2 A.M. in the Subway

SUMMARY
Opens on a set of a subway platform, with two tracks on either side and stairs leading up to the exit. A policeman stretches and wearily sits on a box or crate, as a uniformed conductor awaits a train. A subway car arrives on the left side of the platform and the conductor opens the door. A well-dressed man with a cigar in his teeth exits with his arms around two women dressed in long skirts and jackets, gloves, and fancy hats. The trio laugh and stumble on the platform as if having a hilarious time, getting the attention of the policeman who attempts to stop their bawdy behavior. Another train arrives on the right track. A man heading for that car in a tweed suit and bowler is briefly stopped by the merry trio and joins them in a laugh. As this passenger boards the train, the policeman and conductor discuss the troublemakers left on the platform. One of the women causes a sensation by raising her skirt and revealing striped stockings as her male companion bends to tie her bootlace, with the other male traveler ogling her out the subway car window.

Cont.: Seeing this inappropriate display of leg, the policeman pulls up the gent and forces him and the women on board the car. The beleagured officer then spies a woman's stockinged legs hanging out a window, and reboards the train. The policeman, both women, and both men exit the subway car and argue madly on the platform, with the man in the tweed suit waving a pair of artificial female legs that were apparently displayed in the window instead of the real thing.

CREATED/PUBLISHED
United States: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, 1905.
NOTES
Copyright: American Mutoscope & Biograph Co.; 20June1905; H62448.

Camera, G.W. "Billy" Bitzer.

Filmed June 5, 1905, in the Biograph New York City studio.

SUBJECTS
Subway stations--New York (State)--New York--Drama.
Subways--New York (State)--New York--Drama.
Transit police--New York (State)--New York--Drama.
Women--New York (State)--New York--Conduct of life--Drama.
Men--New York (State)--New York--Conduct of life--Drama.
Practical jokes--Drama.
Artificial legs--Drama.
Silent films.
Comedies.
Vaudeville.
Shorts.

RELATED NAMES
Bitzer, G. W., 1872-1944, camera.
American Mutoscope and Biograph Company.
Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)

DIGITAL ID
(m) varsmp http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/varstg:@field(NUMBER+@band(varsmp...))

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• library
• congress
• silent
• comedy
• new
• york
• subway
• vaudeville