Classic Movies

The Fugitive (1910) Two Johns, a Confederate and an Union soldier, leave their family to go to the front. After a skirmish they end up separated from their respective sides, the Union soldier shoots the Confederate, but he has to escape and look for refuge in the house of his enemy -- IMDB Directed by D. W. Griffith Starring Kate Bruce Edward Dillon Cinematography G. W. Bitzer Release date November 7, 1910 Running time 17 minutes Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

A Confederate soldier shames his mother and sister by going AWOL during battle. His sister takes his place, with tragic results, leaving him to live out his life in shame, hiding to protect his family name -- IMDB Directed by D. W. Griffith Written by Emmett C. Hall Starring Henry B. Walthall Cinematography G. W. Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release date August 8, 1910 Running time 16 minutes (original length 998 feet)[1] Country United States Language Silent (English intertitles)

During the Civil War, a father living in a border state leaves to join the Union Army. After he leaves, Confederate troops forage on his property, where a soldier encounters one of his daughters. The father himself is wounded on a hazardous mission and must run for his life, pursued by Confederate soldiers.

The first filmed version of Frankenstein. The young doctor discovers the secret of life, which he uses to create a perfect human. Things do not go according to plan -- IMDB Directed by J. Searle Dawley Written by J. Searle Dawley Based on Frankenstein (1818 novel) by Mary Shelley Produced by Thomas Edison Starring Augustus Phillips Charles Ogle Mary Fuller Cinematography James White[1] Production company Edison Manufacturing Company Distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company Release date March 18, 1910 Running time 16 minutes[2] (1 reel, 975 feet)[3] Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

This story affords the renowned European actress, Asta Nielsen, an opportunity of displaying her wonderful ability as a great artist. It depicts the life of a young woman, who tiring of her husband and her life in attractive surroundings conceives a sudden admiration for a picturesque circus man. He also is attracted by her, and when he appears and demands that she cast in her lot with the circus folks, she yields and leaves her beautiful home for the wandering life of a circus. Under the tuition of her admirer, she becomes a gifted member of the "haute ecole." The new life fascinates her. Months pass, she becomes disillusioned, for her hero, Rudolph, proves fickle; he transfers his affections to another girl of the circus. There is a quarrel between the two women and Asta and Rudolph are discharged. Down they sink in the social scale; he becomes a dissolute ne'er do well, and she the pianist at a popular beer garden. Her husband during these months has never ceased to care for Asta and in a chance meeting persuades her to return to home and duty. She consents and while in the act of leaving, Rudolph appears and, exerting the old power over her, she remains with him. Still the husband is undaunted, and makes yet another effort to regain his wife, but Rudolph refuses to give her up. This time, the man and woman quarrel, and in the struggle which follows, Asta stabs him to death. She is arrested and taken away to prison, whilst her helpless husband looks on.—Moving Picture World synopsis Directed by Urban Gad Written by Urban Gad Produced by Hjalmar Davidsen Starring Asta Nielsen Robert Dinesen Cinematography Alfred Lind Production company Kosmorama Distributed by Kosmorama Release date 12 September 1910 (Denmark) Running time 38 minutes Country Denmark Language Silent

A widowed father devotes his life to his daughter, who swears to stay with him forever. Then a handsome young man shows up and sweeps her off her feet -- IMDB Directed by D. W. Griffith Written by Stanner E. V. Taylor Produced by Biograph Company Starring Mary Pickford George Nichols Gladys Egan Cinematography Billy Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release date April 4, 1910[1] Running time 16 minutes Country USA Language Silent..English titles

Film "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" based on the novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll -- IMDB Directed by Edwin S. Porter Written by Lewis Carroll (book) Based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Starring Gladys Hulette Distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company Release date September 9, 1910 Running time 10 minutes Country United States Language Silent film

Based on the story by Charles Dickens: Ebenezer Scrooge is well known for his harsh, miserly ways, until he is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, and then by three other spirits -- IMDB Directed by J. Searle Dawley Story by Charles Dickens Based on A Christmas Carol 1843 novella by Charles Dickens Starring Marc McDermott Charles S. Ogle Distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company Release date December 23, 1910 Running time 13 minutes Country United States Languages Silent film English intertitles

A condensed silent film version of the Charles Dickens classic about the French Revolution and its subsequent Reign of Terror -- IMDB Directed by Charles Kent (Co.) William J. Humphrey Written by Charles Dickens (novel) Eugene Mullin (scenario) Based on A Tale of Two Cities 1859 novel by Charles Dickens Produced by J. Stuart Blackton Production company Vitagraph Studios Distributed by General Film Company Release dates February 21, 1911 (reel 1) February 24, 1911 (reel 2) February 25, 1911 (reel 3) Running time 30 minutes Country United States Languages Silent (English intertitles)

An elderly carpenter is told by a doctor that his wife is seriously ill. Soon afterwards, an insensitive shop foreman lays him off from his job because of his age. Unable to find work, and with his wife's condition getting worse, he soon becomes desperate -- IMDB Directed by D. W. Griffith Starring W. Chrystie Miller Cinematography G. W. Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release date February 13, 1911 Running time 15 minutes (994 feet on release)[1] Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

(Part One) The first scene shows us the outer court of the temple in Egypt, in the year 350 B.C. Here Amenartas, the Pharaoh's daughter, waits to meet her love, Kallikrates. He has just taken the vows, becoming a Priest of Isis. She urges him to renounce these vows and flee with her from Egypt. We next see them during the sacrificial ceremony in the temple. The young priest goes about his sacred office constantly feeling the eyes of the woman he loves upon him. At the close of the ceremony he can resist her appeal no longer and they make their escape. They leave the city behind them, and on the desert meet some friendly Arabs. The young priest is weak from fasting, and his wife secures for him the camel owned by an Arab chief, so that they may continue their journey. They thank their Arab friends, leave them, and on foot make their way to the water's edge. After traveling "twice twelve moons" they land with their infant son on the coast of Africa, near a rocky precipice, known as the Negro's Head. In her cave in the hollow mountain, "SHE," the white witch of Africa, who has learned the secret of eternal youth, sees the approach of the Egyptian, by her magic power. "SHE" determines that he is the perfect man, that "SHE" will have him bathe with her in the fires of eternal youth, and together they will rule the world. "SHE" summons him. In his camp in the desert the messengers of "SHE" find Kallikrates, his wife and child, and bring them before "SHE." "SHE" shows the Egyptian the fires of eternal youth and offers him her love, but when he remains true to the love of his wife, "SHE" strikes him dead. His wife, Amenartas escapes with her child. At the riverbank, the wife embarks with her child, whom she calls Tisisthanes. She swears that this child shall return and avenge his father's death, or if not he, his male descendants. Over the smoldering fires of eternal strife "SHE" tries in vain to restore the vital spark to the body of the man she loved. Unable to give her loved one life, "SHE" has his body mummified by a marvelous process, which makes him look as though he did but sleep. Beside her dead love, "SHE" weeps and prays, that though "SHE" cannot restore him to life, some day, though it be in the remote centuries to come, her love will be reincarnated, and return to claim her. (Part Two) We now see a room in England, in the year 1885 A.D. Holly, an Englishman, whose face is so ugly that it has won him the appellation of "the monster," receives, by the will of his friend, the fortunes and custody of that friend's son, Leo Vincent. This child is the direct descendant of the Priest of Isis, whom "SHE" destroyed centuries before. With the child, is sent a letter of instructions and an antique chest. The letter explains that Leo is to open the chest on his twenty-fifth birthday and follow the instructions it contains. Through the ages '"SHE" waits beside the body of her dead love, still praying for his reincarnation and return. On his twenty-fifth birthday, Leo opens the chest and finds in it the story of his ancient ancestor and the information that although many men of his family had spent their lives in seeking "SHE." None of them had ever found her. Leo also finds instructions to carry out the work, to seek "SHE," learn her secret of eternal youth, and then destroy her. Leo determines to set out on the mission. Leo and his guardian, Holly, approach the shores of Africa, and note the strange rock, the Negro's Head. "SHE," in her cave, sees in a vision, Leo approaching. He strongly resembles his ancient ancestor, and "SHE" firmly believes he is the reincarnation of her ancient lover. "SHE" sends for him. Through rocky caverns Leo's boat glides up the river toward the hollow mountain. At an ancient landing place, now fallen into ruins, Leo's boat is stopped by a tribe of natives, who pay allegiance to "SHE." They blindfold Leo and Holly and lead them to the cave of "SHE." "SHE" welcomes Leo as her lost love. He tells her he has come to destroy her, to revenge the death of his ancestor. "SHE" gives him the knife from her own girdle and. baring her bosom, bids him strike. Before her unveiled beauty, Leo is powerless to destroy her. "SHE" then bids him follow her and leads them through a strange passage. In a rocky cavern "SHE" shows Leo the mummy of his ancient ancestor, and so like is it to the young Englishman, that he feels he is gazing upon himself. "SHE" then destroys the mummy as she feels she has found her living love. "SHE" leads Holly and Leo over a rocky precipice to the cave containing the "fires of eternal youth." "SHE" begs Leo to step into the flame so that he, too, will never die. Leo fears to take the step. To encourage him "SHE" steps first into the flames. The quality of the fire has changed in the centuries since "SHE" last bathed in them. "SHE" suddenly shrivels up before the eyes of the astonished men. "SHE" grows suddenly old, until she resembles an ape. With outstretched arms, and a cry to Leo not to forget her, "SHE" dies. Holly and Leo, half crazed with the terrible sight they have witnessed, find their way back to the native village. They are directed, by an overland route, as to how they can leave the country and they do so. Safely returned to England, Leo, whose golden hair has been turned white from his horrible experience, destroys all records of "SHE," the mysterious. His family has been avenged.—Moving Picture World synopsis Director George Nichols Writers H. Rider Haggard, Theodore Marston Stars Marguerite Snow, James Cruze, Viola Alberti

An American in Turkey is mistakenly arrested and thrown in jail. He escapes and is helped by the daughter of the local ruler, called the Pasha -- IMDB Produced by Thanhouser Company Starring William Garwood Distributed by Motion Picture Distributors and Sales Company Release date January 3, 1911 Country United States Languages Silent film

An elderly woman looks back on the special times in her life, thinking especially about her now-departed husband and the things they did together. Though it is sad that these times are now gone, she is comforted by her memories and by the hope of sharing in the lives of her child and grandchildren -- IMDB Directed by Thomas H. Ince Written by Thomas H. Ince Produced by Carl Laemmle Starring Mary Pickford King Baggot Distributed by Independent Moving Pictures(IMP) Release date March 27, 1911 Running time 10 minutes Country United States Languages Silent film English intertitles

A poor girl is secretly in love with a wealthy young planter. During the Civil War she helps him escape capture by Union soldiers. After the war, with his fortune gone, she confesses that she loves him -- IMDB Directed by D. W. Griffith Written by Emmett C. Hall Starring See below Cinematography G.W. Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release date August 28, 1911 Running time 16 minutes Country United States Language Silent (English intertitles)

Cartoon figures announce, via comic strip balloons, that they will move - and move they do, in a wildly exaggerated style -- IMDB Directed by Winsor McCay Release date April 8, 1911 Running time 11:33 Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

When her father becomes ill, a young woman takes over the telegraph at a lonely western railroad station. She soon gets word that the next train will deliver the payroll for a mining company. The train brings not only the money, but a pair of ruffians bent on stealing it. All alone, she wires for help, and then holds off the bad guys until it arrives -- IMDB Directed by D. W. Griffith Written by Mack Sennett Produced by D. W. Griffith Starring Blanche Sweet Verner Clarges Cinematography G. W. Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release date March 23, 1911 Running time 17 minutes (16 frame/s) Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

Thieves decide to steal the money an old miser has hidden away. He refuses to open the safe for them, so they threaten to kill a girl who lives in his building -- IMDB Directed by D. W. Griffith Written by George Hennessy Starring Blanche Sweet Cinematography G. W. Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release date November 20, 1911 Running time 18 minutes Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

Film adaptation of Homer's 'The Odyssey' -- IMDB Directed by Francesco Bertolini, Adolfo Padovan and Giuseppe De Liguoro Based on Odyssey by Homer Starring Giuseppe de Liguoro: Odysseus Eugenia Tettoni: Penelope Ubaldo Maria Del Colle Cinematography Emilio Roncarolo Production company Milano Films Distributed by Helios Release date November 1911 Running time 44 minutes Country Italy Language Silent film Budget $200,000[1]

Loosely adapted from Dante's Divine Comedy and inspired by the illustrations of Gustav Doré the original silent film has been restored -- IMDB irected by Francesco BertoliniAdolfo PadovanGiuseppe De Liguoro [1] Based on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri Starring Salvatore Papa Arturo Pirovano Giuseppe de Liguoro Augusto Milla Cinematography Emilio Roncarolo Music by Raffaele Caravaglios (original soundtrack) Tangerine Dream (2004 DVD) Edison Studio (2011 DVD) Production company Milano Films Distributed by Helios Release date 10 March 1911 Running time 73 minutes Country Italy Language Silent Budget >ITL€100,000[2]

A widower becomes infatuated with his daughter's governess, to the displeasure of the child and her nurse -- IMDB Directed by Laurence Trimble Starring John Bunny Distributed by Vitagraph Company of America Release date September 11, 1911 Running time 14 minutes (1 reel, 1000 feet)[1] Country United States Languages Silent English intertitles

In every southern home there was the old trusted body-servant, whose faithful devotion to his master's family was extreme to the extent of even laying down his life, if required. This Biograph subject portrays a story which in no way exaggerates the self-sacrificing love of the man for his master. The cruel war has just begun and when Colonel Frazier leaves home to join his regiment of Confederate soldiers, he tells George, his body-servant, to take good care of the wife and child he is leaving behind. A short time after the husband is killed in battle and one of his comrades brings the news of his death to his wife, giving her his sword. This is hung over the mantel. This is indeed a heavy blow to the poor woman, but her burden is made heavier when the Union forces appear, plunder the house and burn it to the ground. When this occurs the child is alone asleep in her crib, it being the hour of her afternoon nap, and the mother has gone for a walk about the grounds for diversion to ease her heartache. The old servant is also out on the farm repairing a hedge. Seeing the flames he at once thinks of the child. Without thought of self, George dashes through the flames into the house, where he finds the child on the floor, overcome by the heat and smoke, and carries her out, placing her safely in her mother's arms, the poor woman being in front of the burning house, frantic with anxiety. Recovering somewhat from the effects of his struggle in the house, he thinks of his master's sword, and at the risk of his life he reenters the building and secures it. It is not long after that the entire house collapses and a most pitiable illustration is given here of the sufferings of many a southern woman during that awful time of strife, homeless, with no apparent asylum. George now realizes the sacredness of his trust, and taking the heartbroken woman by the hand, leads her and the child to his own humble log cabin, where he gives his all for their comfort, he being content to spread a blanket on the ground outside the door on which to lay his head. Thus far has the servant been faithful to his trust -- Moving Picture World Directed by D. W. Griffith Written by Emmett C. Hall Starring Wilfred Lucas Cinematography G. W. Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release date January 16, 1911 Running time 14 minutes (18 frame/s) Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

Enoch Arden, a humble fisherman, marries Annie Lee. He signs on as a sailor to make more money to support their growing family. A storm wrecks his ship, but Enoch swims to a deserted island. Annie waits vainly for his return. Directed by D. W. Griffith Written by Linda Arvidson Alfred Lord Tennyson Starring Dorothy Bernard Cinematography G. W. Bitzer Distributed by Biograph Company Release dates June 12, 1911 (Part 1) June 15, 1911 (Part 2) Running time 33 minutes (combining parts 1 & 2) Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

Both "Alkali" and "Mustang" Pete loved Betty Brown, and the lady had her hands full in keeping the lovers from shooting each other. One day "Alkali" called on Betty with a pair of handsome saddle horses and asked her to go riding with him. She agreed, but the resourceful "Mustang," driving up with a handsome horse and carriage, carried off the lady. "Alkali" goes to the village inn, inclined to drink himself to death, but finally trades for an old junk automobile his two horses, and clambering in the seat, starts in pursuit of his rival and the lady. Overtaking them, he has no difficulty in persuading Betty to ride with him. But the auto breaks down and "Alkali," endeavoring to fix it, turns on the juice and the rattle-trap car starts down the trail at lightning speed, leaving "Alkali" behind. After a thrilling and exciting ride the car is ditched and poor Betty is thrown headlong into the road -- Moving Picture World Synopsis Directed by Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson Written by Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson Produced by Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson Starring Augustus Carney Harry Todd Distributed by General Film Company Release date May 20, 1911 Running time 11 minutes Country United States Language Silent with English intertitles

A loutish husband neglects his patient, loving wife to enjoy a night on the town. When he comes home drunk and irritable, he mistreats her. Then he falls asleep, and has a dream that causes him to reconsider the way that he treats his wife. Directed by Thomas H. Ince George Loane Tucker Written by Herbert Brenon (scenario) Produced by Carl Laemmle Starring Mary Pickford Owen Moore Music by Ernesto Nazareth Distributed by Motion Picture Distributors and Sales Company Release date January 23, 1911 Running time 1 reel (10 minutes) Country United States Language Silent film (English titles)

Mabel and her sweetheart go to the beach and play a trick on the boyfriend's father. Directed by Mack Sennett Produced by Mack Sennett Starring Mabel Normand Production company Keystone Studios Distributed by Mutual Film Release date September 23, 1912 (United States) Running time 8 minutes Country United States Language Silent (English intertitles)