The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon

The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon 1907

6.02

In this film, Méliès concocts a combination fairy- and morality tale about the foolishness of trying to look too deeply into the workings of an unstable and inscrutable universe. At a medieval school, an old astronomer begins to teach a class of young men, all armed with telescopes, about the art of scrutinising an imminent eclipse. When a mechanical clock strikes twelve, all the young men rush to the windows and fix their telescopes on the heavens.

1907

The Haunted Hotel

The Haunted Hotel 1907

5.67

A traveler stays the night at a rural inn, but gets no rest as he is tormented by various spectres and mysterious happenings.

1907

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 1907

5.20

The film, a parody of the novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, follows a fisherman, Yves, who dreams of traveling by submarine to the bottom of the ocean, where he encounters both realistic and fanciful sea creatures, including a chorus of naiads played by dancers from the Théâtre du Châtelet. Méliès's design for the film includes cut-out sea animals patterned after Alphonse de Neuville's illustrations for Verne's novel.

1907

Ben Hur

Ben Hur 1907

4.50

The first adaptation of Lew Wallace's novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

1907

Cinderella

Cinderella 1907

5.40

This is a compact telling of the Cinderella fairy tale and the film is elaborately staged.

1907

The Sorceror's Scissors

The Sorceror's Scissors 1907

7.00

A mix of spectacle, animation and dance, the film reveals an early delight in the potential for creative fun with film form. Its director, Walter R. Booth had been described as making British films which attempted to out-Méliès Méliès.

1907

The 'Teddy' Bears

The 'Teddy' Bears 1907

5.56

A combination of the story of Goldlocks and the Three Bears with the true story of how Teddy Roosevelt spared a bear cub after killing its mother while hunting, an event which led to the popularization of the teddy bear. Goldilocks goes to sleep in the bears' home after watching six teddy bears dance and do acrobatics, viewing them through a knothole in the wall. When she is awoken by the returning bear family, they give chase through the woods, but she runs to the aid of the Old Rough Rider, who saves her.

1907

The Red Spectre

The Red Spectre 1907

6.01

A demonic magician attempts to perform his act in a strange grotto, but is confronted by a Good Spirit who opposes him.

1907

Life and Passion of Christ

Life and Passion of Christ 1907

6.30

The story of the life and passion of Jesus Christ, from the proclamation of his birth to his ascension into heaven.

1907

The Abduction of the Slave Women

The Abduction of the Slave Women 1907

5.50

Four Arab men in white burnouses, two women in grey, and one female cook in striped burnous, are sitting in front of a cave in a forest path.

1907

Ju-Jitsu

Ju-Jitsu 1907

4.50

Many demonstrations of the art of Jiu Jitsu are given, and as evidence that this is not a passing fad intended only for the amusement of the public there is illustrated in very thrilling manner how several footpads follow two girls and then in a deserted section of the road make an attack, which is successfully foiled and the perpetrators taken into custody. Splendid action and good photographic quality. (Gaumont catalogue)

1907

The Colonel's Account

The Colonel's Account 1907

5.40

This short film consists of a crazy old colonel being asked to entertain party guests about his exploits of daring. However, being a totally insane old coot, he runs amok acting out his war-time heroics--smashing and throwing everything in the room!

1907

The Village Blind Man

The Village Blind Man 1907

4.20

It is an early example of the rural melodramas that were going to be popular in Spain, with situations that Bunuel will enjoy subverting. The outside locations have probably not been modified and therefore present an interesting reflection of the rural Spain around Valencia. The blind man of the title is not central character of the narrative, a nice twist.

1907

The Enchanted Pond

The Enchanted Pond 1907

4.63

In an outdoor setting, a magician makes pond nymphs and frog people appear out of water and thin air.

1907

The Fur Hat

The Fur Hat 1907

4.80

A grenadier had come to see his lover, a servant in the homes of wealthy bourgeois people. Hearing a noise, he is afraid of the masters and allows himself to be locked in a cupboard so as not to be seen. This is a hiding place that will spark many adventures.

1907

The Tinderbox

The Tinderbox 1907

3.80

Viggo Larsen’s adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale about the soldier who gets hold of a magic tinderbox capable of calling forth three dogs with big eyes that can fulfill all his wishes. When the soldier has one of the dogs transport a sleeping princess to his room, he is arrested and sentenced to death. But his adventure, as we know, does not end here.

1907

The Clock-Maker's Secret

The Clock-Maker's Secret 1907

5.10

The town-crier summons the inhabitants of the town and they read a manifesto which is posted on a wall announcing the fact that at 4 o'clock on that day the Lord Mayor will receive bids for the building of a town clock.

1907

Tunneling the English Channel

Tunneling the English Channel 1907

6.30

The plot follows King Edward VII and President Armand Fallières dreaming of building a tunnel under the English Channel.

1907