This film is part of Free

Wooden Athletes

Stripped-back wooden dolls put on the greatest show on Earth via the marvel of stop motion

Animation & Artists Moving Image 1912 5 mins Silent

Overview

Ladies and Gentlemen! This early stop motion short even goes to the trouble of gathering its own crowd. Outside the circus tent a barker demonstrates some of the acts awaiting inside. Later we see feats of strength, acrobats and tightrope tricks. The pared-back wooden dolls in this film may be a little crude, but they are articulated and balanced to enable more complex movements.

Subjects