James H. White

Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of firemen responding to a house fire. They leave the station with...

Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of the famous fairy tale story of Jack and his magic beanstalk....

“Shows how a full carload of coal is loaded onto a vessel every thirty seconds at the great Erie Railroad Docks, Cleveland, Ohio. Great clouds...

From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: A most amusing and life-like scene, in which a number of young ladies clad in their night robes, are seen...

A woman and a young girl each carry containers of bird feed, and they toss occasional handfuls to the chickens and doves in the farmyard. Most of the...

“This film is remarkable in several respects. In the first place, it is full life-size. Secondly, it is the only accurate recent portrait of...

A young, dark-haired woman performs a dance inspired by George du Maurier's character Trilby, in an early modern dance style reminiscent of Isadora...

In this movie, dancer Ella Lola performs a Turkish variation of a "Danse Du Ventre", the oriental belly dance. In her dance she shakes, twists and...

"A side splitting subject, showing the mistaken tramp's arrival at the Wm. Waldorf Astor mansion and being discovered comfortably asleep in bed, by...

Seagulls flock around a moving ferryboat in San Francisco Bay in this 2-shot short film.

“Mammy is washing her little pickaninny. She thrusts him, kicking and struggling, into a tub full of foaming suds.” (Edison film catalog)

The title tells us where we are; the vignette is in two parts, spliced together. On a busy sidewalk, a police officer holds the left arm and a suited...

This picture was taken at one of the curves on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, along the beautiful Susquehanna River. The train is seen rapidly...

Formed by the junction of Broadway, Sixth Avenue and 35th Street. The picturesque low roofed Herald building is plainly shown; also the passing...

The camera shows a water ride at Bergen Beach at Coney Island. A raised track filled with water forms a chute, and a small boat full of park visitors...

Members of the New York state militia enjoy some relaxing time during a meal break.

Artist draws Thomas Edison.

Two men have a contest to see which one can be the first to eat a large slice of watermelon.

This fascinating 12-minute documentary from Edison's Conquest Pictures features a man in a small boat being pulled (from a horse on shore) down the...

A fellow in a wide-brimmed hat, with a willowy stick for a rod and a baited hook, sits down on a plank hanging over a bridge above a stream. He...

"It dashes up just in time to gather in the crowd of rowdies that are fighting. The policemen hustle the toughs off to the station house."

A crowded ship heading out to sea.

Shows the wharf at San Francisco, Cal., with a large fleet of fishing boats at anchor.

The wharf is crowded with live stock, and the huge derrick slowly drops the large box or sling into the bunch. Into this cradle a horse is led, and...

This was the first ship sailing for the Klondike from Seattle during the gold rush of 1897. The picture shows the excitement and enthusiasm that...

From Edison films catalog: Taken during the Klondike excitement. The streets are crowded with miners buying outfits and supplies. Mule trains,...

People walking around the campus. The view shows an immense arch in the background through which are seen coming groups of students, some walking,...

Another Edison film shot in San Francisco at the Fisherman's Wharf. Once again the camera is looking down on a group of men doing their jobs.

This Edison short delivers everything the title says. In 24-seconds we see a boat being lowered into the water led by Capt. Joseph Hodgson. The boat...

From Edison films catalog: A long line of horses, mules and ponies are led, driven and ridden into the yards, where they are sold and distributed.

Ten horse-drawn pieces of equipment of the Buffalo Fire Department pass by a stationary camera that looks down a broad avenue as they come toward...

Another Edison film of a ship departing.

A ship in a harbor.

“Shows the vessel after she has been fully turned and on her way across the Pacific. The boat shows large and clear with smoke coming from the...

Taken at the docks of the Pacific Steamship Co., San Francisco, Cal., which is operated in connection with the Southern Pacific Railroad Co...

Taken on the S.P. Railroad, near tunnel No. 9. The train comes rushing out of the tunnel and passes at full speed...

Great horse racing on the famous Hartford track, showing start and finish of a 2.04 3/4 heat run by the fastest harness horse in the world, John R....

From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: The background of this picture is the Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton, Cal. This observatory, the gift of James Lick,...

Shows a party of tourists at this famous resort; located in Monterey, Cal., on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The magnificence of its surroundings is...

This Edison short takes us to San Jose, CA where we visit the Hotel Vendome (just as the title suggests).

"The main feature is the toboggan slide. Some sit down while others lie down, either head or feet first."

A street scene showing parade of the entire Buffalo Police Department, 16 men abreast, with military band.

From Edison films catalog: The water breaks over the rocks, and is dashed into silvery spray, high into the air. Exceptionally fine water effects.

Here is a twelve car train dashing along at a high rate of speed. It is seen first in the distance and approaches and then passes by the camera...

The busiest corner in Chicago. Cable cars and street traffic of all descriptions. Hundreds of shoppers. Fine perspective view looking north toward...

“Another view in which the figures show larger. A springboard furnishes the bathers with much amusement; also a toboggan slide.” (Edison...

One of the sights of San Francisco. A 50-foot slide is used by the bathers, who toboggan down its slippery surface in all positions...

“By the Leanders. The dress of one consists of a pair of wings and a bow and arrow; the other represents a fairy. Bathers in all stages of...

Stationary camera on a railroad yard.

Daily practice of life boat crew, showing boat being upset purposely by the men. As these boats are self-righting and self-bailing, the scene is...

In the Chicago stockyards, the gates of a pen of long-horn cattle are open and the cattle are being herded out by several cowhands.

At the Armour & Co. Chicago yard. Two railroad tracks dominate the center and right half of the frame as we look down about 40 meters where an...

The 'Laughing Waters' of Longfellow's 'Hiawatha.' A beautiful view of this picturesque and celebrated waterfall.

"Shows a large flock of sheep being driven from the cars to the slaughter house."

“A clever characteristic dance called the 'Yellow Kid.' Very unique. Stage is in the Sutro Baths, San Francisco, Cal., and the audience is...

This picture was taken on the line of the Mt. Tamalpais Scene R.R., and whereas the previous views were taken ascending, this is a descending view,...

From the upper windows of a ruined mill Cubans are firing at a scouting party of Spaniards, who return the volley. Fine smoke effects.

The Statue of Liberty in right profile; No people, no flags rippling in the wind, no seagulls flapping past to mar the unmoving image of the Statue...

From one angle, a line of soldiers are shown walking up the gangplank.

This film shows the summit portion of the Mill Valley and Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway, the Tamalpais Tavern resort, and part of the adjacent east...

"Here was built the peerless battleship 'Oregon.' The scene is taken at lunch hour, and shows a great throng of employees leaving the shop."

In front of each bare headed woman is a flat rock, used as a wash board. Stream of water near by.

This twenty-five second film is from Edison's "Southern Pacific Company" series. What we see is a Japanese ship as it is floating into a harbor in...

The film opens showing the native daughters mounted on horses.

Parade footage.

"Taken at San Francisco, Cal., at the Golden Jubilee. This picture shows a procession of the resident Chinese of San Francisco, carrying banners,...

The large war vessel slides slowly down the ways, stern first. Rowboats in the foreground rock violently in the swell. One boat upsets.

This film was shot near the Union Works, San Francisco, California. Great look at the pleasure yacht "Unadilla" with her decks loaded with passengers.

Street scene of LA in 1898.

On Saturday morning, August 20, 1898, six grim battleships of Admiral Sampson's Squadron sailed into New York Harbor and up the Hudson to receive a...

Taken at Fingal, Cal., where the world-renowned 'Sunset Limited' trains pass each other.

On Saturday morning, August 20, 1898, six grim battleships of Admiral Sampson's Squadron...

New York City welcome to Sampson's Fleet after the Battle of Santiago Bay, Cuba.

New York City welcome to Sampson's Fleet after the Battle of Santiago Bay, Cuba.

"On the way to San[ta] Monica, Cal., the train approaches, runs through and emerges from a tunnel. Train passes in opposite direction. Camera is at...

Taken on the line of the Mt. Tamalpais scenic railroad, Marin county, California, from a flat car following the engine.

Another entry in Edison's "Southern Pacific Company Series", which pretty much had cameramen hanging around the train line just shooting anything...

Circus bears showing their tricks.

“Showing a group of soldiers and Red Cross nurses being amused by a number of small children who are riding upon the backs of trick bears. A...

A soldier is promoted for bravery, marries a Red Cross girl, and goes home to his parents.

Taken from the front platform of a special train run backward over this celebrated S curve. Not only are the passing trains and crowded platforms of...

This picture ... centers about some guard ropes moving about, perhaps in the wind, perhaps as the platform the movie is taken from rolls about, while...

The Buffoons are artists in their line. They tumble in and out of trick doors, disappear and reappear in unexpected places in most unexpected ways....

You see a shot of three horse-drawn wagons on a dirt road with some mountains in the far background...

"Showing the gallant Admiral standing directly in front of the camera, life size, his head bare, graciously bidding his guests adieu. This was...

Showing Committee of Arrangements visit to the Admiral on board the U.S. Cruiser Olympia.

George Dewey was an admiral in the U.S. Navy who is best remembered for his victory at Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, which he won...

George Dewey was an admiral in the U.S. Navy who is best remembered for his victory at Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, which he won...

Probably part of the "Alaska and Yellowstone National Park Series" in the "Northern Pacific Railway Series"

A close view of an eighty-footer, schooner rigged, trim as a private yacht, skimming over the waters of the harbor, near Robins' Reef, which...

Shows a group of sailors and an officer at the stern. The flag runs out in a ball to the end of the staff, and, at the signal, is broken. Proudly the...

Edison released this as part of their "Northern Pacific Rainway" and "Alaska and Yellowstone National Park" series.

"A panoramic view of the 'Raleigh,' as she lies at anchor off 27th Street, North River, April 17, 1899. Captain Coghlan stands among a group of...

Up the road comes a detachment of infantry, firing, advancing, kneeling and firing, again and again...

Recreation of military maneuvers in the Philippines in the Spanish-American War.

This picture shows the Canadian troops departing from Quebec for the war in Transvaal. The scene opens with the soldiers clad in campaign uniform,...

The Filipinos execute a flank movement and re-occupy the trenches, cutting off the advance guard of Americans. The rebel flag waves over the ditch...

Showing Central Park in the background.

I do believe I have stumbled upon the very first exploitation picture ever made; and no it wasn't by David Friedman or Kroger Babb or K. Gordon...

Reenactment of action in the Spanish-American War.

Shielded by a thick bit of timber at a turn of the road stands a company of mounted men, awaiting the order to advance...

A burning wagon is dragged from the barn by the firemen, and four horses are rescued from the flames by the stablemen. Thick volumes of smoke pour...

"A battalion of New York's famous mounted police at inspection. They approach at break-neck gallop." - from the Edison Catalog

“This shows the Fire Department leaving headquarters for an early morning fire. The scene is remarkable for its natural effect. The opening of...

The camera shows a view of the American Falls and Goat Island.

“This subject taken just after the recent first fall of snow, shows two enthusiastic horsemen indulging in a "brush" with their respective...

"The famous parade ground of Metropolitan fashion. Exquisitely gowned women, club men, actresses, millionaires pass by on their afternoon stroll." -...

Along the seashore near San Francisco, a boat belonging to the Pacific Coast Life Saving Service can just be seen as it returns to shore. Several men...

The S.S. Australia departs from San Francisco Bay, carrying American soldiers to the Philippines.

Here we have a mixed company of Gordon Highlanders, Irish Fusilliers and English Lancers, as a group of prisoners taken to the rear by a troop of...

Filmed in July 1900, on the Champs Elysées in Paris, France.

In the distance is seen a number of grey objects rapidly approaching, which, upon drawing closer, are recognized as a company of Boer cavalry. As...

Near the main entrance. Hundreds of carriages and characteristic Parisian busses are passing.

A panoramic shot, making a full circle, at the 1900 Paris Exposition. It begins and ends looking at the front of the Palace of Electricity. As it...

This picture shows thousands of people leaving their seats in the grand stand and going across the parade grounds toward Paris. A very sharp and...

A Thomas Edison film showing a torpedo being shot.

Near the center of this scene we see the regimental surgeon directing the movements of the Ambulance Corps. Tenderly they pick up the unfortunates...

James White, the Edison Company's main filmmaker at the time, realized a burst of creativity during his visit to the 1900 Paris Exposition. It's...

Possibly the sensation of the flight of a bird can be nearest realized by being on deck of one of the U.S. Government's fleet torpedo boats racing at...

Showing the attacking forces drawn up in line of battle. They immediately commence firing on the shore batteries. The batteries return the fire with...

Beginning with the camera pointing toward the Invalides entrance, with the tomb of Napoleon in the background. The camera is slowly revolved until it...

Filmed off the coast of Rhode Island, this Edison short takes place on the U.S. torpedo boat Morris as we see some men loading up a torpedo that is...

This picture opens with the young cadets climbing the rigging and going through the sail drill on board the famous historic ship "Constellation."...

An early short with a self-explanatory title.

Taken from an automobile. This picture was taken during the fashionable driving hour, making a complete circle of the Place de la Concorde, passing...

“Showing the entire height of this wonderful structure from the base of the dome and return, with the great Paris Exposition in the background,...

Shows all the prominent buildings on this thoroughfare, ending with a close view of the base of the Eiffel Tower, with the Trocadero Palace in the...

The single camera position is from the top of a building identified as the Trocadero Palace; The camera is pointed toward the Eiffel Tower. The film...

This picture shows the Cadets marching, countermarching and a great many interesting manoeuvres.

The scene opens by showing the village girls driving home a herd of cows, and shows the native peasantry of Switzerland returning from their daily...

The picture opens with a crowd of Swiss boys and girls dressed in native costumes, marching down the street in this very unique and picturesque...

Reenactment of a South African battle.

This picture shows the young cadets going through their daily exercises and drill, and is full of life, and photographically perfect.

“One of the most interesting places in the vicinity of Niagara Falls is the Whirlpool Rapids, where the immense volume of water which passes...

The stubborn resistance of the Boers is shown by the activity and persistency with which they fire the two large field pieces immediately in the...

The title pretty much tells you all there is to know about this Edison film. It runs a very brief 27-seconds and shows a torpedo hitting its target...

This scene opens by showing a pretty cook mixing bread in the kitchen. Jones comes in unexpectedly from a trip and carries a dress suitcase. He...

Two delinquent clerks are seated in a broker's office engaged in a game of cards. The boss suddenly appears walking through the corridor. The cards...

This panoramic scene is taken from a Seine steamboat and gives a rapid view of the banks of the river...

Two bad boys enter the kitchen. One climbs to the kitchen table and takes down the old lamp, the other goes to the flour barrel and scoops out some...

“A marvelously clear picture taken from the top of the elevator of the Eiffel Tower during going up and coming down of the car. This wonderful...

This is a great historical event. Our cameras were stationed in the center of the Esplanade looking toward the Main Approach to the Pan-American...

The President is seen on the reviewing stand at the Stadium, escorted by President Milburn, of the Pan-American Exposition...

"Grandpa sits nodding in his armchair in the kitchen, where a sout, jolly washerwoman is washing clothes. While the woman leaves the tub to talk to a...

A crew of railroad workmen are busy along the tracks of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. When the Black Diamond Express appears in the distance, they...

The dancer Fatima, well-known for her dancing shows at the World's Exhibition in 1893, performs for the camera. She opens her act by twirling around...

Four men each hold a large slice of watermelon, and have a race to see who can finish eating first. All four move quickly, but one man seems to be...

While our photographers were crossing the Atlantic Ocean a most wonderful and sensational picture was secured, showing a storm at sea. The picture...

A lady watering the garden with a hose, a mischievous boy stops the flow of water until she looks for the cause, when he permits the water to flow,...

A look at the waterfalls of the Passaic River in the northern New Jersey city of Passaic.

Shows the S.S. "Queen" at Seattle with an immense crowd of miners crowding the decks of the boat and the docks, carrying aboard baggage, implements,...

Children entering and exiting a schoolhouse.

Branding calves in 1898.

An active outdoor film with cattle being driven from an outdoor corral by mounted cowboys.

Here we present to the audience a subject taken near Mt. Golden, on which will thoroughly please all who are lovers of scenery. One minute you are...

Despite the title, the most one can glean from this very short short is a bunch of guys having fun in a harbor.

Short clip of passing troops at the Dewey Arch.

The only picture extant showing this wonderful performance of a horse diving from a staging 40 feet in height into the water. Scenes secured at the...

Directed by James H. White.

The hen house occupies the entire left foreground of the picture, running back to the nearby road. The main foreground is filled with tall grass...

"The fashionable set is parading in the park, after church. The concourse is composed of all nationalities, including several groups of pretty...

"Showing the entire trip from Brooklyn to New York. The immense towers stand out clear and distinct against the sky. The best picture of the Brooklyn...

“This is a new negative showing the entire trip from Brooklyn to New York, in which the immense towers stand out clear and distinct against the...

“The watchful father disturbs a dream of bliss, and the bucolic lover is taught a lesson. He made a great hit.” (Edison film catalog)

“The watchful father disturbs a dream of bliss, and the bucolic lover is taught a lesson. He made a great hit.” (Edison film catalog)

“A file of Spanish soldiers line up the Cubans against a blank wall and fire a volley. The flash of rifles and drifting smoke make a very...

"An interesting exhibit by Hadji Cheriff, of the original Midway Plaisance. Twirls his rifle over his shoulder, behind back, under leg, both hands...

People spill drink on themselves, supposedly after a poker game during the Yukon Gold Rush.

He throws off his coat, takes the rope in his mouth, dives from the raft into the river, and under a hot fire swims to the opposite shore, which is...

"A double-decked trolley car, crowded with passengers, approaches and passes the camera. Carriages, pedestrians and bicyclists add to the action of...

A documentary short from Edison Manufacturing Company.

This is just at the title suggests. it's the McKinley and Hobart Parade at Canton

Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done,...

The film was photographed as if in the audience at a bull fight. No. 3 shows the collapse of the bull.

Shows the entire flock running around the corral with great strides and outstretched wings.

A fellow in a wide-brimmed hat, with a willowy stick for a rod and a baited hook, sits down on a plank hanging over a bridge above a stream. He...

Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of firemen responding to a house fire. They leave the station with...

This commercial traveler has evidently had a wet day judging from the strange things he sees at his hotel. The hall boy shows him to his room, puts...

1897 version of Annabelle Moore performing a serpentine dance.

This holiday-themed melodrama released by Edison Studios in 1910 concerns Robert, a young man who leaves his mother’s home in New England to...

New York City police catch thieves and stop runaway horses.

Positively the most wonderful series of pictures ever secured by an animated picture camera. The first scene is taken from the pond of the chutes,...

"An interesting exhibit by Hadji Cheriff, of the original Midway Plaisance. Twirls his rifle over his shoulder, behind back, under leg, both hands...

Men on field. Boxing. Both wear numbers on back. Large round-hose swings. Several men apparently refereeing. One with striped pants. Possible at west...

"This scene shows almost the entire Fire Department led by the Chief, responding to an alarm. The horses, said to be the finest of their kind in the...

Shows two lovers in a hammock. Two bad boys appear. One of them climbs into a tree and scrambles out on an overhanging branch, directly over the...

A crowd watches the Newark Fire Department respond to a call.

Shows canal running through the suburban village of Santa Anita. Men and women pole their flat-bottom boats along, loaded down with garden produce.

The famous Seal Rocks at Golden Gate Park are here shown. Sea lions in their wild state are lying on the rocks and swimming and diving in the water.

“Magnificent view of hurricane at sea. Vessel rises at one moment, riding the wave mountains, and then dips into the trough of the sea. A...

San Diego Beach, Hotel del Coronado. A pug dog, several terriers and water spaniels and a great St. Bernard are dashing into the water, retrieving...

Interesting types of Mexicans watch the arrivals by the train. Sombreros, serapes and mantillas give the scene a very distinctive foreign appearance.

The title pretty much tells you all there is to know about this Edison film. It runs a very brief 27-seconds and shows a torpedo hitting its target...

Rowdy patrons visit an Old West saloon.

This is a typical Irish argument in which a can of beer, clay pipes and two sons of Erin form the principal parts.

The crew of seven dressed in cork jackets, push the boat through the surf; they clamber in and row out to the wreck. 50 ft.

A parade of soldiers.

"Shows steamer plunging head-on through the heavy seas. Huge waves break over the bow and wash the deck, almost carrying away the look-out."

An early short with a self-explanatory title.

Two carts, one with a boat on it, are being pushed out of a garage.

Shows a party of young people in front of a barn door, searching for the red ear, which is discovered, and the penalty exacted from one of the group...

Magnificent action is displayed by this troop of Mexican cavalry. They approach at full speed, with drawn sabres, wheel rapidly, and charge in the...

In [Admiral] Dewey land parade.

A farmer kisses a lean girl.

A lady watering the garden with a hose, a mischievous boy stops the flow of water until she looks for the cause, when he permits the water to flow,...

A woman and a young girl each carry containers of bird feed, and they toss occasional handfuls to the chickens and doves in the farmyard. Most of the...

This picture was taken at one of the curves on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, along the beautiful Susquehanna River. The train is seen rapidly...

A fellow in a wide-brimmed hat, with a willowy stick for a rod and a baited hook, sits down on a plank hanging over a bridge above a stream. He...

Selection of hand-painted films made from serpentine dance performances between 1895 and 1907, with original music by Carol Robinson. Produced for...

Crackers faux shooting and feigning getting shot in the Philippine-american war.

Some men are playing a game on the beach, while some ladies with their backs to the cameras watch. A donkey cart ambles by.

A short look at Surf Ave., Coney Island.

Eight mounted cowboys pursue an escaped steer, riding at furious speed. Fine exhibition of lasso throwing. Mexican International.

Taken on 'Lucky' Baldwin's ranch, Santa Anita, Cal. Shows an engine and five cars approaching from a distance.

On Saturday morning, August 20, 1898, six grim battleships of Admiral Sampson's Squadron sailed into New York Harbor and up the Hudson to receive a...

Shows steam fire engine in action. Men scale ladders and play streams of water on a burning building. Very realistic.

This early docudrama shows Auburn Prison and recreates the electrocution of Leon Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley of the United States.

"A well-known character, in a dance that created considerable excitement when first introduced in America."

"Shows steamer plunging head-on through the heavy seas. Huge waves break over the bow and wash the deck, almost carrying away the look-out."

First comes the famous Marine Band of the 'Brooklyn,' with the mascot goat beside the bass drum. The 300 marines follow in rapid marching order, a...

"The umpire makes a decision that Casey doesn't like, and an argument follows, during which Casey deftly trips him up, and continues the argument on...