Ella Lola, a la Trilby
Ella Lola, a la Trilby
Filmed in Edison's "Black Maria" studio in West Orange, New Jersey. A young, dark-haired woman performs a dance inspired by George du Maurier's character Trilby, in an early modern dance style reminiscent of Isadora Duncan. She dances barefoot without stockings and is dressed in a long, flowing gown bound across the bosom in Grecian style, with inside fringe and a draped cape hooked to her wrist. She also wears what appears to be a garland headpiece. Holding her gown with one hand throughout, the dancer performs a series of kicks and turns with leg kicks front and back, rocking, and round de jambe. From Niver, K.R. Early motion pictures: The author believes that this film was made in the Black Maria at a camera speed in excess of thirty frames per second. Ella Lola was a stage star of note before the turn of the century, and was given this opportunity to show her ability as a dancer. From the New York clipper, 4/19/02, p. 167: Ella Lola was born Sept. 2, 1883, in Boston, and made her first appearance as a dancer at the age of eleven years, and by her clever work has steadily come to the fore, until now she takes rank among the best in her class. She has been featured at various times with road companies, and has met with success at the leading vaudeville houses through the country.