James Williamson Movies

  • 1901
    The Big Swallow

    The Big Swallow

    The Big Swallow

    6.51901HD

    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...

    The Big Swallow
  • 1900
    Attack on a China Mission

    Attack on a China Mission

    Attack on a China Mission

    5.0561900HD

    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...

    Attack on a China Mission
  • 1901
    Fire!

    Fire!

    Fire!

    5.7561901HD

    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...

    Fire!
  • 1902
    The Little Match Seller

    The Little Match Seller

    The Little Match Seller

    6.21902HD

    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...

    The Little Match Seller
  • 1901
    Stop Thief!

    Stop Thief!

    Stop Thief!

    5.1451901HD

    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...

    Stop Thief!
  • 1910
    The History of a Butterfly: A Romance of Insect Life

    The History of a Butterfly: A Romance of Insect Life

    The History of a Butterfly: A Romance of Insect Life

    51910HD

    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...

    The History of a Butterfly: A Romance of Insect Life
  • 1904
    An Interesting Story

    An Interesting Story

    An Interesting Story

    5.921904HD

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

    An Interesting Story
  • 1904
    Gabriel Grub the Surly Sexton

    Gabriel Grub the Surly Sexton

    Gabriel Grub the Surly Sexton

    01904HD

    A sexton reforms after dreaming of abduction by goblins.

    Gabriel Grub the Surly Sexton
  • 1896
    Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

    Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

    Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

    21896HD

    Early film footage of fun fair workers and revelers at Devil's Dyke on the South Downs, taken by pioneer James Williamson in around 1896. At a fair...

    Devil's Dyke Fun Fair
  • 1906
    Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

    Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

    Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

    51906HD

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

    Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving
  • 1901
    The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes

    The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes

    The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes

    71901HD

    As a man removes his clothes to bathe, more reappear on him.

    The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes
  • 1899
    Lady Cyclists

    Lady Cyclists

    Lady Cyclists

    4.3751899HD

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

    Lady Cyclists
  • 1909
    The Boy and the Convict

    The Boy and the Convict

    The Boy and the Convict

    51909HD

    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...

    The Boy and the Convict
  • 1905
    Our New Errand Boy

    Our New Errand Boy

    Our New Errand Boy

    4.61905HD

    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...

    Our New Errand Boy
  • 1908
    £100 Reward

    £100 Reward

    £100 Reward

    41908HD

    A poor family, suffering from a lack of food, plan to sell their dog to gain some extra income. Before they act on their plan, the dog discovers some...

    £100 Reward
  • 1898
    The Clown Barber

    The Clown Barber

    The Clown Barber

    1.51898HD

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

    The Clown Barber
  • 1898
    Gymnasts on Parallel Bars

    Gymnasts on Parallel Bars

    Gymnasts on Parallel Bars

    41898HD

    An impressive eight-some performs some Victorian gymnastics for the camera

    Gymnasts on Parallel Bars
  • 1898
    Washing the Sweep

    Washing the Sweep

    Washing the Sweep

    71898HD

    Two washerwomen have an altercation with a chimney sweep

    Washing the Sweep
  • 1905
    The Polite Lunatic

    The Polite Lunatic

    The Polite Lunatic

    5.51905HD

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

    The Polite Lunatic
  • 1898
    Two Naughty Boys Teasing the Cobbler

    Two Naughty Boys Teasing the Cobbler

    Two Naughty Boys Teasing the Cobbler

    51898HD

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

    Two Naughty Boys Teasing the Cobbler