Films and TV Shows from the 1890s

poster Band Drill
Band Drill
1mn - Documentary
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 around and directs the musicians as they take up their …
poster Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph
Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph
(2.7/5)
1mn - Documentary
James J. Corbett and Peter Courtney meet in a boxing exhibition.
poster Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley
1mn - Documentary, Western
A short Edison Black Maria studio film featuring famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley, known as “Little Sure Shot.” Born Phoebe Ann Oakley Mozee in Ohio in 1860, she rose to global fame performing with Buffalo…
poster Bucking Broncho
Bucking Broncho
1mn - Documentary, Western
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 its back, another cowboy stands on top of a fence rail …
poster Hadj Cheriff
Hadj Cheriff
1mn -
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 in his hand at the opening of the act. He then hurls the…
poster Sioux Ghost Dance
Sioux Ghost Dance
(2.6/5)
1mn - Documentary, Western
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 paint and war costumes. 40 feet. 7.50. According to Ediso…
poster Buffalo Dance
Buffalo Dance
(2.7/5)
1mn - Documentary, Western
Long before Hollywood started painting white men red and dressing them as 'Injuns' Edison's company was using the genuine article! Featuring for what is believed to be the Native Americans first appearanc…
poster Dickson Experimental Sound Film
Dickson Experimental Sound Film
1mn - Music
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.
poster The Boxing Cats
The Boxing Cats
(2.9/5)
1mn - Documentary, Comedy, Action
"A glove contest between trained cats. A very comical and amusing subject, and is sure to create a great laugh." (by Edison Films)
poster Leonard-Cushing Fight
Leonard-Cushing Fight
1mn - Documentary
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 swing roundhouse blows at each other. Mike Leonard, in whit…
poster Souvenir Strip of the Edison Kinetoscope
Souvenir Strip of the Edison Kinetoscope
(2.7/5)
1mn - Documentary
Eugen Sandow, who claims to be the strongest man in the world, appears in the Edison Company's film studio.
poster Chinese Laundry Scene
Chinese Laundry Scene
(2.8/5)
1mn - Crime, Comedy
The pursuit of Hop Lee by an irate policeman.
poster Carmencita
Carmencita
(2.9/5)
1mn - Documentary
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 States. In the film, Carmencita is recorded going through…
poster Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze
Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze
(2.7/5)
1mn - Documentary
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 picture to be copyrighted in the United States.
poster Luis Martinetti, Contortionist
Luis Martinetti, Contortionist
(2.8/5)
1mn - Documentary
Luis Martinetti, a contortionist suspended from acrobatic flying rings, contorts himself for about thirty seconds. This is one of the first films made for Edison's kinetoscopes.
poster Annabelle Butterfly Dance
Annabelle Butterfly Dance
(3.0/5)
1mn - Documentary
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 butterfly. As she dances, she uses her long, flowing…
poster Glenroy Bros., No. 2
Glenroy Bros., No. 2
1mn - Comedy
The Glenroy Brothers perform a portion of their vaudeville act, "The Comic View of Boxing: The Tramp & the Athlete".
poster Blacksmithing Scene
Blacksmithing Scene
(3.1/5)
1mn - Drama
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.
poster Horse Shoeing
Horse Shoeing
1mn - Documentary, Drama
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 other heating iron at the forge. One would be seen to driv…
poster Poor Pierrot
Poor Pierrot
(3.3/5)
15mn - Comedy, Animation
One night, Arlequin comes to see his lover Colombine. But then Pierrot knocks at the door and Colombine and Arlequin hide. Pierrot starts singing but Arlequin scares him and the poor man goes away.