My Top 100 of the 1900s
Ranking of my favorite Films of the 1900s, No. 1 the best...
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- DirectorSegundo de ChomónFerdinand ZeccaStarsJulienne MathieuA demonic magician attempts to perform his act in a strange grotto, but is confronted by a Good Spirit who opposes him.
- DirectorViggo LarsenStarsSvend BilleAage BrandtGudrun KjerulfRobert Fielding has in his time seen better days, but his carelessness and bad company made him run through the fortune which was left him by his father. Now he walks the streets in rags, being so reduced to poverty. But no one has any sympathy for him, because he is young, and a strong-looking man, and ought to be able to get his living by working. Fielding comes across a newsboy, and cannot help but admire the little chap, who is busy selling papers and taking in the pennies, and notes how he understands to sell to everyone who comes along. He envies the boy being able to take in money in such an apparently easy way. When the boy is through tor the day, Fielding follows him up. The boy makes his way to an old shed outside the town, where Fielding sees him lie down to rest. For a moment Fielding is tempted to rob the boy of his earnings, but his good nature gets the upper hand, and he walks away in despair. Rather would he end his own life than do any harm to the innocent boy. The boy, having noticed him, gets up, runs after him, and asks him if he is hungry. Fielding has to admit it, of course, and accepts from the boy a few pennies to buy food. But the temptation is too great, and he spends this money for drink. The boy, who has been watching him all the time, enters the public house, and takes away the glass from Fielding, saying: "Now let's go and have something to eat; I didn't give you money for drink." The strong will of the boy seems to influence Fielding, and he realizes suddenly that he must do some work, in order to make a living. He succeeds in finding a situation as porter and he and the boy from now on become very great friends. Fielding works very hard, and they can soon afford to take very nice rooms together and also to go on nice outings on Saturday afternoons. One day Fielding is sweeping in front of his employer's house, when be bears a cry, and looking up he is astonished to see the child of his employer just falling from one of the windows of the house. Fortunately he catches her in his arms, and although the child is unhurt by the fall, the weight coming down on him from such a height causes some slight injuries to Fielding's head and arm. He has to be carried home, and his grateful employer accompanies him to his room, where he hears the whole story of Fielding's and his boy friend's struggles. In appreciation to Fielding for saving his little child from an almost certain death, his employer provides him with ample money to nurse himself quickly back to health, and also obtains such a good position from his employer that he is able to marry a nice girl, and the newsboy lives with them, in a very comfortable home, often receiving thanks from Fielding for saving him from ruin.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsVictor AndréBleuette BernonA group of astronomers go on an expedition to the Moon.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsAlexandre ArquillièreJacques GrétillatJacques VarennesPart One: The opening scene shows the interior of the squalid little home, where Gervaise has waited all night for Lantier's return, but when the latter enters the place, he casts the tearful woman aside with a gesture of ill-humor, begging her to leave him in peace. Gervaise takes her bundle of clothes and starts for the public wash house, where, after being assigned to a place, she begins her toil. A young woman named Virginie enters, and taking her place at a tub next to Gervaise, taunts the latter about the loss of her lover, for it is Virginie who has supplanted Gervaise in the affections of Lantier. Soon a little boy arrives at the laundry with a note which he hands to Gervaise, and the latter on opening it reads the following soul-crushing words: "I have had enough of your jealous outbursts, and have decided to leave you. Don't worry about me: I have found consolation. Lantier." The disconsolate woman's rival stands by with a triumphant sneer on her face and under her breath makes slurring remarks, whereupon Gervaise turns on Virginie, giving her a terrible heating. Gervaise has still another shock in store for her, for on leaving the place she is horrified to see her rival Virginie enter a cab with Lantier and drive away. The next scene takes place a few months later, when we see Coupeau, who has been Gervaise's staunch friend all through her sorrow, meet the latter in the park and propose marriage to her. The happy Gervaise accepts the generous hearted fellow, and on their way home they stop to inform their friends of the coming event. Gervaise, who has a strong aversion to drink, makes Coupeau swear that he will never touch a drop of intoxicating liquor. The couple are married and live happily together for five years, for Coupeau, who is a tinsmith, works steadily and is devoted to his wife and proud of their little home. Virginie, however, has never forgotten the humiliation she endured that eventful day In the laundry, when Gervaise attacked her, and she is ever on the alert to have revenge. One day when Gervaise and her little daughter carry Coupeau his lunch, we see the latter come down from the housetop where he is working, and going with his little family to a secluded spot, he enjoys a hearty repast. Virginie, who has been haunting the neighborhood, climbs upon the scaffolding and loosens some of the boards. As Coupeau climbs the ladder to return to work he stops for a moment to wave good-bye to his dear ones, when suddenly the planks give way under his feet and he is precipitated to the ground below. The other workmen who hurry to the scene tenderly raise the injured man and carry him to his home. Part Two: During Coupeau's convalescence, Gervaise has a birthday, and in honor of the event the happy couple give a little party to their few good friends. It is at this function that Gervaise sees her husband take his first drink. From that day, Coupeau loses all ambition and self-respect, and refuses to return to work. His poor wife is made to shoulder the responsibilities of the household while he spends his time in the tavern. One day Coupeau happens to meet Lantier in the saloon and in the course of conversation bets the latter than be can drink eight brandies while the clock strikes eight. The wager is placed, but Coupeau loses, for he is only able to finish six before he is helplessly intoxicated. At this juncture Gervaise enters the place and, seeing the condition of her husband, begs him to go home with her, but the drunken man positively refuses to move. Finally Conpeau is attacked with delirium tremens and after a difficult struggle with his companions, is carried a raving maniac to the hospital, where he remains for two years. On leaving the hospital, Coupeau is warned against the use of strong liquors; the smallest glass, he is told, will cause immediate death; he may, however, partake of a very little red wine. He is accompanied home by a friend, who stops on the way and purchases a bottle of wine. Great indeed is the joy in the little home when Coupeau arrives, and after an effusive greeting, Gervaise takes her basket and hastens off to purchase some food for the poor invalid. While Gervaise is absent the heartless Virginie slips into the room and substitutes a bottle of whiskey for the wine. Soon the sick man feels the need of a drink, so going to the closet he picks up the bottle and raises it to his mouth, but scarcely has it touched his lips when he realizes that he is doomed. Burning with the desire for liquor, the unfortunate man drains the bottle of its contents and is immediately seized with delirium tremens. After much suffering the victim of drink falls prostrate upon the floor, where his lifeless form is found by his unhappy wife upon her return.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarsGilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' AndersonA.C. AbadieGeorge BarnesA group of bandits stage a brazen train hold-up, only to find a determined posse hot on their heels.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsJehanne d'AlcyBleuette BernonA young woman becomes the eighth wife of the wealthy Bluebeard, whose first seven wives have died under mysterious circumstances.
- DirectorGaston VelleStarsJulienne MathieuIn this version of the ancient fable, a poor man is given a hen which lays golden eggs, but he is overwhelmed by the urge to get at the gold inside the chicken.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsBleuette BernonJeanne CalvièreJehanne d'AlcyA divinely inspired peasant woman becomes an army captain for France and then is martyred after she is captured.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsFernande AlbanyJehanne d'AlcyUsing every known means of transportation, several savants from the Geographic Society undertake a journey through the Alps to the Sun which finishes under the sea.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónThree friends go on a trip and decided to rest at an abandoned house. Everything seems pretty normal until really weird things start to happen.
- DirectorGaston VelleSome thieves enter through the roof of a house and the inhabitant flees in terror in search of help.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsArthur V. JohnsonMarion LeonardHenry B. WalthallA king exacts vengeance upon his faithless mistress and her lover.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsAndré DeedGeorges MélièsRobinson Crusoe and Friday fight with hostile natives, and eventually retire to their jungle cottage to relax.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónStarsJulienne MathieuA young woman passing through a cemetery at night is suddenly startled by a voice coming from one of the graves. She wishes to rush away, but the ghost appearing compels her to remain. He explains to the terrified girl that she must go to the kingdom of Satan and get a bottle of the Water of Life, which she must bring back to him. The girl consents to do as he desires and starts forth on her expedition after the precious fluid. She summons a lot of soldiers and friends to her aid, and we follow the whole army down into the bowels of the earth. Arriving at the gate of Satan's kingdom, they mount a chariot of fire and, arriving at the devil's palace, give fight to the demons mounting guard over their king, and after having defeated them rush into the palace. Now Satan, seeing his life in peril, disappears in a cloud of smoke, and thunder, and is seen again as he dashes through his vast domains gathering together his people, and while they await the conquering chariot another fight ensues. The devil is beaten again and the bottle of life is stolen by the leader of the victorious army, and they are all about to depart when a terrible explosion takes place and the chariot and its occupants are dashed to the ground. All are killed: but the brave woman who undertook the expedition, and she goes forth alone, meeting on her way dragons and vampires, who try to stop her progress towards earth. She defeats them all, however, and arriving at the ghost's grave raps on the marble slab, the ghost appears, drinks the water and is immediately transformed into a beautiful prince. The last scene of this interesting film shows the happy marriage of the once-deceased man and the beautiful and courageous bride.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA penniless troubadour consults the Fairy Carabosse about his future but offends her by paying with a bag of sand.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaDissatisfied with his life, a desperate man decides to make an unholy pact with the Devil, ignoring the seven deadly sins.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsMarguerite ThévenardBleuette BernonIn this spectacular free adaptation of the popular theatre play "La Biche au Bois", the valiant Prince Bel-Azor pursues a baleful old witch to her impregnable castle, to save the beautiful young Princess Azurine.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsFernande AlbanyJehanne d'AlcyGeorges MélièsKing Edward VII of England and the President of the French Republic, Armand Fallières, envision tunnelling the English Channel; nevertheless, only a maiden voyage can determine whether this is a triumphant aspiration or an acrid nightmare.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsFernande AlbanyAntonichBlondetA man needs to get to Monte Carlo from Paris, but finds out that a train will take 17 hours to get there. He decides to go with a man with a special car, who claims that he can get there in just two hours. Complications ensue.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsWhen this picture opens, you see a large book mounted on an easel. An old student is seen poring over old manuscripts when he advances toward the book, and by the aid of some mysterious power he causes an old man, a clown and a pretty girl to emerge therefrom, turning the page each time and taking a different person from the page in view. Each tries to make love to the maiden, when they are immediately returned to the place from whence they came. Marvelously mystical.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsRachel GilletGeorges MélièsA family has a sick woman at home. Her girl goes out in the snow to beg.
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaA father and son are working in a coal mine. An explosion occurs, which kills the son.
- DirectorGeorge Albert SmithStarsLaura BayleySmith casts his wife as a sluttish housewife who is mutilated by lighting her oven with paraffin.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsDavid MilesMarion LeonardMary PickfordA 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.
- DirectorJames WilliamsonA poor young girl tries to sell matches in a snowstorm. After being robbed by bullies, she lights matches which illuminate visions of a far happier Christmas than the one she faces.
- DirectorJames WilliamsonStarsSam DaltonA hungry vagabond snatches a wrapped leg of lamb and jumps into a large wooden barrel to hide. Will he get away scot-free?
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsHenri DesfontainesMarguerite BrésilAlexandre ArquillièreA prosperous looking young man arrives at a hotel, and after being assigned to a room, makes a most elaborate toilet before going out in search of diversion. When he is ready to depart, however, he discovers that he is in need of a pair of white gloves to complete his immaculate appearance. So, going to the telephone, he calls up a shop and orders a pair, and soon a young lady appears on the scene ready to fit him. As she is about to fasten one of the gloves, the button snaps, but this is soon remedied, for she has a needle and thread handy, and after sewing another one on, takes her departure. The young man then goes forth in a most felicitous frame of mind and is driven to a select café, where he sits down to enjoy a good dinner. As he glances about him at the other diners he recognizes a female acquaintance sitting at the next table. He sees that she recognizes him, so he takes out a piece of paper and writes her a note, asking her to meet him that evening near the club. The girl and her companion soon leave the place, and as she passes, the youth slips her the note without being discovered. In the next picture we see the happy young fellow waiting at the appointed place. Soon the lady comes along in an auto. After an affectionate greeting, the youth also steps into the machine and accompanies his friend to her home. As they enter the house a rough-looking character on the sidewalk watches the prosperous-looking couple in a rather peculiar manner, but the latter pass in without paying the slightest attention to the stranger. Arriving in the lady's parlor, the latter proceeds to remove her wraps, and in order to be more comfortable, she takes a beautiful pearl collar from her neck and places it in a jewel case which is lying on the table. She then leaves the room for a few moments, and during her absence the temptation to steal the valuable piece of jewelry masters her companion, and we see him slip the collar into his pocket. The evening is happily spent, and when the young man takes his leave the lady accompanies him to the gate and bids him a fond adieu. As he saunters down the street he accidentally drops his gloves, and the suspicious looking character, who watched them enter the house, picks them up and puts them on. The ruffian then steals into the house through an open window and is prowling around the parlor in search of valuables, when the lady, who by this time has retired, misses her collar and returns to the parlor to get it. Hearing approaching footsteps, the burglar hides behind a chair; the woman enters and not finding her jewels becomes alarmed and in her excitement shrieks for help. The fellow then springs from his hiding place and attacks the helpless girl, who in the ensuing struggle receives a death blow and falls at the man's feet. The murder, quickly removing the gloves, throws them on the floor beside his victim and makes his escape from the house. When the crime is discovered and the detectives are called in, they find the gloves and immediately start out in search of their owner. Through the trade-marks they trace them to the shop where they were purchased, and when they are shown to the saleslady she at once identifies them as the ones which she sold to the young man at the hotel. They then go to the hostelry, where they find the youth, who is just about to leave the place. He is detained and accused of the crime, but stoutly denies his guilt. On searching his belongings the detectives come upon the missing jewels, The youth is then led to the scene of the crime, where he is confronted with the victim as well as with the girl who sold him the gloves, which play such an important part in the case as circumstantial evidence. The unfortunate young man stoutly maintains his innocence, but the evidence is too strong against him and he is shackled and led away to prison, charged with the terrible crime. As he enters a carriage with the detectives, the real murderer, one of the curious crowd looking on, smiles with satisfaction as he sees the innocent man taken to pay the penalty of the crime of which he alone is guilty.
- DirectorCharles Decroix
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsTwo travelers are tormented by Satan from inn to inn and eventually experience a buggy ride through the heavens courtesy of the Devil.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA prince visits a wizard, and asks him to conjure up a fiancee to be his wife. But the wizard plays several tricks on the prince, who is infuriated, when the wizard's magic then turns him into a poor minstrel. This makes the prince sob with grief. Suddenly, the good fairy makes an appearance, gives the prince his fiancee, and cages the wizard, so the prince can then marry.
- DirectorJ. Stuart BlacktonStarsPaul PanzerA one-armed man obtains an artificial limb which he cannot control.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA magnificent Venetian oratory. On the left a large bay window through which may be seen the Grand Canal of the city of Venice. In the centre a colonnade and a hemicycle; to the right is a statue of the Madonna. At the beginning of the scene Romeo in his gondola sings to Juliet a sentimental song, then goes away. Hardly has he departed when the colonnade falls to pieces, disclosing the devil. Juliet, frightened, runs to the window and calls Romeo. The latter attempts to enter and protect his fiancée, but at a gesture from the devil the window is instantly covered with a grating and Romeo makes frantic efforts to break it. The devil begins to dance a wild dance before Juliet, who is beside herself from terror. The devil gradually becomes the size of a giant (a novel effect). Juliet implores the statue of Madonna, which becomes animated, descends from its pedestal, and stretching out its arms orders the devil to disappear. The devil grows smaller and smaller and finally becomes a tiny dwarf, then he is lost in space. The window resumes its first form and Romeo embraces his beloved, with the benediction of the Virgin.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterA brief vaudeville-style demonstration of a "Dog Transformator," a machine that instantly turns dogs into sausages, and amazingly, sausages back into dogs.
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaStarsMadame MoreauMonsieur MoreauThe story of Jesus Christ from the proclamation of his Nativity to his crucifixion. Impressive scenes and dynamism of the actors prelude to the Italian colossal movies of the silent period.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsAs if by magic, a weary traveller trying to undress, is foiled by his mutinous clothes as they teleport and multiply before his eyes, refusing to stay on the clothing rack.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterIt's December 24th, and 'Santa Claus' is busy feeding his reindeer and finishing up the toys that he will soon deliver. Meanwhile, the children in a large family hang their stockings over the fireplace, and then are put to bed. But the restless children cannot sleep, and they soon start a lively pillow fight. Back at his workshop, Santa loads up everything and begins his journey.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónFerdinand ZeccaA couple invites an old lady at home, after having seen her outside under the snow. The lady turns into a fairy and cast a spell to transform the winter season by spring.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsAlice TissotMaurice VinotRenée CarlLegendary French director Louis Feuillade does what he does best in THE COLONEL'S ACCOUNT. What begins as the simple telling of a story erupts into chaos as the tale becomes reality. One thing leads to another. If war is hell then all hell breaks loose!
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsGeorges VinterPaul CapellaniLiane de PougyThe legend of Aladdin and his magic lamp: Aladdin finds a magic lamp which brings him wealth, luxury, and marriage to a princess. But his rival, an evil magician, steals the lamp for himself. Aladdin must regain the lamp or lose everything.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsCharles ClaudelOctavie HuvierFrançois LallementA man rents an apartment and furnishes it in remarkable fashion.
- DirectorGeorge S. FlemingEdwin S. PorterStarsJames H. WhiteThomas WhitePorter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of the famous fairy tale story of Jack and his magic beanstalk. Borrowing on cinematographic methods reminiscent of 'Georges Melies', Porter uses animation, double exposure, and trick photography to illustrate the fairy's apparitions, Jack's dream, and the fast growing beanstalk.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsThe entire story of Christmastide is here depicted. The scene opens in a large boudoir of an apparently wealthy man's home. His children, assisted by their governess, are about to retire. Before lying down they hang up their stockings on the edge of the bed. The picture changes and night appears. We see the housetops of the town and angels are flying about depositing packages in each of the chimneys. Santa Claus is also busy and furnishes our little friends with numerous presents. Again a change in the picture and we see the corridor of the old village church. The sexton, an old grey haired man, stands by, while a number of lusty boys pull the rope attached to the great bell in the belfry. The bell tolling in the steeple bursts into view, after which the interior of the church is seen with the full choir accompanied by the organist and choir boys singing the Christmas hymn. Another change and the boudoir is again before us and the children are looking over their presents while their parents are receiving the congratulations of their friends who have come to visit them. The picture changes into that of the great dining hall with the guests sitting around the table and the beggar is brought in and given a place at the table. The conclusion of this beautiful subject is a pretty tableau. We cannot speak too highly of the dissolving effects of this film. One picture dissolves into the other and thus the story is continuous from beginning to the end. Artistically beautiful.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsScenes. 1. The Route to the Depths of Perdition (a Dazzingly Sensational New Effect.) 2. The Fantastical Ride. 3. The Gloomy Pass. 4. The Stream. 5. The Entrance to the Lower Regions. 6. The Marvelous Grottoes (tableau with six dissolving Scenes.) 7. The Crystal Stalactites 8. The Devil's Hole 9. The Ice Cavern. 10. The Goddesses of Antiquity (a Superb Fantastical Ballet in a Snowstorm.) 11. The Subterranean Cascade (a New Trick with Apparition in a Waterfall.) 12. The Nymphs of the Underworld.--The Seven Headed Hydra--The Demons--The Struggle of Water with Fire (a big Novelty.) 13. The Descent to Satan's Domain (a clever trick now first shown.) 14. The Furnace. 15. The Triumph of Mephistopheles.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterThe scene opens in an artist's studio, the artist asleep in his chair. A large old fashioned clock opens and a young lady comes out and awaking the artist, requests him to paint her picture. While the artist is executing the work a clown comes from the clock, takes in the situation and begins to make love to the lady. The artist detects him and compels him to desist his love making. He continues to paint. The clown becomes interested and asks the artist to allow him to paint the picture, and begins smearing a whitewash brush over the canvas, when lo, a most perfect image of the young lady appears. The image then steps down from the frame, joins the young lady in the studio, and the figures, each a perfect counterpart of the other begin to dance to the great astonishment of the artist. The clown the by waving his hand causes the figures of the two girls to merge into one. The artist then assumes his seat and awakens from his dream with a great shock.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsBilly QuirkMary PickfordJames KirkwoodTwo lovers elope and expect to be pursued by her father. But the clever father has tricked them into running off, and celebrates their wedding when they return home.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsMlle. BodsonManuelGeorges MélièsAs the clock strikes twelve, a weary astronomer attempts to answer the impertinent enquiries of his young students by scrutinising an impending lunar eclipse, as an effeminate and delicate moon caresses the mighty sun's hungry cosmic rays.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaDuring a strike, several workers are killed in a confrontation. The wife of one of them kills the factory owner. At her trial, the owner's son asks for mercy, knowing that his father was wrong. Because of that the wife is freed.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsDespite all methods of instantaneously masking a clandestine gambling den's shady activities, the risk of getting caught is high, especially when the police thirsts for success. But, sometimes, indulging in pure fun is just too tempting.
- DirectorAlice GuyThe life of Jesus Christ in 25 scenes.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsJean-Marie de l'IsleJeanne GrumbachHenri DesfontainesThe young hero, Frederick, is leaving his country home and going to the city to attend the bull fight, and while there he meets and woos a beautiful maiden, forgetting his own little sweetheart at home. The charming miss strolls with him and he tells her of his undying love and vows to live for her alone. As he leaves her at her home and strolls away her former lover comes along and, seeing them together, remonstrates with the girl, but she coldly tells him that it is all over between them and that she loves another. The next day Frederick meets the girl again and proposes to her and she accepts him, and immediately he takes her to his home to introduce her to his parents, who are a trifle demure in receiving her, knowing his treatment to his former faithful little sweetheart. Everything bids fair for their happiness when the maiden's cast-off lover appears and sends in for Frederick, and upon meeting him presents him with a letter which he had received from her telling him that he was the only man she ever loved. Frederick takes the letter and when he confronts the girl with it she coolly admits her authorship of the missive, and immediately he becomes distracted and denounces her and orders her from the house. She leaves the place and returns to her former sweetheart, while poor Frederick's life is wrecked, for in his heart he loves her with a supernatural love and everywhere he goes he sees her beaming face before him.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsOwen MooreLottie PickfordKate BruceAn Indian village is forced to leave its land by white settlers, and must make a long and weary journey to find a new home. The settlers make one young Indian woman stay behind. This woman is thus separated from her sweetheart, whose elderly father needs his help on the journey ahead.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsAn alchemist owns a pharmacy for the rich. His assistants play a trick on him and put a drug in his medicine, leading to ghostly visions experienced by the alchemist, who goes to a wizard for help. The wizard brings forth a fairy who transforms the pharmacy to a candy shop for the poor.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsGulliver washes ashore on Lilliput, the inhabitants of which are no more than six inches tall. He later travels to Brobdingnag, a country populated by giants.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA traveler at an inn is harassed by a mischievous devil in his room.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsThe picture opens with the Sultan lying down to rest on his luxurious cushioned couch. The scene changes to the grounds around the palace. An odd-looking tree appears in the foreground and turns into a hobgoblin, which shakes its arms at the Sultan. The Sultan seizes his sword and stabs at the feirce looking object, when it turns into Mephistopheles, who seizes the Sultan and places him on a scaffold, and just as they are about to dispatch him, the dream ends; and he finds himself once more on his comfortable couch. Very marvelous mystical changes from start to finish.
- DirectorJames WilliamsonFirefighters ring for help, and here comes the ladder cart; they hitch a horse to it. A second horse-drawn truck joins the first, and they head down the street to a house fire. Inside a man sleeps, he awakes amidst flames and throws himself back on the bed. In comes a firefighter, hosing down the blaze. He carries out the victim, down a ladder to safety. Other firefighters enter the house to save belongings, and out comes one with a baby. The saved man rejoices, but it's not over yet. Another resident appears upstairs. He jumps.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsHenri VilbertA wall full of advertising posters comes to life.
- DirectorWallace McCutcheonEdwin S. PorterSeven toy teddy bears of varying sizes suddenly come to life, getting in all sorts of merry misadventures.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsIn a public place in Constantinople at the corner of a bazaar, the executioner is seated upon a stone and is resting from his daily labors while eating a crust of bread. Suddenly there come running into the place a lot of Turkish men and women preceding some Turkish policemen, who drag along four prisoners in chains. The policemen shut up the four prisoners in the pillory. Their four heads stick up through the huge plank, which is provided with four openings. One of the policemen urges the executioner to decapitate the prisoners. He accordingly seizes a mighty sabre and cuts off by a single stroke the four heads, which roll upon the ground. After having placed the heads in a cask, he resumes eating his meal. Immediately the four heads pop out of the cask one at a time to see what the executioner is doing, and in due order each one seeks its body. The four executed prisoners thus reunited throw themselves upon the headsman and in spite of his resistance one of them picks up the sabre lying upon the ground and cuts his body into two pieces. The four prisoners take flight. The two legs and lower part of the body run frantically, while the bust upon the ground calls to them with gestures of despair. Finally, when the legs, in their flight, come close to the bust, it seizes them and thus the pieces of the executioner are united. Then he calls the policemen, who, followed by the crowd, enter into the pursuit of the escaping men.
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaA self-proclaimed "knight" and his hapless squire travel the Spanish countryside, attacking "giants" that are really windmills in his attempt to win the love of the fair Dulcinea.
- DirectorCharles-Lucien LépineStarsAndré DeedThe young devil, bored of being in hell, is advised to go for a walk in Paris where incidents such as a car accident happen to him and find a girlfriend.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothOn the roof of an ancient palace appear a young Knight and his lady. While they are making love an ugly old witch appears and is rather troublesome. The Knight commands her to leave, and when he is about to force her away she sits on her broom and rises to the moon. After disappearing she causes various hob-goblins to haunt the pair, the last of them stealing away the lady while the Knight's back is turned. The Knight, frantic with grief, is suddenly confronted by a Fairy, who presents him with a magical sword, and tells him that he can use it to regain the young woman.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsThe setting of this fantastic scene represents the hall of an old chateau in which a miser has locked up seven large bags containing his wealth. Satan, who has made his way into the chateau, puts the seven bags in a strong box, and makes with his hands some cabalistic motions. The miser comes into the hall and is greatly astonished to find his fortune missing. He opens the coffer and immediately the bags leap out. He gathers them up and puts them back into the coffer. When he opens it again he finds that they have been transformed into seven young girls, who rush out and chase after him, beating him unmercifully. They shut him up in the coffer from which his gold has vanished. The miser pushes open the lid of the coffer, and to his profound despair finds that both young girls and money have disappeared. (This view is most sensational in its mysterious scenes.)
- DirectorViggo LarsenStarsAage BrandtHolger-MadsenGustav Lund
- DirectorJack FrawleyA gang of criminals plans and executes the robbery of a bank in Philadelphia. However, the police are alerted and a chase through the city's streets ensues.
- DirectorWallace McCutcheonStarsEdward DillonA happy Russian family is shattered when the father is arrested for treason.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterStarsMiss ActonMiss AntoinetteEdward BouldenWhile in a park, a young woman sees her fiancé being quite affectionate with another woman. When she calls him on the telephone to demand an explanation, he tells her that it was his sister. She is not satisfied, and insists on coming over to meet his 'sister'. As the young man broods over how to get out of trouble, an old college friend comes over, and he offers to pretend to be the sister. At first this works, but soon it has created even more complications.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsJehanne d'AlcyGeorges MélièsRight in front of our very eyes, two attractive and feminine women metamorphose into two professional wrestlers who begin a no-holds-barred wrestling match.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónSome gnomes are searching for a wonderful spider that weaves webs of golden coins. Intent on their search, they are unaware that their movements are closely followed by a poor woodcutter, who also penetrates into their caves when they have caught the spider and imprisoned it there. He watches the wonderful spider making gold and other articles with wonder and in this scene the moving picture camera has excelled itself in turning out some good tricks, and finally he steals the golden spider. He returns to his hut and the spider spins numerous gold coins, but he becomes miserly so that when a poor beggar asks for help he refuses. Immediately his golden hoard changes into a mass of crawling insects and the accusing faces of the gnomes rise in the background.
- DirectorCecil M. HepworthPercy StowStarsMay ClarkCecil M. HepworthBlairThis is the first movie version of the famous story. Alice dozes in a garden, awakened by a dithering white rabbit in waistcoat with pocket watch. She follows him down a hole and finds herself in a hall of many doors.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaA happy family is brought to ruin when the father starts drinking.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsFrank PowellGrace HendersonJames KirkwoodAn unscrupulous and greedy capitalist speculator decides to corner the wheat market for his own profit, establishing complete control over the markets.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA man and two women sit down to eat dinner, but several unexpected surprises prevent them from their repast: the legs of the table grow, the table disappears into the floor, and a ghostly spirit appears and takes possession of the man.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniStarsLouise LagrangeAn early version of the Cinderella story.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsIn a mysterious cavern, a magician performs a magic show that includes a dancing skeleton and a woman who is levitated.
- A woman arriving at a train station is unaware that a nearby stranger is closely eyeing her and her purse as she leaves her carriage. As she waits for her train, the same stranger lurks nearby on the platform, so that he can make sure to sit in the same compartment with her. When the train gets underway and the woman dozes off, the stranger reveals his ill intentions.
- DirectorWilliam HaggarStarsWalter HaggarViolet HaggarLily HaggarThe story of Charles Peace, one of Britain's most notorious criminals. Peace was an expert in cat burglary. The film reconstructs Peace's real-life leap from a train on his way to trial for the murder of Arthur Dyson.
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónIn this funny picture we see the vacuum cleaner, the modern dust eradicator, performing some very droll tricks. As soon as the fellow turns on the air then the fun begins. It is all accomplished through some clever trick photography. First we see two attendants start out to do a cleaning job, and while they stop to take some refreshments, two men, who happen to be passing, take the machine and start down the sheet to have some fun. They meet a woman with a dog on a leash, and at a turn of the wheel, the dog and its mistress are quickly drawn into the spout. Next a nursemaid comes sauntering down the street, and when they level the spout at her she meets the same fate. A girl and her lover are the next to disappear off the face of the earth, and still they go along, looking for more victims. Coming to a house, one of the men climbs in a window, and when the one outside turns the crank all the furnishings of the house are drawn into the machine. A maid rushes in to find out the cause of the commotion, but before she can look around, she also is swallowed up. As they move down the street they draw up two bales of straw, and then, as they stop in front of a meat store, it is amusing to see all the provisions hopping up and jumping into the machine. Two policemen now become interested in the pair, but pay for their curiosity by being drawn up also. Tired and exhausted, the fellows sit down to have a drink, but while their backs are turned some men steal the machine, and before they realize what has happened, they also go flying up the spout. The end of this film shows the men reversing the wheel and releasing all the victims, and it is an amusing sight to see them all come tumbling out of the spout onto the town in a heap.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsJohn R. CumpsonFlorence LawrenceMack SennettMr. Jones is a rather clumsy man. At the ball, his pants are torn and he retires with a lady who wants to mend them. The rest of the guests get the wrong impression and chaos ensues.
- DirectorEdwin S. PorterBased on the novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe: Eliza, a slave who has a young child, pleads with Tom, another slave, to escape with her. Tom does not leave, but Eliza flees with her child. After getting some help to escape the slave traders who are looking for her, she then must try to cross the icy Ohio River if she wants to be free. Meanwhile, Tom is sold from one master to another, and his fortunes vary widely.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeAlice GuyTwo men attempt to mug a couple but a tramp intervenes.
- DirectorGaston VelleFerdinand ZeccaStarsFerdinand ZeccaAn inebriated man falls in love with the moon and climbs a rooftop to reach it. A sudden gust of wind sweeps him all the way to the moon.
- DirectorPercy StowProspero and his daughter Miranda must take refuge on an enchanted island. There Prospero, who himself has magical powers, releases the spirit Ariel from a spell, and also meets the savage Caliban. Then Prospero uses his powers to create a tempest that shipwrecks some of the persons who caused his exile.
- DirectorJ. Searle DawleyEdwin S. PorterStarsEdward BouldenMiss DeVarneyWilliam SorelleJack and the daughter of a horse trainer are in love, but her father disapproves. preferring another suitor. They arrange a race to win her hand. But Jack's rival proves to be unscrupulous and will stop at nothing to be successful.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLinda ArvidsonGeorge NicholsJames KirkwoodSoon after their engagement, Bill goes to sea, and Emily vows to stay true until his return. Unknown to her, Bill marries another woman from a different port. Emily waits faithfully for six years, finally becoming dangerously ill. When Bill suddenly appears in town with his family, Joe, who has loved Emily all along, forces Bill to make Emily's final moments happy by pretending he has returned to marry her.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA cook has his hands full with three mischievous devils, who pop in and out of his kitchen.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA band-leader assembles an orchestra by mystifying means.
- DirectorWalter R. BoothStarsDaniel SmithIt's Christmas Eve. The miser Scrooge and his assistant Bob Cratchit finish their work in the office and go home. When Scrooge is going to open his front door, he sees the face of Marley's ghost in the door knocker. Inside he takes on his night dress, eats his supper, and falls asleep at the table. Marly's ghost shows Scrooge a vision of himself at a Christmas in the past. Then the ghost escorts him to the present Christmas, and the homes and families of Bob Cratchit and Fred, where Scrooge sees Bob and Fred drink to him in his absence. At last the ghost shows Scrooge the Christmas that might be. Here Scrooge has to face his own grave and the death of Tiny Tim. Confronted with this Scrooge regrets his callousness and egoism.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsTwo demons throw helpless captives into a boiling cauldron, and then try to summon forth their spirits.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaAn early adaptation of the Ali Baba tale.
- DirectorPercy StowDuring a game of hide and seek a bride hides in a chest and is found 30 years later.
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniLucien NonguetStarsJulienne MathieuA beautiful daughter having been born to the king and queen, the nine most important fairies of the country are called upon to be godmother of the child, and as the ceremony takes place each blesses the child with a special virtue or talent. The welfare of the child seems assured, when all at once the oldest, ugliest and therefore forgotten fairy, appears on the scene and, furious at the slight, puts upon her, curses the baby princess and predicts that she will die poisoned by the prick of the spool of a spinning wheel. The godmother fairies, however, sooth the grief-stricken mother by telling her that her daughter will not die but only fall asleep, as well as everything living which surrounds her for one hundred years. To avoid this calamity, the king orders that every spinning wheel be destroyed under penalty of death, and the king's messenger is seen reading the command. The next scene shows the grown-up princess closely watched by a stately matron. This trusted servant, however, apparently growing too old for her task, falls asleep, and in a moment the princess is out of her apartment bound on an investigation tour. She comes to a small stairway leading to a garret and there, to her astonishment, finds an old woman spinning. Having never seen a spool, she tries to imitate the old dame, but alas, pricking her finger, falls into a dead sleep. Then is shown on the screen the whole castle in peaceful slumber, the hedges growing up and hiding the castle from view, for thus it must remain undisturbed for one hundred years. The next scene represents a young and dashing prince going out with his suite for a hunt, and one can easily detect by the difference in their attire that they belong to another epoch than that in which the charming princess lived. We follow the prince through the woods and dales until dusk, coming unawares, he finds himself lost in a thick bush. He calls for help, and an old shriveled man appears who, with one movement of his stick, causes the shrubs and trees to make way, and there appears to the eyes of the astonished rider a most beautiful castle. Pushed forward by curiosity, he rushes to the entrance, the doors opening before him as he goes along. In the chambers and halls everything is stillness and sleep, but he does not stop to think, being apparently carried along by an irresistible force, until he reaches the bedchamber of the slumbering princess. At sight of this beautiful, picture of youth, he falls on his knees, kisses the hand of the sleeper, and as by magic everything in the castle awakes and comes back to life. The last scene shows the prince and princess surrounded by their attendants and rejoicing over their good fortune.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA chemist carries out a bizarre experiment with his own head.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaOld gentleman stretches himself on the long seat of a French railway car, after placing numerous bundles in the rack above him, and also in the rack over the seat in the opposite side of the compartment. Train stops at next station and lady enters with her pet dog. Having bundles of her own which she wishes to place in the rack over her seat, she takes down the old man's bundles and places them on him and his seat. She then begins to fondle the dog. Old man gets angry, takes his large pipe and begins to smoke. Lady objects and after an argument snatches the pipe from the man and throws it out the window. The man reciprocates by throwing the dog out. Lady enraged, tugs vigorously at the bell rope. Train stops and scene changes to outside. Behold the dog sitting on his haunches with the pipe in his mouth, much to the surprise of the old gentleman and lady, and also the audience.
- DirectorFrank S. MottershawA thief jumps a fence and removes the shutter from a house. He enters, but a lad who's witnessed the crime runs off to hail the coppers.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsArthur V. JohnsonMarion LeonardFrank PowellDuring the French Revolution, a wealthy couple lives safely by professing republican beliefs. When a mob attacks a nearby chateau an aristocrat bursts into the couple's home. They save his life by disguising him as a servant, but he soon forces his attentions on the wife. Hearing their struggle, the husband intervenes and, stripping the aristocrat of his disguise, thrusts him outdoors to be killed by the mob.
- DirectorWallace McCutcheonStarsAnthony O'SullivanRobert G. VignolaTwo members of a gang write a threatening letter to a butcher, demanding that he give them money, or else they will harm his family and his shop. The butcher is afraid and upset, but he is unable to meet their demands. The gang then kidnaps his daughter, leading to a series of tense and dangerous confrontations.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaCaptivated by a vision of beckoning women, a man dives into the ocean, and soon finds himself walking on the ocean floor. After encountering numerous sea creatures, he comes to a giant oyster. When the oyster is opened, a strange adventure begins for the diver.
- DirectorLewin FitzhamonCecil M. HepworthStarsBlairMay ClarkBarbara HepworthA dog leads its master to his kidnapped baby.
- DirectorGeorge Albert SmithAn elderly gentleman in a silk hat sits on a stool in front of a store on the main street of town. He has a telescope that he focuses on the ankle of a young woman who is a short distance away. Her husband catches the gent looking. What will the two men now do?