Williamson Kinematograph Company

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 the bed. In comes a firefighter, hosing down the blaze. He carries out the victim, down a ladder to safety. Other firefighters enter the house to save belongings, and out comes one with a baby. The saved man rejoices, but it's not over yet.

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.

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

A momentous act of self sacrifice is caught on camera - Emily Davison is trampled by the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby.

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

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.

Directed by one of the pioneers of the cinematic industry, James Williamson, The History of a Butterfly - A Romance of Insect Life is an intriguing look at the life cycles of butterflies and moths. Caterpillars are seen hatching, feeding and ready for pupation and with three caterpillars changing into chrysalis and the birth of a peacock butterfly, this black and white silent film is an early example of British natural history filmmaking.

A village fire brigade puts out a fire.

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

The film starts with a lovely long shot of the Artist at work in a dappled glade, where he first meets the Miner's Daughter. The Artist asks the Miner for his daughter's hand in marriage, but is denied, so the young couple elope. Years pass, and the Artist becomes known for his talent, providing a good life for his wife and young child. Meanwhile, the old Miner has been crippled in an underground explosion - the flash of which is marked onscreen by two frames tinted bright red, a subtle yet effective trick conveying the shock of the blast. While in the hospital, though he has been gravely injured, the Miner still refuses to forgive the daughter he disowned.

Scenes of islanders and seabirds on the remote island of St. Kilda.

After being chased off private property, Boy Scouts rescue the land-owner's kidnapped daughter.

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

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, its defenders, and its occupants?

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

An aged villager, reminded of his boyhood days in the church choir by the sound of the bells, totters to the church door and begs the vicar to allow him to join in and sing once more. He expires in the chancel, happy.

A comedy of faux Frenchmen who engage in a duel over some slight disagreement and who manage to shoot everyone but each other. Filmed by James Williamson on the South Downs, near England’s famous white cliffs.

Boys blow peas at the cobbler, who throws a boot and hits a woman.

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

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. She sees her dead mother, welcoming her.