491 Nonfiction films Images: PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Search

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Procession of floats / motion picture

"Taken at San Francisco, Cal., at the Golden Jubilee. In the foreground are seen crowds of people, all being very close to the camera. The first float is drawn by four white horses and is at least twenty feet l... More

Troops making military road in front of Santiago /

"Here is a detail of the 34th Michigan Regiment engaged in road making. Under command of Captain Dodd of Troop E, 3rd Regular Cavalry, they are road making, that the siege guns may go to the front. The chaparra... More

Blanket-tossing a new recruit /

"Company F, 1st Ohio Volunteers, initiating a new man. Nineteen times he bounces in the blanket, and each toss is funnier than the last one. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. 38240 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright... More

N.Y. Journal despatch yacht "Buccaneer" /

"Shows the despatch boat of the "New York Journal" steaming through the water, having aboard the war correspondents. This is one of the fastest yachts engaged in the business. She approaches rapidly and as she ... More

South Spring Street, Los Angeles, Cal. /

"Various equipages pass, including a tally-ho and six white horses. A peculiar, open-end trolley car comes along; bicycle riders and pedestrians. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog, no 105. "Southern Pacific Compan... More

Wounded soldiers embarking in row boats /

"This picture was taken after the Battle of Las Guaymas [i.e., Las Guásimas], and shows a large number of wounded soldiers embarking in a rowboat from an extemporized dock, on their way to the hospital ship "O... More

Troop ships for the Philippines /

Shows the departure from San Francisco of two troop ships, the S.S. Australia and the S.S. City of Sydney, bound for Manila during the Spanish-American War. The first ship shown is the Australia with many troop... More

Roosevelt's Rough Riders / motion picture

"A charge full of cowboy enthusiasm by Troop "I," the famous regiment, at Tampa, before its departure for the front"--Biograph picture catalogue. H32832 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: American Mutoscope & Bio... More

Sleighing scene / motion picture

"A view taken on the West Side Drive in Central Park. Shows a continuous stream of handsome rigs and turnouts passing in both directions. Pedestrians watch the gay carnival. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. 7346... More

Colored troops disembarking / motion picture

"The steamer "Mascotte" has reached her dock at Port Tampa, and the 2d Battalion of Colored Infantry is going ashore. Tide is very high, and the gang plank is extra steep; and it is laughable to see the extreme... More

[Procession at Séville and bullfighting scenes] /

Shorts document bullfights in Spain (Séville) and France (Béziers, Nîmes) during the late 19th century.

Troops embarking at San Francisco /

Shows troops of the First Regiment, California Volunteers, boarding the Pacific Mail steamer City of Peking to serve in the Philippine theater of the Spanish-American War. The film was shot at the Pacific Mail ... More

Cuban ambush / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"From the upper windows of a ruined mill the Cubans fire at a scouting party of Spaniards, who return the volley. Fine smoke effects. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. 46695 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thoma... More

Bicycle trick riding, no. 2 - movie film screenshot

Opens with a man riding a bicycle in a backwards circle, on a stage with a painted backdrop of a city street. He dismounts, then remounts the cycle and rides in a forwards circle, pausing and balancing for a mo... More

Skirmish of Rough Riders /. 19th century, Library of Congress collecti...

"Shielded by a thick bit of timber at a turn of the road stands a company of mounted men, awaiting the order to advance. In the foreground, left as the flotsam of battle, is a dead horse from the shelter of whi... More

Tourists going round Yellowstone Park /

"The following pictures were taken by our artists at various points on the Northern Pacific Railway...Rapidly one after the other coach after coach passes before the camera. First comes a big one, six horses, c... More

U.S. Infantry supported by Rough Riders at El Caney /

"Up the road comes a detachment of infantry, firing, advancing, kneeling and firing, again and again. The advance of the foot soldiers is followed by a troop of Rough Riders, riding like demons, yelling and fir... More

The dandy Fifth / motion picture

"Taken during the land parade in honor of Admiral Dewey, just before the turn into 72nd Street, with Grant's tomb and decorated residences in the background. This entire series of pictures [of the Dewey land pa... More

"Columbia" winning the Cup /. 19th century, Library of Congress collec...

"The decisive moment in the great International Yacht Races is shown in this picture. Against a background of well defined clouds, the Light Boat is seen marking the finishing line in this great aquatic struggl... More

Capture of trenches at Candaba /

"The Filipinos execute a flank movement and re-occupy the trenches, cutting off the advance guard of Americans. The rebel flag waves over the ditch and they defend their position bravely. A fierce charge by our... More

"Grandrepublic" passing "Columbia" motion picture

As the film begins, America's Cup defender, Columbia can be seen. From camera right comes a large sidewheel propelled passenger excursion boat, completely obscuring the Columbia; but, as the film ends, the Colu... More

The diving horse motion picture

Performance of a horse diving from a tower 40 feet high into the water at the Shoot the Chutes pond at Coney Island, New York. The horse leaps into the water, is led out by a man and repeats the trick. 61839 U.... More

Three acrobats - vaudeville film

Vaudeville stage act of two male and one female clown-acrobats who make use of a constructed "break-away" wall of spring-hinged windows and doors. Begins with a male clown in dark tights and leotard with a whit... More

104th Street curve, New York, elevated railway /

"Taken from the front platform of a special train run backward over the celebrated S curve. Not only are the passing trains and crowded platforms of great interest, but the view of up-town New York is an excell... More

2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry--parade /

"This picture shows the Canadian troops departing from Quebec for the war in the Transvaal. The scene opens with the soldiers clad in campaign uniform, marching under the triumphal arch, cheered by thousands of... More

New York police parade, June 1st, 1899 /

"An excellent view of "The Finest," on their annual parade and inspection, June 1, 1899. The head of the column is just turning into 14th Street from Broadway, the Morton House forming part of the background. C... More

New Brooklyn to New York via Brooklyn Bridge, no. 2 /

"This is a new negative showing the entire trip from Brooklyn to New York, in which the immense towers stand out clear and distinct against the sky. The best picture of the Brooklyn Bridge yet secured. 150 feet... More

Fougère motion picture - movie film screenshot

Opens on a stage with a painted backdrop of what appears to be clouds or rolling waves. From the left of the frame enters Eugenie Fougère, shot in profile but with her face turned toward the camera. She wears ... More

Pilot boats in New York harbor /

A New York harbor pilot boat passes close enough for members of the crew to be seen [Frame: 0471]. Following the sailing vessel is a steamship [Frame: 0780]. "A close view of an eighty footer, schooner-rigged, ... More

U.S. troops and Red Cross in the trenches before Caloocan /

"Our troops have driven the Filipinos out of the trenches, and, after firing one or two volleys, press on in pursuit. The enemy returns the fire and the forward rush is marked by a trail of dead and wounded. Fo... More

Astor Battery on parade /. 19th century, Library of Congress collectio...

"As they appeared in New York on Saturday, January 21 [i.e., January 23], 1899 on their return from active service in the Philippines. The picture is taken as they cross Broadway, Union Square, north. First com... More

Filipinos retreat from trenches /

"An incident of the Battle of the Trenches at Candabar [sic]. The enemy threw up a high earth embankment during the night, and are defending it with great stubbornness. The pits are crowded with Filipinos, who ... More

Troops at evacuation of Havana /

"The troops are turning into the Prado from a side street, where stands a triumphal arch erected by the Cubans, but which Gen. Brooke, the Military Governor of Cuba, would not permit to be finished, as he allow... More

Advance of Kansas Volunteers at Caloocan /

"From the thick underbrush where the Filipinos are massed comes volley after volley. They are making one of those determined stands that marks Caloocan as the bloodiest battle of the Filipino rebellion. Suddenl... More

Colonel Funston swimming the Bagbag River /

A fictionalized reenactment of an incident in the Spanish-American War when an American officer swam the Bagbag River despite the presence of enemy soldiers on the opposite shore. He jumps into the river under ... More

New Brooklyn to New York via Brooklyn Bridge, no. 1

"The film was photographed from a single-camera position from the front of a railroad train as it crossed the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan"--Early motion pictures. 61217 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Th... More

Admiral Dewey taking leave of Washington committee on the U.S. cruiser...

"Showing the gallant Admiral standing directly in front of the camera, life size, his head bare, graciously bidding his guests adieu. This was exhibited at Eden Musee and Koster and Bial's, New York, to 18,000 ... More

"Shamrock" and "Erin" sailing - movie film screenshot

The Shamrock is seen after its defeat in the 1899 America's Cup, along with Sir Thomas Lipton's steam yacht Erin, which served as its tow boat and tender across the Atlantic. 69556 U.S. Copyright Office Copyrig... More

Launching a stranded schooner from the docks /

"During the terrific storm all of the light craft along the dock front was lifted out of the water and washed up into the streets, many of them being carried for miles inland. This subject shows a number of boa... More

Panoramic view of the Champs Elysees /

"The camera was mounted on a moving vehicle on a main street of Paris, France. The Arc de Triomphe can be seen in the distance. The vehicle carryingthe camera makes an abrupt turn and proceeds down a street hea... More

An historic feat / motion picture

"Gen. Franklin Bell's famous mule pack train swimming the Agno River in Northern Luzon. This is one of the most notable incidents of the Philippine War. The picture has made a decided sensation wherever it has ... More

Scene from the elevator ascending Eiffel Tower / - Exposition Universe...

"A marvelously clear picture taken from the top of the elevator of the Eiffel Tower during going up and coming down of the car. This wonderful tower is 1,000 feet in height, and the picture produces a most sens... More

Capture of Boer battery / - Victorian era public domain image

"By the Gordon Highlanders. In the foreground are two Creusot guns, manned by the Dutch burghers. Smoke effects are due. The Highlanders are seen in the distance, approaching rapidly, easily distinguished by th... More

15th Infantry - movie film screenshot

"Fifteenth Infantry in campaign uniforms and equipment, Governor's Island, N. Y."--Biograph bulletins, 1896-1908. H17970 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: American Mutoscope & Biograph Co.; 21May1902; H17970. Ca... More

A storm at sea /. 19th century, Library of Congress collection

"While our photographers were crossing the Atlantic Ocean a most wonderful and sensational picture was secured, showing a storm at sea. The picture was secured by lashing the camera to the after bridge of the K... More

Ching Ling Foo outdone /. 19th century, Library of Congress collection

"The magician enters upon the stage, and removing a covering from a small table, shakes it before the audience to show that there is nothing whatever concealed inside, places the cloth upon the floor, and when ... More

Dick Croker leaving Tammany Hall /

"A very lifelike picture of the famous New York politician and Tammany Hall boss. This picture was taken on Sunday morning as he was leaving the 14th Street Wigwam, accompanied by a number of prominent New York... More

Eiffel Tower from Trocadero Palace / - Exposition Universelle Internat...

"The single camera position is from the top of a building identified as the Trocadero Palace; the camera is pointed toward the Eiffel Tower. The film shows only up to the first arch of the Eiffel Tower"--Early ... More

Champs Elysees / motion picture

"Near the main entrance. Hundreds of carriages and characteristic Parisian buses are passing. 75 feet"--Edison films catalog. D16384 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 9Aug1900; D16384. Duration... More

The kiss / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress collectio...

From Edison films catalog: Nothing new, but an old thing done over again and done well. Some one has attempted to describe a kiss as "something made of nothing," but this is not one of that kind, but one of tho... More

Panorama of gorge railway /. 19th century, Library of Congress collect...

"One of the most interesting places in the vicinity of Niagara Falls is the Whirlpool Rapids, where the immense volume of water which passes from the Falls, speeds along through its rocky and tortuous passage t... More

Palace of Electricity / motion picture - Exposition Universelle Intern...

The camera pans around the Exposition grounds, providing views of the Champs-de-Mars, including a close view of the Palace of Electricity, a partial view of the Eiffle Tower, and views of many visitors to the E... More

Automobile parade / motion picture

The first annual automobile parade, held on November 4, 1899 by the Automobile Club of America, in downtown Manhattan. At least ten different makes and models are seen, including electric and steam powered mach... More

Panorama of the moving boardwalk / - Exposition Universelle Internatio...

"This picture was taken from the stationary platform, showing the rapidly moving board walk on the outer edge, which has a speed of five miles per hour; also shows the middle platform moving two and a-half mile... More

Panorama of wreckage of water front /

"This picture shows the remains of one of the docks, several freight cars being piled one upon the other, while the most interesting part of the picture shows two schooners literally smashed one into the other,... More

Loretta Young studio footage, 1934-36--Loretta Young--home movies

Behind the scenes footage of Loretta Young on the sets of various films including Bulldog Drummond strikes back (1934), Caravan (1934), White parade (1934), and The call of the wild (1935). Appearing: Loretta Y... More

Scene in the Swiss village at Paris Exposition / - Exposition Universe...

"The picture opens with a crowd of Swiss boys and girls dressed in native costumes, marching down the street in this very unique and picturesque village. Each happy and smiling face is clearly shown as they pas... More

[Lancaster, Pa., high school] /

Shows boys and girls going out the door and down the steps of a high school building in Lancaster, Pa. The boys come out first, led by a man, probably a teacher, holding a young boy's hand. The boys wear suits,... More

Charge of Boer cavalry [no. 2] /

"In the distance is seen a number of grey objects rapidly approaching, which, upon drawing closer, are recognized as a company of Boer cavalry. As they draw nearer, you can see that they are straining every ner... More

Annie Oakley / motion picture - movie film screenshot

Annie Oakley, the "Little Sure Shot" of the "Wild West," in an exhibition of rifle shooting. Copyright: no reg. Performer: Annie Oakley. Camera, William Heise. Duration: 0:21 at 30 fps. Summary from sources in ... More

Bombardment of Taku forts, by the Allied fleets /

"The scene opens by showing the battleships maneuvering for a position. They finally draw up in line of battle and commence firing on the shore batteries. Immense volumes of smoke arise from the fleet and from ... More

Panoramic view of the Place de l'Concord [sic] / - Exposition Universe...

From Edison films catalog: Taken from an automobile. This picture was taken during the fashionable driving hour, making a complete circle of the Place de la Concorde, passing hundreds of carriages and busses. T... More

White Horse Rapids / motion picture. Yukon Territory

"This picture was taken at the historical point signified by the above title, where so many daring and venturesome miners have lost their lives in attempting to shoot these mad and turbulent rapids in their fla... More

Bird's-eye view of dock front, Galveston /

"Showing dismantled cars, wrecked warehouses, schooners and tugs that had been stranded on the docks; also the tents that had been rigged up for the poor people who had been left entirely homeless. 75 feet"--Ed... More

Chimmie Hicks at the races - movie film screenshot

On a bare stage backed by a dark curtain, a man dressed in a three-piece suit and overcoat holds a racing program and excitedly watches a race supposedly taking place offstage. With enthusiastic jumping and oth... More

Burning of the Standard Oil Co's tanks, Bayonne, N.J. /

From Edison films catalog: This picture shows a street scene at Constable Hook, Bayonne, N.J. In the background rise immense volumes of dense black smoke from the burning oil, reaching high in the heavens. Outl... More

Panorama of Place de L'Opera /. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

From Edison films catalog: The busiest square in all Paris. 75 feet. $11.25. D16389 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 9Aug1900; D16389. Duration: 1:14 at 16 fps. MAVIS 1627559; Panorama of Plac... More

The magician / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"The scene opens on a theatrical stage. The magician enters from the wings, and making a bow to the audience, removes his coat and hat, and they disappear mysteriously into the air. He then takes a white handke... More

25th Infantry / motion picture -

"Gen. Frederick D. Grant and Gen. A.S. Burt [commander of the 25th Infantry Regiment] returning from Mt. Ariat [sic], at the head of the famous 25th Infantry, colored"--Biograph picture catalogue. H17963 U.S. C... More

Swiss village, no. 2 / - Exposition Universelle Internationale de 1900...

"The scene opens by showing the village girls driving home a herd of cows, and shows the native peasantry of Switzerland returning from their daily occupation--watching the herds. After driving the cattle to th... More

Charge of Boer cavalry [no. 1] /

"Shows a wild charge of Mounted Boer up a steep hill. The action of the picture is spirited and photographically it is an excellent film. The opening scene shows a bleak hillside with the Boer cavalry in the di... More

Panorama from the moving boardwalk / - Exposition Universelle Internat...

"The camera is stationed on the middle walk of the Platform Mobile, as the French call it, and gives further views and incidents of this Paris Exposition novelty. 100 feet"--Edison films catalog. D16381 U.S. Co... More

Breaking of the crowd at military review at Longchamps /

This picture shows thousands of people leaving their seats in the grand stand and going across the parade grounds toward Paris. A very sharp and clear picture. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. D18580 U.S. Copyri... More

Overland Express arriving at Helena, Mont. /

"It is train time. We look down the long platform, crowded with people, and see the famous N.P. Railway Overland Express approaching rapidly. In a moment the engine passes by, slowing down. Then comes one, two,... More

Champs de Mars / motion picture - Exposition Universelle International...

"Shows all the prominent buildings on this thoroughfare, ending with a close view of the base of the Eiffel Tower, with the Trocadero Palace in the background. 135 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 105. D16382 U... More

Panorama of orphans' home, Galveston /

"The camera focuses on the building indicated as the Orphans Home, showing damage created by either the wind of the hurricane or the backwash from the tidal wave, and including debris around the yard. As the ca... More

A nymph of the waves - movie film screenshot

"This is a double-printing picture combining a view of Mlle. Cathrina Bartho in her celebrated "Speedway" dance, with one of the Whirlpool Rapids of Niagara Falls, the resulting effect being that the dancer app... More

Push carts--East side - movie film screenshot

Market scenes which show push cart vendors displaying a variety of merchandise on a busy, crowded street in what appears to be a multi-ethnic tenement district. Camera is mounted on a moving vehicle and passes ... More

McKinley's funeral entering Westlawn Cemetery, Canton [Ohio] /

Photographed from several camera positions, the film shows the funeral procession both preceding and following the body of the assassinated president before he is interred at Canton, Ohio. From a contemporary E... More

Sham battle at the Pan-American Exposition /

Large arches and columns are seen surrounding a flat field. In the foreground of the field, some American Indians on horseback ride toward the camera. The Indians are wearing feathers, war paint, and are carryi... More

President McKinley reviewing the troops at the Pan-American Exposition...

"The President is seen on the reviewing stand at the Stadium, escorted by President Milburn, of the Pan-American Exposition, Secretary Cortelyou, and other noted persons. He removes his silk hat as the troops m... More

Taking President McKinley's body from train at Canton, Ohio /

"Here, as in the other pictures, we secured a most advantageous location, and we present a life-size view of the casket containing the body of President McKinley as it is slowly and carefully taken from the win... More

Panoramic view of Electric Tower from a balloon /

"Here we have recorded a very novel scene, the camera having been placed in the basket of the captive balloon at the Pan-American Exposition. It was then slowly elevated to the top of the Tower, a distance of 4... More

The mob outside the Temple of Music at the Pan-American Exposition /

"The camera was positioned at such a height behind a large group of people outside an exhibit building that mainly hats are visible"--Early motion pictures. On Friday, September 6th, 1901, we had our cameras in... More

Gordon Sisters boxing - vaudeville film

Two women on a stage approach from either side of the painted backdrop of a garden and engage in a boxing match. Both the boxing gloves and the hits exchanged between the women seem genuine. One woman wears a m... More

Opening, Pan-American Exposition /

"This is a great historical event. Our cameras were stationed in the center of the Esplanade looking toward the Main Approach to the Pan-American Exposition, with the Triumphal Bridge, and the entrance in the f... More

Arrival of the Governor General, Lord Minto, at Quebec /

"Quebec Winter Carnival series: This picture shows the Governor General, the Earl of Minto, accompanied by the Countess of Minto and their household, crossing the river in ice canoes. On the Quebec side the can... More

Albany, N.Y., fire department /

A sidewalk crowd on a main street of Albany, N.Y., watches as fourteen pieces of horse-drawn fire equipment quickly pass by. Copyright: no reg. Main title lacking; out of frame at 12 ft. Duration: 1:42 at 18 fp... More

President McKinley's funeral cortege at Washington, D.C. /

The photographer covered the subject, the funeral cortege of President McKinley, from many different positions along the line of march. The people shown are those who preceded the hearse and those who followed ... More

Duke of York at Montreal and Quebec /

"This film shows the citation, presentation, and dedication of a bridge by the Duke of York, later King of England and grandfather of Queen Elizabeth. Many high-ranking military officials of both England and Ca... More

Pan-American Exposition by night /

The film begins with a slow pan over the tower building of the exposition, which was lighted by electric lights. The pan goes from a daylight shot of the grounds to what appears to be a special effects situatio... More

Building a harbor at San Pedro /

"This picture was secured from a launch furnished by Mr. Eager, President of the California Construction Co., who are fulfilling this $5,000,000 contract. Here is seen the largest derrick in the world at work, ... More

Esquimaux leap-frog / motion picture

"The film, photographed from a single camera position, shows buildings resembling igloos on ice floes, in front of which persons clothed as Eskimos play a game of leapfrog"--Early motion pictures. This shows se... More

President McKinley's funeral cortege at Buffalo, N.Y. /

"This starts with the funeral procession leaving the Milburn house on Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y., headed by the mounted police of Buffalo, followed by Companies I and F, of the 14th U.S. Infantry, under per... More

What happened on Twenty-third Street, New York City /

"The scene as suggested by the title is made on 23d Street, New York City. In front of one of the large newspaper offices on that thoroughfare is a hot air shaft through which immense volumes of air is forced b... More

A day at the circus - movie film screenshot

A parade of elephants, camels, horse-drawn floats, horseback riders marches forward inside a tent of the Adam Forepaugh & Sells Bros. Circus. A horse race takes place in the tent. H4418 U.S. Copyright Office Co... More

A trip around the Pan-American Exposition /

The entire film was photographed from an excursion vessel traveling through all of the waterways surrounding the Exposition. The major exhibit buildings and amusement attractions of the fair can be seen as the ... More

President McKinley and escort going to the Capitol /

"The film begins by showing military personnel on horseback. The camera was positioned on a side street and photographed representatives of several different companies of American cavalry. Just as the film ends... More

Panoramic view of the President's house at Canton, Ohio /

"Here we present probably the most interesting and valuable of the McKinley funeral series. Our camera is located opposite the McKinley home on Market Street, Canton, at 9 A.M. on the day of the funeral, Septem... More

Laura Comstock's bag-punching dog

Opens with the head and shoulders of a woman in full dress and hat and the front paws and head of a boxer visible behind a sign that reads "Miss Laura Comstock's Bag Punching Dog." Cuts to the dog sitting on hi... More

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