Interestingly, Edison, who visualized the entire early filmdom as his own, fought intensely for control the industry by harassing, suing, or buying patents from anyone he thought was a threat to his company. The American Mutascope Company however, ignored any objections Edison may have had. Through sheer hard work and uncanny foresight, they became the most popular film company in America during these early years, causing Edison to file a patent-infringement lawsuit against them in 1898. By 1903, they had gained enough skill, experience and courage to begin filming silent shorts on 35 mm film.The other film company to rob Edison of a peaceful night’s sleep was the American Vitagraph Company (1896), formed by British-born Americans J. Stuart Blackton and Albert E. Smith. In just one-year’s time, Blackton and Smith had released their first fiction film The Burglar on the Roof. Such competition may have been unsavory to the great inventor Edison, but it seems to have spurred movie markers on to make better quality films, much to the delight of movie audiences.This very interesting DVD, which contains 47 clips of a range of short films, entertains you and educates you about the early years of cinema. The very name of the DVD - "Early Variety Motion Pictures - 1903-1920" - is suggestive of the contents. You have animal stars, Burlesque artists, stage actors, acrobats, and a definite storyline to each clip This DVD features some of the most enthralling films from this silent movie ear, which showcase the ingenuity, hard work and daring of early filmmakers. Here are some randomly selected short films selected a variety of topics for your viewing:

Stealing a Dinner:

Stealing a Dinner is a lovely little film clip showing how pets, both cats and dogs, take up for each other against the onslaughts of man.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1903
Length: 00:00:53
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Tom Tinker’s Pony PatterWitness:

a charming show put up by circus ponies who are well trained and alert. This clip must have been heartily applauded by young and old alike.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: Hans A. Spanuth
Year: 1920
Length: 00:02:03
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Tom Tinker’s Pony PatterShow Girl to Burlesque Queen:

See the transformation of an ordinary showgirl into a burlesque queen after a change of costume. A bold teasing film, way ahead of its time.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1903
Length: 00:01:05
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Princess Rajah Dance:

Here we see the amazing grace and rhythm of the solo dancer with castanets, who also swirls with speed with a chair between her teeth.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1904
Length: 00:01:13
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

The Boys Think They Have One Foxy Grandpa:

A remarkably well made and enacted film showing how Grandpa, an old hand at the mandolin, is equally adept at dancing.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1902
Length: 00:01:10
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Happy Hooligans:

Happy Hooligans is a hilarious film about how hooligans fool a housemaid and dodge a policemen much to the embarrassment of the maid.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1903
Length: 00:00:48
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

2 a.m.

In The SubwayDrunken revelry and pranks played on the Policemen leads to many laughs. Sounds familiar?
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1905
Length: 00:00:55
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

In The Subway Fougere:

If only one could hear the music accompanying this dance so beautifully choreographed by a professional dancer.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1899
Length: 00:00:40
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Betty Rose Dance:

Betty Rose was an energetic dancer who charmingly fused ballet with folk and free style dancing.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1903
Length: 00:01:31
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Ballroom Tragedy:

A flirtation which ends in tragedy for the lady love as the jealous wife takes revenge. A warning to wayward husbands, perhaps!
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1905
Length: 00:00:52
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

The Society Raffles:

A hapless lady is soon deprived of her tiara by none other than her own husband.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1905
Length: 00:00:51
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Latina, Contortionist:

This clip must have lead to gasps of disbelief as the lady contortionist performs her act.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1905
Length: 00:00:58
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Three Jumping Tommies:

Watch this trio performing acrobatic feats on stage with ease and energy.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: Hans A. Spanuth
Year: 1920
Length: 00:02:46
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Spirit of "76":

You can almost hear the music of the three piece marching band with the drummers and the flutist urging the soldiers on - the waving of the American flag heralds victory.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1905
Length: 00:01:00
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Duel Scene ‘By Right of Sword’:

This is an interesting clip dramatizing a sword fight duel being earnestly fought till very the end, when the vanquished leaves in despair.
Sponsor: N/A
Producer: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Year: 1904
Length: 00:01:45
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White

Running Time:DVD: 70 minutes

EDITORIAL REVIEW:

Did you ever wonder what was it that your great grand parents did for an evening of entertainment? They also went to the movies, like we do today. The only difference was in the kind of movies they saw. There was such an air of innocence about the themes, there little or no violence, the age of romance and gentle fun was the order of the day. Even though the art of film making was nowhere near perfection like it is today - they were getting there.

In this DVD "Early Variety Motion Pictures - 1903-1920" you have animal stars, Burlesque artists, stage actors, child artists, acrobats, and a definite storyline to each clip - which shows that the art of film making and cinematography was maturing and making great strides. Movies and movie-going seems to be catching on in a big way with the public. Producers begin to cater to various tastes and genres.You now get the feel that you are on the threshold of Hollywood itself. These short films are thematic and show a discernable love for the lighthearted, a hint of strip tease and the glamour of the dancers and the acrobats. Most films were now family entertainers, with something for everyone - even Grandpa.

CUSTOMER'S REVIEWS:
"I have often wondered what folks from the early last century did for fun - I mean real carefree fun, when you just sat back, watched and applauded. I guess they too went to the movies, but going to the movies became an occasion for them;there was something for every one, even the children and the old folk. I loved watching this DVD, it brought back the romance of seeing a movie in the theatres, of dressing up for the show, of being awestruck at the feats shown and of talking about it afterwards for days on end. Thank you for bringing back old times again into our homes."Customer's Name: Geraldine Hawk."I am a student of cinematography and I just chanced upon this DVD and watched it over and over again just to get the feel of the first movies that were produced and shown in the theaters. This discovery has been a Godsend, as helped me understand the craft, the production processes and the efforts that went into making films back then when there were no special effects, no computerized action scenes and the camera equipment was primitive. I am sending for some more of these from you. You are the proverbial Genii which come to our rescue at the touch of the button."Customer's Name: Clark Simone.

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