Decades before television, video ads would be played before films, or sometimes outdoors against the sides of buildings where they would attract large crowds due to the novelty of the video medium at that time. This was not the first video ad, but was the first for tobacco. It was produced by the Edison Mfg Company, although Thomas Edison later became an outspoken anti-smoking advocate, campaigned against smoking, and refused to even hire smokers.
In the ad, 4 men in costumes sit on a bench. A large cigarette box bursts open to reveal a woman “admiral” who showers the men and the whole area with loose cigarettes, before a banner is unveiled.
I like how the Admiral does not face the audience, and then half assedly makes it rain.
I have seen finer directing. :)
I suppose in 1897, the sheer novelty of moving pictures was enough to carry the ad.