Homehttp://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/en-GB2010-03-10T23:19:22ZSquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Dickson Experimental Sound Film (1894)http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/dickson-experimental-sound-film-1894.htmlIon Martea2010-03-05T01:00:17Z1894 Films US

William K.L. Dickson |

The first sound film was released with its original soundtrack only in the 21st century. Originally a technical failure, nowadays Dickson Experimental Sound Film looks as one of the most original pieces in the early cinematic oeuvre.]]>Charles Kayserhttp://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/charles-kayser.htmlIon Martea2010-03-02T01:00:00Z1878 1966 Artists GB

Actor | (1878-1966) |

When Edison desired an improved motion picture camera, he did not turn to his most prolific film inventor, William K.L. Dickson, but rather to one of his most trusted assistants, Charles H. Kayser. The development of the kintetograph, as a result, found itself a poster boy for the contemporary press.]]>The Boxing Cats (Prof. Welton's) (1894)http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/the-boxing-cats-prof-weltons-1894.htmlIon Martea2010-02-26T01:00:00Z1894 Films US

A film, which would surely run into trouble with animal rights activists nowadays, is also one of the most entertaining works of the early silent cinema. The Boxing Cats stars vaudeville artist Henry Welton and two of his trained cats, caught in an intense boxing match.]]>Carmencita (I)http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/carmencita-i.htmlIon Martea2010-02-23T01:00:00Z1868 1910 Artists US

Self | (1868-1910) |

Carmencita can be seen performing one of her dance acts from 1890 in Carmencita (1894). With that film she scored a few firsts in film history. This was the first time a woman appeared in a motion picture made in USA.]]>Edison Kinetoscopic Record of a Sneeze (1894)http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/edison-kinetoscopic-record-of-a-sneeze-1894.htmlIon Martea2010-02-19T01:00:00Z1894 Films US

William K.L. Dickson |

In History of the Kinetograph, Kinetoscope and Kinetophonograph, Antonia Dickson claims that there were countless attempts to shoot Fred Ott sneezing, yet none of the ingredients seemed to work on the poor fellow. It took a few days by the time the famous sneeze came to life.]]>John Ott (II)http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/john-ott-ii.htmlIon Martea2010-02-15T01:00:00Z1850 1931 Artists US

Actor | (1850-1931) |

A longstanding friend and a devoted employee, John Ott was one of the most important individuals to work with Edison on most of his inventions, including the kinetoscope. With over a dozen patents under his name, he established himself as an inventor, despite attributing most of them to Edison.]]>Carmencita (1894)http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/carmencita-1894.htmlIon Martea2010-02-11T01:00:00Z1894 Films US

William K.L. Dickson |

Carmencita, the Spanish Gypsy dancer nicknamed the "Pearl of Seville", was the first woman to appear on celluloid in the United States. Watching her dance is still a pleasant experience more than 100 years since the film was shot.]]>Edison Manufacturing Company [us]http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/edison-manufacturing-company-us.htmlIon Martea2010-02-08T01:00:00Z1890 1911 Companies US

Production Company | Distribution Company | (1890-1911) |

Edison’s flavour for technology could hardly miss the temptation to embark on the development of moving images. The early patent war with the European inventors has hardly put the avaricious businessman in a good light in contemporary criticism.]]>Blacksmith Scene (1893)http://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/blacksmith-scene-1893.htmlIon Martea2010-02-03T01:00:00Z1893 Films US

William K.L. Dickson |

What a genuine sense of fun lurks in this picture! Three blacksmiths go about their business, hammering intensely on a metal rod. The job says that the metal should be cooled from time to time, and the blacksmiths believe that the human body needs its own refreshment.]]>William Heisehttp://www.essential-films.co.uk/home/william-heise.htmlIon Martea2010-01-28T01:00:00Z1847 1910 Artists DE

Cinematographer | Producer | Director | Actor | (1847-1910) |

The German-born American filmmaker William Heise can easily be considered the first professional director of photography. He has shot nearly 150 short films in the last decade of the 19th century, yet it is surprising how little biographical evidence is currently available about him.]]>