James Williamson

Biography

James A. Williamson (8 November 1855 – 18 August 1933) was a Scottish photographer and a key member of the loose association of early film pioneers dubbed the Brighton School by French film historian Georges Sadoul. He is best known for The Big Swallow (1901), a trick film with innovative use of extreme close-up, as well as Fire! and Stop Thief! (both 1901), dramas with continuity established across multiple shots.

Known For

Acting

1905

Our New Errand Boy

as

grocer

Production

1900

Attack on a China Mission

as

1898

The Clown Barber

as

1909

The Boy and the Convict

as

1896

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

as

Crew

1898

The Clown Barber

as

1896

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

as

Directing

1901

The Big Swallow

as

1902

The Little Match Seller

as

1904

An Interesting Story

as

1905

Our New Errand Boy

as

1906

Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

as

1901

Fire!

as

1900

Attack on a China Mission

as

1901

Stop Thief!

as

1904

An Affair of Honour

as

1910

The History of a Butterfly: A Romance of Insect Life

as

1898

Early Fashions on Brighton Pier

as

1902

A Reservist Before and After the War

as

1899

Lady Cyclists

as

1904

Gabriel Grub the Surly Sexton

as

1908

£100 Reward

as

1898

Two Naughty Boys Teasing the Cobbler

as

1898

The Clown Barber

as

1901

Are You There?

as

1906

The Miner's Daughter

as

1904

The Old Chorister

as

1901

Magic Extinguisher

as

1901

The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes

as

1907

The Village Fire Brigade

as

1905

The Polite Lunatic

as

1896

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

as

1898

Gymnasts on Parallel Bars

as

1898

Washing the Sweep

as

1898

Sloper's Visit to Brighton

as