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IMDb > The Big Swallow (1901)

The Big Swallow (1901) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 6 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   163 votes
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Director:
James Williamson
Contact:
View company contact information for A Photographic Contortion on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
September 1902 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Short more
Plot:
A 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. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
Filmed by Al Fresco more

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
A Photographic Contortion (USA)
more
Runtime:
1 min
Country:
UK
Sound Mix:
Silent

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director James Williamson's 1901 catalog describes the film thusly: "I won't! I won't! I'll eat the camera first." more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood" (1995) more

FAQ

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful:-
Filmed by Al Fresco, 10 June 2009
Author: JoeytheBrit from www.moviemoviesite.com

This is a fairly unique joke film that demonstrates the ingenuity of some of the early filmmakers. Melies is the obvious example of primitive practitioners of the Seventh Art wringing incredible effects from the most basic of cinematic tools, but while this effort from British filmmaker James Williamson doesn't use trick photography it does use a vivid imagination to deliver an unexpected punchline to an innovative little movie. Prior to this film there were few - if any - examples of people walking directly towards the camera in the way the actor does here. The cinematographer manages to keep him in focus almost up until the moment his mouth devours the camera - and surely doesn't deserve the fate that subsequently befalls him. Must have been a tasty little morsel, though, judging by the way his prey chews so enthusiastically.

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Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Comedy section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

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