The Pioneering Films of R.W. Paul

ROUGH SEA AT DOVER

Year: 1895
(25 seconds)
Directed by: Birt Acres, Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Strong waves arrives one after the other at Admiralty Pier in Dover.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

THE DERBY

Year: 1896
(30 seconds)
Directed by: Birt Acres
Genre: Actuality

The crowd swarms onto the track at the end of the 1895 Epsom Derby.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 5

HYDE PARK BICYCLING SCENE

Year: 1896
(20 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Well-dressed ladies and gentlemen pass by on bicycles in Hyde Park.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

SCENE ON THE RIVER THAMES; OR, UP THE RIVER

Year: 1896
(53 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Drama

People rush to rescue a child when it's dropped from a steam launch.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

TWO A.M.; OR, THE HUSBAND'S RETURN

Year: 1896
(67 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

A wife is far from pleased when her husband comes home drunk.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 5

COMIC COSTUME RACE

Year: 1896
(49 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Four music hall stars put on costumes before racing to the finishing line.

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE

Year: 1896
(36 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages pass by on Blackfriars Bridge.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 5

WESTMINSTER BRIDGE

Year: 1896
(25 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages pass by on Westminster Bridge.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

FOOTPADS

Year: 1896
(24 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Crime

A policeman helps a man who has been attacked by three footpads.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

ROYAL TRAIN

Year: 1896
(24 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Queen Victoria's train passes by a crowded platform at a railway station.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

THE TWINS' TEA PARTY

Year: 1896
(34 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

Two cute little girls wearing bonnets fall out as they share tea together.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

A SEA CAVE NEAR LISBON

Year: 1896
(11 seconds)
Directed by: Henry Short
Genre: Travelogue

The view from Portugal's Boca do Inferno as waves break at its mouth.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

ANDALUSIAN DANCE

Year: 1896
(18 seconds)
Directed by: Henry Short
Genre: Travelogue

Margarida and Amparo Aguilera performing a traditional Spanish dance.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

CHIRGWIN THE WHITE-EYED KAFFIR

Year: 1896
(18 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Performance

A popular music hall entertainer performs with a top hat and a banjo.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

HEAD OF PROCESSION INCLUDING BLUEJACKETS

Year: 1897
(44 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

HEAD OF COLONIAL PROCESSION, CANADIANS ETC

Year: 1897
(46 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

ROYAL CARRIAGES PASSING WESTMINSTER

Year: 1897
(39 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

CAPED MOUNTED RIFLEMAN PASSING ST. PAUL'S

Year: 1897
(28 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

DRAGOONS PASSING ST. PAUL'S

Year: 1897
(42 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

ROYAL CARRIAGE ARRIVING AT ST. PAUL'S

Year: 1897
(38 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

ROYAL PRINCES IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD

Year: 1897
(22 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

QUEEN'S CARRIAGE AND INDIAN ESCORT ARRIVING AT ST. PAUL'S

Year: 1897
(21 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

LIFE GUARDS AND PRINCES NORTH OF ST. PAUL'S

Year: 1897
(41 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Part of 'Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee'.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

A WAYFARER COMPELLED TO DISROBE PARTIALLY

Year: 1897
(41 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

A gentleman is told to remove his clothes when he is robbed at gunpoint.

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 7

WOMEN FETCHING WATER FROM THE NILE

Year: 1897
(60 seconds)
Directed by: Henry Short
Genre: Travelogue

Egyptian women carry water vessels back from the Nile on their heads.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 5

FISHERMEN AND BOAT AT PORT SAID

Year: 1897
(43 seconds)
Directed by: Henry Short
Genre: Travelogue

Egyptian fisherman set about untangling their nets as they unload fish.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

CUPID AT THE WASHTUB

Year: 1897
(29 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

A groom pays the price for flirting with a girl who is doing her laundry.

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

TOMMY ATKINS IN THE PARK

Year: 1898
(75 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

A couple get their revenge when their courting is suddenly interrupted.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

A SWITCHBACK RAILWAY

Year: 1898
(39 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

People have fun riding a switchback railway at a Victorian fairground.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

THE SIRDAR'S RECEPTION AT GUILDHALL

Year: 1898
(86 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Herbert Kitchener arrives to receive the Freedom of the City of London.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

A FAVOURITE DOMESTIC SCENE

Year: 1898
(86 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

A girl hides under the bed after causing her brothers to fight each other.

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

THE LAUNCH OF H.M.S. ALBION

Year: 1898
(107 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Boats race to the rescue when a stage carrying 200 spectators collapses.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

COME ALONG, DO!

Year: 1898
(57 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

A man spots a nude statue when he goes to an art museum with his wife.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

A CAMP SMITHY

Year: 1899
(51 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: War

Blacksmiths work together to reshoe a horse during the Boer War camp.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

ATTACK ON A PIQUET

Year: 1899
(22 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: War

A resting group of soldiers are attacked and killed during the Boer War.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

UPSIDE DOWN; OR, THE HUMAN FLIES

Year: 1899
(75 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Comedy, Trick

A conjurer's audience find themselves on the ceiling after he vanishes.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

ONLY ONE PART OF THE ORIGINAL 21 STILL EXISTS.

ARMY LIFE: MOUNTED INFANTRY

Year: 1900
(24 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality, Propaganda

The King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment pass by on their horses.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

TETHERBALL, OR DO-DO

Year: 1900
(36 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

A naval officer plays tetherball with passengers on a ship to South Africa.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

CRONJE'S SURRENDER TO LORD ROBERTS

Year: 1900
(44 seconds)
Directed by: Walter Beevor
Genre: Actuality

City Imperial Volunteers escort General Piet Cronjé after his surrender.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

ENTRY OF THE SCOTS GUARD INTO BLOEMFONTEIN

Year: 1900
(44 seconds)
Directed by: Walter Beevor
Genre: Actuality

A regiment of Scots Guards march into Bloemfontein after capturing it.

HOLY GODIVA 2 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 4

AN EXCITING PILLOW FIGHT

Year: 1900
(46 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Actuality

Men on a ship to South Africa try to knock each other off a greasy pole.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

A RAILWAY COLLISION

Year: 1900
(39 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Drama, Trick

Two trains tumble down an embankment after they collide at a tunnel.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

HIS BRAVE DEFENDER

Year: 1900
(81 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Crime

A cowardly man hides under the bed as his wife confronts an intruder.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

THE COUNTRYMAN'S FIRST SIGHT
OF ANIMATED PICTURES

Year: 1901
(18 seconds)
Directed by: Robert W. Paul
Genre: Comedy

A country bumpkin reacts to everything that he can see on the screen.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

SCROOGE, OR, MARLEY'S GHOST

Year: 1901
(287 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Drama, Trick

Ebenezer Scrooge is shown visions of Christmas past, present and future.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 2
TOTAL: 5

THE MAGIC SWORD

Year: 1901
(162 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Fantasy, Trick

A knight tries to rescue his lady after a good fairy gives him a sword.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

THE HAUNTED CURIOSITY SHOP

Year: 1901
(115 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Horror, Trick

A curiosity shop owner discovers that his items have a life of their own.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6

UNDRESSING EXTRAORDINARY

Year: 1901
(208 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Comedy, Trick

A tired traveller fights with his clothes as he gets himself ready for bed.

HOLY GODIVA 5 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 9

THE CHEESE MITES, OR LILIPUTIANS
IN A LONDON RESTAURANT

Year: 1901
(57 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Comedy, Trick

A diner's amused when little people appear on his table during his meal.

HOLY GODIVA 4 - ONION JACK 4
TOTAL: 8

THE WAIF AND THE WIZARD

Year: 1901
(98 seconds)
Directed by: W.R. Booth
Genre: Comedy, Trick

A conjurer helps a poor family when a sick girl is unable to see his show.

HOLY GODIVA 3 - ONION JACK 3
TOTAL: 6