Post by Matthew the Swordsman on Dec 10, 2017 2:30:26 GMT
During the week I watched three feature films from the 1910s.
I also watched 99 short films from the late 19th century, ranging from 1890 to 1899, and mostly running about 30 seconds. Many of these short films I watched on the YouTube channel of the Library of Congress. A large number of them are from 1897, making them 120 years old.
I also watched a single short film from 1900.
I also watched 13 TV episodes, ranging from 1965 to 2001, but particularly from the 1960s.
Feature Films:
The World and the Woman (1916, USA, 65 minutes) - 7.5/10. Unusual story of an ex-prostitute who becomes a faith healer. Starring Jeanne Eagels. Some people may be put off by the religious nature of the film, but it is well-made and entertaining. It's just amazing, in my opinion, that we can watch a film from over 100 years ago.
A Fool There Was (1915, USA, 67 minutes) - 7.5/10. Very downbeat film, best known for starring the popular actress Theda Bara. Very few of Theda's films survive, unfortunately.
Gretchen the Greenhorn (1916, USA, 58 minutes) - 7.5/10. Nice little story about a young Dutch woman who moves to the U.S. to live with her father. Lovely melting pot of different cultures, and good production values for a minor film from 1916.
Short Films:
Monkeyshines, No. 1 (1890, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Extremely blurry camera test.
Monkeyshines, No. 2 (1890, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Very blurry camera test. Strangely very beautiful.
Dickson Greeting (1891, USA, a couple seconds) - 7.5/10. Wow! A Victorian man moving! Really cool! One of the first films to be shown to an audience, though not commercially.
Newark Athlete (1891, USA, 1 second!) - 6/10. Camera test.
Men Boxing (1891, USA, 2 seconds) - 7/10. Camera test...with men almost boxing.
Blacksmith Scene (1893, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching 19th century men moving.
The Barbershop (1894, USA approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Simple film showing activity at a barber shop. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze (1894, USA, a few seconds) - 7.5/10. This is a truly groundbreaking film: the first motion picture to feature a sneeze. Cinema and sneezing would never be the same again.
Athlete with Wand (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Another 19th century man moving. This time, he's moving with a pole. Amazing.
Carmencita (1894, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 9/10. First woman to appear in a commercially released film. She does a truly beautiful dance. A must see.
The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton's) (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. The world's first dumb comedy, featuring two boxing cats. Groundbreaking.
Caicedo (with Pole) (1894, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A good record of a vaudeville balancing act. It's only 30 seconds and it is interesting, so check it out if you can.
Annabelle Butterfly Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining record of a vaudeville dancer. This film was a huge hit when originally released.
Cock Fight, No. 2 (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 6/10. Politically incorrect entertainment featuring cock fighting. Hilarity does not ensue. I give it 6 for historical value only.
Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph (1894, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 8/10. A boxing match staged before the camera. Lively, thrilling, fun.
Sioux Ghost Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Native Americans dance in the cramped film studio. Cute.
Buffalo Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. More Native Americans dancing just for you, the viewer.
Hadj Cheriff (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining record of a lively vaudeville act.
Glenroy Bros., No. 2 (1894, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 7.5/10. Another record of a vaudeville act, depicting two comedic boxers. Fun nonsense.
Luis Martinetti, Contortionist (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Yes, another vaudeville act. This would get a higher rating, but the condition of the film is poor.
Bucking Broncho (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Real cowboys! A real horse! Real men in the background who look like something from a western film....and this was shot in 1894!! Wow!
Annie Oakley (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. This isn't an actress playing Annie Oakley. This is the REAL Annie Oakley, performing for the motion picture camera. Amazing.
Imperial Japanese Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Three ladies do a dance for the camera. Lovely.
Chinese Laundry Scene (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 5/10. Stupid racist comedy.
Band Drill (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 6/10. Interesting that marching band costumes haven't changed that much in 123 years....
Fire Rescue Scene (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining 20-second drama about firemen rescuing two people from a burning building. For its time, a good film.
Billy Edwards and the Unknown (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Boxing match. Fun.
Dickson Experimental Sound Film (1894, USA, approx 17 seconds) - 9/10. First sound film in history, purely an experiment. Although the idea was there, it was not until the late-1920s that sound films became popular. In this film, William K.L. Dickson plays the violin.
Princess Ali (1895, USA, under 20 seconds) - 5/10. Boring dance film.
Annabelle Serpentine Dance (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Beautiful film of a woman dancing for the camera, with colour effects adding by hand tinting.
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Early period drama. Interesting.
Amy Muller (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Yet another dancing film. Fun.
The Kiss (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. One of cinema's first romantic films, featuring a kiss. Cute.
Shooting the Chutes (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. A ride at Coney Island is shown.
Fatima's Coochee-Coochee Dance (1896, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Notorious dancing film. Very controversial, some 19th century viewers thought it was obscene. Of course, I've seen more dirt in 1960s game shows.
Mess Call (1896, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 8/10. A bunch of soldiers being happy and smiling for the camera.
Edison Drawn by 'World' Artist (1896, USA, approx 90 seconds) - 8/10. Charming film in which an artist sketches a large picture of Thomas Edison. Cute.
Watermelon Contest (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 1/10. Racist garbage.
Lone Fisherman (1896, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 7.5/10. Simple comedy involving a man falling into a stream. I really enjoyed seeing the horse-drawn vehicle in this film.
Interrupted Lover (1896, USA, 20 seconds) - 6/10. Poorly directed comedy. Could have been a lot better. Compares unfavourably with the other 1896 films I watched in terms of production values.
Feeding the Doves (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Cute little film depicting doves and chickens being fed.
A Morning Bath (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds or something like that) - 6/10. African-American woman baths her baby.
The Burning Stable (1896, USA, under 20 seconds) - 7/10. Firemen at their job.
Mounted Police Charge (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just fun to see 19th century policemen. Fun.
Going to the Fire (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Nice glimpse at some 19th century firemen, and a good look at a street in 1896. Fun.
A Morning Alarm (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. More firemen racing to the scene. Also interesting to see some buildings of the era.
Black Diamond Express, No. 1 (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Footage of a train. Fun!
American Falls from Above, American Side (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Pleasant footage of a waterfall.
The First Sleigh-Ride (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. I love seeing the horse-drawn vehicles in this film.
The Morning Alarm (1896, USA, approx 1 minute) - 8/10. More firemen racing to the scene. Another fun look into 19th century life.
Fifth Avenue, New York (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Well-dressed 19th century people, just walking by.
Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Thomas Edison does indeed appear in this film, but the "laboratory" is merely a studio set.
Return of Lifeboat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage a lifeboat on a stormy sea. What more could you want?
Troop Ships for the Philippines (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage of a military ship going by. What more could you want?
U.S. Troops Landing at Daiquiri, Cuba (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Interesting, but poorly photographed.
Shooting Captured Insurgents (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. War drama in which some people get shot by a firing squad. I see cinema's love of violence is nothing new.
The Burglar on the Roof (1898, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Crime drama. A burglar gets caught.
Fireman Rescuing Men and Women (1899, USA, 1 minute) - 7.5/10. Does exactly what the title suggests.
A Wringing Good Joke (1899, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Fun comedy.
Buffalo Fire Department in Action (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Really cool to see the horse drawn vehicles of the period.
Buffalo Stockyards (1897, USA, approx 1 minute) - 7/10. Interesting, to see men wearing hats, some buildings of the period, stuff like that.
Giant Coal Dumper (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. I love grim industrial scenes, so this was pretty cool to me.
Herald Square (1896, USA, approx 10 seconds) - 8/10. An entertaining glimpse into life in the late 19th century.
Passaic Falls, New Jersey (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. A waterfall and an arch bridge. What more could you want?
Police Patrol Wagon (1897, USA, approx 10 seconds) - 7/10. Some policemen go on a police wagon. Why not?
Seminary Girls (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Enjoyably dumb comedy involving some naughty ladies engaging in a pillow fight.
Water Fall in the Catskills (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a waterfall. What more could you want?
Sheep Run, Chicago Stockyards (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Sheep running. Cool.
Philadelphia Express, Jersey Central Railway (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. This is just footage of two trains going by. Honestly, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Free-for-All Race at Charter Oak Park (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Footage of harness racing. Cool.
Falls of Minnehaha (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a waterfall. Relaxing.
Corner Madison and State Streets, Chicago (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching real Victorian people, in their real Victorian clothes, doing their Victorian thing.
Cattle Driven to Slaughter (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage of some cattle running towards something. Fun.
Armour's Electric Trolley (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Another interesting look into the 19th century.
Sutro Baths, No. 2 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People going down a slide into a pool. Cool.
Sutro Baths, No. 1 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People go down a slide into a swimming pool. It's fun watching Victorian people having fun.
Surf at Monterey (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Just footage of waves hitting the rocks at the beach. Fun!
Stanford University, California (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Men wearing hats walking by. Fun!
S.S. 'Williamette' Leaving for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a ship. There's also some people in the foreground. Not bad.
S.S. 'Queen' Loading (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 6/10. Poorly photographed and dull.
S.S. 'Queen' Leaving Dock (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a ship. Kinda cool.
S.S. 'Coptic' Sailing Away (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Men with hats! Ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
S.S. 'Coptic' in the Harbor (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. More men with hats! More ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
S.S. 'Coptic' at Dock (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Yet more men with hats! Yet more ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
Lurline Baths (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People going down a slide into a swimming pool. Cool.
Loading Baggage for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Nice slice of 19th century life.
Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, Cal. (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A view of a building, and a horse-drawn carriage comes along. Fun.
Leander Sisters (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A fun look into a vaudeville dancing act. Fun.
Launch of Life Boat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. A lifeboat goes into the water. Fun.
Hotel Vendome, San Jose, Cal. (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching the horse-drawn vehicles in this film.
Hotel del Monte (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 9/10. More horse-drawn vehicles. Cool.
Horses Loading for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10.
Fishing Smacks (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 6/10.
Fisherman's Wharf (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. A nice look at a boat.
First Avenue, Seattle, Washington, No. 8 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Real 19th century street scene. Fabulous.
Cupid and Psyche (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Two semi-talented dancers perform for the camera. Cool.
Capsize of Lifeboat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A boat is upside down. Some men put it up the right way. Cute.
Fast Mail, Northern Pacific Railroad (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Just footage of a train going by. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Wash Day in Mexico (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Ever wanted to know how they washed clothes in late 19th century Mexico? Well, now you know!
Explosion of a Motor Car (1900, UK, approx 1 minute) - 7.5/10. A car goes BOOM! Hilarity ensues.
Television:
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 5 February 1966 (Australia, 52 minutes) - 7.5/10. This episode consists of a concert by Peter Paul & Mary. Featuring lots of songs, and some dated humour.
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 12 February 1966 (Australia, 45 minutes) - 7.5/10. Entertaining episode of this pop music show, with guests Graham Chapman (no, not the comedian), Ja-Ar, Helen Reddy (yes, THAT Helen Reddy) and Billy Thorpe. Additionally, Robyn Alvarez appears via archival clips. Unfortunately, the kinescope is in somewhat poor, incomplete condition.
"George & Mildred" - Episode titled "Baby Talk" (telecast 27 September 1976, UK, 24 minutes) - 7.5/10. Sitcom. This episode has a sentimental ending, which is very unusual for this series.
"Yu-Gi-Oh!" - Episode titled "The Gauntlet Is Thrown" (telecast 6 October 2001, Japan, 21 minutes) - 7.5/10. Anime about a spiky haired teenager who saves the world from evil....by playing card games.
"Punky Brewster" - Episode titled "Punky Finds a Home: Part 2" (telecast 23 September 1984, USA, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Beautifully dated sitcom/drama.
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 2 April 1966 (Australia, 52 minutes) - 8/10. Truly varied selection of music in this episode, with guests Anne & Jimmy Murphy, Tony Barber, The Flanagans, The Groop, Sylvia Penzes, and Jeff St. John.
"The Dustbinmen" - Episode two (telecast 30 September 1969, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Un-PC sitcom about four garbagemen. Oddly enough it's funny.
"Pardon the Expression" - Episode titled "The Headmistress" (telecast 9 June 1965, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Sitcom set in a department store.
"The Rag Trade" - Episode titled "Stay in Strike" (telecast 11 September 1977, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Funny sitcom about a clothing factory where the workers are constantly going on strike. Fun.
"Not on Your Nellie" - Episode titled "Something in the Night" (telecast 22 March 1974, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Dated sitcom set in a pub. Fun.
"Parkin's Patch" - Episode titled "The Way Home" (telecast 8 November 1969, UK, 26 minutes) - 8/10. Interesting crime drama set in Yorkshire. Interestingly, this episode was directed by Michael Apted.
"Take a Letter Mr. Jones" - Episode titled "The Interview" (telecast 5 September 1981, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Fluffy sitcom about a male secretary working for a female business executive. Not a particularly strong episode, but I enjoyed it, and anything with John Inman is worth seeing.
"Pardon the Expression" - Episode titled "The Trouble with Ada" (telecast 16 June 1965, UK, 25 minutes) - 7/10. Too much plot and not enough jokes.
I also watched 99 short films from the late 19th century, ranging from 1890 to 1899, and mostly running about 30 seconds. Many of these short films I watched on the YouTube channel of the Library of Congress. A large number of them are from 1897, making them 120 years old.
I also watched a single short film from 1900.
I also watched 13 TV episodes, ranging from 1965 to 2001, but particularly from the 1960s.
Feature Films:
The World and the Woman (1916, USA, 65 minutes) - 7.5/10. Unusual story of an ex-prostitute who becomes a faith healer. Starring Jeanne Eagels. Some people may be put off by the religious nature of the film, but it is well-made and entertaining. It's just amazing, in my opinion, that we can watch a film from over 100 years ago.
A Fool There Was (1915, USA, 67 minutes) - 7.5/10. Very downbeat film, best known for starring the popular actress Theda Bara. Very few of Theda's films survive, unfortunately.
Gretchen the Greenhorn (1916, USA, 58 minutes) - 7.5/10. Nice little story about a young Dutch woman who moves to the U.S. to live with her father. Lovely melting pot of different cultures, and good production values for a minor film from 1916.
Short Films:
Monkeyshines, No. 1 (1890, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Extremely blurry camera test.
Monkeyshines, No. 2 (1890, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Very blurry camera test. Strangely very beautiful.
Dickson Greeting (1891, USA, a couple seconds) - 7.5/10. Wow! A Victorian man moving! Really cool! One of the first films to be shown to an audience, though not commercially.
Newark Athlete (1891, USA, 1 second!) - 6/10. Camera test.
Men Boxing (1891, USA, 2 seconds) - 7/10. Camera test...with men almost boxing.
Blacksmith Scene (1893, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching 19th century men moving.
The Barbershop (1894, USA approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Simple film showing activity at a barber shop. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze (1894, USA, a few seconds) - 7.5/10. This is a truly groundbreaking film: the first motion picture to feature a sneeze. Cinema and sneezing would never be the same again.
Athlete with Wand (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Another 19th century man moving. This time, he's moving with a pole. Amazing.
Carmencita (1894, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 9/10. First woman to appear in a commercially released film. She does a truly beautiful dance. A must see.
The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton's) (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. The world's first dumb comedy, featuring two boxing cats. Groundbreaking.
Caicedo (with Pole) (1894, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A good record of a vaudeville balancing act. It's only 30 seconds and it is interesting, so check it out if you can.
Annabelle Butterfly Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining record of a vaudeville dancer. This film was a huge hit when originally released.
Cock Fight, No. 2 (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 6/10. Politically incorrect entertainment featuring cock fighting. Hilarity does not ensue. I give it 6 for historical value only.
Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph (1894, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 8/10. A boxing match staged before the camera. Lively, thrilling, fun.
Sioux Ghost Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Native Americans dance in the cramped film studio. Cute.
Buffalo Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. More Native Americans dancing just for you, the viewer.
Hadj Cheriff (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining record of a lively vaudeville act.
Glenroy Bros., No. 2 (1894, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 7.5/10. Another record of a vaudeville act, depicting two comedic boxers. Fun nonsense.
Luis Martinetti, Contortionist (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Yes, another vaudeville act. This would get a higher rating, but the condition of the film is poor.
Bucking Broncho (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Real cowboys! A real horse! Real men in the background who look like something from a western film....and this was shot in 1894!! Wow!
Annie Oakley (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. This isn't an actress playing Annie Oakley. This is the REAL Annie Oakley, performing for the motion picture camera. Amazing.
Imperial Japanese Dance (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Three ladies do a dance for the camera. Lovely.
Chinese Laundry Scene (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 5/10. Stupid racist comedy.
Band Drill (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 6/10. Interesting that marching band costumes haven't changed that much in 123 years....
Fire Rescue Scene (1894, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Entertaining 20-second drama about firemen rescuing two people from a burning building. For its time, a good film.
Billy Edwards and the Unknown (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Boxing match. Fun.
Dickson Experimental Sound Film (1894, USA, approx 17 seconds) - 9/10. First sound film in history, purely an experiment. Although the idea was there, it was not until the late-1920s that sound films became popular. In this film, William K.L. Dickson plays the violin.
Princess Ali (1895, USA, under 20 seconds) - 5/10. Boring dance film.
Annabelle Serpentine Dance (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Beautiful film of a woman dancing for the camera, with colour effects adding by hand tinting.
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Early period drama. Interesting.
Amy Muller (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Yet another dancing film. Fun.
The Kiss (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. One of cinema's first romantic films, featuring a kiss. Cute.
Shooting the Chutes (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. A ride at Coney Island is shown.
Fatima's Coochee-Coochee Dance (1896, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Notorious dancing film. Very controversial, some 19th century viewers thought it was obscene. Of course, I've seen more dirt in 1960s game shows.
Mess Call (1896, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 8/10. A bunch of soldiers being happy and smiling for the camera.
Edison Drawn by 'World' Artist (1896, USA, approx 90 seconds) - 8/10. Charming film in which an artist sketches a large picture of Thomas Edison. Cute.
Watermelon Contest (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 1/10. Racist garbage.
Lone Fisherman (1896, USA, approx 40 seconds) - 7.5/10. Simple comedy involving a man falling into a stream. I really enjoyed seeing the horse-drawn vehicle in this film.
Interrupted Lover (1896, USA, 20 seconds) - 6/10. Poorly directed comedy. Could have been a lot better. Compares unfavourably with the other 1896 films I watched in terms of production values.
Feeding the Doves (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Cute little film depicting doves and chickens being fed.
A Morning Bath (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds or something like that) - 6/10. African-American woman baths her baby.
The Burning Stable (1896, USA, under 20 seconds) - 7/10. Firemen at their job.
Mounted Police Charge (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just fun to see 19th century policemen. Fun.
Going to the Fire (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Nice glimpse at some 19th century firemen, and a good look at a street in 1896. Fun.
A Morning Alarm (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. More firemen racing to the scene. Also interesting to see some buildings of the era.
Black Diamond Express, No. 1 (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Footage of a train. Fun!
American Falls from Above, American Side (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. Pleasant footage of a waterfall.
The First Sleigh-Ride (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. I love seeing the horse-drawn vehicles in this film.
The Morning Alarm (1896, USA, approx 1 minute) - 8/10. More firemen racing to the scene. Another fun look into 19th century life.
Fifth Avenue, New York (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Well-dressed 19th century people, just walking by.
Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory (1897, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Thomas Edison does indeed appear in this film, but the "laboratory" is merely a studio set.
Return of Lifeboat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage a lifeboat on a stormy sea. What more could you want?
Troop Ships for the Philippines (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage of a military ship going by. What more could you want?
U.S. Troops Landing at Daiquiri, Cuba (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Interesting, but poorly photographed.
Shooting Captured Insurgents (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. War drama in which some people get shot by a firing squad. I see cinema's love of violence is nothing new.
The Burglar on the Roof (1898, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 8/10. Crime drama. A burglar gets caught.
Fireman Rescuing Men and Women (1899, USA, 1 minute) - 7.5/10. Does exactly what the title suggests.
A Wringing Good Joke (1899, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7.5/10. Fun comedy.
Buffalo Fire Department in Action (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Really cool to see the horse drawn vehicles of the period.
Buffalo Stockyards (1897, USA, approx 1 minute) - 7/10. Interesting, to see men wearing hats, some buildings of the period, stuff like that.
Giant Coal Dumper (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. I love grim industrial scenes, so this was pretty cool to me.
Herald Square (1896, USA, approx 10 seconds) - 8/10. An entertaining glimpse into life in the late 19th century.
Passaic Falls, New Jersey (1896, USA, approx 20 seconds) - 7/10. A waterfall and an arch bridge. What more could you want?
Police Patrol Wagon (1897, USA, approx 10 seconds) - 7/10. Some policemen go on a police wagon. Why not?
Seminary Girls (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Enjoyably dumb comedy involving some naughty ladies engaging in a pillow fight.
Water Fall in the Catskills (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a waterfall. What more could you want?
Sheep Run, Chicago Stockyards (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Sheep running. Cool.
Philadelphia Express, Jersey Central Railway (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. This is just footage of two trains going by. Honestly, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Free-for-All Race at Charter Oak Park (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Footage of harness racing. Cool.
Falls of Minnehaha (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a waterfall. Relaxing.
Corner Madison and State Streets, Chicago (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching real Victorian people, in their real Victorian clothes, doing their Victorian thing.
Cattle Driven to Slaughter (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Just footage of some cattle running towards something. Fun.
Armour's Electric Trolley (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Another interesting look into the 19th century.
Sutro Baths, No. 2 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People going down a slide into a pool. Cool.
Sutro Baths, No. 1 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People go down a slide into a swimming pool. It's fun watching Victorian people having fun.
Surf at Monterey (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Just footage of waves hitting the rocks at the beach. Fun!
Stanford University, California (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Men wearing hats walking by. Fun!
S.S. 'Williamette' Leaving for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a ship. There's also some people in the foreground. Not bad.
S.S. 'Queen' Loading (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 6/10. Poorly photographed and dull.
S.S. 'Queen' Leaving Dock (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. Just footage of a ship. Kinda cool.
S.S. 'Coptic' Sailing Away (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Men with hats! Ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
S.S. 'Coptic' in the Harbor (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. More men with hats! More ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
S.S. 'Coptic' at Dock (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Yet more men with hats! Yet more ladies with hats! A ship! Cool!
Lurline Baths (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. People going down a slide into a swimming pool. Cool.
Loading Baggage for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Nice slice of 19th century life.
Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, Cal. (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A view of a building, and a horse-drawn carriage comes along. Fun.
Leander Sisters (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A fun look into a vaudeville dancing act. Fun.
Launch of Life Boat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. A lifeboat goes into the water. Fun.
Hotel Vendome, San Jose, Cal. (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. I love watching the horse-drawn vehicles in this film.
Hotel del Monte (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 9/10. More horse-drawn vehicles. Cool.
Horses Loading for Klondike (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10.
Fishing Smacks (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 6/10.
Fisherman's Wharf (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7/10. A nice look at a boat.
First Avenue, Seattle, Washington, No. 8 (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Real 19th century street scene. Fabulous.
Cupid and Psyche (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Two semi-talented dancers perform for the camera. Cool.
Capsize of Lifeboat (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. A boat is upside down. Some men put it up the right way. Cute.
Fast Mail, Northern Pacific Railroad (1897, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 8/10. Just footage of a train going by. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?
Wash Day in Mexico (1898, USA, approx 30 seconds) - 7.5/10. Ever wanted to know how they washed clothes in late 19th century Mexico? Well, now you know!
Explosion of a Motor Car (1900, UK, approx 1 minute) - 7.5/10. A car goes BOOM! Hilarity ensues.
Television:
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 5 February 1966 (Australia, 52 minutes) - 7.5/10. This episode consists of a concert by Peter Paul & Mary. Featuring lots of songs, and some dated humour.
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 12 February 1966 (Australia, 45 minutes) - 7.5/10. Entertaining episode of this pop music show, with guests Graham Chapman (no, not the comedian), Ja-Ar, Helen Reddy (yes, THAT Helen Reddy) and Billy Thorpe. Additionally, Robyn Alvarez appears via archival clips. Unfortunately, the kinescope is in somewhat poor, incomplete condition.
"George & Mildred" - Episode titled "Baby Talk" (telecast 27 September 1976, UK, 24 minutes) - 7.5/10. Sitcom. This episode has a sentimental ending, which is very unusual for this series.
"Yu-Gi-Oh!" - Episode titled "The Gauntlet Is Thrown" (telecast 6 October 2001, Japan, 21 minutes) - 7.5/10. Anime about a spiky haired teenager who saves the world from evil....by playing card games.
"Punky Brewster" - Episode titled "Punky Finds a Home: Part 2" (telecast 23 September 1984, USA, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Beautifully dated sitcom/drama.
"Brian Henderson's Bandstand" - Episode telecast 2 April 1966 (Australia, 52 minutes) - 8/10. Truly varied selection of music in this episode, with guests Anne & Jimmy Murphy, Tony Barber, The Flanagans, The Groop, Sylvia Penzes, and Jeff St. John.
"The Dustbinmen" - Episode two (telecast 30 September 1969, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Un-PC sitcom about four garbagemen. Oddly enough it's funny.
"Pardon the Expression" - Episode titled "The Headmistress" (telecast 9 June 1965, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Sitcom set in a department store.
"The Rag Trade" - Episode titled "Stay in Strike" (telecast 11 September 1977, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Funny sitcom about a clothing factory where the workers are constantly going on strike. Fun.
"Not on Your Nellie" - Episode titled "Something in the Night" (telecast 22 March 1974, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Dated sitcom set in a pub. Fun.
"Parkin's Patch" - Episode titled "The Way Home" (telecast 8 November 1969, UK, 26 minutes) - 8/10. Interesting crime drama set in Yorkshire. Interestingly, this episode was directed by Michael Apted.
"Take a Letter Mr. Jones" - Episode titled "The Interview" (telecast 5 September 1981, UK, 25 minutes) - 7.5/10. Fluffy sitcom about a male secretary working for a female business executive. Not a particularly strong episode, but I enjoyed it, and anything with John Inman is worth seeing.
"Pardon the Expression" - Episode titled "The Trouble with Ada" (telecast 16 June 1965, UK, 25 minutes) - 7/10. Too much plot and not enough jokes.