Film Market St., San Francisco, 1906

[Kid Mac]

Film of Market Street in San Francisco on April 14, 1906 -- four days before the '06 great earthquake. The camera was set up on the front platform of a cable car. Interesting to see the anarchy/disregard of traffic rules, automobiles with steering wheels on right or left, horse-drawn traffic, lone rider on white horse, etc.

This is thought to be the first film made in 35mm format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINOxRxze9k&feature=player_embedded

Mac

 

[dhermann1]

Wow. Totally absorbing.
The tower in the distance, that we are approaching thoughtout this clip, is the Ferry Building.
Here's a shot from SHORPY.COM, that shows the building right after the earthquake of 1906, plus some other more contemporary views.
http://www.shorpy.com/node/7956?size=_original

 

[Lily Powers]

Film of Market Street in San Francisco on April 14, 1906 -- four days before the '06 great earthquake. The camera was set up on the front platform of a cable car. Interesting to see the anarchy/disregard of traffic rules, automobiles with steering wheels on right or left, horse-drawn traffic, lone rider on white horse, etc.

This is thought to be the first film made in 35mm format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINOxRxze9k&feature=player_embedded

Mac

Fascinating step back in time. Thanks for the link!

I viewed the "anarchy/disregard of traffic rules" as something completely different. To me, it was just an unfettered way of life back then, with a bit more common sense and respect for others, so the movements of vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and horse carts just went about with relatively more ease than our regulated, traffic light world. I noticed that only once or twice did pedestrians quicken their steps to get out the way. Otherwise, life seemed smooth.

 

[Tomasso]

Man, this is like the fifth time this clip has been posted on the FLounge over the last year or so, the latest being four days ago..

 

[Kid Mac]

Second release?:eusa_doh:

 

[Atomic Age]

This is thought to be the first film made in 35mm format.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NINOxRxze9k&feature=player_embedded

Mac

Edison introduced 35mm film in his Kinetoscope sometime in 1894, so its highly unlikely that this film, shot in 1906, is the first 35mm film.

"The Kiss" a film shot by Edison in 35mm in 1896 is among the first films ever shown commercially to the public in a theater. It ran 47 seconds. Film makers were distributing 1 and 2 reelers to small theaters in 35mm in the late 1890s. In 1902 Edison lost a court case that would have required filmmakers to pay him a license fee to shoot and exhibit films in 35mm.

Doug

 

[Silver Dollar]

It's incredible to see something over 100 years old. Looks like everyone drove all over the street. What traffic rules?