Mount and Dismount, Gatling Gun (1897)
Genre :
Runtime : 1M
Director : William Heise
Synopsis
This single camera position film shows an officer and six enlisted men of the army as they demonstrate the assembly drill of a gatling gun. See also: gatling gun-firing by squad, and gatling gun crew in action.
This is in every respect a stunning picture, though somewhat bohemian in subject. It depicts in six scenes, six lively hours at New York City's famous Tenderloin dance hall, "The Haymarket." In every particular the much talked-of resort is reproduced exactly. The interior and exterior are both shown as they are. The first scene shows the opening of the hall, with the sidewalk crowds of girls and men. The second is the dance, showing the various forms of the waltz in vogue in New York. Then comes a fight in the wine room, then the eviction of the riotous young men, and finally a boisterous can-can and a raid by the police.
The camera was situated on an ocean beach. The only action visible is a large number of children bathing in the surf. For the full extent of the film, the group can be seen splashing about in the surf.
A large number of men wearing bathing suits march quick step by the camera. As the men continue, the seashore can be seen. Behind the marching men is an amusement pier out over the ocean. The film ends as the men can be seen in the distance marching into the water.
This film was photographed in the winter, much of it during an actual snowstorm, and snow can be seen on the ground in all scenes. The subject is a group of men, clothed only in swimming trunks, who demonstrate their physical prowess by doing calisthenics, playing handball, and swimming during freezing weather.
The first scenes were photographed from a boat that was either rowed or sculled along the waterway of the st. Louis exposition. The film shows the principal exhibit buildings lining the mall, as well as statues and bridges. The next camera position was stationary. The scenes show decorated rowboats and motorboats laden with costumed people as though part of a parade. The lead boat in the parade contains a single occupant in military uniform. See also: parade of floats.
A man in a plaid suit with a lantern hung around his neck comes out on stage, followed by another man who also carries a lantern. They turn as if to view the work and then turn toward the camera. Another person in frock coat and stovepipe hat appears on stage, carrying a sign that reads, "fusion, on to brooklyn." the three men march around in an attempt to convey a political idea, for in addition to the placard, they are carrying bags with dollar signs on them.
An exhibition of water throwing by the Ocean Company of Green, N.Y., using an old-fashioned hand power engine.
This picture is very novel and interesting. It gives the complete trip from the station at the New York City end of the bridge to the station at the Brooklyn end, as seen from the front end of a third rail car running at high speed. The entire trip consumes three minutes of time, during which abundant opportunity is given to observe all the structural wonders of the bridge, and far distant river panorama below.
Panoramic view of the coal docks with a ship in the background. Shows tourists throwing money on the dock, and a large crowd of men and women fighting like made for it. Shows between 200 and 300 women coaling a ship. (Taken on the midwinter cruise of the S.S. "Prinzessin Victoria Luise" of the Hamburg-American Line.)
Taken at St. John's Home, Coney Island. A large number of boys are bathing in the surf. At a signal the boys leave the water and walk toward the camera. A very unique subject.
There is painted backdrop with a wooden fence in front of it and three steps leading to a porch. A man seated on the steps is approached by two men, costumed as frock-coated, stovepipe-hatted politicians who ask for and receive money. Soon a person dressed in a tiger skin appears and chases the three men away and then mounts the stairs and acts as if he were monarch of all he surveys.
Four women dressed in the costume of the era perform a can-can. They were photographed from a single camera position.
People entering an arena on horseback.
"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 Bridge yet secured."
A negro woman is washing her three-year-old baby in a tub of water. The child seems to enjoy it until he gets some soapsuds in his eyes, when he makes some very comical facial expressions. Background shows a typical native yard and hut.
Women natives of the Danish West Indies are coaling ship with baskets of coal which they carry on their heads. They walk up a long gang plank and dump their loads into a coal chute on the side of the ship. Taken very close and shows the women to good advantage.
This film appears to have been taken in a fairgrounds or a similar cleared area. A woman mounted on her horse is seen guiding it through a number of difficult tricks, such as various paces, crossing one foot in front of another, side stepping, and "dancing." the film ends while the horse is executing a bow.
A method soldier boys have for amusing themselves in their leisure moments. New comrades are frequently initiated by the old-fashioned sport of tossing in a blanket. The newly arrived recruit, who is the victim of their sport, enjoys himself, perhaps, less than the other participants.
Small-scale farmer Pasi shoots four policemen who have come to arrest him for raged drunkenness. Rest of the movie is a long flashback examining the events that finally leads to the tragic shooting. As time goes by, Pasi sinks gradually deeper and deeper into the poverty, gets into trouble with both police and tax officials while family arguments grow more and more serious. Based on a true story.
While on a ship to Skagway, Alaska, Duke and Chester find a map to a secret gold mine, which had been 'stolen' by thugs. In Alaska to recover her father's map, Sal Van Hoyden falls in with Ace Larson, who secretly wants to steal the gold mine for himself. Duke, Chester, the thugs, Ace and his henchman chase each other all over the countryside—for the map.