Title:

The enchanted drawing
Archival film and video materials from the collections of the Library of Congress.

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creators: Edison Manufacturing Co.
dates: 1900
talent: J. Stuart Blackton, performer
GATEWAY 3550GZ REPLACEMENT LAPTOP LCD SCREEN producer: -
director: -
cameras: Albert E. Smith
sound tracks: -
composer: -
duration: 00:01:26:00
original media: 35 mm: paper positive
digital id: Enchanted1592.ram

Description:

Artist drawing on paper fitted on easel. As drawing develops, it is clear the drawing is of a man's face. Artist draws cocktail glass and bottle, which he magically pulls from rendering, laughs, fills glass and drinks. Artist paints smile and cigar on drawing's face and finished picture with top hat. Artist again magically pulls top hat and cigar from cartoon.  Artist leaves the scene. The picture's expression turns grim of its own accord. Artist comes back into scene replacing cigar, top hat, cocktail glass and liquor bottle. The picture's expression turns happy of its own accord, including smile.

Subjects:

motion pictures, animated cartoons, artist, drawing (image-making)

Style:

black-and-white film, silent film

Implication: 

fun, magical, comedy, early entertainment, film innovations

Reference Information:

"Edison Manufacturing Company was organized in December 1889 as Edison's personal business and was incorporated in 1900. Originally formed to manufacture and market the Edison-Lalande primary battery.... It also produced kinetoscope films, kinetoscopes, wax for phonograph cylinders, x-ray equipment, medical instruments, and fan motors." from Thomas A. Edison Papers of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

From Edison Film Catalog: 

"Upon a large sheet of white paper a cartoonist is seen at work rapidly sketching the portrait of an elderly gentleman of most comical feature and expression. After completing the likeness the artist rapidly draws on the paper a clever sketch of a bottle of wine and a goblet, and then, to the surprise of all, actually removes them from the paper on which they were drawn and pours actual wine out of the bottle into a real glass. Surprising effects quickly follow after this; and the numerous changes of expression which flit over the face in the sketch cause a vast amount of amusement and at the same time give a splendid illustration of the caricaturist's art. 100 feet. 15.00." From The Library of Congress American Memory Collection

"The Edison Manufacturing Co. (later known as Thomas A. Edison, Inc.) not only built the apparatus for filming and projecting motion pictures, but also produced films for public consumption. Most early examples were actualities showing famous people, news events, disasters, people at work, new modes of travel and technology, scenic views, expositions, and other leisure activities. As actualities declined in popularity, the company's production emphasis shifted to comedies and dramas." From The Library of Congress American Memory Collection
 

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