Hydrothérapie fantastique (1910) by Georges Méliès
Sunday, June 18, 1989, 8:00 pm
EXTRAORDINARY ILLUSIONS
MAGIC AND THE EARLY CINEMA
For a brief period at the turn of the century the history of magic and the fledgling art form of cinema intersected, spawning a wonderful stream of what came to be known as “trick” films – the first special effects films. Often combining fantastical settings, visual wizardry, and impossible transformations, many of these films were also witty commentaries of early 20th Century culture. Tonight’s program will include several newly discovered films by such notable directors as Georges Méliès and Ferdinand Zecca as well as others produced by Edison and the Pathé Brothers. Several are color copies taken from hand-colored originals. Titles include: Hydrothérapie fantastique, The Eclipse, The Damnation of Faust, Tit For Tat, and others.