Passmore Family Film No. 5

Edwardian children play a quick game of oranges and lemons for the camera in this early home movie.

Put a camera in front of children from any age and they will stand and stare. Herbert Passmore, a pioneer home movie maker, was clever enough to introduce a party game to keep the action moving. The children forming the arch make the perfect frame for the image, although some of the off-screen direction seems a little rough.

Since only short reels of film stock were available in the very early days of filmmaking, you'll have to tack on your own ending: "Here comes a candle to light you to bed; Here comes a chopper to chop off your head!"