President McKinley Taking the Oath

Plot

This historic short documentary captures the solemn moment when President William McKinley takes the oath of office for his second term on March 4, 1901, at the United States Capitol. The film shows McKinley standing before Chief Justice Melville Fuller, who administers the presidential oath on the east portico of the Capitol building. The camera captures the formal ceremony with attendees including military figures like Admiral George Dewey visible in the background. The footage documents this significant political transition in American history during the early days of motion picture technology. The film concludes with the newly sworn-in president acknowledging the gathered crowd, marking the beginning of what would tragically become his abbreviated second term.

Historical Background

This film was produced during a pivotal period in American history and the development of cinema. The year 1901 marked the beginning of the 20th century, and the United States was emerging as a global power following its victory in the Spanish-American War. McKinley's presidency had overseen significant economic growth and territorial expansion. The film industry itself was in its infancy, with motion pictures still being regarded as a novelty rather than an art form or serious medium. The ability to capture important historical events like presidential inaugurations on film was revolutionary, offering ordinary citizens the opportunity to witness ceremonies they might never attend in person. This particular inauguration took place during what became known as the Progressive Era, a time of significant social and political reform in America. The film's creation also coincided with technological advancements in photography and the standardization of film formats.

Making Of

The production of this film represented a significant achievement in early documentary filmmaking. The American Mutoscope Company had to obtain special permission from government officials to film the inauguration ceremony. The cinematographer had to position the bulky Biograph camera carefully to capture the oath-taking without obstructing the view of attendees or disrupting the solemn proceedings. The camera was manually operated using a hand crank, requiring the operator to maintain consistent speed throughout the filming. The large 68mm film format used by Biograph produced exceptionally clear images but required more light and careful handling. The filming team likely had to arrive hours early to set up their equipment and coordinate with Capitol police and inauguration organizers. This was one of the first times a presidential inauguration was captured on motion picture film, setting a precedent for future documentary coverage of political events.

Visual Style

The cinematography of this film was accomplished using the American Mutoscope Company's proprietary Biograph camera, which utilized 68mm film stock - nearly twice the width of the standard 35mm film that would later become industry standard. This larger format produced images of remarkable clarity and detail for the time period. The camera was stationary, positioned to capture the oath-taking ceremony from an optimal vantage point. The framing includes McKinley, Chief Justice Fuller administering the oath, and portions of the assembled crowd and dignitaries. The exposure appears well-balanced considering the outdoor lighting conditions and the limitations of early film stock. The camera work demonstrates the technical skill of early cinematographers in capturing important events with the cumbersome equipment of the era.

Innovations

This film represents several technical achievements for its time. The use of the 68mm Biograph format provided superior image quality compared to other contemporary film formats. The successful capture of an outdoor ceremony with proper exposure demonstrates the advancing capabilities of early film equipment. The ability to film such an important official event without disruption shows the growing acceptance of motion picture cameras in formal settings. The film also demonstrates the technical skill required to hand-crank the camera at a consistent speed to produce smooth motion. The preservation of this footage for over 120 years is itself a testament to the quality of the original film stock and the durability of early motion picture technology.

Music

As a silent film produced in 1901, this movie had no synchronized soundtrack. When originally exhibited, it would have been accompanied by live music, typically a pianist or small orchestra in the theater. The musical accompaniment would have been selected to match the solemn and patriotic nature of the inauguration ceremony. Popular choices might have included patriotic songs like 'Hail to the Chief' or other appropriate martial music. Some exhibitors might have used a lecturer to provide narration during the screening, explaining the significance of what was being shown to the audience. The lack of recorded sound was standard for films of this era, with the visual spectacle being the primary attraction.

Memorable Scenes

• The solemn moment when Chief Justice Melville Fuller administers the presidential oath to William McKinley, capturing the formal transfer of executive power in the early 20th century

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of this film is difficult to determine due to the limited nature of film journalism in 1901. However, trade publications like The New York Clipper and The Moving Picture World likely noted its historical importance. Modern film historians and archivists recognize this film as a significant early documentary, particularly for its clear documentation of a presidential ceremony. The Library of Congress and film preservation institutions consider it an important artifact of early American cinema. Critics today appreciate the film for its historical value rather than its artistic merits, as it represents the nascent stages of documentary filmmaking. The clarity of the image, thanks to the 68mm Biograph format, is often noted as exceptional for the period.

What Audiences Thought

Early audiences viewed this film with great interest, as motion pictures showing real events and real people were still a novelty. The film would have been shown in vaudeville theaters and early nickelodeons, likely as part of a program of short films. Audiences were fascinated by the ability to see the President and other important figures in motion, as most people had only seen them in photographs or illustrations. The film's educational value was also recognized, with some exhibitors promoting it as an opportunity for citizens to witness their government in action. The relatively short length of the film made it suitable for the attention spans of early film audiences, who were still adapting to the new medium of motion pictures.

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