Rollerskating in Australia, 1896

July 5, 2010 8:08 AM

Le Patineur Grotesque: Victorian rollerskating in Australia

Australia oldest surviving film was screened last March for the first time since 1896. Filmed by Maurius Sestier, it may be a joke on rival filmmaker, who was touring a similar film at the time.

By the by, Australian Screen welcome comments from anyone who has more information about the location of the film, or the rollerskater himself.

posted by dumdidumdum (5 comments total)

It was a simpler time, when all it took to amuse people was a bearded man smoking a cigar and rollerskating while displaying a white handprint on the seat of his trousers. Nowadays, it would take a CGI bearded man smoking a cigar and rollerskating while displaying a white handprint on the seat of his trousers in 3D to get the same effect. Perhaps an IMAX would be involved.
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:16 AM on July 5, 2010 [3 favorites]

The Victorian roller skating scene in "Heaven's Gate" makes that film loveable, no matter what.
posted by Faze at 9:48 AM on July 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

Ten years later, Charlie Chapin did some good comedy roller skating;

...or, if you prefer, the whole movie.
posted by eye of newt at 11:30 AM on July 5, 2010

um...20 years later
posted by eye of newt at 11:44 AM on July 5, 2010

Fun. But the copy on that page is godawful.
posted by turgid dahlia at 3:07 PM on July 5, 2010