lies with a pistol in hand; the other with a dagger. At length one gets up to stab the other, but receives a bullet in his breast. With a mighty effort he plunges the dagger into the heart of his adversary and both fall over dead. The shot brings in the old hag, who, finding them both dead, seizes their loot and in a frenzy pours it out upon the table. In doing so she knocks the lighted candle to the floor, which ignites the litter of straw and rubbish and the place is soon in flames, incinerating the three. A holocaust upon the altar of Mammon.
- DirectorJ. Searle DawleyEdwin S. PorterStarsMiss AbbottMiss ActonEdward BouldenA broken-hearted husband thinks about the past as he sits by the fireplace.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónThe view is that of the interior of a kitchen where, under the watchful eyes of the chef, the scullions and dishwashers are engaged at their work industriously. When the chef leaves the chamber for a moment there is pandemonium, for the scullions prove to be good acrobats and they tumble and fly around the room, cutting up all sorts of high jinks; but as soon as they hear his heavy footsteps they jump to their little stools once more and resume their labors innocently. The unsuspecting chef takes his seat in his big chair, and soon all are at work, forgetful of all else. So innocently do they perform their labors that soon, they begin to nod drowsily, and one of them, a peeler, falls asleep. A close view now shows his dream. A huge knife moving on its own accord, cuts off his hands; one of them grasps the knife, while the other holds a beet, and both hands cut the beet into slices; the pieces go through some stunts of evolution, after which they spring back into place, and the beet is whole again, while the two hands fasten themselves on the wrists from which they came. The next dream shown is that of the dispenser of linens. A small cane disk appears on the table before him and from this hops out some more cane which begins to weave itself into a basket of its own accord; the work goes on until there is a fine, large basket completed. from this a napkin pops out, opens itself up, then folds itself and lies down on the table. It is followed by another and another, each one of them laying itself on the pile and making a neat, tidy stack, which then moves itself into the basket and shuffles itself away. The fat old chef who is continually figuring, next dreams that his hands are cut off. They bring to him his slate, and one of them seizes the chalk while the other grasps the sponge. One of the hands writes a long row of figures, and when it makes a mistake, the hand with the sponge eradicates the error. After quite a little figuring the hands go back to their owner. A bald-headed scullion is next to dream, and his is a weird one. A fly mounts his pate and begins to crawl over it, drawing a picture of a grotesque face as it goes. Each drawing: disappears when completed, and the fly with lightning bounds draws another. This artistic piece of work done, the sleepers suddenly awake, and each remembering his weird dream, accuses the other of being responsible for it with the result that there is a grand mêlée.
- DirectorVladimir SiversenKhanzhinkov's first film: shot entirely outdoors.
- DirectorÉmile CohlThe same mysterious ring of Émile Cohl's THE MAGIC HOOP reappears here to bring to life a case of toy soldiers (ninety years ahead of TOY STORY). When one is left behind, a strange course of events leads him to a distant tribe. THE LITTLE SOLDIER WHO BECAME A GOD is easily one of the most surreal of Cohl's live action/stop motion hybrids. This film features actors performing in blackface. Fandor does not condone racist stereotyping, but blackface is nonetheless a significant aspect of American history in general and film history specifically. Early cinema was deeply rooted in vaudeville, where blackface was a popular staple. As film critic Ty Burr wrote in a recent assessment of Al Jolson's THE JAZZ SINGER, "Minstrelsy was the then-accepted cultural mechanism by which the governing white culture could appropriate and tame various representations of black people." The history of blackface is complex (even African American performers donned burnt cork to appear onstage in the early 1900s), and its legacy is far from being resolved. While blackface iconography appears offensive today, it remains deeply telling of the culture from which it emerged.