Performing Animals; or, Skipping Dogs

Time Stood Still

April 1956 •English

Time Stood Still is a 1956 Warner Brothers Scope Gem travelogue, filmed the previous year in Dinkelsbühl, and presented in the wide-screen format of CinemaScope, directed by André de la Varre. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film at the 29th Academy Awards.

Of Pups and Puzzles

September 1941 •English

This short film shows how the war department utilizes a Ph.D., a chimp, and three dogs to help design aptitude tests for men applying for work.

Cavalcade of Dance

October 1943 •English

Ballroom dancers Veloz and Yolanda perform the various dance fads of the first half of the twentieth century.

Greenland, 1914

December 1914 •English

Danish documentary following different locations and situations in Greenland anno 1914. It comes around settlements, hunters, steamboats, umiaks, a kayak race, and a football match. Photographed by W. Thalbitzer.

Greenland, 1932

December 1932 •English

Danish documentary filmed in Greenland. Shows a lot of Greenlanders, skiing, hunting for birds, seals and whales, and ice fishing. Filmed by Dr. Leif Folke.

Fishing in Greenland

December 1932 •English

Danish documentary that follows fishermen in Greenland, from the time when fishing got industrialized. The filmcrew also captures ships fighting the thick ice, meet some locals and some hunters. Also, look out for a 'cameo' by the legendary Danish polar explorer Knud Rasmussen, who played a big part in exploring Greenland. He died short after in 1933 from food poisoning. Produced by H.B. Film.

One Got Fat

December 1963 •English

This bicycle-safety film shows children what can happen when bicycles are driven carelessly and recklessly.

The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam

January 2003 •English

Long Tack Sam was an internationally renowned Chinese acrobat and magician. He overcame isolation, poverty, cultural and linguistic barriers, extreme racism and world wars to become one of the most successful vaudeville acts of his time. His showmanship was unrivalled, yet he refused to appear in movies because of the way Chinese were portrayed at the time. A celebration of the spirit of Long Tack Sam's magic and art, this richly textured first person road movie is an exhilarating testament to his legacy and a prismatic tour through the 20th Century. It all begins in a small village in China... https://www.nfb.ca/film/the_magical_life_of_long_tack_sam/

The Apple-Knockers and the Coke

January 1948 •English

Much of Hunter's fame was built upon her resemblance to Marilyn Monroe; indeed, her Playboy pose was obviously inspired by Monroe's notorious 1949 nude photo session with Tom Kelley from which her own Playboy photo came. The similarity in look between Hunter and Monroe also came into play when a nude Hunter starred in a film short called Apple Knockers and Coke. For many years there have been those who have seen the film and have mistaken Hunter for Monroe.

Recife no Centenário da Confederação do Equador

October 1924 •Portuguese

Images of Ostend

April 1929 •French

Structured in visual chapters: the port, anchors, the wind, the spray, the dunes, the North Sea… A series of images that need no anecdote or explanation. Storck offers a glimpse of Ostend, aspects that order its multiple constitutive elements; The water, the sand, the waves, vital cinematic language displayed in simple pictures. A poetic and kinetic shock, without fiction or sound, which relieves film from its narrative obligation and restores it to the world of sensations that it can alone carry.

Entrée d'une noce à l'église

January 1897 •French

A marriage procession following the bride and her father enter a church.

Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, Cal.

October 1897 •English

From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: The background of this picture is the Lick Observatory, Mount Hamilton, Cal. This observatory, the gift of James Lick, of Pennsylvania, was constructed at a cost of $700,000, being equipped with one of the most powerful telescopes that has ever been produced, and is famous the world over. The view of the Observatory is very complete, showing the style of architecture, including the glass covered dome in which are placed the various astronomical instruments. Every Saturday night throughout the year is set apart for visitors to inspect the Observatory and look through the great glass. This view shows a coach load driving up and alighting.

Cairo, Artillery Parade

April 1897 •French

An artillery parade in Cairo near Cairo Citadel filmed by Alexandre Promio for the Lumière Brothers. Original title was "Défilé de l’artillerie turque"

Comedy Cake Walk

May 1903 •English

Amusing cake walk of three men and two women (colored) in costume, showing the usual antics that occur in affairs of this kind.

Leander Sisters

September 1897 •English

“A clever characteristic dance called the 'Yellow Kid.' Very unique. Stage is in the Sutro Baths, San Francisco, Cal., and the audience is composed largely of bathers.” (Edison Catalog)

Football

June 1897 •French

Short clip of a football match, filmed on the Lumière cinematograph, 33 years before FIFA's 1st World Cup.

Place du Pont

May 1897 •French

A shot of a street in Lyon, people passing, horses etc

La Gigue

August 1902 •French

"La Gigue" (Gaumont #590) is part of the "Miss Lina Esbrard. Danseuse cosmopolite et serpentine" series of 4 films, and should not be confused with "Danse excentrique" (Gaumont #587), "Danse serpentine" (Gaumont #588, the only extant film in the series), or "Danse fantaisiste" (Gaumont #589).

Serpentine Dance

August 1902 •French

"Danse serpentine" (Gaumont #588) is part of the "Miss Lina Esbrard. Danseuse cosmopolite et serpentine" series of 4 films, and should not be confused with "Danse excentrique" (Gaumont #587), "Danse fantaisiste" (Gaumont #589) or "La Gigue" (Gaumont #590).