Rector's Lobster Palace, Broadway to Claremont Village in the Bronx (Ca. 1903-1904) Edison Manufacturing Co. Directed by Edwin S. Porter Since this film was never copyrighted or released there are scant details available. The opening was filmed in front of Rector's Lobster Palace (Broadway between 43rd & 44th Sts. in Manhattan) This party is likely on their way to visit someone in the Claremont section of the Bronx. As they depart they seem to have forgotten one of their mates. A late exit on his part (perhaps from the men's room avoiding the check) turns into a staple of early film comedy, namely "the chase," including some essential pratfalls along the way. Either his company is not really welcome or the folks in the back of the coach are just too entertained by it (and maybe a little inebriated) to tell the coachman to stop. In any event the film becomes a Manhattan 'travelogue' of sorts as we get to see the scenic majesty that is Manhattan's posh and rather rural West-Side along Riverside Park including Grant's Tomb [2:25]. It's not until they arrive at their destination that the straggler finally catches up. Pretty impressive! Good thing they didn't decide on Brooklyn. From the New York Times archive for 1913 an article on Charles Rector's bankruptcy including a history of his business ventures in the restaurant and hotel trades from Chicago to New York: query.nytimes.com Here's another 'chase' film (1904) which also uses Riverside Drive for a backdrop. This time in <b>...</b>
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