This film is currently on the website for Flicker Alley--a freebie for the fans. The company has already released two sets of films from the great French director, Georges Méliès. They are wonderful films and I highly recommend you give them a viewing.
Méliès made many shorts where he is a magician doing a variety of magic tricks--though the magic is really just turning the camera on and off to make things seem to appear, disappear or change before your eyes. The reason he did this so often in his films is that he was originally a stage magician--and brought his training into his films. I have probably seen 10-20 such films of his so far, though I must say this is the best of them. Why? Well, the color is AMAZING. It appeared as if the production company was using a hand-stenciling technique like the one developed by Pathé Frères--but it looks even better because Flicker Alley restored the full brilliance of the colors. Also, while the 'tricks' sometimes are pretty obviously done using stop-motion, a few of them were still REALLY, REALLY GOOD! However, when Santa (Père Noël) appears, don't let the kids see this--as the magician kills him!! Wow! Talk about being a grinch!! And, despite this, the film has a great sense of humor!
Méliès made many shorts where he is a magician doing a variety of magic tricks--though the magic is really just turning the camera on and off to make things seem to appear, disappear or change before your eyes. The reason he did this so often in his films is that he was originally a stage magician--and brought his training into his films. I have probably seen 10-20 such films of his so far, though I must say this is the best of them. Why? Well, the color is AMAZING. It appeared as if the production company was using a hand-stenciling technique like the one developed by Pathé Frères--but it looks even better because Flicker Alley restored the full brilliance of the colors. Also, while the 'tricks' sometimes are pretty obviously done using stop-motion, a few of them were still REALLY, REALLY GOOD! However, when Santa (Père Noël) appears, don't let the kids see this--as the magician kills him!! Wow! Talk about being a grinch!! And, despite this, the film has a great sense of humor!