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David Clover

   A chance view of a blog created by at the Oxfordshire History Centre entitled 'Film in Oxford: The Early Years' revealed this interesting letter dated 15 July 1907 from the Gaumont  Company referring to 'West's Our Navy' as holding a prior booking for showing films in the Oxford Town Hall.


(Link to file at Oxfordshire History Centre)

A review of the Oxford Town Clerk's correspondence files for 1905-1908 (folders OCA5/1/C5/9,  OCA5/1/C5/5, OCA5/1/C5/8, OCA5/1/C5/6) at Oxford Town Hall on 4/02/2025 reveals a number of 'Animated Picture' companies all vying for a weekly exhibition slot in the Town Halll or Corn Exchange to present their shows. (The Oxford Oxford Town Hall Archive folder reference is shown on each heading)

A recurring theme in the correspondence is a desire to know (as here) what other film shows were planned or booked at the venue before and after the date requested. Competition and desire for a large audience was such that exhibitors were concerned to prevent other animated pictures shows which  might dampen the enthusiasm of their potential audience. These requests also came from 'West's 'Our Navy'.

The general quality of films shown in the early period was very variable. West himself had a poor opinion of what was on offer. He writes in his Autobiography 'Sea Salts and Cellulioid (unpublished 1937)':
"Although films were then being shown in Music Halls, yet the subjects were mostly of little interest, poor in quality and, because of the flickering, very trying to the eyes. They were used as the last item on the programme, and were usually taken by the audience as a signal to get up and walk out. Animated pictures had thus not caught on with the public, so that for the principal concert hall in London to be booked for a two hours show of films and for the prices of the seats to range from 5/- to 1/- was something new. Many doubted whether the interest of the audience could be maintained for so long, and were very sceptical as to the prospect of success."

The discovery of this archive allows us to point directly towards these early films and shows and get sight of the reported content, advertisements and reviews.

(A comprehensive set of reviews and advertisements for West's 'Our Navy has been transcribed separately.)

Most of the links below are to entries in the extensive British Newspaper Archive which requires a subscription. Some public libraries offer the option to access it in their reading rooms.


Albany Ward’s Electric Picture Companies (OCA5/1/C5/9)

Prior to 1914, Albany Ward 1879-1956 (British Newspaper Archive subscription requred to view) was the operator of the largest cinema circuit in England. He had entered the film business with Birt Acres in 1896, but soon branched out on his own as a traveling exhibitor, eventually acquiring 29 theatres in the western part of England and Wales. Using newly available materials in the collection of the Albany Ward family, this paper documents the pre-war career of one of Britain's most significant early motion picture showmen. (Author: Patricia Cook, Date: July 2008, Film History Vol. 20, Issue 3 Publisher: Indiana University Press) | Letterhead

Andrews Animated Pictures and Concert Company (OCA5/1/C5/5)

There is no biographical information available for 'Andrews' but there are many references to the shows in the British Newspaper Archive.

Animated Pictures of Naval and Military Life Gale and Polden Ltd. (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Gale and Polden, Naval & Military Printers & Publishers from 1866 to 1981. (The Story of Gale & Polden : Naval & Military Printers & Publishers 1866-1981, Strong, David) References to the shows are to be found in the British Newspaper Archive.

Blakeboroughs New Imperial Pictures (OCA5/1/C5/9)

Little is known but there are a few entries in 'The Era' publication in the British Newspaper Archive

Dr Seaton’s Latest Electric Animated Photographs (OCA5/1/C5/6)

Obscure. No  details found.

Eclipse Animatograph and Variety Company (Portsmouth) (OCA5/1/C5/6)

Little is known but there are a few entries in 'The Era' publication  in the British Newspaper Archive

Ediscope and Barnum’s World Famous Animated Pictures (OCA5/1/C5/6)

Little is known but there are many entries in 'The Era' publication and local newspapers for 'Ediscope and Barnum's Electric Animated Pictures' and 'Ediscope Singing Pictures' in the British Newspaper Archive | Letter head

Fabbro’s Excello Chronoscope & Bioscope (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Little is known but there are a few entries in 'The Era' publication in the British Newspaper Archive

Gaumont Co. (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Founded in 1895, the Gaumont company was born alongside cinema. Since its inception, the Daisy-blazoned brand has continued to enrich its catalog and collection through the constant preservation, rediscovery, restoration, and promotion of all things regarding the company's work and productions. Contemporary articles at the British Newspaper Archive.
Many exhibitors, including some listed on this page, bought and used Gaumont equipment, including an early machine designed to synchronise sound and film - the 'Chronophone' | Example (1) of a Chronophone film | Example (2) of a Chronophone film

International Entertainments Ltd. (OCA5/1/C5/9)

Indications are that this was a short lived company run by a Philip Yorke, Theatrical Manager. It went bankrupt in 1907 with liabilites of £1,704. A few short articles in the British Newspaper Archive appear to corroborate this.

London Animated Picture Co. (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Refeences to the Oberammagau Play and  items featuring celebrities are found in relation to this company in the British Newspaper Archive. Letter from archive

Miss Ethel Dunford’s Musical Comedy Concert Company ‘The Magpies’ and London Animated Picture Combination (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Ethel Dunford 'The Charming Vocalist' appears to have performed in Engand and Ireland supporting such picture shows as 'Enterprise Imperial Pictures' and the 'London Animated Pcture Company'. There are a few entries to be found oin the British Newspaper Archive.

New York Animated Photo Company (OCA5/1/C5/8)

A small number of references found on the British Newspaper Archive.

Paris Modern Theatre Co. (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Reported to run shows of 'Coloured Animated Pictures'. Many entries found in the British Newspaper Archive.

Pringle’s North American Animated Picture Co. (OCA5/1/C5/8)

'The Largest Picture Exhibition in the World'Many entries found in the British Newspaper Archive.Titles include "MUZZLED BY MOTHER IN LAW", "AN INEXPERIENCED CHAUFFEUR" etc. | Letterhead

St Louis Picture Co (OCA5/1/C5/9)

"The first in the United Kingdom to introduce Gaumont;s Patent Chronophone". "PiCTURES THAT TALK, PICTURES THAT SING! PICTURES THAT LIVE". Many entries found in the British Newspaper Archive. | Letterhead

The Columbia Animated Pictures Company (OCA5/1/C5/8)

"PICTURES THAT TALK SING AND LIVE" "THE MARVEL OF THE AGE". Entries in the British Newspaper Archive.

The Joseph Poole Myrioramas Superb Animated Pictures (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Extensively referred to in the British Newspaper Archive. Crowded houses. "Absolutely not one dull moment" The company became involved in a protracted fraud case in Cornwall in 1911 after the death of its founder J.W. Poole | Letterhead

The National Picture Company, Brixton (OCA5/1/C5/9)

Descriptions in the British Newspaper Archive include "THE WORLD RENOWNED GRAND NATIONAL PICTURE COMPANY. ALL THE LATEST AND BEST ANIMATED PICTURES, SCENES TRAVEL IN MANY LANDS. HUMOROUS INCIDENTS. MARVELLOUS COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY. WONDERS OF THE DEEP."

The New Century Animated Photo Co. John Sanders (OCA5/1/C5/6)

Recorded around 1904-1905 include 'Canada in all her glory' and 'bees at work'. 'The humorous side of life is not neglected'. Films also of local interest. Entries located in the British Newspaper Archive

The New York Animated Photo Company (OCA5/1/C5/6)

Recorded 1906-1907. 'Fire at sea' 'The bull fight' 'Process of steel making' 'A walk round a zoo'. 'These pictures are remarkably clear and don't jump'. British Newspaper Archive has some entries.

The World’s Greatest Animated Picture Co. (OCA5/1/C5/8)

Film 'Mary Queen of Scots' and 'songs nightly'. 'Each child on leaving he building will be presented with a stick of Blackpool rock'. Very small number of entries in the British Newspaper Archive

Waller Jeffs’ New Century Pictures (OCA5/1/C5/5)

Extensive references 1906-1911 in the British Newspaper Archive. 'The World in Pictures' 'A Programme of Distinction' 'Full Orchestra Band' Opera songs. 'Rescued in Mid Air'. 'Adventures in the Alps' 'Grand Fete at Vevey'. 'Grandpapa and Butterfly'. 'Fun on the Farm'. 'The Hand of the Artist'. 'The Life of a Sailor'



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