Director · Actor

Edwin S. Porter

1870 – 1941

Who they are

Born: 21 April 1870, Connellsville, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: 30 April 1941
Known for: The Great Train Robbery, Life of an American Fireman, Uncle Tom's Cabin

Edwin S. Porter (1870–1941) was an American film pioneer who worked for the Edison company as a director, cinematographer and studio manager. His short films, especially The Great Train Robbery, helped establish narrative editing and the shot as the basic unit of film. His work paved the way for D.W. Griffith.

Where to start

The Great Train Robbery (1903)Full guide
His most famous film, a landmark of early narrative cinema that used editing to tell a dramatic story.
Life of an American Fireman (1903)In the library
An early story film that cut between scenes to build a rescue narrative, advancing continuity editing.
Uncle Tom's Cabin (1903)Log in to add it to the library
One of the earliest multi-scene adaptations of a famous novel, showing his move toward longer narrative films.
Dream of a Rarebit Fiend (1906)Log in to add it to the library
A trick-film fantasy showing his flair for visual effects and the influence of Méliès.
The Kleptomaniac (1905)Log in to add it to the library
A social-themed short contrasting how the justice system treats a rich woman and a poor one.

Their films in the library

Awards

No major awards are documented here.

The full list · 138

1899Strange Adventure of New York DrummerLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900Faust and MargueriteLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900The KissLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900Uncle Josh in a Spooky HotelLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900Uncle Josh's NightmareLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900The MagicianLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900A Dull RazorLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900The Mystic SwingLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900An Animated LuncheonLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900An Artist's DreamLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900Ching Ling Foo OutdoneLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1900Dewar's Scotch WhiskyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Pan-American Exposition by NightLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Circular Panorama of Electric TowerLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901President McKinley and Escort Going to the CapitolLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Terrible Teddy, the Grizzly KingLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Panorama of Esplanade by NightLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901The Martyred PresidentsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Another Job for the UndertakerLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901The Old Maid Having Her Picture TakenLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901The Tramp's Unexpected SkateLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Kansas Saloon SmashersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Why Mr. Nation Wants a DivorceLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Love by the Light of the MoonLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Laura Comstock's Bag-Punching DogLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Day at the CircusLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Sampson-Schley ControversyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901A Trip Around the Pan-American ExpositionLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901The Esquimaux VillageLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901The Old Maid in the HorsecarLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901The Reversible DiversLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1901Life Rescue at Long BranchLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902Jack and the BeanstalkLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902Fun in a Bakery ShopLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902How They Do Things on the BoweryLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902The Twentieth Century Tramp; or, Happy Hooligan and His AirshipLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902Burning of Durland's Riding AcademyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902Appointment by TelephoneLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902Babies Rolling EggsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902Charleston Chain-GangLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1902Capture of the Biddle BrothersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903The Great Train RobberyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Life of an American FiremanLog in to add it to the libraryDirector · Actor as Policeman
1903Electrocuting an ElephantLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Uncle Tom's CabinLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903New York City 'Ghetto' Fish MarketLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903The Unappreciated JokeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Rube and Mandy at Coney IslandLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903The Messenger Boy's MistakeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Panorama of Riker's Island, N.Y.Log in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903New York Harbor Police Boat Patrol Capturing PiratesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903New York City Dumping WharfLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903White Wings on ReviewLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Fireboat 'New Yorker' in ActionLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Sorting Refuse at Incinerating Plant, New York CityLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Panorama of Blackwell's IslandLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1903Panorama Water Front and Brooklyn Bridge from East RiverLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904How a French Nobleman Got a Wife Through the 'New York Herald' Personal ColumnsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904The Ex-ConvictLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904"Weary Willlie" Kisses the BrideLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904The Strenuous Life; or, Anti-Race SuicideLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904European Rest CureLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Scarecrow PumpLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Japanese AcrobatsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904A Rube Couple at a County FairLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Scenes in an Infant Orphan AsylumLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Capture of Yegg Bank BurglarsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Fighting the Flames, DreamlandLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Treloar and Miss Marshall, Prize Winners at the Physical Culture Show in Madison Square GardenLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Animated PaintingLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904R. F. Outcault Making a Sketch of Buster and TigeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association ChampionshipsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1904Crossing Ice Bridge at Niagara FallsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Night Before ChristmasLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905Coney Island at NightLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Whole Dam Family and the Dam DogLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The KleptomaniacLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Little Train RobberyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Miller’s DaughterLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The White CapsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Watermelon PatchLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Train WreckersLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Life of an American PolicemanLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Seven AgesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905How Jones Lost His RollLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905I.B. Dam and the Whole Dam FamilyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905Scenes and Incidents, Russo-Japanese Peace Conference, Portsmouth, N. H.Log in to add it to the libraryDirector
1905The Boarding School GirlsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906Dream of a Rarebit FiendLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906A Winter Straw RideLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906Three American BeautiesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906How the Office Boy Saw the Ball GameLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906Getting EvidenceLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906Life of a CowboyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906Waiting at the ChurchLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1906The Life of an American CowboyLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907The 'Teddy' BearsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907The Little Girl Who Did Not Believe in Santa ClausLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907Laughing GasLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907Cohen’s Fire SaleLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907College ChumsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907The Trainer’s Daughter, or A Race for LoveLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907RivalsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907Jack the KisserLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1907Poor JohnLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1908Tale the Autumn Leaves ToldLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1908A Suburbanite's Ingenious AlarmLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1908Miss Sherlock HolmesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1908SheLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1909The Colored StenographerLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1909On the Western FrontierLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1910His Mother's ThanksgivingLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1910Russia, the Land of OppressionLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1911The PriceLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1911The Lighthouse by the SeaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1911A Heroine of '76Log in to add it to the libraryDirector
1911On the BrinkLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1911Sherlock Holmes, Jr.Log in to add it to the libraryDirector
1911Lost IllusionsLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1913The Count of Monte CristoLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1913The Prisoner of ZendaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1913His Neighbor's WifeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1913In the Bishop's CarriageLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1914Tess of the Storm CountryLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1914Such a Little QueenLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1914A Good Little DevilLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1914The CrucibleLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1914Hearts AdriftLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915The Prince and the PauperLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915The Morals of MarcusLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915The White PearlLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915SoldLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915Bella DonnaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915ZazaLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915NiobeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915When We Were Twenty-OneLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1915The Eternal CityLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1982Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. PorterLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.