Working two jobs 50 hours a week is for the birds-where is my Time Machine? Let's set the dials for a random time and place-bet I end up in the Netherlands again...nope, lost that bet, heh...
As is the case, I have no listing of Credits on…
Working two jobs 50 hours a week is for the birds-where is my Time Machine? Let's set the dials for a random time and place-bet I end up in the Netherlands again...nope, lost that bet, heh...
As is the case, I have no listing of Credits on this 8 minute feature, so no way of knowing whether we are dealing with multiple camera operators-judging by the consistency of film technique and direction my best guess is independent single operator with a state-of-the-art (for the time) Lumiere-style 35mm portable camera set on a flexible ball-and-joint swivel, allowing for the smooth (if limited) tracking shots. Judging from the transportation involved, our mystery recorder seems to be archiving several related short clips ranging from roughly 1887 to 1904 or so-the steam trains on the elevated line were being phased out shortly after 1905...
This short film features wonderful shots of the "El" elevated railway at Battery Park and crossing Broadway (the steam engines mentioned above), as well as a number of interesting street scenes of Lower Manhattan, Whitehall Street, Twenty Third Street, the Ghetto Fish Market, street vendors being told to move-on by policemen and much more (including a lovely tracking shot of the Flatiron Building). It ends with a long shot of a subway train crossing one of New York's many bridges. Vehicles are almost completely horse-drawn, with the exception of the electric streetcar lines and a dauntless Baker Electric Taxi making an appearance at roughly 6:55 or so...
This well-crafted compilation remained in a frankly incredible state of preservation in the Library of Congress, until media restorer Rick 88888888 ran a copy through an AI for speed correction, proper aspect ratios, minor clean-ups...and the addition of lovely pastel tints and a 'street sounds' background track to enhance the experience.
As I reluctantly set the dial back to 2023 I raise a mug of arabica blend with Italian sweet cream in salute to Rick88888888 and media explorers in general...Colorized, Soundtrack.
