Monkeyshines, No. 2

In a technical sense, this second Edison Company "Monkeyshines" camera experiment represents a slight (perhaps very slight) improvement on the first movie. Paradoxically, for that reason it is actually a little less interesting (because less bizarre) to view. But its historical significance is still considerable.

As with the first "Monkeyshines" movie, this one consists of some brief footage of playful activity in the Edison Company facility. Compared with the first one, the figures are a little less ghostly and a little better defined, and the motions are slightly easier to determine. It still has the weird, surreal appearance of aliens or ghosts or abstract shapes, just not to quite the same degree.

Both "Monkeyshines" features were made when Edison was pursuing the idea of a cylindrical approach to motion pictures, by close analogy with his successful phonograph idea. The recent Kino DVD collection of Edison features has (as extras) a few photographs of the film and the equipment that were used in these early experiments, and they are quite interesting to look at for anyone with an interest in these earliest efforts to create movies.

Monekyshines, No. 1 (1890)

Monkeyshines, No. 2 (1890)

These two films by Edison, as well as a third one I haven't seen, are believed to be the very first to be shot in the United States. None of the three were meant to be seen by the public as Edison was just trying to test the cylinder of the Kinetograph format. William K.L. Dickson and William Heise are created with trying this experiment in June of 1889 or the last week of November 1890, experts debate which date is correct. Needless to say, outside a historic level, there's nothing much here to see. A few images flicker in front of our eyes and on the whole I'd say No. 2 is better as we can actually see the figure. The first test is pretty brutal and hard to figure out exactly what you're looking at.

I have an endearing respect for all these early attempts at filmaking and yet they do not all possess the same amount of interest. With Monkeyshines (whether Mos. 1 or 2) I hardly know what it is I am looking at. Though the image in No.2 is slightly more clearer.

Just like Monkeyshines No.1, it's very hard to see what is actually happening in the short film reel. As much as it's interesting seeing history from 132 years ago, Newark Athlete and the Blacksmith Scene make for far better viewing experiences, as it's the film reel is much more clear.

First of all, and how I say in summary title, this movie is first sequel of any movie in history of movies. And that what is not a rule and it is unusual for modern times is that the movie is better that original/first part.

We can see a little improvement in camera quality compared to 'Monkeyshines no1'. We can see a more details, but some details are still not visible (contours of face, more face details...).

It is not clear to me, is that same person from Monkeyshines No2? This person looks like a woman and I can't fully agree that person in G.Sacco Albanese.