motion picture broadcasting and recorded sound division

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

Imperial Japanese dance / - vaudeville film

"A charming representation of The Mikado dance by three beautiful Japanese ladies in full costume. Very effective when colored. 45 feet"--Edison films catalog. Copyright: no reg. Performers: Sarashe Sisters. Ca... 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

Princess Ali / - vaudeville film

Princess Ali, of Barnum and Bailey's Circus, is filmed performing an Egyptian dance. As she dances, some musicians perform in the background to provide accompaniment. Copyright: no reg. Performer: Princess Ali.... More

[Dickson experimental sound film] /

Experimental sound film made for Edison's kinetophone -- a combination of the kinetoscope and phonograph -- but apparently never distributed. This LC copy is silent. Features two men dancing to a violinist. Sho... 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

Cupid and Psyche / - vaudeville film

"An original dance by the Leander Sisters, performed at the Sutro Baths, San Francisco, Cal. One is dressed as Cupid, with the accompanying wings, bow and arrow; the other represents Psyche. The dance is full o... More

Duel scene, "By right of sword"

Opens on a stage with a painted backdrop of a lake surrounded by forest. A bearded man wrapped in a dark cloak and wearing a dark fur shako--apparently the novel's character of Major Devinsky--stands stage left... 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

Corner Madison and State Streets, Chicago /

"The busiest corner in Chicago. Cable cars and street traffic of all descriptions. Hundreds of shoppers. Fine perspective view looking north toward the Masonic Temple. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. "Erie Rail... More

Arnold Genthe - Arrest in Chinatown, San Francisco, Cal. /

This film shows the arrest and conveyance of a Chinese man in Chinatown, watched by a crowd of onlookers. The precise date of this film and the arrest charge are uncertain. It is possible that the arrest was co... 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

Ella Lola, a la Trilby - movie film screenshot

A young, dark-haired woman performs a dance inspired by George du Maurier's character Trilby, in an early modern dance style reminiscent of Isadora Duncan. She dances barefoot without stockings and is dressed i... More

Transport "Whitney" leaving dock /

"This boat was the first one to leave for the South with troops. On board is a battalion of the 5th U.S. Infantry. She is a sidewheeler, and the churn of her wide paddles makes the white foam seethe and boil as... More

Burial of the "Maine" victims /

"Taken at Key West, Fla., March 27, 1898. First comes a detachment of sailors and marines in the left foreground, while at the right is seen a crowd of small colored boys, which precedes any public procession i... More

U.S. cavalry supplies unloading at Tampa, Florida /

"Here is a freight train of thirty cars loaded with baggage and ambulance supplies for the 9th U.S. Cavalry. In the foreground a score of troopers are pulling, lifting and hauling an ambulance from a flat car. ... More

104th Street curve, New York, elevated railway /

"Taken from the front platform of a special train run backward over the celebrated S curve. Not only are the passing trains and crowded platforms of great interest, but the view of up-town New York is an excell... More

2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry--parade /

"This picture shows the Canadian troops departing from Quebec for the war in the Transvaal. The scene opens with the soldiers clad in campaign uniform, marching under the triumphal arch, cheered by thousands of... More

New Brooklyn to New York via Brooklyn Bridge, no. 2 /

"This is a new negative showing the entire trip from Brooklyn to New York, in which the immense towers stand out clear and distinct against the sky. The best picture of the Brooklyn Bridge yet secured. 150 feet... More

Panorama of Galveston power house /

From Edison films catalog: This building and machinery supplied the electric power and electric light for the entire city of Galveston, including the car system. The building, which is of solid masonry, is a co... More

Laura Comstock's bag-punching dog

Opens with the head and shoulders of a woman in full dress and hat and the front paws and head of a boxer visible behind a sign that reads "Miss Laura Comstock's Bag Punching Dog." Cuts to the dog sitting on hi... More

Circular panorama of Electric Tower /

"A most interesting picture at the Pan-American Exposition structure was taken from the north side of the Electric Tower. It presented the most perfect and diversified views of the Transportation Building, Mexi... More

Terrible Teddy, the grizzly king /

"A burlesque on Theodore Roosevelt hunting mountain lions in Colorado and taken from the New York Journal and Advertiser. The scene opens in a very picturesque wood. Teddy with his large teeth is seen running d... More

Fireboat "New Yorker" answering an alarm /

"Firemen board the fireboat New Yorker docked at the Battery, New York City; pull anchor; shove off; and proceed out into the harbor"--George Kleine Collection...catalog. H32036 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright:... More

Emigrants [i.e. immigrants] landing at Ellis Island /

"Shows a large open barge loaded with people of every nationality, who have just arrived from Europe, disembarking at Ellis Island, N.Y. A most interesting and typical scene. Length 140 feet"-Edison films catal... More

Princeton and Yale football game /

"First is shown a fine panoramic view of the grandstand at the Yale field, showing the enormous gathering of football enthusiasts who have come from far and near to witness the giants struggle for the collegiat... More

Sky scrapers of New York City, from the North River /

Filmed from a moving boat, the film depicts the Hudson River (i.e., North River) shoreline and the piers of lower Manhattan beginning around Fulton Street and extending to Castle Garden and Battery Park. It beg... More

White Wings on review / - movie film screenshot

"A fine picture of the celebrated "White Wings" or street- cleaning department of one district of Greater New York, showing over 350 men in line, and over 100 carts that are used to carry the refuse away to the... More

Annual baby parade, 1904, Asbury Park, N.J. /

Shows the Baby Parade at Asbury Park, N.J., in 1904. Includes scenes of boys (dressed as soldiers and sailors) and girls (dressed in oriental costume) marching in groups, mothers pushing decorated perambulators... More

Buster makes room for his mama at the bargain counter /

"Shows a bargain counter in a department store and a large gathering of women examining goods. It is a special sale, and a great deal of interest is shown by the ladies, who jostle and crowd each other to secur... More

A trip to Berkeley, Cal. / - Public domain portrait print

Shot from a moving streetcar, this film shows portions of north Berkeley and the adjacent University of California campus, circa 1906. The Oakland and Berkeley Rapid Transit Company began operating in 1891 and ... More

Arrival of emigrants [i.e. immigrants], Ellis Island /

Depicts scenes at the Immigration Depot and a nearby dock on Ellis Island. Appears to show, first, a group of immigrants lined up to board a vessel leaving the island, then another group arriving at the island ... 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

TR's reception in Albuquerque, N.M., 1916 /

TR is cordially received on October 23, 1916 in Albuquerque, N.M. where he speaks on behalf of the Republican presidential candidate, Charles Evans Hughes, and attacks President Wilson's Mexican policies. There... More

TR on Fifth Avenue, New York, near St. Patrick's Cathedral after atten...

As an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of former New York City Mayor John P. Mitchel on July 11, 1918, TR appears with other funeral participants on Fifth Avenue. Surrounded by men in formal dress, TR speaks ... More

TR's sons' regiments during war, 1917-1918 [1] /

Soldiers walk in formation on a road accompanied by several mounted men. Because of the soldiers' heavy clothing, it must be winter. This group may be the 26th Infantry, Theodore and Archibald Roosevelt's regim... More

[Theater commercial--Onward flour] /

Film advertisement for Onward Flour, "the finest bread maker in the world." Features a multiple-exposure screen illustrating a bag of Onward flour, a woman making bread, a closeup of a finished loaf of bread, a... More

Roosevelt, friend of the birds [1] /

A narrative of TR's role in bird preservation which includes factual footage taken on his visit under the auspices of the National Audubon Society to bird sanctuary islands off the coast of Louisiana, June 1915... More

Berliner, not Edison, is inventor of microphone, book declares

Copy 1. Reprinted with permission from Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive Company, The Washington Post and washingtonpost.com. Copyright 2002, Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive, The Washington Post and wash... More

Emile Berliner, three-quarter length portrait, facing right, looking d...

Originally housed in Illustrations folder. Public domain photograph - Portrait, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Louise Berliner, full-length portrait, standing on deck of ship

Verso: "Louise - then - Frank about 1927" 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. Berlin... 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

The Story of Television - movie film screenshot

Summary: Discusses research conducted by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) which led to the development of both black and white and color television. Traces the history of television broadcasting by the Na... More

Exploded gas tanks, U.S. Mint, Emporium and Spreckels Bld'g /

This film is a spectacular pan of the downtown area of San Francisco as seen from south of Market Street. The location among low ruins was ideal to view the tall ruined buildings along and north of Market Stree... 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

Muddy Jim and other rhymes : 12 illustrated health jingles for childre...

Table of contents: "Rhymes by Emile Berliner, President Tuberculosis Society of Washington, D.C., pictures by J. A. Whiteford." Also printed on title page : "Learn every rhyme and be healthy all the time." Abov... More

Ocean liners: European rest cure /

"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

[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

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

U.S. troops and Red Cross in the trenches before Caloocan /

"Our troops have driven the Filipinos out of the trenches, and, after firing one or two volleys, press on in pursuit. The enemy returns the fire and the forward rush is marked by a trail of dead and wounded. Fo... More

Burning of the Standard Oil Co's tanks, Bayonne, N.J. /

From Edison films catalog: This picture shows a street scene at Constable Hook, Bayonne, N.J. In the background rise immense volumes of dense black smoke from the burning oil, reaching high in the heavens. Outl... More

Panoramic view of Tremont Hotel, Galveston /

From Edison films catalog: This picture shows several buildings which were wrecked and also shows a rear view of this hotel, which is on the highest point of land in Galveston, and in which several thousand peo... More

Panorama of Place de L'Opera /. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

From Edison films catalog: The busiest square in all Paris. 75 feet. $11.25. D16389 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 9Aug1900; D16389. Duration: 1:14 at 16 fps. MAVIS 1627559; Panorama of Plac... 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

What demoralized the barber shop /

Shows several men in a basement barbership who become excited by women walking past the window. The ankles and knees of the passersby are visible to the men below, causing pandemonium among the barbershop custo... More

President McKinley's speech at the Pan-American Exposition /

The film begins by showing the introductory speaker at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. The speaker introduces the incumbent president of the United States, William F. McKinley. The remainder of the film... More

"Columbia" winning the Cup - movie film screenshot

"The decisive moment in the great International Yacht Races is shown in this picture. Against a background of well defined clouds, the light boat is seen marking the finishing line in this great aquatic struggl... More

Fireboat "New Yorker" in action /

A demonstration by the famous fireboat "New Yorker." The picture shows the fireboat with all its nozzles spurting water as it goes back and forth in front of the camera. Put in service on February 1, 1891 as En... 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

Elevated railroad, New York / - movie film screenshot

Taken from the front end of a locomotive following an express train at high speed around the high curves of the Ninth Avenue Elevated, from the 104th to 116th Street station. This section, with its reverse curv... More

Annual parade, New York Fire Department /

"Taken in front of the reviewing stand at Madison Square, New York City. Shows the arrival of Mayor McClellan, and other New York officials. The parade is headed by Chief Croker and battalion chiefs. The fireme... More

[TR's inaugural ceremony, 1905] /

On Mar. 4, 1905, TR is inaugurated in Washington, D.C. with much celebration and fanfare. TR rides in an open landau on Fifteenth St., NW, escorted by mounted Rough Riders; Secret Service men and detectives wal... More

Scenes in San Francisco, [no. 2] /

Panoramas filmed in the ruins of downtown San Francisco and outlying refugee camps following the 1906 earthquake and fire. A scene-by-scene description of the film: [Frame: 0102] Begins with a long, pan of down... 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

Humorous phases of funny faces /

J. Stuart Blackton "draws" a series of funny faces, including a line drawing of two faces, a man with an umbrella, a line drawing of two faces in profile, and a clown. H75272 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Th... 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

Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria greeted by his people /

Views of Francis Joseph I, Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and an entourage of military officers and civilians walking down a wide avenue; the street is lined with people greeting the Emperor. Interior title notes ... More

[End of school day at coeducational school] /

A factual film in which exuberant boys and girls, apparently high school students, walk through the arches of a school building and down the steps. Most of the boys wear caps and most of the girls wear fancy ha... More

Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse at the circus /

An animated cartoon about the adventures of Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse at the circus, where they demonstrate their courage to each other by attempting to scare a woman. MP574 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: In... More

TR at Forest Hills, New York, 1917 [2] /

At Forest Hills, July 4, 1917, TR speaks in support of vigorous American war involvement and attacks conscientious objectors in an address at the Forest Hills Gardens railroad station; he later reviews the Fore... More

TR Jr. with group of sailors and soldiers /

Medium close view of TR Jr. talking with two sailors and two soldiers. Interior title identifies TR Jr. as one of the founders of the new Legion, which was incorporated by Congress on Sept. 16, 1919 as the Amer... More

The Making of an American - movie film screenshot

Sound: This moving image content is silent, and was created without sound or a soundtrack. Summary: An Italian immigrant arrives in America unable to speak English. Following disappointments and misfortunes, he... More

Gershwins, 1936-1939--Ira Gershwin--Home Movies

Sound: This moving image content is silent, and was created without sound or a soundtrack. Summary: Collection of home movies featuring George and Ira Gershwin. All segments in color except where noted. 1. Grou... More

A Special Report on Polio - movie film screenshot

Summary: HEW Secretary Oveta Culp Hobby and Surgeon General Leonard Scheele talk about the Salk polio vaccine and assuage concerns about its safety.

LC Performance. Interview. Creating and Translating Poetry--Ben Belitt...

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

Document, 1879 Jan. 8, stating Emile Berliner's claims to telephony in...

May have been inside envelope addressed to Houghton Mifflin & Co., "re Watson's article, 1916." Drawing of invention attached. Document asserts Emile Berliner's claims to have invented improvements to telephony... More

Rube and Mandy at Coney Island /

"The first scene shows a country couple entering Steeplechase Park. They proceed to amuse themselves on the steeplechase, rope bridge, the "Down and Out" and riding the bulls. The scene then changes to a panora... More

From show girl to burlesque queen

Frame enlargements showing woman in dressing room, undressing beside a screen. Item in: From show girl to burlesque queen / American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. United States : American Mutoscope and Biogr... 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

Auditorium in the James F. Oyster School in Washington

Copy 1. Attached caption: "Auditorium in the James F. Oyster School which produced such great reverberation that women often left meetings because the confusion of sounds was so unbearable. Part of the walls we... 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.

Coptic S.S. "Coptic" sailing away /, Egypt

From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Shows the vessel after she has been fully turned and on her way across the Pacific. The boat shows large and clear with smoke coming from the stack. In the foreground is a constantl... More

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

General Lee's procession, Havana /

From Edison films catalog: A magnificent view of the Prado, from the balcony of the United States Club. The procession is headed by a troop of horsemen. Prominent among them is General Lee. Then come the soldie... More

Breaking of the crowd at military review at Longchamps /

This picture shows thousands of people leaving their seats in the grand stand and going across the parade grounds toward Paris. A very sharp and clear picture. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. D18580 U.S. Copyri... 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

The enchanted drawing / - vaudeville film

"Upon a large sheet of white paper a cartoonist is seen at work rapidly sketching the portrait of an elderly gentleman of most comical feature and expression. After completing the likeness the artist rapidly dr... More

Execution of Czolgosz, with panorama of Auburn Prison /

The film begins by showing railroad cars in the foreground with the overshadowing walls of a state prison in the background. The second camera position, from a higher elevation, pans slowly showing the yard int... More

Spanish dancers at the Pan-American Exposition /

The film was photographed from the area back of the midway of the Pan-American Exposition. The immediate background indicates the camera was in front of the living quarters of the gypsy dancing troupe. Several ... More

President McKinley inauguration, 1901 /

The first sequence (ca. 49 ft.), views of President William McKinley speaking, may be unrelated footage. Views of crowds on Pennsylvania Ave., NW, in front of the old Willard Hotel during the March 4, l90l inau... More