Walter R. Booth

Walter R. Booth

Worcester, England, UK

Walter Robert Booth (12 July 1869 – 1938) was a British magician and early pioneer of British film working first for Robert W. Paul and then Charles Urban mostly on "trick" films, where he pioneered techniques that led to what has been described as the first British animated film, The Hand of the Artist (1906).

Walter R. Booth photo
Walter R. Booth photo

Most Known for...

Movie Picture

The '?' Motorist 1906 (6.466)

A magical glowing white motorcar ignores policemen, drives up buildings, flies through outer space, and can transform into a horse and carriage.
Movie Picture

Scrooge; or Marley's Ghost 1901 (5.6)

Filmed in 35mm and in black and white, this short silent film was produced by the English film pioneer R. W. Paul, and directed by Walter R. Booth and was filmed at Paul's Animatograph Works. It was released in November 1901. As was common in cinema's early days, the filmmakers chose to adapt an already well-known story, in this case A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, in the belief that the audience's familiarity with the story would result in the need for fewer intertitles. It was presented in 'Twelve Tableaux' or scenes. The film contains the first use of intertitles in a film.
Movie Picture

The Airship Destroyer 1909 (5.792)

An inventor uses a wireless controlled flying torpedo to destroy enemy airships.