This film is part of Free
The Kiddies' Cakewalk
Four-year-old girl and boy dance a mean cakewalk
1903 1 mins Silent
Overview
Around 1903 there seems to have been a sudden spike in the popularity of the 'cakewalk', a dance originating in American plantations around the mid-19th century. It was introduced into Europe around 1899 and featured in touring pantomime in Britain in 1900. A spoof by Dan Leno was shoehorned into Blue Beard, the Drury Lane Christmas pantomime of 1901. Children would perform the dance in competitions up and down the country, so perhaps that's how this four-year-old pair came to the attention of filmmaker Robert Paul - although they are so good that they could be a professional ‘act’ from a theatrical family.
Related
Robert Paul: Giant of Early Film
Coronation Durbar at Delhi Coronation Durbar at Delhi
Non-Fiction 1902 2 mins Silent
Pomp and circumstance marking the coronation of King Edward VII as Emperor of India.
Delhi Durbar Delhi Durbar
Non-Fiction 1911 10 mins Silent
A film produced to celebrate the coronation of George V as King-Emperor at the Imperial Durbar of 1911.
Children in the Nursery Children in the Nursery
Comedy 1898 1 mins Silent
Seen but not heard? Three children get up to mischief after mother puts them to bed in this Victorian entertainment.
Tom Merry, Lightning Cartoonist, Sketching Kaiser Wilhelm II Tom Merry, Lightning Cartoonist, Sketching Kaiser Wilhelm II
Trick film 1895 0 mins Silent
Quick on the draw: Victorian cartoonist Tom Merry does a rapid sketch of Kaiser Wilhelm II
Up the River Up the River
Drama 1896 1 mins Silent
A river tragedy is narrowly averted in this early dramatic scene
Come Along, Do! Come Along, Do!
Comedy 1898 1 mins Silent
A museum visitor takes an interest in a nude sculpture - to his wife's annoyance - in a sadly incomplete early film comedy
New
A Lively Quarter-day A Lively Quarter-day
Comedy 1906 6 mins Silent
Chaos reigns as the removal men do their worst…
The "?" Motorist The "?" Motorist
Science Fiction 1906 3 mins Silent
The lengths that some people will go to, just to avoid a speeding ticket… in this case to Saturn and back.
Aberdeen University Quarter Centenary Celebrations Aberdeen University Quarter Centenary Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1906 32 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Edward VII and Queen Alexandra open new buildings at Marischal College, Aberdeen
The Medium Exposed? Or, A Modern Spiritualistic Seance The Medium Exposed? Or, A Modern Spiritualistic Seance
Comedy 1906 7 mins Silent
Faking the ability to contact the dead proves to be a big mistake for one Edwardian charlatan.
His Only Pair His Only Pair
Comedy 1902 1 mins Silent
Grandma sews a patch on her grandson’s trousers
Mr. Pecksniff Fetches the Doctor Mr. Pecksniff Fetches the Doctor
Comedy 1904 2 mins Silent
An Edwardian father-to-be is the star of this RW Paul caper.