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Hey, Diddle Diddle, The Cat and the Fiddle

1902

Cat no. 216908

The popular nursery rhyme is performed in this example of early cinema.

A staged interpretation of the "The Cat and the Fiddle" using a combination of actors, a dancing dog, and various stage effects and props.

Keywords

Nursery rhymes; Puppetry; Trick films

Background Information

According to Luke McKernan, in his publication 'Women Silent Filmmakers in Britain' (2007), Laura Bayley (the wife of G.A. Smith), was possibly responsible for many 17.5mm Biokam productions and input into Smith's fiction films including this title. http://www.lukemckernan.com/britishsilentwomen_v2.pdf "One of the earliest amateur cine devices, the Biokam was demonstrated by T C Hepworth at the London Camera Club on 24th March 1899, where it was advertised as ‘A combined Cinematograph & Snap-Shot Camera, Printer, Projector, Reverser and Enlarger’. It used 17.5mm film with central perforations between frames (like the later 9.5mm film). The film box had two separate compartments, so that two rolls of film could be exposed in succession. The mechanism unit could be converted into a printer, and with the addition of a light source, into a projector. Distributed by the Warwick Trading Company, the full outfit cost eleven guineas (£11.55)." - National Media Museum (http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/Collection/Cinematography/MotionPictureEquipment/CollectionItem.aspx?id=1932-490)

  • Maker : G.A. Smith

Manifestations

Hey, Diddle Diddle, The Cat and the Fiddle

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