Edwin S. Porter

Edwin S. Porter

Known for: Directing
Biography: 1870-04-21
Deathday: 1941-04-30 (71 years old)

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Biography

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).

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Filmography

all 197

Movies 197

Director 151

Producer 7

self 1

Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter

Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter (1982)

Movie
Director
Bella Donna

Bella Donna (1915)

Movie
Director
Zaza

Zaza (1915)

Movie
Director
The White Pearl

The White Pearl (1915)

Movie
Director
Sold

Sold (1915)

Movie
Director
The Eternal City

The Eternal City (1915)

Movie
Director
Niobe

Niobe (1915)

Movie
Director
The Morals of Marcus

The Morals of Marcus (1915)

Movie
Director
The Prince and the Pauper

The Prince and the Pauper (1915)

Movie
Director
Such a Little Queen

Such a Little Queen (1914)

Movie
Director
Tess of the Storm Country

Tess of the Storm Country (1914)

Movie
Director
A Good Little Devil

A Good Little Devil (1914)

Movie
Director
Hearts Adrift

Hearts Adrift (1914)

Movie
Director
The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo (1913)

Movie
Director
His Neighbor's Wife

His Neighbor's Wife (1913)

Movie
Director
In the Bishop's Carriage

In the Bishop's Carriage (1913)

Movie
Director
The Prisoner of Zenda

The Prisoner of Zenda (1913)

Movie
Director
The Price

The Price (1911)

Movie
Director
Lost Illusions

Lost Illusions (1911)

Movie
Director
The Lighthouse by the Sea

The Lighthouse by the Sea (1911)

Movie
Director
Sherlock Holmes, Jr.

Sherlock Holmes, Jr. (1911)

Movie
Director
On the Brink

On the Brink (1911)

Movie
Director
A Heroine of '76

A Heroine of '76 (1911)

Movie
Director
His Mother's Thanksgiving

His Mother's Thanksgiving (1910)

Movie
Producer
Sunshine Sue

Sunshine Sue (1910)

Movie
Producer
In Life's Cycle

In Life's Cycle (1910)

Movie
Director
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1910)

Movie
Director
The Attack on the Mill

The Attack on the Mill (1910)

Movie
Director
Russia, the Land of Oppression

Russia, the Land of Oppression (1910)

Movie
Producer
A Child of the Ghetto

A Child of the Ghetto (1910)

Movie
Producer
The Last Deal

The Last Deal (1910)

Movie
Director
Faust

Faust (1909)

Movie
Director
The House of Cards

The House of Cards (1909)

Movie
Producer
Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel (1909)

Movie
Director
On the Western Frontier

On the Western Frontier (1909)

Movie
Cinematographer
The Star of Bethlehem

The Star of Bethlehem (1909)

Movie
Producer
The Cord of Life

The Cord of Life (1909)

Movie
Director
The Colored Stenographer

The Colored Stenographer (1909)

Movie
Director
Miss Sherlock Holmes

Miss Sherlock Holmes (1908)

Movie
Producer
The Fatal Hour

The Fatal Hour (1908)

Movie
Director
The Gentleman Burglar

The Gentleman Burglar (1908)

Movie
Director
Tale the Autumn Leaves Told

Tale the Autumn Leaves Told (1908)

Movie
Cinematographer
A Country Girl's Seminary Life and Experiences

A Country Girl's Seminary Life and Experiences (1908)

Movie
Cinematographer
Cupid’s Pranks

Cupid’s Pranks (1908)

Movie
Director
Fireside Reminiscences

Fireside Reminiscences (1908)

Movie
Cinematographer
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest

Rescued from an Eagle's Nest (1908)

Movie
Director
A Suburbanite's Ingenious Alarm

A Suburbanite's Ingenious Alarm (1908)

Movie
Director
The Life of an American Cowboy

The Life of an American Cowboy (1908)

Movie
Director
A Little Girl Who Did Not Believe in Santa Claus

A Little Girl Who Did Not Believe in Santa Claus (1907)

Movie
4
Director
Laughing Gas

Laughing Gas (1907)

Movie
Director
College Chums

College Chums (1907)

Movie
Director
The Trainer’s Daughter, or A Race for Love

The Trainer’s Daughter, or A Race for Love (1907)

Movie
Director
Jack the Kisser

Jack the Kisser (1907)

Movie
Director
The Rivals

The Rivals (1907)

Movie
Director
Cohen’s Fire Sale

Cohen’s Fire Sale (1907)

Movie
Director
Poor John

Poor John (1907)

Movie
Director
The 'Teddy' Bears

The 'Teddy' Bears (1907)

Movie
Director
Daniel Boone/Pioneer Days in America

Daniel Boone/Pioneer Days in America (1907)

Movie
Director
Getting Evidence

Getting Evidence (1906)

Movie
Director
Kathleen Mavourneen

Kathleen Mavourneen (1906)

Movie
Director
Waiting at the Church

Waiting at the Church (1906)

Movie
Director
How the Office Boy Saw the Ball Game

How the Office Boy Saw the Ball Game (1906)

Movie
Director
The Life of a Cowboy

The Life of a Cowboy (1906)

Movie
Director
Three American Beauties

Three American Beauties (1906)

Movie
Director
The Terrible Kids

The Terrible Kids (1906)

Movie
Director
A Winter Straw Ride

A Winter Straw Ride (1906)

Movie
6
Director
Dream of a Rarebit Fiend

Dream of a Rarebit Fiend (1906)

Movie
6
Director
Police Chasing Scorching Auto

Police Chasing Scorching Auto (1905)

Movie
Director
The Night Before Christmas

The Night Before Christmas (1905)

Movie
Director
The Life of an American Policeman

The Life of an American Policeman (1905)

Movie
Cinematographer
Desperate Encounter Between Burglar and Police

Desperate Encounter Between Burglar and Police (1905)

Movie
Director
The Train Wreckers

The Train Wreckers (1905)

Movie
Director
The Miller’s Daughter

The Miller’s Daughter (1905)

Movie
Director
The Watermelon Patch

The Watermelon Patch (1905)

Movie
Director
The White Caps

The White Caps (1905)

Movie
Director
The Little Train Robbery

The Little Train Robbery (1905)

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

Scenes and Incidents, Russo-Japanese Peace Conference, Portsmouth, N. H. (1905)

Movie
Cinematographer
Mystic Shriners' Day, Dreamland, Coney Island

Mystic Shriners' Day, Dreamland, Coney Island (1905)

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

Empire State Express, the Second, Taking Water on the Fly (1905)

Movie
Director
The Burglar's Slide for Life

The Burglar's Slide for Life (1905)

Movie
Director
I.B. Dam and the Whole Dam Family

I.B. Dam and the Whole Dam Family (1905)

Movie
Cinematographer
On a Good Old 5¢ Trolley Ride

On a Good Old 5¢ Trolley Ride (1905)

Movie
Director
Coney Island at Night

Coney Island at Night (1905)

Movie
6
Director
The Whole Dam Family and the Dam Dog

The Whole Dam Family and the Dam Dog (1905)

Movie
Director
How Jones Lost His Roll

How Jones Lost His Roll (1905)

Movie
Cinematographer
Opening of Belmont Park Race Course

Opening of Belmont Park Race Course (1905)

Movie
Director
The Seven Ages

The Seven Ages (1905)

Movie
Director
The Kleptomaniac

The Kleptomaniac (1905)

Movie
Director
The Strenuous Life; or, Anti-Race Suicide

The Strenuous Life; or, Anti-Race Suicide (1904)

Movie
Director
Scarecrow Pump

Scarecrow Pump (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Miss Lillian Shaffer and Her Dancing Horse

Miss Lillian Shaffer and Her Dancing Horse (1904)

Movie
Director
A Rube Couple at a County Fair

A Rube Couple at a County Fair (1904)

Movie
Director
The Ex-Convict

The Ex-Convict (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Railroad Smashup

Railroad Smashup (1904)

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

City Hall to Harlem in 15 Seconds, Via the Subway Route (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Opening Ceremonies, New York Subway, October 27, 1904

Opening Ceremonies, New York Subway, October 27, 1904 (1904)

Movie
Director
Parsifal

Parsifal (1904)

Movie
Director
Nervy Nat Kisses the Bride

Nervy Nat Kisses the Bride (1904)

Movie
Director
European Rest Cure

European Rest Cure (1904)

Movie
4
Director
Rounding Up of the “Yeggmen”

Rounding Up of the “Yeggmen” (1904)

Movie
Director
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 (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
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) (1904)

Movie
Director
Scenes in an Infant Orphan Asylum

Scenes in an Infant Orphan Asylum (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass.

Canoeing on the Charles River, Boston, Mass. (1904)

Movie
Director
Maniac Chase

Maniac Chase (1904)

Movie
Director
Rector's to Claremont

Rector's to Claremont (1904)

Movie
Director
Dog Factory

Dog Factory (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Annual Parade, New York Fire Department

Annual Parade, New York Fire Department (1904)

Movie
Director
Western Stage Coach Hold Up

Western Stage Coach Hold Up (1904)

Movie
Director
A Brush Between Cowboys and Indians

A Brush Between Cowboys and Indians (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Skirmish between Russian and Japanese advance guards

Skirmish between Russian and Japanese advance guards (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Japanese Acrobats

Japanese Acrobats (1904)

Movie
Director
Pranks of Buster Brown and His Dog Tige

Pranks of Buster Brown and His Dog Tige (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Buster's Dog to the Rescue

Buster's Dog to the Rescue (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Buster and Tige Put a Balloon Vendor Out of Business

Buster and Tige Put a Balloon Vendor Out of Business (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Buster Makes Room for His Mama at the Bargain Counter

Buster Makes Room for His Mama at the Bargain Counter (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Buster Brown and the Dude

Buster Brown and the Dude (1904)

Movie
Director
Buster's Revenge on the Tramp

Buster's Revenge on the Tramp (1904)

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

R. F. Outcault Making a Sketch of Buster and Tige (1904)

Movie
Cinematographer
Crossing Ice Bridge at Niagara Falls

Crossing Ice Bridge at Niagara Falls (1904)

Movie
Director
Photographing a Female Crook

Photographing a Female Crook (1904)

Movie
Director
Buster's Joke on Papa (II)

Buster's Joke on Papa (II) (1903)

Movie
Director
The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery (1903)

Movie
6
Cinematographer
Buster's Joke on Papa (I)

Buster's Joke on Papa (I) (1903)

Movie
Director
What Happened in the Tunnel

What Happened in the Tunnel (1903)

Movie
Director
A Romance of the Rail

A Romance of the Rail (1903)

Movie
5.43
Director
The Messenger Boy's Mistake

The Messenger Boy's Mistake (1903)

Movie
Director
The Extra Turn

The Extra Turn (1903)

Movie
Director
Turning the Tables

Turning the Tables (1903)

Movie
Director
Subub Surprises the Burglar

Subub Surprises the Burglar (1903)

Movie
Director
The Gay Shoe Clerk

The Gay Shoe Clerk (1903)

Movie
Director
Rube and Mandy at Coney Island

Rube and Mandy at Coney Island (1903)

Movie
Director
Uncle Tom's Cabin

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1903)

Movie
6
Cinematographer
Panorama of Riker's Island, N.Y.

Panorama of Riker's Island, N.Y. (1903)

Movie
Cinematographer
Sorting Refuse at Incinerating Plant, New York City

Sorting Refuse at Incinerating Plant, New York City (1903)

Movie
Director
The Unappreciated Joke

The Unappreciated Joke (1903)

Movie
Cinematographer
Fireboat 'New Yorker' in Action

Fireboat 'New Yorker' in Action (1903)

Movie
Director
New York City Dumping Wharf

New York City Dumping Wharf (1903)

Movie
Director
White Wings on Review

White Wings on Review (1903)

Movie
Cinematographer
New York Harbor Police Boat Patrol Capturing Pirates

New York Harbor Police Boat Patrol Capturing Pirates (1903)

Movie
Director
New York City 'Ghetto' Fish Market

New York City 'Ghetto' Fish Market (1903)

Movie
Policeman
Life of an American Fireman

Life of an American Fireman (1903)

Movie
1
Director
Electrocuting an Elephant

Electrocuting an Elephant (1903)

Movie
Director
Interrupted Bathers

Interrupted Bathers (1902)

Movie
Director
How They Do Things on the Bowery

How They Do Things on the Bowery (1902)

Movie
Director
Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk (1902)

Movie
6
Director
Appointment by Telephone

Appointment by Telephone (1902)

Movie
Cinematographer
Little Miss Lillian

Little Miss Lillian (1902)

Movie
Director
Charleston Chain-Gang

Charleston Chain-Gang (1902)

Movie
Director
Babies Rolling Eggs

Babies Rolling Eggs (1902)

Movie
Director
Fun in a Bakery Shop

Fun in a Bakery Shop (1902)

Movie
6
Director
The Burlesque Suicide, No. 2

The Burlesque Suicide, No. 2 (1902)

Movie
5.6
Director
Burning of Durland's Riding Academy

Burning of Durland's Riding Academy (1902)

Movie
Director
Uncle Josh at the Moving Picture Show

Uncle Josh at the Moving Picture Show (1902)

Movie
Cinematographer
Capture of the Biddle Brothers

Capture of the Biddle Brothers (1902)

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

The Twentieth Century Tramp; or, Happy Hooligan and His Airship (1902)

Movie
Director
Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages (1902)

Movie
Director
Terrible Teddy, the Grizzly King

Terrible Teddy, the Grizzly King (1901)

Movie
Director
The Artist's Dilemma

The Artist's Dilemma (1901)

Movie
Cinematographer
Catching an Early Train

Catching an Early Train (1901)

Movie
Director
Execution of Czolgosz with Panorama of Auburn Prison

Execution of Czolgosz with Panorama of Auburn Prison (1901)

Movie
Director
Panorama of Esplanade by Night

Panorama of Esplanade by Night (1901)

Movie
Director
Trapeze Disrobing Act

Trapeze Disrobing Act (1901)

Movie
Cinematographer
A Phenomenal Contortionist

A Phenomenal Contortionist (1901)

Movie
Director
The Martyred Presidents

The Martyred Presidents (1901)

Movie
Director
Pan-American Exposition by Night

Pan-American Exposition by Night (1901)

Movie
Director
Day at the Circus

Day at the Circus (1901)

Movie
Director
Sampson-Schley Controversy

Sampson-Schley Controversy (1901)

Movie
Director / Director of Photography
Circular Panorama of Electric Tower

Circular Panorama of Electric Tower (1901)

Movie
Cinematographer
Panoramic View of Electric Tower from a Balloon

Panoramic View of Electric Tower from a Balloon (1901)

Movie
Director
The Reversible Divers

The Reversible Divers (1901)

Movie
Cinematographer
Photographing a Country Couple

Photographing a Country Couple (1901)

Movie
Cinematographer
Esquimaux Game of Snap-the-Whip

Esquimaux Game of Snap-the-Whip (1901)

Movie
Director
What Happened on Twenty-Third Street, New York City

What Happened on Twenty-Third Street, New York City (1901)

Movie
2
Director
The Tramp's Unexpected Skate

The Tramp's Unexpected Skate (1901)

Movie
Director
Another Job for the Undertaker

Another Job for the Undertaker (1901)

Movie
4
Director
Laura Comstock's Bag-Punching Dog

Laura Comstock's Bag-Punching Dog (1901)

Movie
Director
Love by the Light of the Moon

Love by the Light of the Moon (1901)

Movie
Director
Kansas Saloon Smashers

Kansas Saloon Smashers (1901)

Movie
Director
The Old Maid Having Her Picture Taken

The Old Maid Having Her Picture Taken (1901)

Movie
Director
Why Mr. Nation Wants a Divorce

Why Mr. Nation Wants a Divorce (1901)

Movie
Director
The Finish of Bridget McKeen

The Finish of Bridget McKeen (1901)

Movie
Director
The Old Maid in the Horsecar

The Old Maid in the Horsecar (1901)

Movie
Director
A Dull Razor

A Dull Razor (1900)

Movie
Director
Faust and Marguerite

Faust and Marguerite (1900)

Movie
Director
An Artist's Dream

An Artist's Dream (1900)

Movie
Director
The Kiss

The Kiss (1900)

Movie
Director
Uncle Josh's Nightmare

Uncle Josh's Nightmare (1900)

Movie
6
Director
The Magician

The Magician (1900)

Movie
Director
Ching Ling Foo Outdone

Ching Ling Foo Outdone (1900)

Movie
Director
An Animated Luncheon

An Animated Luncheon (1900)

Movie
Director
Uncle Josh in a Spooky Hotel

Uncle Josh in a Spooky Hotel (1900)

Movie
Director
The Mystic Swing

The Mystic Swing (1900)

Movie
Director
Strange Adventure of New York Drummer

Strange Adventure of New York Drummer (1899)

Movie
Cinematographer
'Columbia' Winning the Cup

'Columbia' Winning the Cup (1899)

Movie
Director
The Cavalier's Dream

The Cavalier's Dream (1898)

Movie
Director
Shooting Captured Insurgents

Shooting Captured Insurgents (1898)

Movie

Ratings

Average 4.27
Based on 58.9 Thousand movie and tv ratings over time
1898
1902
1904
1903
1982
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Information

Known For
Directing

Gender
Male

Birthday
1870-04-21

Deathday
1941-04-30 (71 years old)

Birth Name
Edwin Stanton Porter

Birth Place
Connellsville, United States of America

Citizenships
United States of America

Also Known As
Edwin Stratton Porter, Ed Porter, Edward Porter, 에드윈 S. 포터, 에드윈 포터


This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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4 Movies
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