Fred Evans

Cinema a century ago was a new, exciting and highly democratic form of entertainment. Picture houses nationwide offered a sociable, lively environment in which to relax and escape from the daily grind. With feature films still rare, the programme was an entertaining, ever-changing roster of short items with live musical accompaniment. 100 years on, this special compilation from the BFI National Archive recreates the glorious miscellany of comedies, dramas, travelogues and newsreels which would have constituted a typical night out in 1914. Our selection includes a comic short about a face-pulling competition, a sensational episode of The Perils of Pauline, scenes of Allied troops celebrating Christmas at the Front, and an early sighting of one of cinema’s greatest icons.

A Lord foils a plot to kill his favourite and rides it to win.

A Lord foils a plot to kill his favourite and rides it to win.

A Lord foils a plot to kill his favourite and rides it to win.

A 1916 Fred Evans comedy

A 1916 Fred Evans comedy

Pimple plays an actor rehearsing for a role which causes trouble wherever he is.

Pimple plays an actor rehearsing for a role which causes trouble wherever he is.

Pimple plays an actor rehearsing for a role which causes trouble wherever he is.

A private detective faces off against a master criminal.

A private detective faces off against a master criminal.

A private detective faces off against a master criminal.

'Rich man wills fortune to most deserving of nephews.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Rich man wills fortune to most deserving of nephews.' (British Film Catalogue)

(Fragment) Pimple plays a footman who has been sent on a liquor run. He “has one” (or perhaps a few) and has all manor of trouble navigating the road home.

(Fragment) Pimple plays a footman who has been sent on a liquor run. He “has one” (or perhaps a few) and has all manor of trouble navigating the road home.

(Fragment) Pimple plays a footman who has been sent on a liquor run. He “has one” (or perhaps a few) and has all manor of trouble navigating the road home.

A detective takes over a train to save the King of Cork from spies.

A detective takes over a train to save the King of Cork from spies.

A detective takes over a train to save the King of Cork from spies.

UK Comedy short silent depicting US sailor day-dreaming of submariner adventures,

UK Comedy short silent depicting US sailor day-dreaming of submariner adventures,

'Pimple leads his valiant cavalry into the Valley of Death.' (British Film Institute)

'Pimple leads his valiant cavalry into the Valley of Death.' (British Film Institute)

'Naval lieutenant discovers the Pole.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Naval lieutenant discovers the Pole.' (British Film Catalogue)

Lieutenant Pimple poses as a diver to save a submarine from Soho spies.

Lieutenant Pimple poses as a diver to save a submarine from Soho spies.

The Lieutenant and his men save an invention from spies.

The Lieutenant and his men save an invention from spies.

'Pimple tries bill-posting and gets pasted.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Pimple tries bill-posting and gets pasted.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Stableboy saves lord's horse from baron and wins race.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Stableboy saves lord's horse from baron and wins race.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Pimple builds a gramophone and hides inside it.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Pimple builds a gramophone and hides inside it.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Boys pin smallpox notice on Pimple's back.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Boys pin smallpox notice on Pimple's back.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Pimple finds money and buys motor-bicycle.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Pimple finds money and buys motor-bicycle.' (British Film Catalogue)

Fred Evans, aka Pimple, plays Napoleon in the famous scenes from his life - including crossing the (cardboard) Alps - on a pantomime horse - the attempt on his life - by suffragettes - on the way to Paris (via Waterloo station) and the noble General's taking the watch from the sleeping sentry (who of course thinks he is trying to nick his rifle). At the battle, Napoleon (Fred Evans) and Wellington (Joe Evans) toss a coin for the first shot. The French, realising they have forgotten the ammunition, go off to the shops to buy some more. A troop of Boy Scouts charge Napoleon, who, after a chaotic battle, surrenders. He is taken prisoner and sent off in a boat, saying goodbye to France forever (here represented by a cardboard notice saying France on one bank of the Thames). -Bryony Dixon- BFI

Fred Evans, aka Pimple, plays Napoleon in the famous scenes from his life - including crossing the (cardboard) Alps - on a pantomime horse - the attempt on his life - by suffragettes - on the way to Paris (via Waterloo station) and the noble General's taking the watch from the sleeping sentry (who of course thinks he is trying to nick his rifle). At the battle, Napoleon (Fred Evans) and Wellington (Joe Evans) toss a coin for the first shot. The French, realising they have forgotten the ammunition, go off to the shops to buy some more. A troop of Boy Scouts charge Napoleon, who, after a chaotic battle, surrenders. He is taken prisoner and sent off in a boat, saying goodbye to France forever (here represented by a cardboard notice saying France on one bank of the Thames). -Bryony Dixon- BFI

'Pimple pursues windblown feather boa in mistake for snake.' (British Film Catalogue)

Charley has a watch stolen by a pickpocket.

Charley Smiler decides to join the Boy Scouts.