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History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1901-02 (2-DVD Set)
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Witness the birth of motion pictures in this fabulous collection of 60 films produced by the Thomas Edison Company in 1901 and 1902 in this historic 2-DVD set from a2zcds.com.
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The invention of a mobile motion picture camera at the turn of the 20th century opened the doors to a large variety of films including comic skits and films relying on trick effects in the style of French filmmaker Georges Méliès. In 1900, Edison hired Edwin S. Porter as chief camera operator for "Black Marie", the first ever film studio. This move paid rich dividends and pretty soon the studios were rolling out fairy tales and other short narratives. Jack and the Beanstalk and Life of the American Firemen were the earliest features to be filmed by the Edison Company. This was in 1902 - a year which is remembered by movie buffs as the beginning of a new era in the field of entertainment.
Other films made during this period consisted of vaudeville acts, comedies, and actualities. A special series of films was made in 1901 of the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, and of events surrounding President McKinley's assassination, which occurred there, and the subsequent funeral ceremonies.
This 2-DVD set from a2zcds.com features some of the best examples of films produced by the Edison Company in 1901 and 1902.
In 1901 and 1902, the Edison Company was a busy place. Scores of short films rolled out of its studio. These included several comedies, trick films and few short narratives as well. This 2-DVD set contains the best of these historic clips. Some of the films that you will witness are:
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Sampson and Schley controversy--tea party
A comical short depicting a tea party.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:00:51
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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The Mysterious Cafe
A short comedy in which a couple enters a restaurant to find the table and chairs and the food disappearing mysteriously.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: EJ. Stuart Blackton & Albert E. Smith
Year: 1901
Length: 00:01:38
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Building a harbor at San Pedro
A four-minute clip, which shows how, a part of the San Pedro harbor was built.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:04:03
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Love in a Hammock
A comical short about a couple too busy with expressing their feelings for each other to notice a couple of young boys untie the hammock they were sitting on.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:00:53
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Catching an Early Train
This short shows how a man hurriedly dresses to catch an early morning train.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:00:38
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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A trip around the Pan-American Exposition
Filmed from a boat, this thrilling clip offers a fabulous trip around the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York, in 1901.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:04:00
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Gordon Sisters Boxing
This fascinating clip demonstrates beyond a reasonable doubt that women were fascinated with boxing over 100 years ago. It depicts the Gordon Sisters engaged in a hard fought boxing duel.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:01:38
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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President McKinley and escort going to the Capitol
Shows the Presidential cavalcade on its way to the capitol.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:02:07
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Panoramic view of Electric Tower from a balloon
This clip offers a wonderful view of the Electric Tower as seen from a balloon.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:01:24
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Panorama of Esplanade by Night
This clip is a great example of early nighttime filming. It offers a rare peek at the esplanade, which was festively lit up by electric lighting.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:01:02
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Spanish dancers at the Pan-American Exposition
A fabulous clip showing Spanish dancers in action.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:01:20
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Jack and the Beanstalk
This is one of the earliest features produced by the Thomas Edison Company with a storyline. It is a dramatized enactment of the famous fairytale about Jack and the magic beanstalk.
Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
Producer: Edwin S. Porter
Year: 1902
Length: 00:04:19
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Running Time:
DVD One : 01:08:30
DVD Two : 01:07:29
 EDITORIAL REVIEW:
The 60 thrilling clips that make up this fascinating DVD set from a2zcds.com serve many purposes. Firstly, they are a tribute to the genius and persistence of the inimitable inventor Thomas Alva Edison. This enterprising man was difficult to please and set pretty stiff standards both for himself and for those on his payroll. The results of his vision and entrepreneurial acumen are evident in the 1000+ patents that bear his name. Edison took entertainment to a new level in America. Having realized that the first motion picture clips - sans story lines - soon lost their magical influence on audiences, Edison hired the best talent available and set about filming short stories and documenting historic events. Some of these earliest motion pictures are a part of this set.
Secondly, these clips record some of the most unforgettable moments in America’s history from the turn of the last century. Had it not been for Edison’s busy camera crew, events such as President McKinley's funeral would have remained a textual record in history books. Vivid memories of other events such as the biggest-ever exposition in Buffalo, New York, are also captured in a charming manner.
Thirdly, these clips record lifestyles and philosophies of Americans at the beginning of the 20th century. You learn about what people thought as being funny and what was significant enough to be filmed.
It would indeed have been unfortunate if such historic and invaluable vintage films were allowed to languish in some neglected corner of an archive. A2zcds has done the world a huge service by preserving these clips on DVD and placing them within reach of everybody.
CUSTOMER'S REVIEWS:
"People like Edison are one in a zillion and I cannot help wondering what our world would have been like had Edison not used his genius at inventing and continually refining his inventions. For one, we certainly would not have had movies and perhaps television too may not have been around. I enjoyed this 2-DVD set immensely and my admiration for this outstanding inventor has gone up several notches. Thanks A2ZCDS for this feast."
Customer's Name : Sally Stone (Houston, Texas)
"I just couldn’t believe my eyes - I was actually looking at the first narrative on film - a story that I had read and re-read so often as a child, "Jack and the Beanstalk. The acting is superlative, given that these were very early days. The comedies included on this set are pretty humorous too and I think every movie buff must possess these fascinating bits of history on celluloid."
Customer's Name : Allen Turner (Dade City, Florida)
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History of Motion Pictures - Early Films by Thomas Alva Edison 1901-02 (2-DVD Set)
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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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System requirements:
Computer: Pentium II, 300mhz, 64mb RAM, DVD-ROM, compatible video and sound card.
Player: NTSC compatible DVD player, standard TV.
Region: All players, irrespective of region
NOTE ON COMPATIBILITY: While our DVDs are designed for optimal playback for all home DVD players, it is possible that some older systems will have trouble playing our DVDs. Although rare, it is worth mentioning. If this occurs you will receive a full refund.
Given that some of these videos are extremely old and their original audio quality is not very good, we have tried to improve it to the best possible quality. However, due to their inherent quality problems, you might still have a few instances where the audio is of a slightly lower volume.
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