The Kiss

Plot

This short Edison film captures a simple, intimate moment between two people as they share a kiss. The film presents the act in a straightforward manner, with the couple embracing and kissing for the camera. Unlike the more famous 1896 Edison kiss featuring May Irwin and John C. Rice, this version stars Fred Ott in what appears to be a recreation or variation of the popular theme. The entire sequence lasts only a few seconds but was designed to elicit amusement and reaction from audiences. The Edison catalog describes it as an 'old fashioned home made kind' of kiss that would set audiences 'into merriment and motion,' emphasizing its role as crowd-pleasing entertainment rather than high art.

Historical Background

The year 1900 marked a transitional period in American cinema, as the industry was moving from the novelty phase of the mid-1890s toward establishing motion pictures as a viable commercial entertainment medium. The Edison Manufacturing Company was still a dominant force in the industry, though competition was emerging from other American producers and European filmmakers. This was an era before the development of narrative cinema as we know it today - films were typically short, single-shot scenes capturing simple actions or moments. The turn of the century also saw the beginning of the shift from peep-show Kinetoscopes to projected film exhibitions, which would dramatically expand the potential audience for motion pictures. Socially, the Victorian era was giving way to the Progressive era, and films like this pushed boundaries of what was considered acceptable public entertainment.

Making Of

The production of this film represents Edison's continued efforts to capitalize on successful formulas from their early catalog. Fred Ott, being a trusted Edison employee, was likely chosen for his reliability and willingness to participate in these experimental productions. The film was probably shot quickly in one take, as was typical for Edison productions of this era. The Edison studio system was highly efficient, with films often being produced in rapid succession to meet the growing demand for motion picture content. The use of a kiss as subject matter was deliberately chosen for its universal appeal and slightly scandalous nature, which helped draw curious audiences to the new medium of motion pictures.

Visual Style

The cinematography would have been typical of Edison productions of the era - a single static camera positioned to capture the full action. The camera would have been hand-cranked, likely at about 16 frames per second, which was standard for the period. The lighting would have been natural or simple artificial light, as sophisticated studio lighting systems had not yet been developed. The composition would have been straightforward, centering the subjects in the frame to ensure clarity of the action. The film was shot on 35mm stock using Edison's proprietary equipment, which produced relatively clear images for the time.

Innovations

While not technically groundbreaking, this film represents the refinement of Edison's film production process. The company had by 1900 established efficient methods for creating short, commercially viable films. The use of regular employees like Fred Ott as performers was itself a cost-effective production strategy. The film demonstrates the early understanding of what content worked best for the new medium - brief, clear, sensational subjects that could be easily understood by diverse audiences. The preservation of such simple, single-shot films was easier than more complex productions, which is why many examples of this type survive today.

Music

As a silent film, it had no synchronized soundtrack. When exhibited, it would have been accompanied by live music provided by the venue - typically a pianist or small ensemble who would improvise appropriate music. The music would have been light and playful to match the cheerful nature of the subject matter. Some exhibitors might have used sound effects or commentary, but this would have varied by venue and was not part of the original production.

Memorable Scenes

• The entire film consists of one memorable scene: Fred Ott and his partner sharing a brief kiss directly for the camera, a simple but effective moment that captures the essence of early cinematic entertainment

What Critics Said

Contemporary reception was likely positive based on the Edison catalog's description, which noted that such subjects 'have always proven a popular subject' and that 'an exhibit is not complete without it.' The catalog emphasized that the film would set 'the whole audience into merriment and motion,' suggesting it was received as light, entertaining fare. Modern film historians view this film primarily as an example of early Edison production practices and the development of cinematic content. It's generally studied in the context of early cinema's exploration of sensational subjects and the development of film as entertainment rather than documentation.

What Audiences Thought

According to the Edison catalog, audiences responded with 'merriment and motion' to this type of content, indicating that it was well-received as entertaining spectacle. Early film audiences were often drawn to slightly risqué material that they couldn't see in other public venues, and a kiss on screen would have been considered somewhat daring for the time. The fact that Edison continued to produce similar kiss films suggests they were commercially successful. These short films were often shown as part of variety programs, and their brief, sensational nature made them perfect for holding audience attention between longer acts.

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