Classic Movies

Directed by James Kenyon Sagar Mitchell Produced by James Kenyon Sagar Mitchell Cinematography James Kenyon Sagar Mitchell Production company Mitchell & Kenyon Release date 3 July 1901 Running time 2 mins Country United Kingdom Language Silent

A chemist carries out a bizarre experiment with his own head -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Starring Georges Méliès Production company Star Film Company Release date 1901 Running time 3 minutes Country France Language Silent

On 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 -- IMDB Directed by Walter R. Booth Produced by Robert W. Paul Production company Paul's Animatograph Works Release date 1901 Running time 2 mins 50 secs Country United Kingdom Language Silent

Directed by Joseph Perry Based on Documentary Cinematography Joseph Perry Edited by Joseph Perry Production company Limelight Department Release date 19 January 1901 Running time 35 minutes Country Australia Language Silent

Reenactment of Carrie Nation's saloon smashing in Wichita -- IMDB Directed by Edwin S. Porter Production company Edison Studios Distributed by Edison Studios Release date March 16, 1901 Running time 1 minute Country United States Language Silent

A 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 --IMDB Directed by Ferdinand Zecca Starring Jean Liézer Production company Pathé Frères Distributed by Pathé Company Release date 1901 Running time Approximately 5 minutes Country France Language Silent

An 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 -- IMDB Directed by Walter R. Booth Produced by Robert W. Paul Production company Paul's Animatograph Works Release date 1901 Running time 1 min. 55 seconds Country United Kingdom Language Silent

The champion lady boxers of the world. Shows two female pugilists who are really clever. They engage in a hot one-round sparring bout. A park, with marble entrance and walk, and beautiful trees and shrubbery, make a very pleasing background. The exhibition is very lively from start to finish; the blows fall thick and fast, and some very clever pugilistic generalship is shown. Sold complete or in separate lengths -- IMDB Directed by Thomas A. Edison[citation needed] Produced by Edison Manufacturing Co. Release date May 6, 1901 Country United States Language Silent..English titles

Firefighters 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 -- IMDB Directed by James Williamson Produced by James Williamson Cinematography James Williamson Production company Williamson Kinematograph Company Release date 15 October 1901 Running time 4 minutes 40 seconds Country United Kingdom Language Silent

In 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 -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Release date 1901 Country France Language Silent

A 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? Directed by Ferdinand Zecca Cinematography Ferdinand Zecca Production company Pathé Frères Distributed by Pathé Company Release date 1901 Running time 1 minute Country France

A 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 -- IMDB Directed by Robert W. Paul Produced by Robert W. Paul Production company Paul's Animatograph Works Release date 1901 Running time 11 secs extent Country United Kingdom Language Silent

A young woman becomes the eighth wife of the wealthy Bluebeard, whose first seven wives have died under mysterious circumstances -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Starring Georges Méliès Jehanne d'Alcy Bleuette Bernon Distributed by Star Film Company Release date 3 May 1901 Running time 9 minutes Country France Language Silent film

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 -- IMDB Duration: 1 minute and 8 seconds.1:08 Directed by James Williamson Starring Sam Dalton Cinematography James Williamson Production company Williamson Kinematograph Company Release date 15 October 1901 Running time 1 min 8 secs Country United Kingdom Language Silent

Shows 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 -- IMDB Directed by Edwin S. Porter and George S. Fleming Produced by Edison Studios Cinematography Edwin S. Porter Release date May 15, 1901 Running time 2 minutes Country United States Languages Silent film English

Gulliver washes ashore on Lilliput, the inhabitants of which are no more than six inches tall. He later travels to Brobdingnag, a country populated by giants -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Based on Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift Production companies Georges Méliès Star-Film Distributed by Georges Méliès (1903) Star-Film (1902) American Mutoscope & Biograph (1903) Edison Manufacturing Company Flicker Alley (2008, US-DVD) Release date 1902 Country France Language Silent film

Short actuality film which documents the passage of a Ringling Brothers circus parade through a prosperous Black community in Indianapolis -- IMDB Produced by William Nicholas Selig Release date July 1902 Country United States Language Silent

A poor young girl tries to sell matches in a snowstorm. After being robbed by bullies, she lights matches which illuminate visions of a far happier Christmas than the one she faces -- IMDB Directed by James Williamson Written by Hans Christian Andersen Cinematography James Williamson Production company Williamson Kinematograph Company Release date 1902 Running time 3 mins 15 secs Country United Kingdom Language Silent

Robinson Crusoe and Friday fight with hostile natives, and eventually retire to their jungle cottage to relax -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Written by Georges Méliès Based on Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe Starring Georges Méliès Production company Star Film Company Release date 1902 Running time 280 meters/910 feet[1] (approx. 15 minutes)[2] Country France Language Silent

A group of astronomers go on an expedition to the Moon -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Written by Georges Méliès Produced by Georges Méliès Starring Georges Méliès Bleuette Bernon François Lallement Henri Delannoy Cinematography Théophile Michault Lucien Tainguy Edited by Georges Méliès Production company Star Film Company Release date 1 September 1902[1] Running time 260 metres/845 feet[2] 18 minutes (12 frame/s)[3] 16 minutes (14 frame/s)[3] 14 minutes (16 frame/s)[3] 9 minutes (24 frame/s)[3] Country France Language Silent Budget ₣10,000

A re-enactment using actors of the recent coronation of Britain's King Edward VII -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Produced by Charles Urban Cinematography George Albert Smith Production company Star Film Company Distributed by Warwick Trading Company Biograph Company Release date August 9, 1902 Running time 107 meters[1] (approx. 6 minutes)[2]

An early adaptation of the Ali Baba tale -- IMDB Directed by Ferdinand Zecca Written by Ferdinand Zecca Based on The folktale added to One Thousand and One Nights by Antoine Galland Production company Pathé Release dates 1902 (France, Germany, USA), 1904 (Brazil, Mexico), 1906 (Colombia) Running time 9 min Country France Language French

Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of the famous fairy tale story of Jack and his magic beanstalk. Borrowing on cinematographic methods reminiscent of 'Georges Melies', Porter uses animation, double exposure, and trick photography to illustrate the fairy's apparitions, Jack's dream, and the fast growing beanstalk -- IMDB Directed by George S. Fleming Edwin S. Porter Produced by Edison Studios Starring See below Cinematography Edwin S. Porter Release date 1902 Running time 10 minutes Country United States Language English

This film buzzes with the energy and vibrancy of street life in the city," according to the BFI, and the filmmakers, "are seen introducing a comic moment into a possibly more formal opening event," and "actively encouraged the audience to respond to the camera with play acting, comic moments - with the crowd not quite knowing if to respond to the camera or concentrating on the curious event behind them," with, "a farcical moment of a guy splashing water at the crowds with a hosepipe -- BFI Directed by James Kenyon Sagar Mitchell Produced by James Kenyon Sagar Mitchell Cinematography James Kenyon Sagar Mitchell Production company Mitchell & Kenyon Release date 1902 Running time 2 minute Country United Kingdom Language Silent

Two guards bring a sorcerer into the hall of a palace of the time of the Middle Ages. The king who follows them orders the sorcerer to be chained and to be condemned to death for his practice of witchcraft. He begs the king to permit him just one hour of liberty, assuring the king that he will create, thanks to his power, a charming woman, worthy of becoming the king's consort. The king, after a moment of hesitation, agrees. The sorcerer asks the king to remove the guards. The king commands them to retire, but not to go far away so as to be within easy call. The sorcerer evokes a spirit. A demon emerges from the floor, and at the command of the sorcerer goes and finds a palanquin, which is brought in by beautiful pages. In this palanquin which the sorcerer shows, at first, to be empty, three lovely Greek goddesses slowly appear. The king is charmed, but he remarks to the sorcerer that the Greek costumes do not please him. But they are quickly transformed, under the spell of the magician, into rich court dresses. The lady in the middle becomes a haughty queen, the two others are changed to ladies in waiting. The king takes the hand of the queen and escorts her, followed by her two attendants, to a seat beside his throne. The pages remove the palanquin. The king asks the magician to amuse the company by some of his wonderful tricks. So the magician takes a chair which he makes waltz about the hall. Then he throws it into the air, where the chair is transformed into a royal clown who performs some feats of dislocation. He ends his performance by a perilous leap and falls back to the floor in the original form of the chair, makes a saucy face at the king and disappears turning somersaults. The king rushes down to the chair in astonishment. The chair disappears and at the same time the magician reappears upon the royal throne. The king in a rage summons the guards and orders them to arrest the magician. The latter throws down the guards, transforms them to demons, whom he orders to arrest and chain the king. Then, putting on the royal crown, the sorcerer goes out dancing with the queen and her attendants, who are no other than diabolical personages, while the king, because he was too credulous, remains chained to the spot -- a condition in which he wished to place the sorcerer at the beginning -- IMDB Directed by Georges Méliès Production company Star Film Company Release date 1903 Country France Language Silent