THE BIG SWALLOW (1901)
Article 4039 by Dave Sindelar
Date: 9-23-2012
Directed by James Williamson
Featuring Sam Dalton
Country: UK
What it is: Shocking!

A passerby takes drastic measures to keep from being filmed.

Is it the birth of the cannibal film? Is it a suggested strategy for people who want to know how to deal with paparazzi? Or is it just a pretty silly idea for a silent short? I will say this much for it; it does use one of the most interesting close-ups in film history. And even if the movie does deal with the subject of cannibalism, the big question on my mind is whether the main character will be able to digest the camera with ease. This one is pretty surreal when all is said is done.