Film, Video The little train robbery /
Brigands and Robbers
Conduct of Life
- The little train robbery /
- Created / Published
- United States : Edison Manufacturing Co., 1905.
- Subject Headings
- - Train robberies--United States
- - Brigands and robbers--United States
- - Children--Conduct of life--United States
- - Railroads--United States
- - Cowboys--United States
- - Outlaws--United States
- - Police--United States
- - Ponies
- - Locomotive engineers--United States
- - Railroads, Miniature
- - Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 1Sept1905; H65086.
- - Camera, Edwin S. Porter.
- - Duration: 4:49 (part 1), 4:22 (part 2), and 2:36 (part 3) at 16 fps.
- - From Edison films catalog: The opening scene shows the interior of the robbers' den. The walls are decorated with the portraits of notorious criminals and pictures illustrating the exploits of famous bandits. Some of the gang are lounging about, while others are reading novels and illustrated papers. Although of youthful appearance, each is dressed like a typical Western desperado. The "Bandit Queen," leading a blindfolded new recruit, now enters the room. He is led to the center of the room, raises his right hand and is solemnly sworn in. When the bandage is removed from his eyes he finds himself looking into the muzzles of a dozen or more 45's. The gang then congratulates the new member and heartily shake his hand. The "Bandit Queen" who is evidently the leader of the gang, now calls for volunteers to hold up a train. All respond, but she picks out seven for the job who immediately leave the cabin. The next scene shows the gang breaking into a barn. They steal ponies and ride away. Upon reaching the place agreed upon they picket their ponies and leaving them in charge of a trusted member proceed to a wild mountain spot in a bend of the railroad, where the road runs over a steep embankment. The spot is an ideal one for holding up a train. Cross ties are now placed on the railroad track and the gang hide in some bushes close by and wait for the train. The train soon approaches and is brought to a stop. The engineer leaves his engine and proceeds to remove the obstruction on the track. While he is bending over one of the gang sneaks up behind them and hits him on the head with an axe, and knocks him senseless down the embankment, while the gang surround the train and hold up the passengers. After securing all the "valuables," consisting principally of candy and dolls, the robbers uncouple the engine and one car and make their escape just in time to avoid a posse of police who appear on the scene. Further up the road they abandon the engine and car, take to the woods and soon reach their ponies. In the meantime the police have learned the particulars of the hold-up from the frightened passengers and have started up the railroad tracks after the fleeing robbers. The robbers are next seen riding up the bed of a shallow stream and finally reach their den, where the remainder of the gang have been waiting for them. Believing they have successfully eluded their pursuers, they proceed to divide the "plunder." The police, however, have struck the right trail and are in close pursuit. While the "plunder" is being divided a sentry gives the alarm and the entire gang, abandoning everything, rush from the cabin barely in time to escape capture. The police make a hurried search and again start in pursuit. The robbers are so hard pressed that they are unable to reach their ponies, and are obliged to take chances on foot. The police now get in sight of the fleeing robbers and a lively chase follows through tall weeds, over a bridge and up a steep hill. Reaching a pond the police are close on their heels. The foremost robbers jump in clothes and all and strike out for the opposite bank. Two hesitate and are captured. Boats are secured and after an exciting tussle the entire gang is rounded up. In the mix up one of the police is dragged overboard. The final scene shows the entire gang of bedraggled and crestfallen robbers tied together with a rope and being led away by the police. Two of the police are loaded down with revolvers, knives and cartridge belts, and resemble walking aresenals. As a fitting climas a confederate steals out of the woods, cuts the rope and gallantly rescues the "Bandit Queen." 725 Ft. 108.75.
- - From Edison films catalog: In "The Little Train Robbery" we have endeavored to portray a subject that will interest and appeal to every one. While the young folks are enjoying themselves their elders can find equal enjoyment in recalling their own youthful days, when their highest ambition was to become a "Jesse James," or a "Bandit Queen." The unwritten history of "Young America" recalls the fate of many similar expeditions whose bright prospects were nipped in the bud by over vigilant authorities. Preliminary work on this picture was commenced over a year ago and the work has just been completed. It was thought advisable to take on of the principal scenes over again, although it necessitated loss of time, heavy additional expense and a journey of over one thousand miles. The above in connection with the illustrations, which have been reproduced from the original negatives, will convey some idea of the dramatic effort, theatrical work, time, expense and photographic disappointments involved in the production of a Head Line Motion Picture Attraction. The results, however, have more than justified all the expenditure. "The Little Train Robbery" will be found perfect in detail, perfect photographically, true to nature and human nature, while the action and surroundings throughout the entire picture are most natural and intensely realistic. In offering "The Little Train Robbery" to our customers and the public, we feel confident that it will meet with the same unqualified approval and unprecedented success as "The Great Train Robbery," universally admitted to be the greatest production in Motion Pictures.
- - Filmed ca. August 1905 in Olympia Park, near Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
- - Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as digital files.
- - Sources used: Copyright catalog, motion pictures, 1894-1912; Musser, C. Before the nickelodeon, 1991, p. 320-21; Niver, K.R. Early motion pictures, 1985; Edison films catalog, no. 288, July 1906, p. 66-67 [MI].
- 1 reel of 1 (ca. 725 ft.) : si., b&w ; 35 mm. ref print.
- 1 roll of 1 (ca. 725 ft.) : si., b&w ; 35 mm. paper pos.
- Call Number
- FEB 9325 (ref print)
- LC 2570 (paper pos)
- Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division Washington, D. C. 20540 USA dcu
- Digital Id
- edmp 2570s1 2570s2 2570s3 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mbrsmi/edmp.2570
- Library of Congress Catalog Number
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