The Twentieth Century Tramp; or, Happy Hooligan and His Airship
(1902) American
B&W : 100 feet
Directed by Edwin S. Porter

Cast: (unknown)

Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / Cinematography by Edwin S. Porter. / © 27 January 1902 by Thomas A. Edison [H13363]. Released January 1902. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.37:1 format. / The production utilizes a matte double exposure of a static studio shot (man) and a panning exterior shot (skyline).

Comedy.

Synopsis: Man rides a dirigible bicycle over the New York skyline. // [From Edison promotional materials] A comic picture that defies description. It depicts the Twentieth Century up-to-date tramp flying over the chimney tops of New York City in the latest improved flying machine. Weary Willie has the indispensible tin can hanging from his waist and he waves his hands to his friends as he flies along. He passes over the top of the Equitable Life building and other New York sky scrapers. He flies over the East River and clears the top of the Brooklyn Bridge, and appears to be making his way toward Staten Island. When he is about in the centre of the river, his flying machine explodes, and like the unfortunate McGinty, down goes Weary William. This pictures is most mystifying and humorous.

Survival Status: Print exists in the Library of Congress film archive (paper print collection) [35mm paper positive].

Keywords: Balloons - Bridges - City skylines - Panoramas - Water

Listing updated: 17 March 2008.

References: Film viewing : Niver-First p. 24 : Website-AFI.