The 'Teddy' Bears

Plot

This innovative 1907 silent film cleverly weaves together the classic fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with the real-life story of President Theodore Roosevelt's famous hunting trip that inspired the teddy bear. The film begins with Goldilocks wandering through the forest and discovering the bears' cottage, where she watches six teddy bears performing elaborate dance routines and acrobatic tricks through a knothole in the wall. After sampling the bears' porridge and testing their chairs, she falls asleep in one of their beds, only to be awakened by the returning bear family who chase her through the woods. Goldilocks ultimately finds safety when she encounters the 'Old Rough Rider' (Theodore Roosevelt), who saves her from the pursuing bears, creating a unique blend of folklore and contemporary political reference that delighted audiences of the time.

Historical Background

This film was produced during a transformative period in American cinema, when the industry was transitioning from simple actualities and trick films to more complex narrative storytelling. 1907 was a pivotal year as nickelodeons were spreading rapidly across America, creating a growing demand for longer, more sophisticated films. The film's reference to Theodore Roosevelt's famous bear hunting incident from 1902 tapped into a major cultural phenomenon that had only recently begun. Roosevelt was at the height of his popularity in 1907, having won the Nobel Peace Prize that year for mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War. The teddy bear itself had been invented just four years earlier in 1903, and by 1907 was becoming a mass-market toy phenomenon. This film captured a unique moment when American popular culture, politics, and the emerging art form of cinema converged.

Making Of

The production of 'The 'Teddy' Bears' represented the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company's efforts to create sophisticated narrative content that could compete with European films, particularly those from Georges Méliès in France. Director Wallace McCutcheon Sr., who had been with Biograph since its founding, brought his considerable experience in visual storytelling to this ambitious project. The film required multiple costume changes for the actors playing the teddy bears, and the dance sequences would have required considerable rehearsal time. The combination of location shooting and studio work was relatively advanced for 1907, demonstrating Biograph's commitment to production quality. The film's political satire element was carefully balanced to be humorous without being disrespectful to the sitting president, Roosevelt, who was extremely popular at the time.

Visual Style

The cinematography for 'The 'Teddy' Bears' was typical of Biograph productions of 1907, utilizing the company's characteristic 68mm film format which provided exceptional image quality for the time. The film employed static camera shots as was standard for the period, but used multiple camera positions to create variety in the visual storytelling. The dance sequences of the teddy bears were carefully choreographed for the camera, with movements designed to read clearly on screen despite the limitations of early cinematography. Location shooting in natural settings contrasted with the interior scenes of the bears' cottage, demonstrating the cinematographer's ability to work in different lighting conditions. The film's visual style emphasized clarity and composition, with careful attention to framing the action to ensure audiences could follow the narrative despite the lack of intertitles.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical terms, 'The 'Teddy' Bears' demonstrated several sophisticated production techniques for its time. The film's use of multiple sets and location shooting showed Biograph's commitment to production quality beyond the simple single-set films common in 1907. The costume design for the teddy bears represented an early example of elaborate creature costumes in cinema, requiring significant technical skill to create recognizable bear characters that could still perform dance movements. The film's editing, though simple by modern standards, showed an understanding of narrative pacing and scene transition that was advanced for the period. Biograph's use of 68mm film stock provided superior image quality, though this format would soon be abandoned in favor of the more economical 35mm standard.

Music

As a silent film from 1907, 'The 'Teddy' Bears' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its theatrical exhibitions. Typical accompaniment would have included a pianist or small ensemble playing popular songs of the era, classical pieces, and improvisational music matched to the on-screen action. The dance sequences of the teddy bears would likely have been accompanied by popular ragtime or dance music of the period. The chase scene through the woods would have featured more dramatic, fast-paced music to build excitement. No specific musical scores or cue sheets for this film survive, but the practice of the time suggests the accompaniment would have been lively and varied to match the film's mix of fantasy, comedy, and action elements.

Memorable Scenes

• The sequence where Goldilocks watches six teddy bears performing elaborate dance routines and acrobatic tricks through a knothole in the wall, showcasing the film's unique blend of fantasy and contemporary culture; The climactic chase scene through the woods where Goldilocks is pursued by the bear family, demonstrating early cinema's ability to create action and suspense; The final scene where Goldilocks is saved by 'The Old Rough Rider' (Theodore Roosevelt), cleverly bringing together the fairy tale and political elements of the story.

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews from trade publications like The Moving Picture World and Variety praised the film's clever concept and execution, noting particularly its appeal to family audiences. Critics of the time appreciated the novelty of combining a familiar fairy tale with contemporary political reference, though some felt the political satire might be lost on younger viewers. Modern film historians consider 'The 'Teddy' Bears' an important example of early American narrative innovation, particularly in its use of contemporary cultural references. The film is often cited in scholarly works about early cinema as evidence of the rapid development of sophisticated storytelling techniques in American film during the nickelodeon era. Its preservation and availability in film archives has made it a valuable resource for researchers studying early 20th century American culture and cinema.

What Audiences Thought

The film was reportedly very popular with audiences when released, particularly in nickelodeons where family attendance was common. Children were delighted by the dancing teddy bears and the familiar Goldilocks story, while adults appreciated the clever political satire referencing the popular president. The film's topical nature made it a sensation in late 1907, as audiences were still very familiar with the Roosevelt bear story that had inspired the teddy bear craze. Contemporary accounts suggest the film was often requested for repeat showings, indicating strong audience approval. The combination of humor, fantasy, and political reference created broad appeal across demographic groups, making it one of Biograph's more successful releases of the period.

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