(1903) Move On! Smoothing flow of traffic in New York City.

The short silent film “Move On“ (1903), directed by Alfred C. Abadie for the Edison Manufacturing Company, offers a fascinating glimpse into the social dynamics of early 20th-century New York City. While simple in presentation, the film reveals tensions between street vendors, primarily Jewish and Italian immigrants, and the police force tasked with ensuring the smooth flow of traffic. “Move On“ was filmed on location in the bustling Lower East Side of Manhattan, a densely populated neighborhood known for its large immigrant communities. The streets teemed with pushcart vendors selling everything from produce to dry goods, creating a vibrant marketplace atmosphere but also leading to congestion and potential traffic obstructions. The film’s roughly one-minute runtime depicts a common scene of the era. Two policemen stride down the street, gesturing and ordering the vendors to move their carts along. One officer, front and center, waves his nightstick aggressively, scolding a vendor who then hastily moves his cart. Music: Schumann