Edwin S. Porter
Edwin S. Porter

Edwin S. Porter

Born: April 21, 1870 - Died: April 30, 1941 (71 years)
Connellsville, Pennsylvania, USA

Edwin Stanton Porter was an American film pioneer, most famous as a producer, director, studio manager and cinematographer with the Edison Manufacturing Company and the Famous Players Film Company. Influenced by both the "Brighton school" and the story films of Georges Méliès, Porter went on to make important shorts such as Life of an American Fireman (1903) and The Great Train Robbery (1903). In them, he helped to develop the modern concept of continuity editing, paving the way for D.W. Griffith who would expand on Porter's discovery that the unit of film structure was the shot rather than the scene. Porter, in an attempt to resist the new industrial system born out of the popularity of nickelodeons, left Edison in 1909 to form his own production company which he eventually sold in 1912. Porter remains an enigmatic figure in motion picture history. Though his significance as director of The Great Train Robbery and other innovative early films is undeniable, he rarely repeated an innovation after he had used it successfully, never developed a consistent directorial style, and in later years never protested when others rediscovered his techniques and claimed them as their own. He was a modest, quiet, cautious man who felt uncomfortable working with the famous stars he directed starting in 1912. He has directed four films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Life of an American Fireman (1903), The Great Train Robbery (1903), Dream of a Rarebit Fiend (1906) and Tess of the Storm Country (1914).

Movies Directed (140)
The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper

Nov 29, 1915

Bella Donna

Bella Donna

Nov 15, 1915

Zaza

Zaza

Nov 11, 1915

The White Pearl

The White Pearl

Oct 10, 1915

Sold

Sold

Aug 5, 1915

The Eternal City

The Eternal City

Apr 12, 1915

When We Were Twenty-One

When We Were Twenty-One

Apr 5, 1915

Niobe

Niobe

Apr 4, 1915

The Morals of Marcus

The Morals of Marcus

Jan 18, 1915

The Crucible

The Crucible

Dec 14, 1914

Such a Little Queen

Such a Little Queen

Sep 20, 1914

Tess of the Storm Country

Tess of the Storm Country

Mar 30, 1914

A Good Little Devil

A Good Little Devil

Mar 1, 1914

Hearts Adrift

Hearts Adrift

Feb 9, 1914

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo

Nov 1, 1913

His Neighbor's Wife

His Neighbor's Wife

Oct 10, 1913

In the Bishop's Carriage

In the Bishop's Carriage

Sep 10, 1913

The Prisoner of Zenda

The Prisoner of Zenda

Feb 18, 1913

The Price

The Price

Nov 23, 1911

Lost Illusions

Lost Illusions

Oct 4, 1911

The Lighthouse by the Sea

The Lighthouse by the Sea

Sep 15, 1911

Sherlock Holmes, Jr.

Sherlock Holmes, Jr.

Jul 20, 1911

On the Brink

On the Brink

Jun 22, 1911

A Heroine of '76

A Heroine of '76

Feb 16, 1911

His Mother's Thanksgiving

His Mother's Thanksgiving

Nov 22, 1910

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Sep 9, 1910

The Attack on the Mill

The Attack on the Mill

Aug 12, 1910

Russia, the Land of Oppression

Russia, the Land of Oppression

Jun 10, 1910

Faust

Faust

Dec 24, 1909

The House of Cards

The House of Cards

Dec 10, 1909

On the Western Frontier

On the Western Frontier

Apr 2, 1909

The Star of Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem

Mar 19, 1909

The Colored Stenographer

The Colored Stenographer

Jan 2, 1909

Miss Sherlock Holmes

Miss Sherlock Holmes

Dec 4, 1908

She

She

Nov 13, 1908

Tale the Autumn Leaves Told

Tale the Autumn Leaves Told

Apr 11, 1908

A Suburbanite's Ingenious Alarm

A Suburbanite's Ingenious Alarm

Jan 18, 1908

The Little Girl Who Did Not Believe in Santa Claus

The Little Girl Who Did Not Believe in Santa Claus

Dec 21, 1907

Laughing Gas

Laughing Gas

Dec 14, 1907

College Chums

College Chums

Dec 7, 1907

The Trainer’s Daughter, or A Race for Love

The Trainer’s Daughter, or A Race for Love

Nov 23, 1907

Jack the Kisser

Jack the Kisser

Oct 19, 1907

Rivals

Rivals

Sep 14, 1907

Cohen’s Fire Sale

Cohen’s Fire Sale

Jun 29, 1907

The 'Teddy' Bears

The 'Teddy' Bears

Mar 2, 1907

Poor John

Poor John

Feb 1, 1907

Getting Evidence

Getting Evidence

Oct 20, 1906

How the Office Boy Saw the Ball Game

How the Office Boy Saw the Ball Game

Aug 11, 1906

Waiting at the Church

Waiting at the Church

Jul 21, 1906

The Life of an American Cowboy

The Life of an American Cowboy

Jun 2, 1906

Life of a Cowboy

Life of a Cowboy

Jun 2, 1906

Three American Beauties

Three American Beauties

May 31, 1906

A Winter Straw Ride

A Winter Straw Ride

Apr 7, 1906

Dream of a Rarebit Fiend

Dream of a Rarebit Fiend

Feb 24, 1906

The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas

Dec 16, 1905

The Life of an American Policeman

The Life of an American Policeman

Dec 6, 1905

The Train Wreckers

The Train Wreckers

Nov 27, 1905

The Miller’s Daughter

The Miller’s Daughter

Nov 6, 1905

The Watermelon Patch

The Watermelon Patch

Oct 24, 1905

The White Caps

The White Caps

Sep 14, 1905

The Little Train Robbery

The Little Train Robbery

Sep 9, 1905

The Boarding School Girls

The Boarding School Girls

Sep 1, 1905

Scenes and Incidents, Russo-Japanese Peace Conference, Portsmouth, N. H.

Scenes and Incidents, Russo-Japanese Peace Conference, Portsmouth, N. H.

Aug 22, 1905

The Whole Dam Family and the Dam Dog

The Whole Dam Family and the Dam Dog

Jul 15, 1905

I.B. Dam and the Whole Dam Family

I.B. Dam and the Whole Dam Family

Jul 8, 1905

Coney Island at Night

Coney Island at Night

Jun 29, 1905

How Jones Lost His Roll

How Jones Lost His Roll

May 23, 1905

The Seven Ages

The Seven Ages

Apr 8, 1905

The Kleptomaniac

The Kleptomaniac

Feb 18, 1905

The Strenuous Life; or, Anti-Race Suicide

The Strenuous Life; or, Anti-Race Suicide

Dec 19, 1904

Scarecrow Pump

Scarecrow Pump

Dec 9, 1904

The Ex-Convict

The Ex-Convict

Dec 3, 1904

A Rube Couple at a County Fair

A Rube Couple at a County Fair

Nov 22, 1904

"Weary Willlie" Kisses the Bride

"Weary Willlie" Kisses the Bride

Sep 30, 1904

Capture of Yegg Bank Burglars

Capture of Yegg Bank Burglars

Sep 28, 1904

European Rest Cure

European Rest Cure

Sep 3, 1904

How a French Nobleman Got a Wife Through the 'New York Herald' Personal Columns

How a French Nobleman Got a Wife Through the 'New York Herald' Personal Columns

Aug 26, 1904

Fighting the Flames, Dreamland

Fighting the Flames, Dreamland

Aug 1, 1904

Scenes in an Infant Orphan Asylum

Scenes in an Infant Orphan Asylum

Jul 17, 1904

Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association Championships

Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association Championships

Jun 7, 1904

Japanese Acrobats

Japanese Acrobats

Apr 9, 1904

R. F. Outcault Making a Sketch of Buster and Tige

R. F. Outcault Making a Sketch of Buster and Tige

Mar 12, 1904

Treloar and Miss Marshall, Prize Winners at the Physical Culture Show in Madison Square Garden

Treloar and Miss Marshall, Prize Winners at the Physical Culture Show in Madison Square Garden

Jan 16, 1904

Crossing Ice Bridge at Niagara Falls

Crossing Ice Bridge at Niagara Falls

Jan 15, 1904

The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery

Dec 7, 1903

The Messenger Boy's Mistake

The Messenger Boy's Mistake

Oct 14, 1903

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Sep 5, 1903

Rube and Mandy at Coney Island

Rube and Mandy at Coney Island

Aug 13, 1903

The Unappreciated Joke

The Unappreciated Joke

Aug 8, 1903

Panorama of Riker's Island, N.Y.

Panorama of Riker's Island, N.Y.

May 22, 1903

White Wings on Review

White Wings on Review

May 22, 1903

New York City Dumping Wharf

New York City Dumping Wharf

May 22, 1903

Fireboat 'New Yorker' in Action

Fireboat 'New Yorker' in Action

May 22, 1903

Sorting Refuse at Incinerating Plant, New York City

Sorting Refuse at Incinerating Plant, New York City

May 22, 1903

New York City 'Ghetto' Fish Market

New York City 'Ghetto' Fish Market

May 9, 1903

New York Harbor Police Boat Patrol Capturing Pirates

New York Harbor Police Boat Patrol Capturing Pirates

May 9, 1903

Panorama of Blackwell's Island

Panorama of Blackwell's Island

May 9, 1903

Panorama Water Front and Brooklyn Bridge from East River

Panorama Water Front and Brooklyn Bridge from East River

May 1, 1903

Life of an American Fireman

Life of an American Fireman

Jan 21, 1903

Electrocuting an Elephant

Electrocuting an Elephant

Jan 12, 1903

How They Do Things on the Bowery

How They Do Things on the Bowery

Oct 1, 1902

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jul 15, 1902

Appointment by Telephone

Appointment by Telephone

May 15, 1902

Charleston Chain-Gang

Charleston Chain-Gang

Apr 13, 1902

Babies Rolling Eggs

Babies Rolling Eggs

Apr 11, 1902

Burning of Durland's Riding Academy

Burning of Durland's Riding Academy

Feb 24, 1902

Capture of the Biddle Brothers

Capture of the Biddle Brothers

Feb 24, 1902

The Twentieth Century Tramp; or, Happy Hooligan and His Airship

The Twentieth Century Tramp; or, Happy Hooligan and His Airship

Jan 27, 1902

Panorama of Esplanade by Night

Panorama of Esplanade by Night

Nov 11, 1901

The Martyred Presidents

The Martyred Presidents

Oct 19, 1901

Pan-American Exposition by Night

Pan-American Exposition by Night

Oct 18, 1901

Day at the Circus

Day at the Circus

Sep 27, 1901

Life Rescue at Long Branch

Life Rescue at Long Branch

Sep 16, 1901

Circular Panorama of Electric Tower

Circular Panorama of Electric Tower

Aug 31, 1901

The Reversible Divers

The Reversible Divers

Aug 21, 1901

Sampson-Schley Controversy

Sampson-Schley Controversy

Aug 15, 1901

The Esquimaux Village

The Esquimaux Village

Jul 1, 1901

A Trip Around the Pan-American Exposition

A Trip Around the Pan-American Exposition

Jun 21, 1901

The Tramp's Unexpected Skate

The Tramp's Unexpected Skate

May 23, 1901

Another Job for the Undertaker

Another Job for the Undertaker

May 15, 1901

Laura Comstock's Bag-Punching Dog

Laura Comstock's Bag-Punching Dog

Apr 27, 1901

Love by the Light of the Moon

Love by the Light of the Moon

Mar 23, 1901

Kansas Saloon Smashers

Kansas Saloon Smashers

Mar 16, 1901

President McKinley and Escort Going to the Capitol

President McKinley and Escort Going to the Capitol

Mar 16, 1901

The Old Maid Having Her Picture Taken

The Old Maid Having Her Picture Taken

Mar 9, 1901

Why Mr. Nation Wants a Divorce

Why Mr. Nation Wants a Divorce

Mar 9, 1901

The Old Maid in the Horsecar

The Old Maid in the Horsecar

Mar 1, 1901

Terrible Teddy, the Grizzly King

Terrible Teddy, the Grizzly King

Feb 23, 1901

A Dull Razor

A Dull Razor

May 21, 1900

Faust and Marguerite

Faust and Marguerite

May 21, 1900

An Artist's Dream

An Artist's Dream

May 21, 1900

The Kiss

The Kiss

Mar 9, 1900

Uncle Josh's Nightmare

Uncle Josh's Nightmare

Mar 1, 1900

The Magician

The Magician

Feb 21, 1900

Ching Ling Foo Outdone

Ching Ling Foo Outdone

Feb 21, 1900

An Animated Luncheon

An Animated Luncheon

Feb 1, 1900

Uncle Josh in a Spooky Hotel

Uncle Josh in a Spooky Hotel

Jan 1, 1900

The Mystic Swing

The Mystic Swing

Jan 1, 1900

Dewar's Scotch Whisky

Dewar's Scotch Whisky

Jan 1, 1900

Strange Adventure of New York Drummer

Strange Adventure of New York Drummer

Jun 17, 1899

Movies as Crew (77)
The Crucible

The Crucible

Writer

Dec 14, 1914

Tess of the Storm Country

Tess of the Storm Country

Director of Photography

Mar 30, 1914

A Good Little Devil

A Good Little Devil

Director of Photography

Mar 1, 1914

Hearts Adrift

Hearts Adrift

Director of Photography

Feb 9, 1914

The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo

Editor, Director of Photography

Nov 1, 1913

Lost Illusions

Lost Illusions

Writer

Oct 4, 1911

Sunshine Sue

Sunshine Sue

Producer

Nov 14, 1910

A Child of the Ghetto

A Child of the Ghetto

Producer

Jun 6, 1910

The House of Cards

The House of Cards

Writer

Dec 10, 1909

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

Producer

Oct 14, 1909

The Cord of Life

The Cord of Life

Producer

Jan 28, 1909

She

She

Writer

Nov 13, 1908

The Gentleman Burglar

The Gentleman Burglar

Camera Operator

May 13, 1908

Nero and the Burning of Rome

Nero and the Burning of Rome

Cinematography

Apr 22, 1908

A Country Girl's Seminary Life and Experiences

A Country Girl's Seminary Life and Experiences

Camera Operator

Mar 28, 1908

Cupid’s Pranks

Cupid’s Pranks

Director of Photography

Feb 29, 1908

Fireside Reminiscences

Fireside Reminiscences

Camera Operator

Feb 1, 1908

Rescued from an Eagle's Nest

Rescued from an Eagle's Nest

Cinematography

Jan 18, 1908

Getting Evidence

Getting Evidence

Director of Photography

Oct 20, 1906

Kathleen Mavourneen

Kathleen Mavourneen

Camera Operator

Aug 25, 1906

How the Office Boy Saw the Ball Game

How the Office Boy Saw the Ball Game

Director of Photography

Aug 11, 1906

The Terrible Kids

The Terrible Kids

Camera Operator

Jun 2, 1906

Three American Beauties

Three American Beauties

Director of Photography

May 31, 1906

A Winter Straw Ride

A Winter Straw Ride

Director of Photography

Apr 7, 1906

The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas

Director of Photography

Dec 16, 1905

Desperate Encounter Between Burglar and Police

Desperate Encounter Between Burglar and Police

Camera Operator

Dec 5, 1905

Empire State Express, the Second, Taking Water on the Fly

Empire State Express, the Second, Taking Water on the Fly

Camera Operator

Aug 1, 1905

The Burglar's Slide for Life

The Burglar's Slide for Life

Camera Operator

Jul 8, 1905

On a Good Old 5¢ Trolley Ride

On a Good Old 5¢ Trolley Ride

Camera Operator

Jul 1, 1905

How Jones Lost His Roll

How Jones Lost His Roll

Director of Photography

May 23, 1905

Parsifal

Parsifal

Director of Photography

Nov 12, 1904

City Hall to Harlem in 15 Seconds, Via the Subway Route

City Hall to Harlem in 15 Seconds, Via the Subway Route

Camera Operator

Nov 6, 1904

Railroad Smashup

Railroad Smashup

Camera Operator

Nov 5, 1904

Maniac Chase

Maniac Chase

Camera Operator

Oct 15, 1904

Fire and Flames at Luna Park, Coney Island (An Attraction at Coney Island)

Fire and Flames at Luna Park, Coney Island (An Attraction at Coney Island)

Director of Photography

Jul 31, 1904

Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass.

Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass.

Director of Photography

Jul 1, 1904

The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery

Original Film Writer

Jun 26, 1904

Dog Factory

Dog Factory

Camera Operator

May 21, 1904

Skirmish Between Russian and Japanese Advance Guards

Skirmish Between Russian and Japanese Advance Guards

Camera Operator

Apr 20, 1904

Battle of Chemulpo Bay

Battle of Chemulpo Bay

Cinematography

Apr 20, 1904

Pranks of Buster Brown and His Dog Tige

Pranks of Buster Brown and His Dog Tige

Camera Operator

Mar 19, 1904

Buster and Tige Put a Balloon Vendor Out of Business

Buster and Tige Put a Balloon Vendor Out of Business

Camera Operator

Mar 19, 1904

Buster Brown and the Dude

Buster Brown and the Dude

Camera Operator

Mar 19, 1904

Buster's Dog to the Rescue

Buster's Dog to the Rescue

Camera Operator

Mar 19, 1904

Buster Makes Room for His Mama at the Bargain Counter

Buster Makes Room for His Mama at the Bargain Counter

Camera Operator

Mar 19, 1904

Animated Painting

Animated Painting

Camera Operator

Feb 20, 1904

Crossing Ice Bridge at Niagara Falls

Crossing Ice Bridge at Niagara Falls

Camera Operator

Jan 15, 1904

Buster's Joke on Papa (II)

Buster's Joke on Papa (II)

Camera Operator

Dec 21, 1903

The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery

Director of Photography, Writer, Producer

Dec 7, 1903

Buster's Joke on Papa (I)

Buster's Joke on Papa (I)

Camera Operator

Nov 7, 1903

What Happened in the Tunnel

What Happened in the Tunnel

Director of Photography

Nov 6, 1903

Chicago-Michigan Football Game

Chicago-Michigan Football Game

Cinematography

Oct 31, 1903

The Animated Poster

The Animated Poster

Camera Operator

Oct 31, 1903

The Extra Turn

The Extra Turn

Camera Operator

Oct 17, 1903

A Romance of the Rail

A Romance of the Rail

Camera Operator

Oct 3, 1903

The Physical Culture Girl

The Physical Culture Girl

Camera Operator

Oct 3, 1903

The Gay Shoe Clerk

The Gay Shoe Clerk

Director of Photography

Aug 12, 1903

Subub Surprises the Burglar

Subub Surprises the Burglar

Camera Operator

Aug 11, 1903

Street Car Chivalry

Street Car Chivalry

Camera Operator

Aug 8, 1903

Electrocuting an Elephant

Electrocuting an Elephant

Director of Photography

Jan 12, 1903

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk

Director of Photography

Jul 15, 1902

Burning of St. Pierre (Martinique)

Burning of St. Pierre (Martinique)

Camera Operator

May 31, 1902

The Burlesque Suicide, No. 2

The Burlesque Suicide, No. 2

Camera Operator

Apr 12, 1902

The Burlesque Suicide

The Burlesque Suicide

Camera Operator

Apr 7, 1902

Fun in a Bakery Shop

Fun in a Bakery Shop

Camera Operator

Apr 3, 1902

The Twentieth Century Tramp; or, Happy Hooligan and His Airship

The Twentieth Century Tramp; or, Happy Hooligan and His Airship

Camera Operator

Jan 27, 1902

Uncle Josh at the Moving Picture Show

Uncle Josh at the Moving Picture Show

Camera Operator

Jan 25, 1902

Execution of Czolgosz with Panorama of Auburn Prison

Execution of Czolgosz with Panorama of Auburn Prison

Camera Operator

Nov 16, 1901

Catching an Early Train

Catching an Early Train

Camera Operator

Nov 9, 1901

Circular Panorama of Electric Tower

Circular Panorama of Electric Tower

Director of Photography

Aug 31, 1901

Panoramic View of Electric Tower from a Balloon

Panoramic View of Electric Tower from a Balloon

Director of Photography

Aug 21, 1901

What Happened on Twenty-Third Street, New York City

What Happened on Twenty-Third Street, New York City

Camera Operator

Aug 21, 1901

Aunt Sallie's Wonderful Bustle

Aunt Sallie's Wonderful Bustle

Cinematography

Aug 14, 1901

Photographing a Country Couple

Photographing a Country Couple

Camera Operator

Aug 14, 1901

Esquimaux Game of Snap-the-Whip

Esquimaux Game of Snap-the-Whip

Director of Photography

Aug 8, 1901

President McKinley Taking the Oath

President McKinley Taking the Oath

Cinematography

Mar 16, 1901

The Finish of Bridget McKeen

The Finish of Bridget McKeen

Camera Operator

Mar 2, 1901