Monkeyshines (1889 or 1890)

Monkeyshines were a series of experimental short silent films made to test the original cylinder format of the Kinetoscope, and are believed to be the first films shot in the United States.

Monkeyshines, No. 1 was shot by William K. L. Dickson and William Heise for the Edison labs. Scholars have differing opinions on whether the first was shot in June 1889 or sometime between November 21–27, 1890 starring Guiseppe Sacco Albanese. Both men were fellow lab workers at the company; contradictory evidence exists for each claim. Monkeyshines, No. 2 and Monkeyshines, No. 3 quickly followed to test further conditions.

These films were intended to be internal tests of the new camera system, and were not created for commercial use; their rise to prominence resulted much later due to work by film historians. All three films show a blurry figure in white standing in one place making large gestures and are only a few seconds long. Monkeyshines No. 3 has disappeared and may be lost.

Monkeyshines, No. 1
One of W.K.L. Dickson's laboratory workers horses around for the camera.

Monkeyshines, No. 2
In an experiment that follows up on the results of 'Monkeyshines, No. 1', an Edison company worker again moves around in front of the motion picture camera.

Monkeyshines, No. 3
An Edison company worker makes large gestures in front of a Kinetoscope to test the new camera system.

Cast

 * Giuseppe Sacco Albanese - as Himself