William K.L. Dickson

William K.L. Dickson brings his hat from his one hand to the other and moves his head slightly, as a small nod toward the audience. This was the...

William K.L. Dickson plays the violin while two men dance. This is the oldest surviving sound film where sound is recorded on the phonograph.

William K.L. Dickson and William Heise shake hands in this early experimental film.

One of the pictures to be seen in the machine, for example, was that of a blacksmith shop in which two men were working, one shoeing a horse, the...

Watched by crowds, Sir Redvers Buller, Lady Buller, the Mayor of Southampton and others walk along the gangway leading to the ship towards the...

A British Mutoscope & Biograph production.

A folk dance staged in the ruins of Pompeii. With the Arch of Tiberius in the near distance and Arch of Caligula in far distance. A troop of...

Experimental film made to test the original cylinder format of the Kinetoscope and believed to be the first film shot in the United States. It shows...

William K.L. Dickson brings his hat from his one hand to the other and moves his head slightly, as a small nod toward the audience. This was the...

Experimental film that follows up on the results of "Monkeyshines, No. 1". Once again, an Edison company worker moves around in front of the motion...

Experimental film that follows up on the results of "Monkeyshines, No. 1" and "Monkeyshines, No. 2". Once again, an Edison company worker moves...

Three men hammer on an anvil and pass a bottle of beer around. Notable for being the first film in which a scene is being acted out.

A man (Thomas Edison's assistant) takes a pinch of snuff and sneezes. This is one of the earliest Thomas Edison films and was the second motion...

The first woman to appear in front of an Edison motion picture camera and possibly the first woman to appear in a motion picture within the United...

Experimental film made to test the original cylinder format of the Kinetoscope and believed to be the first film shot in the United States. It shows...

William K.L. Dickson and William Heise shake hands in this early experimental film.

William K.L. Dickson brings his hat from his one hand to the other and moves his head slightly, as a small nod toward the audience. This was the...

Experimental film fragment made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film.

Experimental film that follows up on the results of "Monkeyshines, No. 1". Once again, an Edison company worker moves around in front of the motion...

Experimental film fragment made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film.

Early Edison short showing two men fencing.

“Interior of Barber Shop. Man comes in, takes off his coat; sits down, smokes; is handed a paper by attendant, who points out a joke; both...

An athlete demonstrating various poses.

King of the slack wire. His daring feats of balancing as he performs his thrilling feats in midair show that he is perfectly at home.

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dances. For this performance, her costume has a pair of wings attached to her back, to suggest...

Eugen Sandow, who claims to be the strongest man in the world, appears in the Edison Company's film studio.

Three men hammer on an anvil and pass a bottle of beer around. Notable for being the first film in which a scene is being acted out.

Two gamecocks are fighting inside a wire cage, while two spectators look on in the background. The two men agree to make a bet on the outcome. One of...

Filmmaker WKL Dickson, one-time right hand man to Thomas Edison, the 'Wizard of Menlo Park', here captures an even greater eminence, Pope Leo XIII....

William K.L. Dickson plays the violin while two men dance. This is the oldest surviving sound film where sound is recorded on the phonograph.

Experimental film fragment made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film.

Early Edison short showing two men fencing.

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dances. For this performance, her costume has a pair of wings attached to her back, to suggest...

A man (Thomas Edison's assistant) takes a pinch of snuff and sneezes. This is one of the earliest Thomas Edison films and was the second motion...

"In his characterization of Capt. Dreyfus and Emile Zola."

Strong-man Eugene Sandow flexes his muscles and strikes a few poses in front of a black background. This was a short film shot by William K.L....

The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete", which depicts a boxer with a...

Two gamecocks fight in the Edison Company film studio. This feature was remade later in the same year, with additional detail added.

“Interior of Barber Shop. Man comes in, takes off his coat; sits down, smokes; is handed a paper by attendant, who points out a joke; both...

Long before Hollywood started painting white men red and dressing them as 'Injuns' Edison's company was using the genuine article! Featuring for what...

From Edison films catalog: One of the most peculiar customs of the Sioux Tribe is here shown, the dancers being genuine Sioux Indians, in full war...

Eye Filmmuseum and the British Film Institute present a compilation film of newly-restored rare images from the first years of filmmaking. Immerse...

Annie Oakley was probably the most famous marksman/woman in the world when this short clip was produced in Edison's Black Maria studio in West...

An abridged version of the tale of Rip Van Winkle, a lazy American man, who wanders off one day with his dog Wolf into the Kaatskill mountains where...

After launching production in London Dickson traveled to the Continent; the first stop was Paris, where this restaging of a familiar Lumière...

This scene of an African-American woman vigorously scrubbing a black baby was immensely popular with early audiences, and was featured on...

The first movie audiences took particular delight in scenes of rushing, churning water. These scenes of Niagara Falls were taken in September 1896,...

The first movie audiences took particular delight in scenes of rushing, churning water. These scenes of Niagara Falls were taken in September 1896,...

Sandow and Peerless Annabelle were the first performers filmed by the new American Mutoscope Co. Annabelle reprised her Butterfly Dance and several...

The pope taking a twilight walk.

Military subjects were consistent crowd-pleasers, and this film showing a near fatal accident was especially popular.

Queen Vilhelmina greeting the crowds after the coronation.

A parade in the Vatican.

The pope resting.

Parade of guards during Queen Wilhelminas coronation.

Queen Wilhelmina arrives to the palace during her coronation.

Queen Vilhelminas coronation.

During Queen Vilhelminas coronation.

"A glove contest between trained cats. A very comical and amusing subject, and is sure to create a great laugh." (by Edison Films)

James J. Corbett and Peter Courtney meet in a boxing exhibition.

The pursuit of Hop Lee by an irate policeman.

A charming representation of the Mikado dance by three beautiful Japanese ladies in full costume. Very effective when colored.

In the background, five fans lean on the ropes looking into the ring. The referee is to the left; like the fans, he hardly moves as two fighters...

A scene from Charles Hoyt's 'A Milk White Flag': A brass band marches out, led by bandmaster Steele Ayers. When Ayers reaches his position, he turns...

Lee Martin, one of the cowboy stars in 'Buffalo Bill's Wild West', rides a bronco as a crowd looks on. While the horse is trying to throw Martin off...

Hadji Cheriff, a performer known for a variety of unusual abilities, demonstrates part of his act in the Thomas Edison studio. He has a large knife...

Eugen Sandow, who claims to be the strongest man in the world, appears in the Edison Company's film studio.

A woman in a white gown performs a skirt dance, using her arms to produce circles and other patterns within the folds of her costume. Her legs and...

Former lightweight boxer Billy Edwards, now a trainer and writer of the sport, takes on a challenger named Warwick in an exhibition match. The match...

Luis Martinetti, a contortionist suspended from acrobatic flying rings, contorts himself for about thirty seconds. This is one of the first films...

"Firemen in working uniform, rubber coats, helmets, and boots. Thrilling rescue from burning building. Smoke effects are fine." - from the Edison...

William K.L. Dickson plays the violin while two men dance. This is the oldest surviving sound film where sound is recorded on the phonograph.

William K.L. Dickson plays the violin while two men dance. This is the oldest surviving sound film where sound is recorded on the phonograph.

Based on Shakespeare's play, Act V, Scene vii: King John is in torment, and his supporters fear that his end is near. As he writhes in agony, he is...

An athlete demonstrating various poses.

A referee and five fans (including a waiter in his apron) look on as two young men box. The dark-haired, slightly taller boxer throws a right and the...

Scene represents section of the interior of a Chinese Opium Den.

Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs her popular serpentine dance routine. She twirls around, and as she does so, she uses her long skirts to create a...

Sequel to Rats Killing from 1894

Sequel to Rats and Terrier No. 2

Sequel to the Rats and Terrier series

"This picture was taken from the front of a rapidly moving launch through one of the most beautiful stretches of the Grand Canal, showing many...

"A company of little darkies showing off their paces to the music of the banjo."

Directed by W.K.L Dickson.

The famous army scout in an exhibition of rifle shooting. A fine picture of the principal, and beautiful smoke effects.

"This view was made at the Scheveningen Baths. It shows a number of bathers enjoying themselves in the surf. Several picturesque Holland boats are...

The boulevard in front of the Kurhaus, with pedestrians and a terrace.

Two gamecocks are fighting inside a wire cage, while two spectators look on in the background. The two men agree to make a bet on the outcome. One of...

“A scene representing Southern plantation life before the war. A jig and a breakdown by three colored boys.”

Experimental film fragment made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film.

DUPLICATE of Countryside Near Amsterdam? [A draught-dog, unwilling to do its work, lets its load fall into the water.]

Annabelle Dances in William K.L. Dickson's 1894 short film

King of the slack wire. His daring feats of balancing as he performs his thrilling feats in midair show that he is perfectly at home.

Bears that are trained.

Lost film directed by William K.L. Dickson. Presented by Edison Manufacturing Company.

One of the pictures to be seen in the machine, for example, was that of a blacksmith shop in which two men were working, one shoeing a horse, the...

A lost film, directed by William K.L. Dickson about two men wrestling.

Lost film from 1891, directed by William K.L. Dickson and William Heise. The film stars Fred C. Devonald and James C. Duncan.

Lost film from 1891, directed by William K.L. Dickson and William Heise.

Lost film from 1891, directed by William K.L. Dickson and William Heise. The film stars James C. Duncan.

Unfound film from 1891, directed by William K.L. Dickson and William Heise. The film stars James C. Duncan.

The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete".

Lost film from 1894, directed by William K.L. Dickson.

A lively, eccentric dance by Frank Lawton, Etta Williamson and Rosa France of Charles Hoyt's "Milk White Flag". Atttractive costumes.

Reenactment of Jesus Christ with his cross.

“This view was taken upon Mr. McKinley's lawn at his home in Canton, Ohio. Mr. McKinley appears walking across the lawn in company with his...

This Victorian duel between knife-wielding women was taken from an existing stage production, thought to be the Drury Lane theatre melodrama 'Women...

This Victorian duel between knife-wielding women was taken from an existing stage production, thought to be the Drury Lane theatre melodrama 'Women...

Taken in 1896 on the Boulevard (upper Broadway) on the occasion of a bicycle parade in the heyday of the wheeling craze. Old-fashioned horse cars...

"A well-known character, in a dance that created considerable excitement when first introduced in America."

From Wikipedia: Sua Santità papa Leone XIII (Italian for "His Holiness Pope Leo XIII") is an 1898 short film directed by William Kennedy...

Four men at work in a forge. The uses hammers and and anvil to beat metal.

A group of monks in procession carrying a large crucifix in Vatican City, 1898.

A hand-colored ride along the Bangor-Conwy-Colwyn Bay railroad filmed from an express train from the London and North Western Railway; Stations,...

Recovering from a severe illness (likely typhoid), W.K.L. Dickson received word from London that the audience's enthusiasm for the military was...

[DUPLICATE of the other 'Panoramic View of Frere Camp']

"Many spectators who have viewed this picture on the Biograph have insisted that they have experienced the pangs of seasickness. The picture was...

William K.L. Dickson and William Heise shake hands in this early experimental film.

An African American family eats watermelons.

"Showing the wind-up of a political discussion. Dramatis personae: A Democrat, a Republican, a Bar Maid, and a Policeman."

"Said to be the Champion High Kicker of the World."

Thomas Edison's machinist, Fred Ott, holds a bird in his hand.

Three sisters dance the Mikado in this very early film from the Edison company.

Muskoka Lake District, Canada. Beautiful picture, showing a man casting a fly, getting a strike, and landing the trout.

"A well-known oriental dancer in a dance du ventre to the music of a Turkish band."

A "gigantic demonstration of the Business Men's Republican and Sound Money Association" on 10/31/1896, opposing "Free Silver" Democrats in the...

A remarkable picture in many ways. It shows a game between two expert English teams from the go-off to the making of a goal. The photographic effects...

Edison short.

Early short film.

One of the series gives successive pictures of an athlete in an unsuccessful attempt to turn a somersault. Everybody who has seen a boy perform this...

Edison short.

Edison short.

Early Edison film.

Edison short.

A series of short black and white films from director William K.L. Dickson which chronicle the adventures of Rip Van Winkle.

The first woman to appear in front of an Edison motion picture camera and possibly the first woman to appear in a motion picture within the United...

A sweet little girl is seated in the bow of a life-boat feeding crackers to a magnificent St. Bernard dog, while a tabby cat dozes and blinks at her...

Several members of European Royalty, including the Duke and Duchess of York, and Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, seated round a tea-table in the grounds...

British officers (Royal Engineers) supervising repair work on a bridge at Frere, spanning the Blaauw Krantz River, South Africa, during the Boer War.

An amusing picture showing a quarrel between an elderly husband and his young wife, and a joyful reconciliation.

A British Mutoscope & Biograph production.

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Pelicans being released for feeding into their enclosure at London Zoological Gardens.

"An interesting picture of the great inter-collegiate eight-oared boat race of 1899. The picture is taken from the judge's boat, and shows the start...

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

"The Worthing Station is some distance from the shore, and whenever there is a wreck the life-boat is dragged to the scene on a huge truck drawn by...

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

"A magnificent picture of the launching of the 'Oceanic,' which up to that time was the largest vessel ever floated. The view is taken from a pier...

Showing the tapping of the furnace, and the running of the molten metal into the moulds at Elswick yard.

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Signalling from a British trench during the Boer war.

Ambulances and British troops crossing the Tugela River over the pontoon bridge near Trichardt's Drift, during the British retreat from Spion Kop in...

Single shot of a column of Gordon Highlanders marching out of their camp at Ladysmith to meet General Buller's relief column.

Close shot of 4.7" naval gun pointing to the left with group of British naval ratings standing around it. The gun fires and the men run up to reload,...

Naval ratings pulling along naval guns during the Boer War.

A folk dance staged in the ruins of Pompeii. With the Arch of Tiberius in the near distance and Arch of Caligula in far distance. A troop of...

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

"This picture was taken from the front of a rapidly moving launch through one of the most beautiful stretches of the Grand Canal, showing many...

Former lightweight boxer Billy Edwards, now a trainer and writer of the sport, takes on a challenger named Warwick in an exhibition match. The match...

A camera sits on top of a moving train, providing a panoramic view of Ealing (western London) as the train moves.

A camera sits on top of a moving train, providing a panoramic view of Ealing (western London) as the train moves.

"A glove contest between trained cats. A very comical and amusing subject, and is sure to create a great laugh." (by Edison Films)

The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete".

Two boxers miss their punches - until they don't.

A short of Mr. Grundy dancing. He's a Black man in a jockey outfit and there's someone in a horse costume dancing next to him.

Selection of hand-painted films made from serpentine dance performances between 1895 and 1907, with original music by Carol Robinson. Produced for...

"A fascinating, up-to-date dancing diversion by four pretty girls in stunning costumes."

A beautiful view of one of the most celebrated spots in the French capital. A magnificent fountain is playing in the background of the picture, and...

Many gondolas in Venice harbour with a fishing boat in the background

Carriages carrying Queen Wilhelmina arrive in Amsterdam

A very amusing picture, showing a crowd of children and old folks disporting on a sand hill in one of the big public parks of Berlin. This picture is...

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Backward tracking shot of a train going from Bushey, England, near the end of its journey to Euston.

Black hooded pallbearers carry a coffin in a funeral procession in front of onlookers.

A single shot of a fleet of warships at sea, with a sunset sky superimposed from another sequence to complete the effect.

Nothing more novel than this picture could be shown to an American audience. The view was taken in the doorway of a peasant's hovel. The family, in...

A moving tour through lively turn-of-the-century Southampton.

In April the bloemencorso (flower parade) takes place in Haarlem in the Netherlands. This shot shows groups of carriages, festooned with flowers...

Military in Germany.

Women bathing in a german bath.

Sailors practice rescuing someone who's fallen overboard.

A London fire brigade springs into action.

The SS 'St. Louis' departs from Southampton Docks

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

The busy Frederick Street in Berlin.

Single panning shot of the Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta.

Phantom train ride along the French Riviera in Monte Carlo, Monaco

Windmills along the River Zaan.

Tracking shot across a bay showing a large number of fishing boats.

Sailors clamber up the rigging. Filmed at Portsmouth.

Film shot by W.K.L. Dickson at Maidenhead Junction, 1898.

Two men box while standing on their hands

Roma families eat, drink, dance, and play

Hiram Maxim shows off his machine gun.

"Sir Hiram Maxim, in person, firing at targets with one of his latest type rapid-fire guns.

Part of the 'Giant Postcards' series, a filmed entr'acte screened during the play 'De Nieuwe Prikkel' by August Reyding. Camilla and Roland take the...

Men run a training course

Miners at the Solvay Quarries leave their drilling machine to flee from a planned blast in the rock face.

Film by W.K.L. Dickson; Rounding a bend in the track, we behold Windsor Castle.

Young people dance the Tarantella

Showing the tapping of the furnace, and the running of the molten metal into the moulds at Elswick yard.

Short shot of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice with gondoliers

Sailors disembarking on the beach in Scheveningen, Netherlands. Shot on 68 mm Mutoscope-Biograph.

In a long, diaphanous skirt, held out by her hands with arms extended, Broadway dancer Annabelle Moore performs. Her dance emphasizes the movement of...

"A magnificent picture of the launching of the 'Oceanic,' which up to that time was the largest vessel ever floated. The view is taken from a pier...

Film produced by William K. Dickson’s British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.