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Astor Battery on Parade
(1899) United States of America
B&W : 90 feet
Directed by J. Stuart Blackton and Albert E. Smith
Cast: (unknown)
American Vitagraph Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / Cinematography by [?] J. Stuart Blackton and/or Albert E. Smith? / © 27 January 1899 by Thomas A. Edison [8651]. Premiered 23 January 1899 in New York, New York. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The production was shot on 23 January 1899 in Union Square in New York, New York. Musser control number 650. MAVIS control number 45635. Musser-Edison p. 483 notes that the production date noted in Edison catalogs is inaccurate.
Documentary.
Synopsis: [The Phonoscope, January 1899, page 15] As they appeared in New York on Saturday, January 21 [sic], 1899, on their return from active service in the Philippines. The picture is taken as they cross Broadway, Union Square, north. First come the mounted police, proud and prancing, then the band, then the famous Astor Battery, marching twenty-four abreast. As the second file approaches, the order is given to “change arms” and the rifles shift from right to left shoulder. The men march well, with rapid gait, and present a fine spectacle, dressed in their long dark overcoats. A group of ladies on a balcony wave their handkerchiefs, and the crowds that line the sidewalks show their enthusiasm. As the Battery passes out of sight, men and boys run across the street, and a hansom cab brings up the rear. The picture was taken late in the afternoon, and the exposures were slow; consequently the film must be reproduced slowly to give the best results.
Survival status: Print exists in the Library of Congress film archive (paper print collection) [35mm paper positive (LC 8a), 35mm duplicate negative (FPC 8586), 35mm master positive (FPC 8587), 35mm reference positive (FEC 2156)].
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Historical figures: John Jacob Astor - Parades - USA: New York: New York
Listing updated: 19 September 2008.
References: Musser-Edison p. 483; Niver-Early p. 15; Slide-BigV pp. 10, 169 : Website-LoC.
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