785 Motion picture broadcasting and recorded sound division, Motion pictures Images: LOC's Public Domain Archive Public Domain Search

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Motorized gramophone motion picture

Mounted on card. Originally housed in Joseph Sanders Collection Box 5. Emile Berliner 1851 – 1929 was a German-born American inventor and businessman. He is best known for his development of the flat disc reco... More

Sandow / - vaudeville film motion picture

10777 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright (under title Souvenir strip of the Edison Kinetoscope): W.K.L. Dickson; 18May1894; 10777. Performer: Eugen Sandow. Camera, William Heise. Duration: 0:40 at 16 fps. Accordin... More

May Irwin kiss / motion picture

From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: An osculatory performance by May Irwin and John Rice. The most popular subject ever shown. From Edison films catalog: By May Irwin and John Rice. They get ready to kiss, begin t... More

Interrupted lovers / motion picture

From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: Another instance where "the course of true love never runs smooth." From Edison films catalog: The watchful father disturbs a dream of bliss, and the bucolic lover is taught a l... More

Procession of floats / motion picture

"Taken at San Francisco, Cal., at the Golden Jubilee. In the foreground are seen crowds of people, all being very close to the camera. The first float is drawn by four white horses and is at least twenty feet l... More

The magician / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"The scene opens on a theatrical stage. The magician enters from the wings, and making a bow to the audience, removes his coat and hat, and they disappear mysteriously into the air. He then takes a white handke... More

Esquimaux village / motion picture

"The first of three camera positions shows a low building resembling an igloo beside a small pool, and an ice floe. Dark-complexioned people dressed as Eskimos run up and down alongside the pool, and a dog pull... More

The unappreciated joke / motion picture

"Scene, interior of a street-car. A stout man enters and sits down alongside of a friend and proceeds to read a comic paper. He shows a joke in the paper to his friend, and they both laugh heartily. The friend ... More

Logging in Maine / motion picture

The subject is the movement of cut timber from the forest to the mill. The few scenes that make up the film are loggers performing the various operations necessary to prevent logs from jamming together. The men... More

The sculptor's nightmare / motion picture

At a political club, the members debate whose bust will replace that of Theodore Roosevelt. Unable to agree, each goes to a sculptor's studio and bribes him to sculpt a bust of the individual favorite. Instead,... More

Patents booklet motion picture, Emile Berliner radio broadcasting coll...

"H'oenshein" ? handwritten on front cover. Pencil notations p.1, p. 5 , p. 15. Informally-bound booklet of various gramophone patents, diagrams, and specifications, including Emile Berliner's patents: 372,786; ... More

The good sport / motion picture

A domestic comedy about a wealthy young woman whose poor inventor husband becomes rich when he perfects the first elevator that ever stopped even without a floor. LP12317 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas... More

A morning alarm / motion picture

From Maguire & Baucus catalogues: This shows the Fire Department leaving headquarters for an early morning fire. The scene is remarkable for its natural effect. The opening of the engine house doors, the pranci... More

The Astor tramp / motion picture

"A side-splitting subject, showing the mistaken tramp's arrival at the Wm. Waldorf Astor mansion and being discovered comfortably asleep in bed by the lady of the house. Length 100 feet, complete with words of ... More

Uncle Josh's nightmare / motion picture

"On a set of a man's bedroom, a woman can be seen helping a middle-aged man to retire. As soon as he falls asleep, an apparition appears at the edge of the room. The man begins to grapple with the vision and fe... More

Congress of nations / motion picture

"A new and sensational film, which deals in a highly up-to-date manner with the international situation. A magician steps upon the stage carrying a hoop covered with white paper. Then in quick succession the fl... More

Babies rolling eggs / motion picture

"Some small children in winter clothing face the camera in a semicircle. They throw what appear to be eggs down the incline toward the camera position. From left and right of the camera, a great number of young... More

W.S.S. Thriftettes / motion picture

A promotion for war savings stamps, reputed here to help confine Germany's Kaiser to a circus cage. Copyright: no reg. Duration: 0:33 at 18 fps. Summary from Origin of American animation 1900-1921 notes. On ree... More

Jam Session motion picture - movie film screenshot

Summary: Duke Ellington Orchestra performs "C Jam Blues." Ray Nance (violin); Rex Stewart (trumpet); Ben Webster (tenor saxophone); Joe Nanton (trombone); Barney Bigard (clarinet); Sonny Greer (drums).

The Dewey Story motion picture - movie film screenshot

Summary: "The story of the career of Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Includes scenes taken from his private and political life and concludes with his nomination for president in 1948"--Summary from title card. Made f... More

E. Berliner's gramophone motion picture

Advertisement of Berliner's gramophone contains girl sitting while playing gramophone. Verso contains handwritten list of band music and recitations, July 29, 1895.

Patents booklet motion picture, Emile Berliner radio broadcasting coll...

European rest cure / motion picture

"On the gangplank of one of the large ocean liners leaving New York is shown an old gentleman kissing his wife and daughter good-bye before leaving on a tour abroad for a much needed rest from business cares an... More

Glenroy Bros. motion picture - Drawing. Public domain image.

From Raff & Gammon price list: Farcical pugilists in costume. 15.00. Copyright: no reg. Performers: Glenroy Brothers. Camera, William Heise. Duration: 0:18 at 30 fps. MAVIS 180327. Filmed October 6, 1894, in Ed... More

Passaic Falls / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: A beautiful picture of the falls of the Passaic River, near Paterson, N.J. Copyright: no reg. Camera, William Heise. Duration: 0:19 at 30 fps. MAVIS 183875. Filmed ca. July 1896... More

Pillow fight / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"A comic subject, clear, bright and characteristic. Shows four girls in their night dresses, engaged in an animated pillow fight. During the action the pillows become torn, and the feathers fly over their heads... More

Champs Elysees / motion picture

"Near the main entrance. Hundreds of carriages and characteristic Parisian buses are passing. 75 feet"--Edison films catalog. D16384 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 9Aug1900; D16384. Duration... More

The kiss / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress collectio...

From Edison films catalog: Nothing new, but an old thing done over again and done well. Some one has attempted to describe a kiss as "something made of nothing," but this is not one of that kind, but one of tho... More

Esquimaux leap-frog / motion picture

"The film, photographed from a single camera position, shows buildings resembling igloos on ice floes, in front of which persons clothed as Eskimos play a game of leapfrog"--Early motion pictures. This shows se... More

The Italian motion picture - movie film screenshot

Beppo, an Italian gondolier, is in love with Annette, who has another suitor, wealthy but much older. Her father gives Beppo a year to prove himself, so he emigrates to New York City, opens a shoeshine stand, a... More

Patents booklet motion picture, Emile Berliner radio broadcasting coll...

A morning bath / motion picture

An African American mother is shown giving her struggling child a bath. She thrusts him, kicking and struggling, into a tub of foaming suds. 60142 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 31Oct1896; 6... More

Admiral cigarette / motion picture

In front of a large backdrop with the words "Admiral Cigarette" are four people in costume: Uncle Sam, a clergyman, an Indian, and a businessman. To their left is a very large Admiral Cigarette box, that breaks... More

Giant coal dumper / motion picture

"Erie Railroad Series: The following subjects present novel and interesting views along the line of the Erie, such as do not always come within the observation of the general tourist. We are indebted to the cou... More

Launching, no. 2 / motion picture

"The camera was changed after the former subject had been photographed [i.e., Launch of Japanese man-of-war "Chitosa"] and the ship [Chitose] is seen nearly head-on, bow first, still floating backward into the ... More

Union Iron Works / motion picture

"Here was built the peerless battleship "Oregon." The scene is taken at lunch hour, and shows a great throng of employees leaving the shop. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 94, March 1900, p. 21. "Southern P... More

Tenderloin at night / motion picture

A man walks into a bar in the Tenderloin, where he is greeted enthusiastically by the patrons. The bartender brings a round of drinks for everyone. While one of the women distracts the newcomer, one of the men ... More

An historic feat / motion picture

"Gen. Franklin Bell's famous mule pack train swimming the Agno River in Northern Luzon. This is one of the most notable incidents of the Philippine War. The picture has made a decided sensation wherever it has ... More

Boys diving, Honolulu / motion picture

A large group of small boys stand on a pier, sillhouetted against the sky. In the distance, six large clipper ships can be seen at anchor. The boys jump and dive into the water, apparently to retrieve coins tha... More

Uncle Josh at the moving picture show /

"Here we present a side-splitter. Uncle Josh occupies a box at a vaudeville theatre, and a moving picture show is going on. First there appears upon the screen a dancer. Uncle Josh jumps to the stage and endeav... More

Mental Hospital motion picture - movie film screenshot

Summary: Documents the case of a mental patient who is treated for schizophrenia (paranoid type) at the Oklahoma State Hospital. Summarizes the treatment of a patient from admission to the hospital to the time ... More

The Hitch-Hiker motion picture - movie film screenshot

Summary: While vacationing in Mexico, two men offer a ride to a hitchhiker who, after revealing himself as a homicidal maniac, forces the men to help him elude the police. Credits: Cast: Edmond O'Brien, Frank L... More

Patents booklet motion picture, Emile Berliner radio broadcasting coll...

Gramophone litigation motion picture

Hardcover. Title taken from spine. Contains compiled material on Victor Talking Machine Co. and U.S. Gramophone Co. vs. American Graphophone Co.; American Graphophone Co. v. National Gramophone Co. and Frank Se... More

European rest cure / motion picture

Freight train / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

"The long train is just coming out of the tunnel. An engine and a header, nineteen freight cars, a caboose and a pusher engine creep slowly round the curve and up the steep grade. Fine smoke effects. Magnificen... More

Microphonic contacts motion picture

Emile Berliner 1851 – 1929 was a German-born American inventor and businessman. He is best known for his development of the flat disc record and the Gramophone. Berliner worked in the telegraph industry experim... More

H2O motion picture - movie film screenshot

Sound Note: This moving image content is silent, and was created without sound or a soundtrack. Summary: Ralph Steiner's experimental film on the abstract qualities of water.

Adventure in Telezonia motion picture

Summary: "In trying to find his lost dog, Bobby uses the telephone incorrectly. Handy, a marionette, offers to help and brings Bobby to the fanciful land of Telezonia where the marionette inhabitants try to fin... More

[Claremont Theatre, N.Y.] / motion picture

Shows the entrance to the Claremont Theatre in New York City at 135th St. and Broadway where Edison is showing Gertrude McCoy and Bigelow Cooper in On the stroke of twelve. Large numbers of men, women and child... More

Patents booklet motion picture, Emile Berliner radio broadcasting coll...

[Men boxing] / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

Experimental film made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film. Camera, W.K.L. Dickson and William Heise. Duration: about 0:20 (looped ... More

Berliner family motion picture - Public domain historic place photogra...

Originally housed in Joseph Sanders Collection Box 5. Mounted on card. Smaller print of item 120010303.

Fisherman's Wharf / motion picture

"Shows the wharf at San Francisco, Cal., with a large fleet of fishing boats at anchor. The crews are engaged in mending nets, arranging lines, etc., all of which lend action to the view. The figures are clear ... More

Capsize of lifeboat / motion picture

"Daily practise [sic] of life boat crew, showing boat being upset purposely by the men. As these boats are self-righting and self-bailing, the scene is particularly interesting. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. ... More

Cuban ambush / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"From the upper windows of a ruined mill the Cubans fire at a scouting party of Spaniards, who return the volley. Fine smoke effects. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. 46695 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thoma... More

An artist's dream / motion picture

"The scene opens in the interior of an artist's studio. Mephisto appears mysteriously and signals the pictures to come to life. They step down from the frames and walk forward, admiring their costumes. Mephisto... More

Champs de Mars / motion picture - Exposition Universelle International...

"Shows all the prominent buildings on this thoroughfare, ending with a close view of the base of the Eiffel Tower, with the Trocadero Palace in the background. 135 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 105. D16382 U... More

Delivering newspapers / motion picture

The film shows a group of about fifty pre-adolescent boys running and crowding around a one-horse paneled newspaper van that pulls up in the foreground of the picture. On the side of the van is a sign reading "... More

Street car chivalry / motion picture

"Scene shows interior of crowded street-car. A young lady enters and every man in the car offers her his seat. Presently an elderly stout lady with arm full of bundles enters. All male passengers immediately bu... More

Policy and pie / motion picture

The Captain gets a life insurance policy and gives it to his wife. In gratitude she makes him a pie. The Katzenjammer Kids play a trick on the Captain and sneak toads into his pie so that he would think his wif... More

Stewart-Warner Refrigerator Sales Film

Summary: Greater advertising and promotional plans for Stewart-Warner's 1928 refrigerators.

Fears of Children motion picture

Public domain photograph of movie actress, film scene, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Scrap book motion picture - Public domain document scan of drawing

Scrapbook was probably compiled by Emile Berliner. Only excerpts have been digitized. Pages are empty except for 3. Article on cloud telegraphy is loose. Scrapbook is empty except for 3 pages relating to the Un... More

Scrap book motion picture - Public domain document scan of drawing

Edison kinetoscopic record of a sneeze, January 7, 1894 /

"Considered to be the first motion picture given legal status by copyright acceptance. The forty-five frames it contains were sent in for copyright as a still picture. The action consists of a man, Fred Ott, sn... More

Sandow motion picture - movie film screenshot

Strong-man Eugene (Eugen) Sandow poses in a long shot on a bare stage against a black background, wearing only tight trunks and laced sandals. He begins with his arms folded against his chest, looking off scree... More

Karina motion picture - movie film screenshot

On a bare stage with a black background stands a woman with short, curly hair, wearing a dark dress with a sleeveless top, low-cut bodice, mid-calf length skirt, and layers of petticoats. Smiling at the camera,... More

The dandy Fifth / motion picture

"Taken during the land parade in honor of Admiral Dewey, just before the turn into 72nd Street, with Grant's tomb and decorated residences in the background. This entire series of pictures [of the Dewey land pa... More

Brook trout fishing / motion picture

The camera shows a small waterfall and a stream. Across the stream on the bank is a man with a fishing pole in one hand and a retrieving net in the other. During the course of the film, he makes the normal move... More

Ameta - vaudeville film motion picture

Two large squares of white fabric completely cover a woman standing on a stage with a paneled wall as a backdrop. The fabric is supported in front and back of her by some sort of flexible poles along the top ed... More

Kaiser Wilhelm / motion picture

Various scenes of Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, in different locations: clear view of the Kaiser walking towards camera, with German officers on his left, and a postal delivery service building in immediate b... More

Booked for Safekeeping motion picture

Scrap book motion picture - Public domain document scan of drawing

Feeding the doves / motion picture

From Maguire & Baucus catalogues: A farm yard picture, showing a young girl and her baby sister scattering grain to the doves and chickens. The fluttering birds and excited fowls give an abundance of action to ... More

Cuban volunteers embarking / motion picture

Men carrying rifles and bedrolls boarding ship via gangway. 38246 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 22June1898; 38246. Original main title lacking. Date is copyright and production date; unable... More

Fougère motion picture - movie film screenshot

Opens on a stage with a painted backdrop of what appears to be clouds or rolling waves. From the left of the frame enters Eugenie Fougère, shot in profile but with her face turned toward the camera. She wears ... More

Love and war / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"An illustrated song telling the story of a hero who leaves for the war as a private, is promoted to the rank of captain for bravery in service, meets the girl of his choice, who is a Red Cross nurse on the fie... More

Panorama of esplanade by night /

"The first objects visible in this film, which was taken at night, are the glowing light globes that outline the buildings closest to the camera position. The camera slowly pans, encompassing the complete area ... More

Move on / motion picture - movie film screenshot

Filmed in New York's Lower East Side, the scene is a street where several pushcart vendors have gathered to sell their goods. In the foreground are fruit and vegetable carts. An elevated railroad track crosses ... More

The Lonely Night motion picture

Summary: The story of Caroline Cram (Marian Seldes), who finds herself in an analyst's office awkardly and hesitantly groping for the truth about her hopelessness, fears, loneliness and anxieties. Credits: "Spo... More

Gay and Proud motion picture - movie film screenshot

Summary: Footage of one of the earliest Gay Pride demonstration marches, the first Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, held in New York City, New York, on June 28, 1970, to commemorate the first anniversa... More

First Bell Telephone motion picture

Attached caption: "10. First Bell Telephone, June 1875." Emile Berliner 1851 – 1929 was a German-born American inventor and businessman. He is best known for his development of the flat disc record and the Gra... More

Buffalo dance / coat of arms. 19th century, Library of Congress collec...

Three Sioux Indians in full regalia perform a "buffalo dance", while two others use drums to supply a rhythm. The three dancers move around in a circle as they perform the various actions that are part of the d... More

Amy Muller / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress collect...

From Maguire & Baucus catalogue: A beautiful fantastic toe dance. A good subject colored. Copyright: no reg. Performer: Amy Muller. Camera, William Heise. Duration: 0:18 at 30 fps. MAVIS 180344; Amy Muller. Fil... More

Fisherman's luck / motion picture

"Two German anglers are fishing, with odd results. One gets a bite, and pulls in a length of stovepipe. The other is so astonished that he falls overboard. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. 52618 U.S. Copyright O... More

The ball game / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

Photographed from one camera position behind home plate, the film shows a baseball game in progress. The Reading pitcher has just let a Newark batter walk to first. He gets up on his toes, ready to head for sec... More

Shall we prepare? / motion picture

Two sequences of TR: Sequence 1: views of TR walking onto the porch of Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, N.Y., facing the camera, and then speaking on military preparedness during WWI; Sequence 2: views of TR sitting ... More

Decision for Chemistry motion picture

Summary: "Decision for Chemistry: Monsanto film uses little boy deciding what career he wants to follow from a reading of the contents of freight trains--much good b&w train and engineer footage--segues to cons... More

Patents booklet motion picture, Emile Berliner radio broadcasting coll...

[Dickson greeting] / motion picture

Experimental film made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film. Appearing: W.K.L. Dickson. Camera, William Heise. Duration: about 0:20 ... More

Maniac chase / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

From Edison films catalog: The picture opens with the interior of a cell in an insane asylum. The inmate, who imagines himself to be Napoleon the Great, is seated at a table dressed in the costume of that world... More

Seminary girls / motion picture

"A number of young ladies, in their night robes, are having a frolic, and are interrupted by a teacher. One girl makes herself very conspicuous by crawling under a bed. 50 foot strip"--Edison films catalog. 248... More

The mystic swing / motion picture

From Edison films catalog: The professor shows his power to Mephisto by mysteriously placing a young lady in a swing. Mephisto then shows his power by making the young lady disappear from the swing, to the surp... More

A dull razor / motion picture - Public domain portrait drawing

From Edison films catalog: This picture shows an old gentleman seated at his shaving table. The razor is evidently giving him a great deal of trouble, as he catches hold of the brush and with a great show of im... More

Annie Oakley / motion picture - movie film screenshot

Annie Oakley, the "Little Sure Shot" of the "Wild West," in an exhibition of rifle shooting. Copyright: no reg. Performer: Annie Oakley. Camera, William Heise. Duration: 0:21 at 30 fps. Summary from sources in ... More

A perilous proceeding / motion picture

The film follows a group of approximately ten men who are suspended on the cable of a large crane atop a building under construction. As the men are lifted over the site and gradually lowered, they wave to the ... More

Arnold Genthe - Scene in Chinatown / motion picture

This film was shot in an alley of San Francisco's Chinatown on Saturday, September 15, 1900, at midday. The topography of the site (sloping down to the far street), the width of the alley, the location of utili... More

[The centaurs--excerpts] / motion picture

A half human-half horse boy and girl meet and fall in love. They have a baby and go home to their parents for a happy reunion. Copyright: no reg. Additional animators, John McCay, John Fitzsimmons. Main and end... More

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motion pictures

emile berliner and the birth of the recording industry

emile berliner collection 1871 1965

emile berliner

emile berliner collection 1871 1965 series 4 books 1879 1928

american bell telephone company

library of congress

motion picture broadcasting and recorded sound division, motion pictures