Sam Dalton(II)
- Actor
Sam Dalton, English comedian, began in the
music halls from the 1890s. Performer of
many pioneering short comedy, drama and trick films under the direction
of James Williamson at the Williamson Film Company in 1901-02, he will
be best remembered in 1901's trick/comedy film 'The Big Swallow' its
perhaps one of the most important early films in that it was one of the
first to deliberately exploit the contrast between the eye of the
camera and of the audience watching the film, it featured a man played
by Sam Dalton irritated by the presence of a photographer, who solves
his dilemma by swallowing him and his camera whole, the film lasted for
only 1 minute and 8 seconds, and also he will be remembered for 'Stop
Thief!' a 1901 drama/chase short, showing a tramp getting his
come-uppance after stealing some meat from a butcher and his dogs, this
film is one of the first true chase film made in the world, Sam's last
film 'Sambo' a short 1902 comedy, showing a blackface comedian smoking
a cigar, Sam was never seen on screen again.