Reel

Japanese Acrobats

Japanese Acrobats
Clip: 493659_1_1
Year Shot: 1904 (Actual Year)
Audio: No
Video: B/W
Tape Master: 1149
Original Film: FPE 7673
HD: N/A
Location:
Timecode: -

Filmed in Edison's New York City studio. An Oriental man and boy walk on a stage with a painted backdrop of a garden or park, give a slight bow to the camera as if it were an audience member, and remove their silk jackets. Both wear dark tights and leotards with light-colored slippers; the man also wears grey trunks, and the boy sports a white cloth around his middle. Lying on his back on a fitted mat, the man juggles and spins the boy with his feet. The boy's acrobatic movements include spinning in a tucked ball-like position, flipping lengthwise in a prone position, flipping from a standing position to a shoulder-stand, somersaulting from a standing to a sitting position, repeated flips involving both the hands and feet of the man, and other series of somersaults and turns. After finishing the act, the acrobats take a slight bow and run off the stage, then return for another bow before finally exiting. From Edison films catalog: A Japanese juggler performs some marvelous juggling feats with a boy. Lying on his back on the floor, he spins the boy with his feet and makes him turn numerous somersaults. 120 ft. $18.00.