What Happened in the Tunnel

About the production

This film was shot on a single set designed to replicate a train carriage interior, using painted backdrops and minimal props. The tunnel effect was achieved either by turning off studio lights or using a dissolve technique. The film was shot on 35mm film at approximately 16 frames per second, standard for Edison productions of this period. As with many Porter films, it was likely completed in a single day of shooting given its simplicity and short length.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

What Happened in the Tunnel reached screens in 1903 from Edison Manufacturing Company, when exhibitors still paired shorts and features in mixed programs.

Why this film matters

Students of early cinema study What Happened in the Tunnel as an example of 1903 treatment of a woman riding a train must contend with the unwelcome advances of a male passenger.

Making of

Edwin S. Porter directed this film during his most productive period at Edison, shortly after his breakthrough success with 'The Great Train Robbery.' The production was typical of Edison's factory-like approach to filmmaking - rapid, efficient, and cost-effective. The train carriage set was a standard piece of scenery that Edison maintained for multiple productions. The tunnel sequence required careful timing and coordination between the actors and the camera operator to achieve the desired comedic effect. The darkness was created either by simply turning off the studio lights or through an in-camera effect. The film was likely shot in one take with minimal rehearsal, as was common for these short subjects. Porter's experience as a cameraman and projectionist helped him understand exactly what would work visually and what would read clearly to audiences of the time.

What critics said

Contemporary journalism left scarce detail on What Happened in the Tunnel, leaving later critics to infer its 1903 reception.

Did you know?

• This film represents one of the earliest examples of using darkness as a narrative device in cinema, predating many similar gags that would become common in silent comedy
• Gilbert M. Anderson, who plays the male lead, would later become famous as 'Broncho Billy' Anderson, the first cowboy star of American cinema and founder of Essanay Studios
• The film was part of Edison's strategy to produce short, entertaining subjects that could be easily programmed in vaudeville theaters and penny arcades
• Edwin S. Porter was among the leading innovative directors of the early 1900s, having previously created 'The Great Train Robbery' (1903), which revolutionized narrative filmmaking
• The train carriage set was likely reused from other Edison productions, as the studio frequently recycled sets and props to minimize costs
• This film demonstrates the early development of what would become known as the 'meet-cute' scenario, though here it's played for comedy rather than romance
• The film's premise of unwanted male advances was surprisingly progressive for its time, showing a woman successfully outsmarting her harasser
• Like many Edison films of this period, it was likely hand-cranked through the camera, resulting in slight variations in projection speed
• The film was distributed on the same reel as other short subjects, a common practice that allowed exhibitors to show multiple films for one admission price
• This film survives today in the Library of Congress collection, preserved on 35mm safety film

Visual style

The cinematography by Edwin S. Porter (who often served as his own cameraman) follows the static camera approach typical of early cinema. The camera remains fixed throughout the film, capturing the entire train carriage set in a single wide shot. This approach ensured that all the action remained visible to the audience and was necessary given the primitive nature of film equipment at the time. The lighting would have been provided by studio lamps, with the tunnel effect achieved by extinguishing these lights. The film stock was likely orthochromatic, which rendered colors differently than modern film and affected the appearance of skin tones and costumes. Despite these technical limitations, Porter demonstrates an understanding of composition and staging that makes the action clear and readable.

Innovations

While not as technically innovative as some of Porter's other works, this film demonstrates several important technical achievements for its time. The effective use of lighting changes to create the tunnel effect shows an understanding of how light could be used as a narrative tool. The film's clear staging and composition within the constraints of a single camera setup demonstrate Porter's growing mastery of cinematic storytelling. The film also represents the refinement of continuity editing principles, with the action flowing naturally from one moment to the next. The survival of the film itself is a technical achievement, as many films from this period have been lost due to the unstable nature of early film stock.

Music

As a silent film, 'What Happened in the Tunnel' had no synchronized soundtrack. During its original exhibition, it would have been accompanied by live music, typically a pianist or small ensemble in the theater. The music would have been improvised or selected from standard repertoire appropriate to the mood of each scene. For the comedic elements, performers might have chosen lively, popular tunes of the day. The tunnel sequence might have been accompanied by dramatic or mysterious music to enhance the effect. Modern presentations of the film often feature newly composed scores or carefully selected period-appropriate music to recreate the original viewing experience.

Famous quotes

No dialogue - silent film

Memorable scenes

• The moment the train enters the tunnel and the carriage is plunged into darkness, creating suspense and setting up the comedic reversal
• The final reveal when the train exits the tunnel and the characters' positions are comically reversed, with the man disheveled and the woman composed

What audiences thought

Audience reception in 1903 would have been gauged by exhibitor feedback and rental demand rather than box office figures. The film's comedic premise and relatable situation likely made it popular with audiences of the time. The sight gag involving the tunnel would have been particularly effective for early cinema audiences who were still discovering the possibilities of the medium. The film's short length and clear visual storytelling made it accessible to the diverse audiences that attended nickelodeons and vaudeville theaters. Modern audiences viewing the film in archival contexts often appreciate it as a fascinating glimpse into early cinematic comedy and social norms of the period.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Georges Méliès' trick films
• Edison's own earlier comedies
• Stage comedy traditions
• Vaudeville sketches

This film influenced

• Numerous later comedy shorts using similar tunnel/darkness gags
• Charlie Chaplin's 'The Tramp' (1915) - similar themes of harassment and reversal
• Buster Keaton's 'The General' (1926) - train-based comedy

Film restoration

Preserved - The film survives in 35mm format at the Library of Congress and has been digitized for archival purposes. It is considered one of the better-preserved Edison films from this period.

Where to watch

• Library of Congress National Film Registry website
• YouTube (through authorized archival channels)
• Various DVD compilations of early Edison films
• Museum of Modern Art film collection screenings
• UCLA Film & Television Archive