Bouncing Baby, Nikelodeon Films (1916 Original Black & White Film)

Step into the early days of silent film with the 1916 black-and-white comedy "Bouncing Baby," produced by the Vim Comedy Company in Jacksonville, Florida. During this era, Jacksonville became a major center for motion picture production due to its favorable weather, political support, and affordable real estate and labor. Mayor J.E.T. Bowden's invitation to the film industry helped boost the city's economy. However, the antics of film companies soon led to public safety concerns, and by 1917, the industry began moving to Hollywood. Vim Comedy Company, founded in 1915 by Louis Burstein and Mark Dintenfass, was a key player in Jacksonville's film boom, producing 156 one-reel films in 1916. The studio was home to talents like Oliver "Babe" Hardy and Billy Ruge, who starred in the "Plump and Runt" series. Vim's success was short-lived, ending in 1917 when payroll theft was discovered. This film captures a unique slice of film history and the vibrant yet brief film industry in Jacksonville.

Source :
Hardy, O., Nikelodeon Films Producer & Vim Comedy Company Associated Name. (1916) Bouncing Baby. [Jacksonville, Florida: publisher not identified] [Video] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021671090