The 20 Best of William Heise
by kobe1413 | created - 21 Feb 2014 | updated - 18 Apr 2021 | PublicI have listed the twenty best films from filmmaker William Heise.
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1. The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (1895)
Not Rated | 1 min | Short, History
This short film, one of the first to use camera tricks, depicts the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Director: Alfred Clark | Stars: Robert Thomae, Mrs. Robert L. Thomas
Votes: 2,549
Heise was the cinematographer for director Clark.
2. Fire Rescue Scene (1894)
1 min | Drama, Short
"Firemen in working uniform, rubber coats, helmets, and boots. Thrilling rescue from burning building. Smoke effects are fine." - from the Edison Catalog
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise
Votes: 621
Heise and Dickson make another narrative film after the "Blacksmith Scene".
3. Lone Fisherman (1896)
Not Rated | 1 min | Comedy, Short
"Depicts the patient fisherman, sitting on the end of a plank, waiting for a bite. Practical joker comes along and removes stone from other end of plank."
Director: James H. White
Votes: 324
4. Dickson Experimental Sound Film (1894)
Not Rated | 1 min | Short, Music
The earliest extant sound film. William K.L. Dickson stands in the background next to a huge sound pickup horn connected to a Thomas Edison phonograph recorder. As he plays a violin, two ... See full summary »
Director: William K.L. Dickson | Star: William K.L. Dickson
Votes: 2,560
Heise was the cameraman for this Edison short. The sound of director W.K.L. Dickson playing the violin on camera was recorded along with the film.
5. The Pickaninny Dance, from the 'Passing Show' (1894)
1 min | Documentary, Short
A scene representing Southern plantation life before the war. A jig and a breakdown by three colored boys.
Director: William K.L. Dickson | Stars: Joe Rastus, Denny Tolliver, Walter Wilkins
Votes: 277
A short film of three men dancing, from the Broadway "Passing Show". Better than other shorts from Heise and Dickson from the same time only due to the spirited and colorful dancing from the men. Its funny how their dancing would fit perfectly into any hip-hop video from the current century.
6. Black Diamond Express (1896)
Not Rated | 1 min | Documentary, Short
"Train is first seen rounding a curve nearly a mile away. Approaches at the rate of 70 miles an hour, blowing a warning whistle to a gang of track repairers."
Director: James H. White | Stars: Benjamin F. Hardesty, Charles Lee
Votes: 339
Heise works the camera for this Edison short.
7. The Barbershop (1893)
1 min | Documentary, Short
Customer gets a lightning-fast shave.
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise
Votes: 1,203
A decent scene of everyday life as a man gets a shave while two other men talk to each other.
8. Blacksmith Scene (1893)
Unrated | 1 min | Short, Comedy
Three men hammer on an anvil and pass a bottle of beer around.
Director: William K.L. Dickson | Stars: Charles Kayser, John Ott
Votes: 2,762
Heise and W.K.L. Dickson stage the first narrative put on film.
10. Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph (1894)
Not Rated | 1 min | Short, Sport
James J. Corbett and Peter Courtney meet in a boxing exhibition.
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise | Stars: James J. Corbett, Peter Courtney
Votes: 855
The two fighters box for a little for the Edison men.
11. Horse Shoeing (1893)
1 min | Documentary, Short
One of the pictures to be seen in the machine, for example, was that of a blacksmith shop in which two men were working, one shoeing a horse, the other heating iron at the forge. One would ... See full summary »
Director: William K.L. Dickson | Star: William K.L. Dickson
Votes: 263
Another narrative short from the Heise/Dickson team.
13. Edison Kinetoscope Records: Annie Oakley (1894)
Not Rated | 1 min | Documentary, Short, Western
Annie Oakley, the 'Little Miss Sure Shot' of the 'Wild West' gives an exhibition of rifle shooting at glass balls and clay pigeons in a film from the Edison Catalog.
Director: William K.L. Dickson | Stars: Francis E. Butler, Annie Oakley
Votes: 1,485
An energetic showing by Oakley for the Edison camera.
14. Hadj Cheriff (1894)
Not Rated | 1 min | Short
Hadj Cheriff, a performer known for a variety of unusual abilities, demonstrates part of his act in the Edison studio.
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise | Star: Hadj Cheriff
Votes: 549
Cheriff does acrobatic moves around the stage of Edison's studio while filmed by Heise.
15. Chinese Laundry Scene (1894)
1 min | Short, Comedy
The pursuit of Hop Lee by an irate policeman.
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise | Stars: Phil Doreto, Robetta
Votes: 609
Two guys do acrobatic stunts on a set.
16. Annabelle Serpentine Dance (1895)
Not Rated | 1 min | Documentary, Short
Annabelle (Whitford) Moore performs one of her popular dance routines. She uses her dance steps and her long, flowing skirts to create a variety of visual patterns.
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise | Star: Annabelle Moore
Votes: 2,399
Annabelle Moore performs the popular serpentine dance.
17. A Hand Shake (1892)
1 min | Short
Two men shake hands for the Kinetograph.
Stars: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise
Votes: 611
A quick film of the two pioneers shaking hands.
18. Bucking Broncho (1894)
Not Rated | 1 min | Documentary, Short, Western
A fine exhibition of horsemanship by Lee Martin, a genuine cowboy. This particular broncho is an unusually wicked one. (from Edison Films)
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise | Stars: Frank Hammitt, Lee Martin, Sunfish
Votes: 749
Cowboy Lee Martin is shown riding a broncho for a few seconds before being tossed off.
19. Leonard-Cushing Fight (1894)
1 min | Documentary, Short, Sport
In the background, five fans lean on the ropes looking into the ring. The referee is to the left; like the fans, he hardly moves as two fighters swing roundhouse blows at each other. Mike ... See full summary »
Director: William K.L. Dickson | Stars: Jack Cushing, Mike Leonard
Votes: 506
One of the longest films that Heise shot in 1894.
20. Sioux Ghost Dance (1894)
Not Rated | 1 min | Short, Western
A group of Sioux Indians from Buffalo Bill's Wild West exhibition demonstrates a dance called a "ghost dance".
Directors: William K.L. Dickson, William Heise
Votes: 815
A group of Native American from "Buffalo Bill" Cody's traveling Wild West show perform a traditional dance for the camera.
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