Tribute To The Martyred Presidents Footage

Tribute to the Martyred Presidents
This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA.	Tape Master:	1151
	Catalog #:	493642
	Clip Number:	493642-1
	Orginal Film:	H9412
	Timecode:	01:27:28 - 01:28:43
	Location:	Canton, OH, USA
	Year Shot:	1901 (Actual Year)
	Audio:	No
	Color:	No
	Headings:	CRIME: Assassinations LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA, Ohio
	Description:	"The Martyred Presidents" : The Edison Film Company's cinematic special effects tribute to the three assassinated American Presidents - -Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley, produced shortly after the assassination of McKinley in 1901. The description of this in the film company's catalogue (see below) expressed how excited they are about their creative special effect bit - -and though it doesn't seem like much today, in 1901 it might have made quite an impression! Fade in on a scene depicting "Columbia seated at the altar of Justice". A woman (dark skinned!!! It's impressive that they have a woman of color representing Columbia - maybe Native American which would make sense - or maybe even African American. ) wearing a voluminous white robe with one shoulder bare, her head bowed, rests on one knee leaning on steps of a classically ornamented altar. On the front of the altar is a dark circle framed by carved olive branches. The face of the late Abraham Lincoln appears in the circle, with a sort of glowing light, stays for about 15 secs then fades to black. The same technique is repeated with pictures of Presidents Garfield and McKinley. 01:28:35 Now another shot : a man huddled at the foot of a statue of Justice (woman holding sword and scales), as if asking forgiveness. He is clutching his head and pounds on the dais, really a tortured soul! I suppose this is supposed to represent the most recent assassin, or the presidential assassins in general. From contemporary Edison co. catalogue: "The scene opens with a beautiful woman who represents Columbia seated at the altar of Justice. As if from out of space there slowly appears a perfect and lifelike picture of Abraham Lincoln. The forming of the picture is first noticed by the appearance of what seems to be a mere spot on the front of the altar. This spot slowly enlarges and is focused into shape, until, to the amazement of the audience, the face of the great emancipator is clearly shown. President Lincoln's likeness is allowed to remain upon the altar just long enough for recognition, when, in the same mysterious manner that it appeared, it slowly fades and in its place their grows the picture of President Garfield. This in a like manner fades away, and again as out of the dim distance comes the picture of our great martyred President, William McKinley. The tableau is then dissolved into a picture of an assassin kneeling before the throne of Justice. Here the tableau ends, leaving an impression of mingled sorrow and sublimity upon the audience. We predict for this picture a remarkable success, and particularly where it is shown in connection with the funeral ceremonies of the illustrious McKinley."