An Interesting Story
Plot
The film follows a middle-aged man who becomes so utterly engrossed in a book titled 'An Interesting Story' that he loses all awareness of his physical surroundings. As he walks through the streets of Brighton, his refusal to look up from the pages leads to a series of escalating slapstick disasters, including colliding with pedestrians, walking over a breakfast cloth laid out for a picnic, and stumbling into a large roller used for road work. His oblivious journey continues as he wanders onto a building site where he is inadvertently hoisted up by a crane and later drenched by a water cart. Despite being physically assaulted, soaked, and nearly killed by various urban hazards, the man remains fixated on his reading material, concluding the film by finally finishing the book while in a state of total disarray.
Director
About the Production
The film was produced by James Williamson, a pioneer of the 'Brighton School' of filmmakers. It was shot on location using natural lighting and real street settings, which was a hallmark of Williamson's style. The film utilized a series of linked shots to create a narrative of continuous movement, which was a sophisticated technique for 1905. The 'road roller' sequence required careful timing between the actor and the machine operator to ensure safety while maintaining the comedic effect of the man being 'flattened' (a trick achieved through a clever edit).
Historical Background
In 1905, cinema was transitioning from 'cinema of attractions' (short, single-shot spectacles) to narrative storytelling. The British 'Brighton School,' led by Williamson and George Albert Smith, was at the forefront of this evolution, developing the basic grammar of film editing. This period was also characterized by a fascination with the dangers and comedies of modern urban life, as cities became more crowded and mechanized. The film reflects the Edwardian era's anxieties about new technology (like steamrollers) and the changing pace of public spaces.
Why This Film Matters
The film is significant for its contribution to the development of film comedy and the 'chase' or 'journey' structure. It demonstrated that a simple premise—a man distracted by a book—could sustain a multi-shot narrative. It also highlights the early 20th-century obsession with 'distraction' as a byproduct of modern literacy and media consumption, a theme that remains relevant in the age of smartphones. It is frequently cited in film history texts as a key example of early British narrative development.
Making Of
James Williamson, originally a chemist, used his technical background to experiment with film processing and editing. For 'An Interesting Story,' he focused on the concept of 'narrative continuity,' ensuring that the direction of the character's movement remained consistent across different shots to help the audience follow the journey. The production was low-budget and relied on the cooperation of local workers in Brighton, such as the road crew operating the steamroller. The film was edited manually by cutting and splicing the nitrate strips, a process Williamson helped pioneer in the British film industry.
Visual Style
The cinematography is characterized by static wide shots that capture the full physical performance of the actor. Williamson uses the 'proscenium arch' style typical of the era but breaks it by moving the action through real-world environments. The camera is placed at a medium distance to ensure both the protagonist's expressions and the environmental hazards are visible. There is a notable use of the 'stop-motion' substitution trick to simulate the man being run over.
Innovations
The film is a masterclass in early 'trick' editing, specifically the use of the 'stop-motion' substitution to swap a live actor for a flat prop. It also demonstrates an early understanding of screen direction, as the character consistently moves from one side of the frame to the other to suggest a continuous journey through a town.
Music
As a silent film, there was no recorded soundtrack. It would have been accompanied by live piano or organ music in theaters, often with improvised 'mickey-mousing' sounds to accentuate the falls and collisions.
Memorable Scenes
- The Steamroller Scene: The protagonist walks directly under a massive road roller and appears to be flattened into a pancake on the pavement.
- The Picnic Scene: The man walks directly across a white tablecloth where a group of people are eating, completely oblivious to the food he is stepping on.
- The Water Cart Scene: The man is thoroughly doused by a street-cleaning water wagon but continues to turn the pages of his book without pause.
Did You Know?
- The film is one of the earliest examples of the 'absent-minded professor' or 'engrossed reader' trope in cinema.
- James Williamson used his own family and neighbors as extras in many of his Brighton-based films.
- The film features an early example of a 'match-on-action' cut when the man moves from one location to another.
- The book the protagonist is reading is actually titled 'An Interesting Story,' making the film's title self-referential.
- The scene involving the steamroller was considered a high-point of special effects for 1905, involving a jump-cut to a flattened dummy.
- It was distributed in the United States by the Vitagraph Company of America.
- The film is approximately 280 feet of 35mm film in its original state.
- The protagonist's resilience is a precursor to the 'indestructible' characters later seen in Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin films.
What Critics Said
At the time of its release, it was praised for its 'clever trick photography' and its relatable, humorous premise. Trade journals of the era noted Williamson's ability to create 'laughable situations' through simple editing. Modern film historians view it as a vital link in the evolution of the slapstick genre, praising its pacing and the effective use of location shooting which gives it a proto-documentary feel despite the absurd plot.
What Audiences Thought
Early audiences reportedly found the 'steamroller' sequence particularly hilarious and shocking, as the transition from a real person to a flattened figure was a novel visual gag. The film was a popular 'filler' in music halls and early dedicated cinemas (nickelodeons), appealing to a wide demographic through its physical, non-verbal humor.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The 'Comic Strip' tradition of the late 19th century
- Magic Lantern shows
- The work of Georges Méliès
This Film Influenced
- The Invisible Man (1933) - for its use of trick photography
- Buster Keaton's 'Sherlock Jr.'
- Modern 'distracted walking' comedy sketches
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Film Restoration
Preserved; the film is held in the BFI National Archive and has been digitized for public viewing.