Life of an American Fireman (1903)

A fireman rushes into a carriage to rescue a woman from a house fire. Breaks the window glasses and he goes down with the woman. After dangerous and uncertain moments, the fireman save the woman' s son, too.

Directors:

George S. Fleming (uncredited), Edwin S. Porter (uncredited)

Stars:

Edwin S. Porter, Vivian Vaughan, Arthur White

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview:
Edwin S. Porter	...	Policeman

Storyline

Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of firemen responding to a house fire. They leave the station with their horse drawn pumper, arrive on the scene, and effect the safe rescue of a woman from the burning house. But wait, she tells them of her child yet asleep in the burning bedroom . . .

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | fire | horse | fireman | burning house | 

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Genres:

Short | Action

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 1903 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Life of an American Fireman

Filming Locations:

East Orange, New Jersey, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edison Manufacturing Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

6 min (2004 National Film Preservation Foundation print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The print used on the DVD release ("More Treasures From American Film Archives 1894-1931, Program 1) was copied at 18 frames per second from a 35mm print preserved by MoMA (Musuem Of Modern Art). It in turn is from an unaltered nitrate exhibition print first preserved in 1979.

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Connections

Featured in Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood: Peepshow Pioneers: 1889-1907 (2010)

User Reviews

Apart from the woman's reaction, a rather realistic portrait of firemen at work.

When seen today, "Life of an American Fireman" would seem a bit dull. After all, it's a very early silent film and folks today seem to have little interest in wuch movies. However, historically speaking AND quality-wise, this is a top-notch production!

The film is a fictionalization of firemen responding to a fire, saving potential victims and putting out the blaze. To do this, the filmmakers employ some unusual techniques for the day....edits, the use of indoor sets (at the Edison studio in East Orange, NJ), outdoor sets and location shooting in New York City. It's all put together very well and must have wowed audiences of the day. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, was the acting by the mother in the film...talk about overreacting!!