Mary Jane's Mishap: An early British film re-examined.

Discusses the British early comedy motion picture "Mary Jane's Mishap," directed by G.A. Smith. It is conventionally dated to 1903, but the author proposes to show that a more likely dating for its production is autumn of 1902. The film is revolutionary, both in technique and the artistry of the comic miming of actress Laura Bailey. It contains 14 shots, and includes full-shots, medium close-ups, double exposure for the ghost effect, stop-motion substitution of dummy for Bailey during explosion, and movement in depth with Bailey moving towards and away from the camera. The earliest printed trade catalogue listing of the film appears to be the Charles Urban Trading Co.'s catalogue of 1903, copy in the British Film Institute. The technology available at that time would make it impractical to attempt to film a subject of this kind during the dark days of January or February.