Fred Evans

Cinema a century ago was a new, exciting and highly democratic form of entertainment. Picture houses nationwide offered a sociable, lively environment in which to relax and escape from the daily grind. With feature films still rare, the programme was an entertaining, ever-changing roster of short items with live musical accompaniment. 100 years on, this special compilation from the BFI National Archive recreates the glorious miscellany of comedies, dramas, travelogues and newsreels which would have constituted a typical night out in 1914. Our selection includes a comic short about a face-pulling competition, a sensational episode of The Perils of Pauline, scenes of Allied troops celebrating Christmas at the Front, and an early sighting of one of cinema’s greatest icons.

A clumsy oversized cyclist causes chaos.

The mischievous Pimple takes to the bottle.

A Lord foils a plot to kill his favourite and rides it to win.

Charley Smiler decides to join the Boy Scouts.

'Pimple finds money and buys motor-bicycle.' (British Film Catalogue)

UK Comedy short silent depicting US sailor day-dreaming of submariner adventures,

The Lieutenant and his men save an invention from spies.

'Pimple pursues windblown feather boa in mistake for snake.' (British Film Catalogue)

The intrepid Lieutenant Pimple thwarts foreign enemies in an action-packed wartime spy spoof.

'Stableboy saves lord's horse from baron and wins race.' (British Film Catalogue)

A private detective faces off against a master criminal.

'Pimple leads his valiant cavalry into the Valley of Death.' (British Film Institute)

'Pimple tries bill-posting and gets pasted.' (British Film Catalogue)

'Pimple builds a gramophone and hides inside it.' (British Film Catalogue)

Fred Evans, aka Pimple, plays Napoleon in the famous scenes from his life - including crossing the (cardboard) Alps - on a pantomime horse - the attempt on his life - by suffragettes - on the way to Paris (via Waterloo station) and the noble General's taking the watch from the sleeping sentry (who of course thinks he is trying to nick his rifle). At the battle, Napoleon (Fred Evans) and Wellington (Joe Evans) toss a coin for the first shot. The French, realising they have forgotten the ammunition, go off to the shops to buy some more. A troop of Boy Scouts charge Napoleon, who, after a chaotic battle, surrenders. He is taken prisoner and sent off in a boat, saying goodbye to France forever (here represented by a cardboard notice saying France on one bank of the Thames). -Bryony Dixon- BFI

Charley has a watch stolen by a pickpocket.

Pimple reads Dante and dreams hell is full of suffragettes and film comedians.

'Naval lieutenant discovers the Pole.' (British Film Catalogue)

A detective takes over a train to save the King of Cork from spies.