Notice I didn't say athlete. That's because this guy here really isn't an athlete. None of what he's doing is fascinating or remarkable in any way. All he's doing is assuming a lot of positions while holding a wand. But, as uninteresting as this film is, there's a bit of humor as well. A dog is sleeping at the side of the screen and at the end lifts his/her head, wondering how much more boring the guy could get. Slightly dull but remember you're seeing a film from over a hundred years ago. This isn't to be sneezed at despite the fact that the Edison Company made more interesting film. Not watchable by today's standards but film buffs should see it because of the historical significance.

W.K.L. Dickson films another "performer". This unnamed "athlete" steps left, right, and towards the camera, while moving a "wand" in basic movements.Not sure what to make of this strange presentation from Dickson and Edison. The guys movements are not what one would call athletic. For examples of athletes around the turn-of-the-century, watch Dickson's "Sandow" and "Hadj Cheriff", both from 1894. Those performers show real physical aptitude, while the "athlete" from this film is upstaged by the dog in the lower right. Why the dog is there, no one knows. Such were the crazy days in cinema's first year.

Another very early short by William Dickson, in his mid-30s at this point, shows an athlete wearing a white skirt and long pants showing us a couple tricks with his wand. If this was a Méliès film, the wand would have spat out a couple rabbits or stars or something else magical. But this is really just a sports presentation, one of the earliest sports documentaries ever. It's not particularly engaging and I wouldn't recommend it. Even at 45 seconds, it almost feels a bit repetitive. Worst thing about it is the poor fella didn't even get his name in the title like many other athletes or dancers from these Dickson showcase films from the late 19th century.

. . . and they do it with some attitude. Unlike the feline title characters who sell out for second billing in a later short from the Edison Manufacturing Company--PROF. WELTON'S BOXING CATS--the dog who graces ATHLETE WITH WAND (pay close attention to the lower right of the screen) proves why his kind are considered "man's best friend" decades before LASSIE ever filled the nickelodeon. At first this principled canine (who would not allow his name to appear in the final credits) looks at his alleged "athlete" co-star thinking "this guy is CRAZY!" as the Newark "gymnast" mugs for the camera. This dog obviously has the breeding to know the rough outlines of what male gymnasts would be doing in the Olympics (rings, pommel horse, parallel bars, floor exercise and such), which is why he virtually ignores the poser taking center stage here. "You won't win a gold medal for dancing with a yardstick, Mac!" the dog certainly is thinking, as he turns his head away in disgust. All I can add is, Good call, Fido! Too bad the clown with a "wand" did not pick up on your training cues.