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Electrocuting an Elephant
Also known as Electrocution of an Elephant in the USA
(1903) United States of America
B&W : 70 feet
Directed by [?] Edwin S. Porter and/or Jacob Blair Smith?
Cast: Topsy the elephant
Edison Manufacturing Company production; distributed by Edison Manufacturing Company. / © 12 January 1903 by Thomas A. Edison [H26890]. Released January 1903. / Standard 35mm spherical 1.33:1 format. / The production was shot 4 January 1903 at Luna Park, Coney Island, New York.
Documentary.
Synopsis: The electrocution of an elephant who had killed three men. // [From Edison promotional materials] Topsy, the famous “Baby” elephant, was electrocuted at Coney Island on January 4, 1903. We secured an excellent picture of the execution. The scene opens with keeper leading Topsy to the place of execution. After copper plates or electrodes were fastened to her feet, 6,600 volts of electricity were turned on. The elephant is seen to become rigid, throwing her trunk in the air, and then is completely enveloped in smoke from the burning electrodes. The current is cut off and she falls forward to the ground dead.
Survival status: Print exists in the Library of Congress film archive.
Current rights holder: Public domain [USA].
Keywords: Electrocution - Elephants - Rope - Smoke - USA: New York: Coney Island: Luna Park
Listing updated: 15 February 2010.
References: Everson-American pp. 20-21; Kerr-Silent p. 17; Leyda-Before pp. 81, 109 : Website-AFI.
Home video: DVD.
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