Directing

James H. White

Born March 1, 1872 · Nova Scotia, Canada

Died January 1, 1944 · aged 71

James Henry White was a Canadian film pioneer, who worked as a director, producer, and cinematographer. He also appeared as an actor in several films. He was employed by the Edison Manufacturing Company, and directed over 500 short films, both fictional and documentary.

Known For

Interrupted Lovers

Interrupted Lovers · 1896

Interrupted Lovers

MovieRomanceComedy

“The watchful father disturbs a dream of bliss, and the bucolic lover is taught a lesson. He made a great hit.” (Edison film catalog)

Frankenstein

Frankenstein · 1910

MovieHorrorScience Fiction

Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done, Frankenstein is comforted by his fiancée; but on his wedding night he is visited by the monster.

Three Acrobats

Three Acrobats · 1899

The Buffoons are artists in their line. They tumble in and out of trick doors, disappear and reappear in unexpected places in most unexpected ways. Sure to amuse the children.

Lone Fisherman

Lone Fisherman · 1896

A fellow in a wide-brimmed hat, with a willowy stick for a rod and a baited hook, sits down on a plank hanging over a bridge above a stream. He sticks the rod under his seat and picks up his bottle to take a swig. Behind him creeps a joker who removes the large flagstone that's holding the fisherman's plank in place.

Buffalo Stockyards

Buffalo Stockyards · 1897

Buffalo Stockyards

MovieDocumentary

From Edison films catalog: A long line of horses, mules and ponies are led, driven and ridden into the yards, where they are sold and distributed.

His Mother's Thanksgiving

His Mother's Thanksgiving · 1910

His Mother's Thanksgiving

MovieDramaFamily

This holiday-themed melodrama released by Edison Studios in 1910 concerns Robert, a young man who leaves his mother’s home in New England to forge a career in the big city. When he achieves “fame and fortune” six years later, his proud mother can’t wait to welcome him home for Thanksgiving. Robert, however, intends to stay in the city to enjoy a holiday feast with his society friends and beautiful fiancée. When Mom decides to pay a surprise visit on Thanksgiving Day, she is saddened to find that her son is so ashamed of her that he relegates her to an upstairs room, out of sight and out of mind.

Cripple Creek Bar-Room Scene

Cripple Creek Bar-Room Scene · 1899

Cripple Creek Bar-Room Scene

Rowdy patrons visit an Old West saloon.

Mess Call

Mess Call · 1896

MovieDocumentary

Members of the New York state militia enjoy some relaxing time during a meal break.

Filmography

Sort

Interrupted Lovers

Interrupted Lovers · 1896

Interrupted Lovers

MovieRomanceComedy

“The watchful father disturbs a dream of bliss, and the bucolic lover is taught a lesson. He made a great hit.” (Edison film catalog)

Producer

Frankenstein

Frankenstein · 1910

MovieHorrorScience Fiction

Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done, Frankenstein is comforted by his fiancée; but on his wedding night he is visited by the monster.

Director of Photography

Three Acrobats

Three Acrobats · 1899

The Buffoons are artists in their line. They tumble in and out of trick doors, disappear and reappear in unexpected places in most unexpected ways. Sure to amuse the children.

Director

Lone Fisherman

Lone Fisherman · 1896

A fellow in a wide-brimmed hat, with a willowy stick for a rod and a baited hook, sits down on a plank hanging over a bridge above a stream. He sticks the rod under his seat and picks up his bottle to take a swig. Behind him creeps a joker who removes the large flagstone that's holding the fisherman's plank in place.

Director

Buffalo Stockyards

Buffalo Stockyards · 1897

Buffalo Stockyards

MovieDocumentary

From Edison films catalog: A long line of horses, mules and ponies are led, driven and ridden into the yards, where they are sold and distributed.

Director

His Mother's Thanksgiving

His Mother's Thanksgiving · 1910

His Mother's Thanksgiving

MovieDramaFamily

This holiday-themed melodrama released by Edison Studios in 1910 concerns Robert, a young man who leaves his mother’s home in New England to forge a career in the big city. When he achieves “fame and fortune” six years later, his proud mother can’t wait to welcome him home for Thanksgiving. Robert, however, intends to stay in the city to enjoy a holiday feast with his society friends and beautiful fiancée. When Mom decides to pay a surprise visit on Thanksgiving Day, she is saddened to find that her son is so ashamed of her that he relegates her to an upstairs room, out of sight and out of mind.

Director

Cripple Creek Bar-Room Scene

Cripple Creek Bar-Room Scene · 1899

Cripple Creek Bar-Room Scene

Rowdy patrons visit an Old West saloon.

Director

Mess Call

Mess Call · 1896

MovieDocumentary

Members of the New York state militia enjoy some relaxing time during a meal break.

Director

Seminary Girls

Seminary Girls · 1897

Young girls engage in a pillow fight until it is broken up by the headmistress. A number of young ladies, in their night robes, are having a frolic, and are interrupted by a teacher. One girl makes herself very conspicuous by crawling under a bed.

Director

Lurline Baths

Lurline Baths · 1897

"The main feature is the toboggan slide. Some sit down while others lie down, either head or feet first."

Director

2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Parade and Embarkation

2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Parade and Embarkation · 1899

2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Parade and Embarkation

MovieDocumentary

This film captures the departure of the 2nd Special Service Battalion, Canadian Infantry, from Quebec for the war in South Africa. Soldiers in campaign uniform march under a triumphal arch to the cheers of flag-waving crowds before proceeding to the wharf and embarking on the transport Sardinian, bound for the Transvaal.

Director

Husking Bee

Husking Bee · 1897

MovieDocumentary

Shows a party of young people in front of a barn door, searching for the red ear, which is discovered, and the penalty exacted from one of the group who resists payment of the forfeit, thereby creating confusion and merriment. The group is animated, and is made up of real farmer boys and girls. During the progress of husking, the farmer arrives wheeling his little daughter to the sport on a barrow.

Director

Fishing Smacks

Fishing Smacks · 1897

MovieDocumentary

Another Edison film shot in San Francisco at the Fisherman's Wharf. Once again the camera is looking down on a group of men doing their jobs.

Director

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk · 1902

Jack and the Beanstalk

MovieAdventureFamily

Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of the famous fairy tale story of Jack and his magic beanstalk. Borrowing on cinematographic methods reminiscent of 'Georges Melies' , Porter uses animation, double exposure, and trick photography to illustrate the fairy's apparitions, Jack's dream, and the fast growing beanstalk.

Farmer

Life of an American Fireman

Life of an American Fireman · 1903

Life of an American Fireman

Porter's sequential continuity editing links several shots to form a narrative of firemen responding to a house fire. They leave the station with their horse drawn pumper, arrive on the scene, and effect the safe rescue of a woman from the burning house. But wait, she tells them of her child yet asleep in the burning bedroom...

The Fire Chief

Horses loading for Klondike, no. 9

Horses loading for Klondike, no. 9 · 1897

Horses loading for Klondike, no. 9

MovieDocumentary

The wharf is crowded with live stock, and the huge derrick slowly drops the large box or sling into the bunch. Into this cradle a horse is led, and is slowly hoisted and swung over to the deck of the steamer. This picture is taken ten minutes before sailing time.

Director

Leander Sisters

Leander Sisters · 1897

Leander Sisters

MovieComedyDocumentary

“A clever characteristic dance called the 'Yellow Kid.' Very unique. Stage is in the Sutro Baths, San Francisco, Cal., and the audience is composed largely of bathers.” (Edison Catalog)

Director

Watermelon Contest

Watermelon Contest · 1900

Watermelon Contest

Four men each hold a large slice of watermelon, and have a race to see who can finish eating first. All four move quickly, but one man seems to be pulling ahead of the others. Soon the contestants begin to hinder one another's efforts.

Director

Freight Train

Freight Train · 1898

MovieDocumentary

Another entry in Edison's "Southern Pacific Company Series", which pretty much had cameramen hanging around the train line just shooting anything they could.

Director

Herald Square

Herald Square · 1896

MovieDocumentary

Formed by the junction of Broadway, Sixth Avenue and 35th Street. The picturesque low roofed Herald building is plainly shown; also the passing crowds and group of idlers.

Director

Edison Drawn by 'World' Artist

Edison Drawn by 'World' Artist · 1896

Edison Drawn by 'World' Artist

MovieDocumentary

Artist draws Thomas Edison.

Director

The First Sleigh-Ride

The First Sleigh-Ride · 1897

The First Sleigh-Ride

MovieDocumentary

“This subject taken just after the recent first fall of snow, shows two enthusiastic horsemen indulging in a "brush" with their respective horses and cutters.” (Maguire & Baucus)

Director

Going Through the Tunnel

Going Through the Tunnel · 1898

Going Through the Tunnel

"On the way to San[ta] Monica, Cal., the train approaches, runs through and emerges from a tunnel. Train passes in opposite direction. Camera is at front end of train, giving a very novel view."

Director

Opening of the Pan-American Exposition Showing Vice President Roosevelt Leading the Procession

Opening of the Pan-American Exposition Showing Vice President Roosevelt Leading the Procession · 1901

Opening of the Pan-American Exposition Showing Vice President Roosevelt Leading the Procession

MovieDocumentary

This is a great historical event. Our cameras were stationed in the center of the Esplanade looking toward the Main Approach to the Pan-American Exposition...

Director