Billy Bitzer Movie Trailers

Romance of a Jewess Trailer (1908)

23 October 1908

This early D.W. Griffith short shows the director's interest in Jewish ghetto life, portrayed here with sympathy and sentimentality.

The Broker's Athletic Typewriter Trailer (1905)

09 May 1905

Boss insists on pawing secretary. She teaches him a lesson.

The Impossible Convicts Trailer (1906)

27 January 1906

Four prisoners, in convicts' stripes, march backwards down stairs and, under the watchful eyes of guards, hop backwards into their cells.

The Diamond Star Trailer (1911)

20 February 1911

When John Wilson comes home drunk, his marriage collapses, and he agrees to live separately from his wife in their apartment.

Married for Millions Trailer (1906)

29 December 1906

Early Biograph short on the results of marrying for financial gain.

The Dude and the Burglars Trailer (1903)

13 August 1903

Two burglars have just entered an elegant-looking home, but before they can proceed, the woman of the house enters the room.

The New Dress Trailer (1911)

15 May 1911

Marta asks her husband Jose to buy her a new dress she saw at the market. On his way home, he goes with a friend to a saloon and drunkenly gives the dress to a barmaid.

Bobby's Kodak Trailer (1908)

10 February 1908

A boy takes pictures of everything, including some embarrassing situations. When he projects the pictures on a wall for everyone to see, his father spanks him and smashes the camera.

At the Top of Brooklyn Bridge Trailer (1897)

01 December 1897

Panorama from the Tower of the Brooklyn Bridge, 1897.

The Restoration Trailer (1909)

08 November 1909

A husband suspects his wife of an affair. The wife's cousin borrows a shawl to meet her lover in the garden.

The Voice of the Violin Trailer (1909)

18 March 1909

A music teacher is in love with Helen, one of his students, but she rejects him. In his hurt he joins an anarchist group who plan to blow up a rich capitalist's house.

The Indian Brothers Trailer (1911)

16 July 1911

A renegade Indian kills a chief who has insulted him. The chief's brother swears vengeance and pursues the renegade, overtaking him just in time to rescue him from another tribe who are angry with him for stealing a horse.

Duel Scene from Macbeth Trailer (1905)

24 July 1905

Based on a scene from Shakespeare's play: Macbeth, king of Scotland, is being challenged by forces led by Macduff.

A Child's Impulse Trailer (1910)

27 June 1910

Mrs. Thurston, a socially ambitious widow, is holding one of her famous Bohemian parties. To these functions are invited the leading lights of the several professions, actors, artists, musicians, etc.

Hotel Variety Trailer (1933)

07 January 1933

A New York City boarding house for vaudeville performers, none of whom have any steady work....

The Cricket on the Hearth Trailer (1909)

27 May 1909

After three years at sea, Edward returns home to find his sweetheart forced into an engagement with a much older man.

The Princess in the Vase Trailer (1908)

27 February 1908

In ancient Egypt, a princess is executed after being caught in an affair with a Theban warrior, with her soul sealed inside a vase.

The Physical Culture Girl, No. 2 Trailer (1903)

21 July 1903

The second film in the series shows the same girl in a brisk calisthenic exercise.

2 A.M. in the Subway Trailer (1905)

20 June 1905

A constable and a subway attendant are working late at night in an underground station when a well-dressed man with a cigar in his teeth enters with his arms around two women dressed in long skirts and jackets, gloves, and fancy hats.

The Planter's Wife Trailer (1908)

20 October 1908

John Holland, a planter in a small way, is devotedly attached to his wife and infant child. The wife wearies of the monotonous grind of farm life and is easy prey of a contemptible villain, in the person of Tom Roland, the ubiquitous "other man".

American Falls from Goat Island Trailer (1896)

02 October 1896

The first movie audiences took particular delight in scenes of rushing, churning water. These scenes of Niagara Falls were taken in September 1896, while Dickson and Bitzer were filming McKinley and the Empire State Express.

The Christmas Burglars Trailer (1908)

22 December 1908

On a bleak Christmas Eve, a destitute, widowed mother named Mrs. Martin fails to find work. Desperate for food, her young daughter Margie writes a letter to Santa Claus, noting their top-floor apartment address.

Mr. Hurry-up Trailer (1907)

08 February 1907

Mr. Hurry-Up gets dressed in a rush, and then races down to breakfast. After a few quick bites and a couple gulps of coffee, he races out the door and heads to work.

Casting a Guide Box Trailer (1904)

01 May 1904

A large bucket full of molten material is poured into a large container, possibly a mold, by a group of men using machinery.

Paradise Lost Trailer (1911)

13 April 1911

The Parson and his friend Pete, a worthless inebriate of the village, in a drunken sleep by the roadside.

Sure-Fire Flint Trailer (1922)

25 August 1922

Sure-Fire Flint, an energetic chap just returned from wartime military service, meets June De Lanni, the girl of his dreams, while working as a cabdriver and busboy.

The Root of Evil Trailer (1912)

18 March 1912

A woman, driven by envy, is convinced that her husband loves another woman, leading her to a vengeful act that ultimately destroys her own happiness.

The Face at the Window Trailer (1910)

10 May 1910

Like his father before him, Ralph is admitted to the Graduate Club upon completing his studies at the university.

The Trail of Books Trailer (1911)

09 November 1911

Upset that her parents are getting ready to separate a little girl grabs a handful of books and heads off to school without anyone’s knowledge.

A Trip to Salt Lake City Trailer (1905)

05 June 1905

Made in 1905 when short films were still being done in just one shot (for the Kinetoscope peep-show machines) and lasted about 2 minutes, this depicts a Mormon man trying to get his wives and children settled down for the night on a Pullman car in a train.

Willie's Camera Trailer (1903)

06 July 1903

This is a very humorous and a very natural scene. Two mischievous small boys rig up a fake camera with a piece of stove pipe and a box, and persuade a gushing old maid to sit for her picture.

American Falls from Luna Island Trailer (1896)

02 October 1896

The first movie audiences took particular delight in scenes of rushing, churning water. These scenes of Niagara Falls were taken in September 1896, while Dickson and Bitzer were filming McKinley and the Empire State Express.

The Cardinal's Conspiracy Trailer (1909)

12 July 1909

A royal woman rejects her arranged marriage. The cardinal hatches a plan: the suitor will shave and change clothes.

Her Terrible Ordeal Trailer (1910)

10 January 1910

A young secretary is locked in an airtight vault by a robber. Only her boss knows the combination, and he is off on a journey.

The Guerrilla Trailer (1908)

13 November 1908

Set during the American Civil War, the film focuses on a group of deserters and renegades who disguise themselves in Confederate uniforms to steal supplies and pillage nearby homes in the countryside.

Teasing Trailer (1905)

11 September 1905

The cameraman photographed over the right shoulder of a young woman reclining on a couch while rebuffing the advances of a young man intent on kissing her.

Mixed Babies Trailer (1908)

12 June 1908

The Chicken Thief Trailer (1904)

01 December 1904

Two black men are stealing chickens and get chased by the white farmers.

Logging in Maine Trailer (1906)

18 June 1906

The subject is the movement of cut timber from the forest to the mill. The few scenes that make up the film are loggers performing the various operations necessary to prevent logs from jamming together.

Across Brooklyn Bridge Trailer (1899)

22 May 1899

This picture is very novel and interesting. It gives the complete trip from the station at the New York City end of the bridge to the station at the Brooklyn end, as seen from the front end of a third rail car running at high speed.

Automobiling Among the Clouds Trailer (1904)

01 August 1904

A procession of American and European automobiles--including such makes as Daimlers, Mercedes, Stanley Steamers and Pierces-- drive up and down the steep roads on Mt.

Orphans in the Surf Trailer (1903)

22 September 1903

Taken at St. John's Home, Coney Island. A large number of boys are bathing in the surf. At a signal the boys leave the water and walk toward the camera.

Murder Scene from "King of the Detectives" Trailer (1903)

13 August 1903

The murder scene from the Broadway play 'King of the Detectives'.

Children in the Surf at Coney Island Trailer (1904)

18 December 1904

"Children in the Surf, Coney Island" is a very short documentary with Billy Bitzer behind the camera.

Spirit of '76 Trailer (1905)

19 May 1905

This short film, done by The American Mutoscope & Biograph Company, shows the historical legend of the three men - two drums and a fife player - forever remembered as "The Spirit of '76.

The Giddy Dancing Master Trailer (1903)

11 June 1903

The dancing master is a dapper little fellow who has been engaged to instruct two pretty girls in some of the niceties of stage dancing.

A Ballroom Tragedy Trailer (1905)

22 June 1905

A woman sneaks up behind a seated couple, stabs the woman in the back, and makes an escape.

Stealing a Dinner Trailer (1899)

30 April 1899

“Another exhibition by Prof. Leonidas' troop of cats and dogs. One of the dogs is shown stealing his dinner from the table in his master's absence.

A Kentucky Feud Trailer (1905)

07 November 1905

A fictionalized account of the Hatfields and the McCoys.

Expert Bag Punching Trailer (1903)

22 July 1903

A remarkable exhibition by Gus Keller, novelty bag puncher of the New Polo Athletic Association. In seven scenes with dissolving effects.

A Pipe Dream Trailer (1905)

29 June 1905

A little man appears out of the smoke.

The Hero of Liao-Yang Trailer (1904)

22 September 1904

Several Japanese youths are playing various games and enjoying some refreshments outdoors when a military courier arrives.

Fights of Nations Trailer (1907)

02 March 1907

The film is several vignettes of slap stick presentation of racial stereotypes. We are treated to murderous Mexicans, conniving Jews, brawling Irish, bloodthirsty Scots, an Indian, and even Uncle Sam.

Betsy Ross Dance Trailer (1903)

22 June 1903

Presumably the woman is Betsy Ross, and she's quite a pretty woman with tumbling dark hair and coltish legs.

Panoramic View, Aisle B, Westinghouse Works Trailer (1904)

10 May 1904

Panoramic View, Aisle B, Westinghouse Works

The Boy In The Barrel Trailer (1903)

13 July 1903

A small boy is smoking his first cigarette in the door-yard of a cottage. Fearing detection, he jumps into a barrel.

The Baby and the Puppies Trailer (1904)

09 August 1904

A large size view of a pretty baby playing with half-dozen little puppies on the sand at the seashore.

Westinghouse Air Brake Co. (Moulding Scene) Trailer (1904)