Selsior was a British
silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...
production company, which from 1913 to 1917 made films of dance performances for
synchronisation
Synchronization is the coordination of events to operate a system in unison. For example, the conductor of an orchestra keeps the orchestra synchronized or ''in time''. Systems that operate with all parts in synchrony are said to be synchrono ...
with a live orchestra.
The technique was developed by Oszkár Rausch (b. 1884 in
Budapest
Budapest (, ; ) is the capital and most populous city of Hungary. It is the ninth-largest city in the European Union by population within city limits and the second-largest city on the Danube river; the city has an estimated population ...
), an
émigré who arrived in London in 1910. It involved filming a dance performance, with an
orchestral conductor in shot in the corner of frame, so that the live orchestra at the screening before an audience would then see and follow the conductor's timing. The company made at least twelve films using this system, and they became very popular with audiences.
[ Stephen Bottomore, "Selsior Dancing Films, 1912–1917", ''Oxford Scholarship Online'']
Retrieved 7 September 2020 The films covered dances such as the
tango,
foxtrot
The foxtrot is a smooth, progressive dance characterized by long, continuous flowing movements across the dance floor. It is danced to big band (usually vocal) music. The dance is similar in its look to waltz, although the rhythm is in a tim ...
,
quickstep
The quickstep is a light-hearted dance of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal a ...
and
ragtime
Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that flourished from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers such as Scott ...
, involving amateur
ballroom dance
Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively around the world, mostly because of its performance and entertainment aspects. Ballroom dancing is also widely enjoyed on stage, film, and television. ...
champions, as well as footage of American-born
music hall
Music hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment that was popular from the early Victorian era, beginning around 1850. It faded away after 1918 as the halls rebranded their entertainment as variety. Perceptions of a distinction in Bri ...
performer
Fanny Fields
Fanny Fields (born Fanny Furman, September 15, 1880 – September 12, 1961), often billed as 'Happy' Fanny Fields, was an American singer, dancer and comic entertainer who found success in British music halls and pantomimes in the early 1900s. ...
.
[
However, the company was not financially successful, and Rausch was declared bankrupt. He was then ]interned
Internment is the imprisonment of people, commonly in large groups, without charges or intent to file charges. The term is especially used for the confinement "of enemy citizens in wartime or of terrorism suspects". Thus, while it can simply ...
as an enemy alien at Knockaloe Internment Camp on the Isle of Man
)
, anthem = "O Land of Our Birth"
, image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg
, image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg
, mapsize =
, map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe
, map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green)
in Europe ...
.[ Oszkar Janos Rausch, ''Manx National Heritage'']
Retrieved 7 September 2020 None of the Selsior films have survived.[ Stephen Bottomore, "Selsior Dancing Films, 1912–1917", in Julie Brown, Annette Davison (eds.), ''The Sounds of the Silents in Britain'', OUP USA, 2013, pp.163-181]
/ref>
References
Defunct film and television production companies of the United Kingdom
{{UK-film-company-stub