Review of The Morning Alarm

. . . put out by the Edison people the same year (1896), A MORNING ALARM is much more intimate and urban than its similarly-named companion. Whereas the short featuring the definite article in its title apparently shows a convoy of at least 10 fire-fighting vehicles streaming past a residential apartment crowd of maybe 50 people perhaps midway in its run to the fire scene, this similar title (preceded by an indefinite article) portrays the fire unit as itz emerging from its downtown hive, so to speak. The first-shown vehicle is a ladder truck which seems to go on forever, a perception no doubt enhanced by the fact that each vehicle must make a sharp turn toward the fixed camera as it emerges from the station. Two wagons carrying FD brass buzz past the ladder wagon as it picks up speed, adding to the urgency of this scene. The personnel carrier brings up the rear. Perhaps of equal interest is the fact that this whole shebang is preceded by a running guy wearing a black top hat, and followed by a high-wheel bike rider with three young boys in tow.