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In 1888, Edison began experimenting upon an instrument that would "do for the eye what phonograph does for the ear." At this juncture, Edison was fortunate to meet with and hire William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, a brilliant young English scientist. By 1890 Dickson had devised the kinetograph - a crude camera that could photograph motion pictures. There was no looking back for Edison and Dickson after that.
Having captured motion on film, the wizardly duo turned their attention to perfecting a machine, which would project moving pictures on to a screen. This too was accomplished in record time. By 1891, the Edison Company launched the Kinetoscope, the forerunner of the modern motion picture projector. Later however, Edison acquired a projector design from cash-strapped inventor Thomas Aramat, and promptly labeled it as his own. Edison's foresight and genius was evidenced yet again in 1893, when he constructed the first-ever film production studio, the Black Maria, or the Kinetographic Theater.
With all three essentials for motion pictures in place - a camera, a projecting devise and a studio - the Edison Company got down to filming with zest. Anything that was worth recording was filmed. With time, however, the films became more focused, capturing historic events and delightful comedies, much to the delight of movie audiences.
This delightful 2-DVD set from A2ZCDS.com contains 132 absorbing short films produced by the Edison Company between 1891 and 1898.
Newark Athlete (Fragment 2)
This short clip shows an athlete performing some exercises in New Ark, New Jersey.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1891
Length: 00:00:14
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Sandow
Shot by K.L. Dickson, this fascinating clip features the famous muscleman Sandow flexing his muscles and showing what made him an unbeatable champion at the turn of the 20th century.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1894
Length: 00:00:42
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
The Boxing cats
Professor Welton's cats put up a fabulous display of boxing in this rare and fascinating clip.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1894
Length: 00:00:22
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Leonard-Cushing Fight
Filmed in Edison's Black Maria Studio on the 14th of June 1894, this clip features the much talked about boxing bout between Leonard and Cushing.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1894
Length: 00:00:39
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots
This is a fabulous reenactment of the execution of Queen Mary. This clip was filmed in Edison's studio on August 28, 1895.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1895
Length: 00:00:17
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
The Burning Stable
In less than half a minute, this incredible clip highlights the panic and despair caused by a burning stable. This live shot was filmed on October 31, 1896.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1896
Length: 00:00:22
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Fisherman's Luck
This hilarious short features the saga of two luckless fishermen who find themselves in some real deep waters.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1897
Length: 00:00:27
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
U.S. Troops Landing at Daiquiri, Cuba
Filmed during the Spanish American War, this clip captures memorable scenes of American troops landing on Cuban soil after the Spanish sank the U.S.S. Maine.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:41
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Burial of the Maine Victims
This historic clip records the funeral procession of the American seamen who were killed when the Spanish sank the USS Maine in Havana on February 15, 1898.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:01:53
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Wash Day in Mexico
This clip shows Mexican women washing clothes in a canal in 1898.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:29
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Ella Lola, a la Trilby
This short features a dance sequence performed by Ella Lola in 1898.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:38
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Freight Train
This clip captures the thrill of watching a steam-locomotive driven freight train coming out of a tunnel.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:56
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
Running Time:
DVD One: 50 Minutes
DVD Two: 48 Minutes
EDITORIAL REVIEW: This DVD set puts to rest any doubts about Thomas Edison's exceptional inventiveness and genius. Not one to rest on his laurels, Edison often cashed in on his creations - patenting, manufacturing and making them available at a reasonable price for consumers. The movie camera was one such brainchild to roll out of Edison's Menlo Park laboratories. In the early years however, it was Edison's own cameramen who put his invention to good use.
Fortunately for vintage movie aficionados and history buffs, several of these early films have been preserved for posterity - first by the Library of Congress in its archives, and then by A2ZCDS on DVD. This rare and historic set contains an extraordinary range of Edison's surviving masterpieces. Although most of them have duration of less than a minute, they bring into sharp focus noteworthy happenings at the fag end of the 19th century.
While most of these early examples feature actualities showing famous people, news events, disasters, people at work, new modes of travel and technology, and scenic views, a shift towards production of comedies and dramas is pretty obvious in many of the clips included here. One of the most significant contributions this set makes is to the knowledge pool about the historic Spanish American War. Edison's brave cameramen accompanied US troops to the battlefronts in Cuba and the Philippines, and brought back the first known records of hostilities on film.
This set highlights the versatility and ingenuity of the Edison Company in a most delectable manner. Packed into this 2-DVD set are two hours of absorbing entertainment and history. Enjoy it!
CUSTOMER'S REVIEWS:"This DVD set is a delightful journey back in time to the late 19th century. I was tickled pink by the thought that my great grandparents may have gazed in open-mouthed amazement at some of these very clips. Yet these vintage clips are priceless - both for their historic content and the testimony they bear to the untiring efforts of Thomas Edison and his team of devoted scientists. I was particularly impressed with the comedies included here. Despite the lack of sound tracks, these clips are hilarious and immensely entertaining. I love this set and plan to use it as a surprise inclusion for our Golden Age Club meeting next Thursday. Thanks A2ZCDS for this timely, useful and entertaining product. Keep them coming."
Customer's Name: Carroll Parton (Los Angeles, California)
"This is a wonderful mix of early Edison films. Particularly riveting are the clips about the Spanish American Wars. The visuals are pretty clear given the passage of a century and I felt rewarded by the visual account of the Spanish American War - the first major conflict to be recorded on film. I'm really thankful to the team at A2ZCDS for preserving these timeless clips on DVD."
Customer's Name: Bob Trump (San Diego, California)
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History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1891-98 (2-DVD Set) today!
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General Packaging Description:
Our professionally-produced DVDs are shipped in retail Amaray style DVD cases just like you would find in a store. These beautifully packaged DVDs make great gifts and are themselves works of art. While we offer some of the best prices anywhere, we have never sacrificed quality for price.
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