Williamson Kinematograph Company

A comedy of faux Frenchmen who engage in a duel over some slight disagreement and who manage to shoot everyone but each other. Filmed by James Williamson on the South Downs, near England’s famous white cliffs.

An aged villager, reminded of his boyhood days in the church choir by the sound of the bells, totters to the church door and begs the vicar to allow him to join in and sing once more. He expires in the chancel, happy.

A workman flees from a lunatic who wishes to return a putty knife.

Firefighters ring for help, and here comes the ladder cart; they hitch a horse to it. A second horse-drawn truck joins the first, and they head down the street to a house fire. Inside a man sleeps, he awakes amidst flames and throws himself back on the bed. In comes a firefighter, hosing down the blaze. He carries out the victim, down a ladder to safety. Other firefighters enter the house to save belongings, and out comes one with a baby. The saved man rejoices, but it's not over yet.

A two-wheeled convoy of Victorian gentlewomen in a charming early film enigma.

A conjurer vanishes animals then vanishes himself.

A man, objecting to being filmed, comes closer and closer to the camera lens until his mouth is all we see. Then he opens wide and swallows camera and cinematographer. He steps back, chews, and grins.

The titles tell us this film is based on an incident in the Boxer Rebellion. A man tries to defend a woman and a large house against Chinese attackers. They attack with swords, guns, and paddles. He's over-matched. What will become of the mission, its defenders, and its occupants?

A lad from a butcher shop is carrying a tray laden with a roast or a leg of lamb. A hobo grabs it and runs. The boy gives chase, joined by dogs, as neighbors watch the spectacle. The hobo jumps into a large rain barrel, followed by the dogs.

The adventures of an inattentive man who can't look away from his book.

A clown cuts off a customer's head and replaces it.

A mischievous errand boy, sent out on a delivery, causes havoc in the streets of Hove. When he arrives back at the shop, he finds all his furious victims are already there complaining to the grocer -- and the chase is on!

Directed by one of the pioneers of the cinematic industry, James Williamson, The History of a Butterfly - A Romance of Insect Life is an intriguing look at the life cycles of butterflies and moths. Caterpillars are seen hatching, feeding and ready for pupation and with three caterpillars changing into chrysalis and the birth of a peacock butterfly, this black and white silent film is an early example of British natural history filmmaking.

A short melodrama based on Hans Christian Andersen's harrowing tale. A poor little girl tries to sell matchsticks in the freezing December cold. She lights matches for some light and warmth. There are visions: a fireplace, dinner, a Christmas tree. She sees her dead mother, welcoming her.

A boy helps a convict to escape after meeting him at his mother's graveyard. The convict gets rich in Australia and when he returns is arrested again but released in the last moment after a dying convict confesses.

A young man's telephone call to his sweetheart is intercepted by her father, who beats him with his umbrella.

A village fire brigade puts out a fire.

Innovative early 'trick' film showing the popular 'flying the foam' stunt performed on - or rather off - Brighton's West Pier.

The film starts with a lovely long shot of the Artist at work in a dappled glade, where he first meets the Miner's Daughter. The Artist asks the Miner for his daughter's hand in marriage, but is denied, so the young couple elope. Years pass, and the Artist becomes known for his talent, providing a good life for his wife and young child. Meanwhile, the old Miner has been crippled in an underground explosion - the flash of which is marked onscreen by two frames tinted bright red, a subtle yet effective trick conveying the shock of the blast. While in the hospital, though he has been gravely injured, the Miner still refuses to forgive the daughter he disowned.

Boys blow peas at the cobbler, who throws a boot and hits a woman.