Research Catalog

Title

[Historical films: Variety dancing, series 1] [motion picture]

Publication

1897-1903.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Ameta
• Méliès, Georges, 1861-1938.
• Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931.
• American Mutoscope and Biograph Company.
• Library of Congress. Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division.

Description

1 reel. 14 min. 319 ft. : si. b&w.; 16 mm.

Genre/Form

Dance rehearsals.

Note

• Eight short films from the Historical Films Paper Print Collection in the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division of the Library of Congress.
• Producers: Thomas A. Edison (Bowery waltz and Charity ball); Georges Méliès (Ballet master's dream); and American Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Contents

• CONTENTS: Animated picture studio. (1903) Summary: A dancer is filmed in a photographic studio and then sees the filmed image of her dance. -- Ameta. (1903) Summary: As the film begins Ameta's head is seen through an opening formed by two poles which she is holding on which gossamer material has been stretched. She moves the poles about her so that the material forms a circle and then becomes a gyrating, swirling spectacle through which she periodically becomes visible. -- The ballet master's dream. (1903) Producer: Georges Méliès. Summary: A ballet master who lacks new ideas has a dream in which two girls perform several dance combinations. -- The ballet rehearsal. (1903) Summary: A rehearsal on a stage with undecorated backs of flats. A ballet master enters accompanied by four women in practice clothes of the period. He attempts to teach them to dance some steps in unison. One of the dancers, who is especially large and ungainly, cannot follow the pattern. The film ends as though the ballet master has given up in despair. -- Betsy Ross dance. (1903) Summary: A young girl in a short, white dress dances vigorously in pointe shoes. -- Bowery waltz. (1897) Producer: Thomas A. Edison. Summary: A young couple performs a burlesque of the waltz. -- The boys think they have one on foxy Grandpa, but he fools them. (1902) Summary: An old man plays the banjo for two boys who dance and challenge the man to equal their skill. The
• old man, playing his own banjo accompaniment, executes several intricate steps. -- Charity ball. (1897) Producer: Thomas A. Edison. Summary: A man in dinner clothes and his partner, a young lady in a long white dress and white shoes, execute various dance steps designed as exhibition dancing.

Call Number

*MGZHB 4-2466

OCLC

NYPY926033197-F

Title

[Historical films: Variety dancing, series 1] [motion picture]

Imprint

1897-1903.

Local Subject

Variety dancing -- United States.

Costume.

Local Subject

Social dancing -- Caricatures and cartoons.

Exhibition ballroom dancing -- 1875-1899.

Balls (Parties)

Motion pictures. Animated picture studio.

Motion pictures. Ameta.

Ballet in motion pictures. The ballet master's dream.

Motion pictures. The ballet rehearsal.

Motion pictures. Betsy Ross dance.

Motion pictures. Bowery waltz.

Motion pictures. The boys think they have one on foxy Grandpa, but he fools them.

Motion pictures. Charity ball [1897]

Added Author

Ameta, dancer.

Méliès, Georges, 1861-1938. Producer

Edison, Thomas A. (Thomas Alva), 1847-1931. Producer

American Mutoscope and Biograph Company.

Library of Congress. Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division.

Research Call Number

*MGZHB 4-2466