Police Chasing Scorching Auto
Plot
In this thrilling early action short, police officers embark on a high-speed pursuit through city streets after a reckless automobile nearly strikes a small child. The film captures the intense chase as law enforcement officers race to apprehend the dangerous driver, showcasing the growing conflict between traditional horse-drawn transportation and the emerging automobile age. The sequence demonstrates the increasing dangers posed by motor vehicles in urban environments and the authorities' attempts to maintain public safety. The chase culminates in the eventual capture of the speeding motorist, serving as both entertainment and a cautionary tale about the responsibilities of automobile ownership.
Director
About the Production
This film was created as surplus footage from the longer production 'Life of an American Policeman' (1905). After editing that film to fit the standard 1,000-foot reel limit, director Edwin S. Porter had this complete chase sequence left over. Rather than waste the footage, the Edison Company packaged it as a standalone short film, which was a common practice in early cinema to maximize the commercial value of all shot footage. The film was likely shot on location in New York City streets, requiring coordination with local authorities and posing significant logistical challenges for the era.
Historical Background
The year 1906 was a pivotal time in American history and the development of cinema. The country was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization, with automobiles beginning to transform city life and transportation. This period saw the rise of the Progressive Era, with increased focus on public safety and social reform. In cinema, 1906 marked the transition from simple actualities and trick films to more complex narrative storytelling. The Edison Company, though still a dominant force, was facing increasing competition from other studios. Film distribution was evolving from traveling shows to permanent nickelodeon theaters, creating a growing demand for content. This film emerged at a time when cinema was establishing itself as a legitimate art form and entertainment medium, moving beyond novelty status.
Why This Film Matters
This film holds importance as an early example of the action genre and specifically the chase sequence, which would become fundamental to cinema. It captures a moment of technological and social transition, documenting the early days of automobile culture and the tensions it created. The film reflects contemporary anxieties about new technology and its impact on public safety, themes that continue to resonate in modern cinema. As a product of Edison Studios, it represents the industrial approach to filmmaking that would characterize Hollywood's development. The practice of repurposing footage demonstrated the emerging business models of the film industry. The film also serves as a historical document of early 20th-century urban life, showing period clothing, vehicles, and city environments.
Making Of
The production of this film would have required considerable planning and coordination for its time. Director Edwin S. Porter had to arrange for actual police officers to participate, secure permits for filming on city streets, and coordinate the timing of the chase sequence. The automobile used would have been one of the relatively few motor vehicles available in 1906, making it a novelty both for filming and for audiences. The scene involving the child actor would have required careful blocking to ensure safety while creating the illusion of danger. Early film cameras were bulky and required hand-cranking, meaning the cameraman had to keep pace with the action while maintaining focus and steady operation. The natural lighting conditions of outdoor shooting meant production was dependent on weather and time of day.
Visual Style
The cinematography of this film reflects the technical limitations and innovations of its era. Shot on location using hand-cranked cameras, the film demonstrates the challenges of mobile photography in 1906. The camera work would have been relatively static by modern standards, with the movement coming primarily from the subjects within the frame. Natural lighting was used throughout, creating authentic but sometimes inconsistent exposure. The film stock was likely black and white 35mm, the standard of the period. Composition would have been influenced by theatrical traditions, with action arranged for maximum visibility within the frame. The chase sequence required careful planning to maintain visual continuity and excitement despite the technical constraints of the equipment.
Innovations
This film demonstrates several technical achievements for its time period. The coordination of a moving chase sequence with multiple participants and vehicles required significant planning and execution. The use of actual automobiles and police officers rather than stage props added authenticity to the production. The film represents an early example of location shooting in an urban environment, which presented numerous logistical challenges. The successful capture of fast-paced action with the cumbersome camera equipment of 1906 was itself a technical accomplishment. The film's existence as a standalone product from unused footage shows the development of efficient production practices in the early film industry.
Music
As a silent film, 'Police Chasing Scorching Auto' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during exhibition. The typical accompaniment might include a pianist or small ensemble playing popular tunes of the era or improvising music to match the on-screen action. During chase sequences, faster-paced music such as ragtime or marches would have been employed to heighten excitement. The near-miss with the child might have been accompanied by dramatic chords or sudden changes in tempo. The music selection would have been at the discretion of the individual theater's musical director, meaning performances could vary significantly between venues. Some larger theaters might have employed special sound effects to enhance the action, such as whistles or bells for the police pursuit.
Famous Quotes
(Silent film - no dialogue)
Memorable Scenes
- The dramatic moment when the speeding automobile narrowly misses hitting the small child, creating immediate tension and establishing the stakes of the police pursuit. This scene effectively combines spectacle with moral purpose, demonstrating cinema's ability to create suspense and emotional engagement in its earliest narrative forms.
Did You Know?
- This film represents one of the earliest examples of a car chase sequence in cinema history, predating what would become a staple action genre.
- Edwin S. Porter was a pioneering filmmaker at Edison Studios and previously directed 'The Great Train Robbery' (1903), one of the most influential early narrative films.
- The film was essentially a byproduct of studio efficiency - created from unused footage that was too good to discard.
- Early automobiles in 1906 could reach speeds of 20-30 mph, which was considered dangerously fast at the time and made for exciting cinema.
- The Edison Manufacturing Company was one of the first film studios and dominated early American cinema production.
- This short would have been shown on nickelodeon programs, often alongside other short films, newsreels, and live acts.
- The film's theme of police versus reckless drivers reflected real social tensions as automobiles became more common in American cities.
- Porter was known for his innovative editing techniques and use of location shooting, both evident in this short.
- The child in the film likely represented the vulnerability of pedestrians in the new automotive age.
- This type of action sequence helped establish the language of cinematic chase scenes that would evolve over the next century.
What Critics Said
Contemporary critical reception of this short is difficult to document due to the limited film criticism infrastructure of 1906. However, trade publications like The Moving Picture World and Variety would have noted its exciting action elements and novelty value. Modern film historians recognize it as an important early example of chase sequences and action filmmaking. Critics today appreciate its historical significance and its role in developing cinematic language. The film is often cited in studies of Edwin S. Porter's contributions to cinema and the evolution of the action genre. Its straightforward narrative and clear action made it accessible to early audiences, which would have been noted by contemporary exhibitors.
What Audiences Thought
Early 1900s audiences would have found this short thrilling due to its fast-paced action and the novelty of seeing automobiles in motion pictures. The chase format was inherently exciting and easy to follow, making it popular with the diverse audiences of nickelodeon theaters. The near-miss with the child would have created genuine tension for viewers, demonstrating cinema's ability to evoke emotional responses. The familiar theme of police pursuing criminals provided a clear moral framework that resonated with Progressive Era values. The film's brevity made it ideal for the short attention spans and varied programming of early cinema venues. Audiences would have appreciated the authentic location shooting and the spectacle of actual vehicles in motion.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The Great Train Robbery (1903)
- Life of an American Policeman (1905)
- Actualities and documentary films of the era
- Stage melodramas and chase scenes
This Film Influenced
- Later police chase films
- Action cinema chase sequences
- Automobile-themed movies
- Early crime films
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Film Restoration
The preservation status of this specific film is unclear, as many Edison Company films from this period have been lost or exist only in fragmentary form. However, given its connection to the better-documented 'Life of an American Policeman,' there is a possibility that copies may exist in film archives such as the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art's film collection, or other early cinema repositories. The film would have been originally distributed on 35mm nitrate stock, which is highly flammable and prone to deterioration, making survival challenging without proper preservation efforts.