Coney Island at Night

synopsis

Electric lighting transforms the Luna Park and Dreamland amusement parks into a radiant nocturnal landscape. Porter alternates wide shots with closer views, letting the lights trace the architecture and the movement of the crowd. The film captures electricity as a technological marvel and a new kind of urban spectacle.

biography

Edwin S. Porter (1870–1941) was a cinematographer and director for the Edison Company and a pioneer of American cinema. He explored the possibilities of editing, staging and documentary recording. His films transformed the everyday world and technological innovations of modern America into a visual spectacle.

film details

director:	Edwin S. Porter
producer:	Edison Manufacturing Company