Thomas A. Edison Movies

  • 1897
    Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory

    Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory

    Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory

    5.21897HD

    “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...

    Mr. Edison at Work in His Chemical Laboratory
  • 1894
    Sioux Ghost Dance

    Sioux Ghost Dance

    Sioux Ghost Dance

    4.91894HD

    From Edison films catalog: One of the most peculiar customs of the Sioux Tribe is here shown, the dancers being genuine Sioux Indians, in full war...

    Sioux Ghost Dance
  • 1894
    Imperial Japanese Dance

    Imperial Japanese Dance

    Imperial Japanese Dance

    4.61894HD

    A graceful performance of the Mikado dance, featuring three Japanese women in elaborate traditional costume. Originally noted for its striking effect...

    Imperial Japanese Dance
  • 1899
    General Lee's Procession, Havana

    General Lee's Procession, Havana

    General Lee's Procession, Havana

    3.81899HD

    Filmed on January 1, 1899, this Edison short shows a victory march by General Lee and the Seventh Army Corps. When watching these early films it's...

    General Lee's Procession, Havana
  • 1894
    Indian War Council

    Indian War Council

    Indian War Council

    1.61894HD

    This 1894 film depicts a staged “war council” featuring a group of Sioux men in traditional dress, seated in deliberation as Buffalo Bill...

    Indian War Council
  • 1913
    The Five Bachelors

    The Five Bachelors

    The Five Bachelors

    01913HD

    A comedy of a young man’s humiliating initiation into a woman-hating men’s club, The Five Jolly Bachelors. With Eddie Boulden and the...

    The Five Bachelors
  • 1896
    East Side Drive, No. 1

    East Side Drive, No. 1

    East Side Drive, No. 1

    71896HD

    East Side Drive, No. 1 (1896) is a brief, silent actual-city documentary directed by James H. White for Edison. Filmed on New York City’s East...

    East Side Drive, No. 1
  • 1913
    A Minstrel Show

    A Minstrel Show

    A Minstrel Show

    81913HD

    An Edison Kinetophone short presenting an on-stage minstrel company performing musical numbers and patter; made as part of Edison’s early...

    A Minstrel Show
  • 1897
    Launch of Surf Boat

    Launch of Surf Boat

    Launch of Surf Boat

    11897HD

    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.

    Launch of Surf Boat
  • 1897
    Launch of Life Boat

    Launch of Life Boat

    Launch of Life Boat

    4.31897HD

    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...

    Launch of Life Boat
  • 1928
    Guests at the Presentation of Kodacolor at the Home of Mr. George Eastman, Rochester, N.Y.

    Guests at the Presentation of Kodacolor at the Home of Mr. George Eastman, Rochester, N.Y.

    Guests at the Presentation of Kodacolor at the Home of Mr. George Eastman, Rochester, N.Y.

    01928HD

    The evening presentation of distinguished guests from earlier that afternoon.

    Guests at the Presentation of Kodacolor at the Home of Mr. George Eastman, Rochester, N.Y.
  • 1899
    Bicycle Trick Riding, No. 2

    Bicycle Trick Riding, No. 2

    Bicycle Trick Riding, No. 2

    5.21899HD

    This Edison short features famed cyclist Neidert performing a series of impressive bicycle stunts on stage, including riding backwards, balancing on...

    Bicycle Trick Riding, No. 2
  • 1902
    Cutting and Canaling Ice

    Cutting and Canaling Ice

    Cutting and Canaling Ice

    71902HD

    Shows ice plows in operation, drawn by horses and guided by men on skates. The plows are first operated in one direction and then crosswise, cutting...

    Cutting and Canaling Ice
  • 1901
    The Trick Cyclist

    The Trick Cyclist

    The Trick Cyclist

    4.31901HD

    A comic short in which a tramp attempts to ride a bicycle, tumbling repeatedly before giving up in despair. A skilled rider then takes the stage,...

    The Trick Cyclist
  • 1912
    The Spanish Cavalier

    The Spanish Cavalier

    The Spanish Cavalier

    01912HD

    A formerly lost Edison film from 1912.

    The Spanish Cavalier
  • 1914
    The Old Violin

    The Old Violin

    The Old Violin

    01914HD

    The Old Violin (1914) is a Kinetophone short produced by Edison, directed by Daniel Higham. The film features an elderly violinist reprimanding a...

    The Old Violin
  • 1896
    Starting for the Fire

    Starting for the Fire

    Starting for the Fire

    91896HD

    Starting for the Fire (1896), directed by James H. White for the Edison Manufacturing Company, was filmed on location in Newark, New Jersey. The...

    Starting for the Fire
  • 1904
    Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass.

    Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass.

    Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass.

    61904HD

    With a tree-lined river bank dominating the top and back of the frame, the Charles River flows toward a stationary camera. A flotilla of canoes...

    Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass.
  • 1896
    Cock Fight

    Cock Fight

    Cock Fight

    4.91896HD

    Two cocks fight whilst being watched by two men.

    Cock Fight
  • 1913
    The Old Guard

    The Old Guard

    The Old Guard

    01913HD

    A veteran of the Napoleanic Wars recounts his memories and grants his blessings upon the marriage of his granddaughter and a young soldier.

    The Old Guard