The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew 1908

4.92

Based on Shakespeare's play. Petruchio courts the bad-tempered Katharina, and tries to change her aggressive behavior.

1908

The Battle at Elderbush Gulch

The Battle at Elderbush Gulch 1913

5.90

Two young girls are sent away to live with their uncle, which sets off a chain of events resulting in an Indian attack on the town.

1913

The Old Actor

The Old Actor 1912

5.40

An elderly actor who lives with his wife and daughter is dismissed from his acting job because he is considered too old. On his way home from the theatre he panics at the thought of telling his family the bad news and decides to disguise himself as a beggar. His daughter's beau accidentally gives him a five dollar gold piece, thinking that it was a smaller coin. A chase ensues with a policeman, the daughter, and her beau in hot pursuit. When caught he is recognized by his shocked daughter, but is quickly forgiven by all. Meanwhile the actor hired to replace him has already been fired and a messenger is dispatched to rehire the Old Actor to the delight of his wife, daughter, and fellow actors.

1912

The Lonely Villa

The Lonely Villa 1909

6.02

A gang of thieves lure a man out of his home so that they can rob it and threaten his wife and children. The family barricade themselves in an interior room, but the criminals are well-equipped for breaking in. When the father finds out what is happening, he must race against time to get back home.

1909

Man's Genesis

Man's Genesis 1912

4.60

An old man tells his grandchildren about prehistoric man: Caveman Weakhands is unable to court a woman because of his physical weakness. Humiliated by Bruteforce, he bumps into Lillywhite, who has also been cowering in her cave in mourning. The two new lovers form a connection, but Bruteforce separates the couple and sends Weakhands scrambling. In his cave, Weakhands thinks up the design of a stone club. With this equalizer, he soon vanquishes Bruteforce and wins Lillywhite back again-- An early step in human progress.

1912

The Musketeers of Pig Alley

The Musketeers of Pig Alley 1912

6.20

A man recognizes the thief who had previously robbed him as one of the men involved in an unrelated mob shootout.

1912

Exit of Rip and the Dwarf

Exit of Rip and the Dwarf 1896

4.10

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

1896

Sandow

Sandow 1896

5.20

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. Dickson for the American Mutoscope Company and is not the 1894 Edison film shot at the Black Maria.

1896

The Girl and Her Trust

The Girl and Her Trust 1912

6.30

A train-station telegraphist warns the next station of approaching bandits.

1912

Those Awful Hats

Those Awful Hats 1909

6.11

A pair of young ladies cause trouble at the cinema with their lavish hats.

1909

The Country Doctor

The Country Doctor 1909

6.17

While caring for his sick daughter, a doctor is called away to the sickbed of a neighbor. He finds the neighbor gravely ill, and ignores his wife's pleas to come home and care for his own daughter, who has taken a turn for the worse.

1909

Her First Biscuits

Her First Biscuits 1909

2.75

A new bride has made a batch of biscuits. Her husband pretends to like them, so she delivers the rest to his office. But one bite of these biscuits makes you violently ill, and soon all his visitors (he runs a theatrical booking agency), plus the workmen at home, are ill; when she shows up at the office, they all go after her.

1909

The Adventures of Dollie

The Adventures of Dollie 1908

5.21

On a warm and sunny summer's day, a mother and father take their young daughter Dollie on a riverside outing.

1908

A Corner in Wheat

A Corner in Wheat 1909

6.16

On a whim, a greedy tycoon decides to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing grain producers into charity lines and others further into poverty. The film contrasts the differences between the lives of those who work to grow the wheat and the life of the man who dabbles in its sale for profit.

1909

New York Subway

New York Subway 1905

5.64

The camera platform was on the front of a New York subway train following another train on the same track. Lighting is provided by a specially constructed work car on a parallel track. At the time of filming, the subway was only seven months old, having opened on October 27, 1904. The ride begins at 14th Street (Union Square) following the route of today's east side IRT, and ends at the old Grand Central Station, built by Cornelius Vanderbuilt in 1869. The Grand Central Station in use today was not completed until 1913.

1905

Pippa Passes

Pippa Passes 1909

5.58

Pippa awakes and faces the world outside with a song. Unbeknown to her, the music has a healing effect on all who hear her as she passes by.

1909

The Female of the Species

The Female of the Species 1912

4.20

A man and three women leave an abandoned mining town and travel across the desert. After the man's death, his wife plans revenge against her companion, whom the wife suspects had an affair with her deceased husband.

1912

The Lonedale Operator

The Lonedale Operator 1911

6.10

A young woman takes over her sick father's role as telegraph operator at a railway station, and has to deal with a team intent on train robbery.

1911

The Battle

The Battle 1911

4.80

Union soldiers march off to battle amid cheering crowds. After the battle turns against the Union Army, one soldier runs away, hiding in his girlfriend's house. Ashamed of his cowardice, he finds his courage and crosses enemy lines to bring help to his trapped comrades.

1911

His Trust

His Trust 1911

4.10

A Confederate officer is called off to war. He leaves his wife and daughter in the care of George, his faithful Negro servant. After the officer is killed in battle, George continues in his caring duties, faithful to his trust.

1911