Harry Miles
Director
About Harry Miles
Harry Miles was one of the pioneering Miles Brothers, early American filmmakers who operated in San Francisco during the dawn of cinema. Along with his brothers Herbert and Joe, Harry helped establish one of the first film production companies on the West Coast during the early 1900s. The Miles Brothers were instrumental in capturing daily life and significant events in San Francisco during this transformative period. Their most renowned work, 'A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire' (1906), was filmed just days before the devastating earthquake that would reshape the city. Harry and his brothers were among the first filmmakers to recognize the documentary and historical value of motion pictures. Their work captured the bustling urban life of early 20th-century America with remarkable clarity and technical skill for the time. The Miles Brothers' company operated from 1902 until approximately 1907, during which they produced numerous short films documenting San Francisco and the surrounding region.
The Craft
Behind the Camera
Harry Miles' directing style was characterized by a documentary approach that focused on capturing real-life scenes as they naturally occurred. His technique involved placing cameras in strategic positions to record the flow of urban life, particularly street scenes and daily activities. The Miles Brothers' work demonstrated an early understanding of cinema's potential to preserve historical moments for future generations.
Milestones
- Co-founded Miles Brothers Film Company with brothers Herbert and Joe
- Directed 'A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire' (1906)
- Documented San Francisco before the 1906 earthquake and fire
- Pioneered early documentary filmmaking techniques
- Established one of the first West Coast film production companies
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Film preserved in the National Film Registry (for 'A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire')
- Recognized as pioneers of American documentary cinema
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Harry Miles and the Miles Brothers made an indelible mark on cinema history through their documentary work, particularly 'A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire,' which has become one of the most important historical films of the early 20th century. Their film provides an invaluable time capsule of San Francisco just before the 1906 earthquake, offering modern viewers a rare glimpse into urban life during this period. The Miles Brothers helped establish the documentary genre and demonstrated cinema's potential as a historical record. Their work influenced generations of documentary filmmakers who followed, showing that motion pictures could serve as both entertainment and historical documentation.
Lasting Legacy
The legacy of Harry Miles and the Miles Brothers endures primarily through their most famous film, which remains one of the most studied and referenced early motion pictures. Their work is frequently used in historical documentaries and educational materials about San Francisco and early cinema. The preservation of 'A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire' in the National Film Registry ensures that their contribution to American film history will be remembered. The Miles Brothers represent the entrepreneurial spirit of early American filmmakers who recognized the artistic and historical potential of motion pictures in cinema's infancy.
Who They Inspired
Harry Miles and the Miles Brothers influenced early documentary filmmaking through their observational approach and focus on capturing real-life events. Their work demonstrated that cinema could serve as a valuable historical record, influencing later documentary traditions. The technical achievements in their street photography, including the innovative camera placement and smooth tracking shots, influenced subsequent filmmakers working in urban environments. Their success in the early film industry helped establish San Francisco as an early center of American film production before the industry's eventual consolidation in Hollywood.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about Harry Miles' personal life, as was common for many early film pioneers whose work predated the celebrity culture that would later develop around Hollywood figures. He worked closely with his brothers Herbert and Joe in their family film business, suggesting strong familial bonds and professional collaboration. The Miles Brothers were part of San Francisco's business community during the early 1900s, operating their studio and production company in the city before and after the 1906 disaster.
Did You Know?
- The Miles Brothers' famous Market Street film was shot just four days before the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake
- Their film camera was mounted on the front of a streetcar to capture the continuous shot down Market Street
- The Miles Brothers were among the first filmmakers to recognize the historical value of documentary footage
- After the earthquake, the Miles Brothers filmed the destruction and recovery efforts, creating some of the earliest disaster footage
- Their studio was located at 1139 Market Street in San Francisco
- The Miles Brothers were among the first to establish a permanent film production company on the West Coast
- Their work predates the establishment of Hollywood as the center of American film production
- The original negative of 'A Trip Down Market Street' was discovered in the 1950s and restored
- The Miles Brothers also produced fiction films, though their documentaries have proven more historically significant
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Harry Miles?
Harry Miles was one of the pioneering Miles Brothers, early American filmmakers who operated in San Francisco during the dawn of cinema. Along with his brothers, he helped establish one of the first West Coast film production companies and created historically significant documentary footage of early 20th-century San Francisco.
What films is Harry Miles best known for?
Harry Miles is best known for 'A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire' (1906), a remarkable documentary film that captured San Francisco's Market Street just days before the devastating 1906 earthquake. This film has become one of the most important historical motion pictures from the early silent era.
When was Harry Miles born and when did he die?
Exact birth and death dates for Harry Miles are not well-documented, which was common for many early film pioneers. He was active during the early 1900s as part of the Miles Brothers film company in San Francisco, operating from approximately 1902 to 1907.
What awards did Harry Miles win?
Harry Miles did not receive formal awards during his lifetime, as the film industry's award systems had not yet been established. However, his most famous work 'A Trip Down Market Street Before the Fire' was later preserved in the National Film Registry, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.
What was Harry Miles' directing style?
Harry Miles' directing style was documentary-focused, emphasizing observational techniques that captured real-life scenes as they naturally occurred. His work demonstrated an early understanding of cinema's potential to preserve historical moments, particularly through innovative camera placement and smooth tracking shots of urban environments.
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Films
1 film
