595 Short films Images: LOC's Public Domain Archive Public Domain Search

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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

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

Grantland Rice sportlight--Babe Ruth in training--unidentified works

The Boston Braves in training at Waterfront Park, featuring slugger Babe Ruth, gate-crasher One-Eye Connelly, and pitcher Tony Plansky. This film is believed to be from 1935 as that is the only year Babe Ruth p... 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

[The effects of new wine] / - Art nouveau public domain image

A family travels by train to the country for a picnic; they are served new wine at a riverside café and then they wander along the banks of a river. Several members of the party become ill and have to search f... More

The golden lily / - movie film screenshot

A poor, elderly violinist takes refuge in a cathedral. When he plays his violin there, the Madonna appears before him and gives him a golden lily. He tries to sell the lily to a goldsmith, but the goldsmith and... More

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

Waterfall in the Catskills /. 19th century, Library of Congress collec...

"Beautiful water effects at Haines' Falls, a most picturesque and charming mountain cataract. The wild and rugged surroundings are very impressive. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. 43413 U.S. Copyright Office Co... More

S.S. "Coptic" in the harbor /. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Shows the vessel away from the dock and slowly turning. The vessel is seen to good advantage, the four masts, smokestack and hull being faithfully reproduced. Clouds of smoke pour o... More

Hockey match on the ice /. 19th century, Library of Congress collectio...

"The skaters dart to and fro, swinging their hockeys [i.e., hockey sticks] and trying to hit the disc toward the goal. 150 feet"--Edison films catalog. 13572 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 2... More

Sunset Limited, Southern Pacific Ry. /

"Taken at Fingal, Cal., where the world-renowned "Sunset Limited" trains pass each other. One runs on a side track, and the other dashes by at a high rate of speed. Switch is then turned, and the train passes o... 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

U.S. Infantry supported by Rough Riders at El Caney /

"Up the road comes a detachment of infantry, firing, advancing, kneeling and firing, again and again. The advance of the foot soldiers is followed by a troop of Rough Riders, riding like demons, yelling and fir... 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

"Columbia" winning the Cup /. 19th century, Library of Congress collec...

"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

Why Mrs. Jones got a divorce / - Public domain portrait print

"The scene opens by showing a pretty cook mixing bread in the kitchen. Jones comes in unexpectedly from a trip and carries a dress suit case. He inquires for his wife and is told by the cook that she is absent.... More

Dick Croker leaving Tammany Hall /

"A very lifelike picture of the famous New York politician and Tammany Hall boss. This picture was taken on Sunday morning as he was leaving the 14th Street Wigwam, accompanied by a number of prominent New York... More

President McKinley's funeral cortege at Washington, D.C. /

The photographer covered the subject, the funeral cortege of President McKinley, from many different positions along the line of march. The people shown are those who preceded the hearse and those who followed ... More

Duke of York at Montreal and Quebec /

"This film shows the citation, presentation, and dedication of a bridge by the Duke of York, later King of England and grandfather of Queen Elizabeth. Many high-ranking military officials of both England and Ca... 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

Pres. Roosevelt's Fourth of July oration /

President Theodore Roosevelt eats and then speaks to a crowd who have gathered to hear him. From another camera position, the crowd bids him farewell as Roosevelt and his party enter a horse-drawn carriage and ... More

What happened in the tunnel / - movie film screenshot

"Interior of railroad coach. Pretty young lady and colored maid occupying seat. Young man in rear seat tries to attract young lady's attention. She drops her handkerchief. Young man picks it up and hands it to ... More

High school field exercises, Missouri Commission /

The cameraman placed his equipment on the side of an athletic field adjacent to a high school. During the course of the film, teen-age boys exhibit their skill at high jumping, pole vaulting, shot putting, disc... More

Japanese and Russian peace delegates--leaving New York City, 1905 /

On Aug. 5, 1905, the Japanese and Russian delegations to the Portsmouth Peace Conference left New York City to board ships which would take them first to Oyster Bay to talk with TR and then to the conference in... More

[Unidentified Staples & Charles. San Francisco after the earthquake an...

This film is made up of five panoramas, four wide and one close-up, of the ruins of downtown San Francisco shortly after the 1906 disaster, plus a panorama and scene in a nearby refugee camp. Original intertitl... 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

TR reviewing and speaking to 13th Regiment at Sagamore Hill, 1917 /

TR speaks to several unidentified people, including a man who looks like TR, on the porch at Sagamore Hill. There are two views of TR addressing soldiers assembled on the lawn of Sagamore Hill: the first segmen... More

TR calls on neighbors at Christmas, 1917 /

Opening scene of a man, woman, and two children with presents walking up to a house in Oyster Bay, N.Y.; one child enters house, comes back out, then the woman enters; two older girls stand in doorway; TR, carr... More

TR's funeral at Oyster Bay, 1919 /

Views of Christ Episcopal Church, the funeral procession, and Youngs Memorial Cemetery during the funeral of Theodore Roosevelt on January 8, 1919, in Oyster Bay, N.Y. Medium close shot of specially delegated N... More

A visit to Theodore Roosevelt at his home at Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay...

First film footage taken of Theodore Roosevelt at his home at Sagamore Hill, Oyster Bay, Long Island, summer of 1912. Views of the house and surrounding grounds. Roosevelt reviews his mail, assisted by his son ... More

The Roosevelt Dam [1] / - Public domain portrait print

Film depicts TR's commitment to the reclamation of desert land and his belief that natural resources exist for the public benefit. Included are close-up views of Frederick H. Newell, first director of the U.S. ... More

Caricature, Albert in Blunderland, public domain cartoon image

Albert, an auto mechanic is listening to a radio broadcast about a society based on the "coordinated cooperation of ants". He becomes excited about the idea, and becomes a little careless. The hood of the car, ... More

Peace envoys at Portsmouth, N.H. /

The Japanese and Russian peace envoys arrive and depart in automobiles, horse-drawn vehicles, or steam yachts, with arbitration groups from the United States. Neutral areas are designated for the conference, th... More

[Newark athlete. Fragment 1] /. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

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. Incomplete: [Newark athlete. ... More

[Scenes from Mexico and the 1900 Paris Exposition] / - Exposition Univ...

The Exposition Universelle Internationale de 1900, also known as the Paris World Fair of 1900, was a world's fair that was held in Paris, France from April 15 to November 12, 1900. The fair was held to celebrat... More

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

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

Push carts--East side - movie film screenshot

Market scenes which show push cart vendors displaying a variety of merchandise on a busy, crowded street in what appears to be a multi-ethnic tenement district. Camera is mounted on a moving vehicle and passes ... 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

Bathing at Atlantic City / - movie film screenshot

"A panoramic view taken from Young's Pier, showing the boardwalk, the auditorium pier, new steel pier, beach and bathing. Without an exception the only film on the market showing at least 50,000 people. This gr... More

Excavating for a New York foundation /

The scene is an excavation pit at an unidentified New York City construction site. A crew of six men can be seen shoveling dirt into a four-wheeled wooden cart. Then a full cart is slowly lifted out of the pit ... More

Panorama, Union Square, San Francisco / during American Civil War

This film shows the crowd gathered in San Francisco for the dedication of the Dewey Monument in Union Square, on Thursday, May 14, 1903, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. The Monument, which is still in place, commem... 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

President reviewing school children /

From the side of a broad avenue, a crowd of people await the arrival of President Theodore Roosevelt. The marching military that precedes his carriage can be seen at a distance of a quarter of a mile away. Four... 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

The faded lilies - movie film screenshot

"Francois, a hunchback violinist, performs at a society party and is given a bouquet of lilies by a young woman in appreciation. He takes the gift a sign of love, and when he realizes his mistake, he loses his ... More

Beverly of Graustark - movie film screenshot

Beverly Calhoun is invited by her friend, Princess Yestive of Graustark, to pay her a visit. On her journey, she is waylaid by bandits, and becomes entangled in the political problems of a neighboring country, ... More

Sarah Bernhardt addresses crowd in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, 1917 /

On July 4, 1917, French actress Sarah Bernhardt speaks in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N.Y., on behalf of French-American cooperation in the war effort. Addressing more than 50,000 people gathered around a decorate... 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

AWOL, all wrong old Laddiebuck /

From J. McIntire, Silent animated films at the Library of Congress: Concerns American soldiers in Europe after the armstice [sic]. One goes AWOL with "Joy" (Miss AWOL) and after a series of mishaps with her, he... More

Buffalo Fire Department in action /

"Another of those stirring fire scenes which have proved so popular. There are ten pieces of apparatus in the picture. Every piece fully manned is under full headway, and is shown almost head-on to the beholder... 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

Panoramic view of the Place de l'Concord [sic] / - Exposition Universe...

From Edison films catalog: Taken from an automobile. This picture was taken during the fashionable driving hour, making a complete circle of the Place de la Concorde, passing hundreds of carriages and busses. T... More

Bird's-eye view of dock front, Galveston /

"Showing dismantled cars, wrecked warehouses, schooners and tugs that had been stranded on the docks; also the tents that had been rigged up for the poor people who had been left entirely homeless. 75 feet"--Ed... More

Chimmie Hicks at the races - movie film screenshot

On a bare stage backed by a dark curtain, a man dressed in a three-piece suit and overcoat holds a racing program and excitedly watches a race supposedly taking place offstage. With enthusiastic jumping and oth... 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

The gay shoe clerk / - movie film screenshot

"Scene shows interior of shoe-store. Young lady and chaperone enter. While a fresh young clerk is trying a pair of high-heeled slippers on the young lady, the chaperone seats herself and gets interested in a pa... 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

New York City dumping wharf / - movie film screenshot

The film shows a wharf where a barge is being loaded with trash from two-wheeled, horse-drawn wagons. The trash is dumped off the edge of the pier onto the barge, where men with shovels are spreading the piles ... More

Parade of floats, St. Louis Exposition /

One of the parades of floating craft held in the waterways of the St. Louis Exposition is shown in this film. The cameraman placed equipment on shore at a distance to include each of the competing craft. Photog... More

Coil winding section E, Westinghouse works /

Rows of women are shown at tables with winding machines. They wind using material from spools behind them, apparently putting the finished products on the table in front of them. Various supervisory staff, male... More

Empire State Express, the second, taking water on the fly

"The second Empire State Express, behind a 4-4-2 Atlantic locomotive, demonstrates how to take water on the fly by scooping it out of a pan set between the railroad tracks"--George Kleine Collection...catalog, ... More

Afraid of microbes / - movie film screenshot

A man who fears the influenza microbe buys an antiseptic spray from a pharmacist. On his way home, he insists on spraying everyone he encounters, including the police. A growing group of outraged people chases ... More

The Cardinal's conspiracy - movie film screenshot

"A princess will have nothing to do with a neighboring prince her father, the king, has chosen for her. The Cardinal suggests that the prince disguise himself as a guard, and arranges for him to save the prince... More

The phable of a busted romance /

An animated cartoon about a workman who recovers and returns Miss Gotrox's lost purse containing 10,000 dollars, and receives a Canadian dime as a reward. MP507 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: International Fi... More

TR speaking to a group of men from the porch at Sagamore Hill /

On May 27, 1916, groups of men, the 7th Regiment Band, and several children march on the road from the Oyster Bay railroad station to Sagamore Hill to demonstrate their support of TR for the 1916 Presidential n... More

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