The Gay Shoe Clerk
Dir: Edwin S. Porter
1903
***
Edwin S. Porter's The Gay Shoe Clerk represents a first in technique as it is the first to feature matched shot editing with a close-up shot and a longer establishing shot used in combination with each other. It's also noted as being one of the first remakes although not the first. It's extremely similar to George Albert Smith's 1900 film As seen through a telescope. Personally I prefer As seen through a telescope but foot fetishists might disagree. The humour is of the time but the editing is now a standard. It is interesting to see the subject of Voyeurism being one of the first explored in the pioneering age of film, it would be great to know what the directors intentions were.