Movies: James Williamson

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....

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 t...

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....

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. S...

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, it...

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

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 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!...

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

A village fire brigade puts out a fire....

George Smith's picture of the crowds out for a stroll on what I imagine is Brighton Pier....

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

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

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

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

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

A conjurer vanishes animals then vanishes himself....

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

A sexton reforms after dreaming of abduction by goblins....

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 buried jewels. These turn out to be stolen, and the family are given a £100 reward....