Monkeyshines, No. 1

About This Movie

So, 'Monkeyshines, No. 1'—it’s this early experimental film that really gives you a peek into the birth of cinema. Shot in 1890, it’s believed to be one of the first films in the U.S., which is always a great talking point for collectors. You’ve got this blurry figure in white doing some exaggerated gestures, and it’s only a few seconds long. It feels a bit like a test run for the Kinetoscope’s cylinder format. I mean, the pacing is almost hypnotic in its simplicity. The atmosphere is raw and unrefined, which is part of its charm. It’s fascinating to think about how they were pushing boundaries back then, even with such a brief clip.

This film is a fascinating artifact from the dawn of cinema, highlighting the experimental nature of early filmmaking and the original cylinder format of the Kinetoscope. While not widely available, collectors seek it out for its historical significance and unique production style. Its scarcity adds to the allure, particularly for those interested in the evolution of film and its early techniques.