Georges Méliès (1861–1938), a French filmmaker and magician, made a variety ofshortactuality films between 1896 and 1900. Méliès was established as a magician with his own theater-of-illusions, theThéâtre Robert-Houdin in Paris, when he attended the celebrated first public demonstration of theLumière Brothers'Kinetoscope in December 1895. Unable to purchase a camera from the Lumières, who insisted that the venture had no future, he bought a film projector and some films from the British film experimenterRobert W. Paul and began projecting them at the Théâtre Robert-Houdin.[1] Meanwhile, Méliès studied the principles on which Paul's projector ran, and in 1896 was able to modify the machine so that it could be used as a makeshift camera.[2] At first, Méliès followed the custom of the time, and the example memorably set by the pioneering Lumières, by producing actuality films—brief "slice of life" incidents made by preparing naturalistic scenes for the camera or by filming events of the day.[3] These "cityscapes, scenic views, and domestic vignettes" closely followed the model already set by the Lumières and their salaried operators, who had already been sent to various points abroad to publicize the Lumière camera and bring home actualities filmed in foreign climes.[4] All told, Méliès filmed 93 films, or 18% of his entire output, outdoors as actuality footage.[5]
However, Méliès was also interested in expanding his line of films to include less common genres. His second film,Conjuring, captured a theatrical magic act on film;[6] his sixth,Watering the Flowers, moved into comedy, remaking the Lumière's influentialL'Arroseur Arrosé.[4] Following his discovery of thesubstitution splice in 1896, Méliès moved further into fiction andtrick films, building his own studio on his property inMontreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis[6] to allow for the filming of his theatrically inspired, storytelling-basedscènes composées—"artificially arranged scenes."[3] His last nonfiction work was the seventeen-partParis Exposition, 1900 film series.[7] Because of his move away from actualities into fiction, he is generally regarded as the first person to recognize the potential ofnarrative film.[8] In an advertisement, Méliès proudly described the difference between his innovative theatrical films and the actualities still being made by his contemporaries: "these fantastic and artistic films reproduce stage scenes and create a new genre entirely different from the ordinary cinematographic views of real people and real streets."[9]
The following guide to Méliès's actuality films lists the numbers assigned in the catalogues of Méliès's studio, theStar Film Company; the original French and English titles; the presumed filming date; and whether the film survives or is presumedlost. Unless otherwise referenced, this data comes from Jacques Malthête's 2008 filmography of the films of Georges Méliès.[10] Wherever possible, brief summaries of the films are given; unless otherwise cited, these are extrapolated from the available French and English titles.
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| No. | French title | English title | Date | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Une partie de cartes | Playing Cards | May 1896 (1896-05)[11] | Survives | |
Méliès's first film, filmed in his garden inMontreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis. See themain article for more information. | |||||
| 3 | Plus fort que le maître (leçon de bicyclette) | Smarter Than the Teacher (1st bicycle lesson) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
No further information available. | |||||
| 4 | Jardinier brûlant des herbes | Gardener Burning Weeds | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows agardener. | |||||
| 5 | Les Chevaux de bois | A Merry-go-Round | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows amerry-go-round. | |||||
| 7 | Les Blanchisseuses | The Washerwomen | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows women cleaning clothes.Washerwomen were a popular subject in art.[12] | |||||
| 8 | Arrivée d'un train (gare de Vincennes) | Arrival of a Train at Vincennes Station | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Probably inspired by the Lumière Brothers' filmL'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat.[4] | |||||
| 10 | Place de l'Opéra (1er aspect) | Place de l'Opéra, 1st view (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
| 11 | Place du Théâtre-Français | Place du Théâtre-Français (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows the Place du Théâtre-Français (present-day Place André-Malraux, home of theComédie-Française) in Paris. | |||||
| 13 | Couronnement de la rosière | Coronation of a Village Maiden (French customs) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
No further information available. | |||||
| 14 | Bébé et Fillettes | Baby and Young Girls | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Méliès closed his Théâtre Robert-Houdin once a year for summer vacation; in 1896, the closing was from 14 July to 31 July, and the Méliès family took their vacation on the coast ofNormandy.[11] This film, one of those made on the Normandy coast, featured Méliès's daughter Georgette.[13] Méliès made at least fifteen other films on the trip:27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,40,41,43,47,49,59, and63.[14] | |||||
| 16 | Bateaux-Mouches sur la Seine | Steamboats on River Seine | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Filmed in Paris.[15] Presumably shows theRiver Seine. | |||||
| 17 | Place de l'Opéra (2e aspect) | Place de l'Opéra,2d view (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
| 18 | Boulevard des Italiens | Boulevard des Italiens (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows theBoulevard des Italiens in Paris. | |||||
| 19 | Un lycée de jeunes filles | Academy for Young Ladies | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Probably filmed in Paris.[15] | |||||
| 20 | Bois de Boulogne (Touring Club) | Bois de Boulogne (Touring Club, Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably filmed in theBois de Boulogne. | |||||
| 21 | Bois de Boulogne (Porte de Madrid) | Bois de Boulogne (Porte de Madrid, Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably filmed in theBois de Boulogne. | |||||
| 24 | Le Régiment | French Regiment Going to the Parade | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
No further information available. | |||||
| 25 | Campement de bohémiens | Gipsies at Home | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
No further information available. | |||||
| 27 | Déchargement de bateaux (Le Havre) | Unloading the Boat (Havre) | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
| 28 | Plage de Villers par gros temps | The Beach at Villers in a Gale (France) | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
| 29 | Les Quais à Marseille | The Docks at Marseilles (France) | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
| 30 | Jetée et plage de Trouville (1re partie) | Beach and Pier at Trouville (France) | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
Probably inspired by an 1895 Lumière Brothers film featuring a boat in the harbor ofLa Ciotat.[4] Presumably filmed inTrouville-sur-Mer. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 31 | Barque sortant du port de Trouville | Boat Leaving the Harbor of Trouville | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
Presumably filmed inTrouville-sur-Mer. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 32 | Jetée et plage de Trouville (2e partie) | Beach and Pier at Trouville (2d part) | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
Presumably filmed inTrouville-sur-Mer. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 33 | Jour de marché à Trouville | Market Day (Trouville) | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
Presumably filmed inTrouville-sur-Mer. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 34 | Panorama du Havre (pris d'un bateau) | Panorama of Havre Taken From a Boat | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
| 35 | Arrivée d'un train (gare de Joinville) | Arrival of a Train (Joinville Station) | 1896 (1896) | Survives | |
Survives in flipbook form.[17] Presumably filmed inJoinville-le-Pont. See themain article for more information. | |||||
| 38 | Les Forgerons (vue d'atelier) | Blacksmith in His Workshop | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Probably inspired by a Lumière Brothers film with the same title and subject.[4] No further information available. | |||||
| 40 | Baignade en mer | Sea Bathing | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
No further information available. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 41 | Enfants jouant sur la plage | Children Playing on the Beach | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
No further information available. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 43 | Effet de mer sur les rochers | Sea Breaking on the Rocks | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
| 46 | Départ des automobiles | Automobiles Starting on a Race | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
No further information available. | |||||
| 47 | Revue navale à Cherbourg | A Naval Review at Cherbourg | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
Presumably filmed inCherbourg. For more information, see film14.[11] Since a naval review was held in Cherbourg on 5 October 1896 to celebrate the visit ofNicholas II of Russia (see film48), it is possible the film was made then; however, since Méliès appears to have been making actualities in Paris at that time, and only appears to have possessed one camera, it is more likely that the film dates back to his summer vacation in July.[15] | |||||
| 48 | Cortège du Tzar allant à Versailles | The Czar and His Cortège Going to Versailles | October 1896 (1896-10)[15] | Lost | |
Nicholas II of Russia andEmpress ConsortAlexandra Feodorovna visited France from 5 October to 9 October 1894 or 95, debarking in Cherbourg and traveling to Paris, where Méliès was making actualities. The two films he made of the visit, 48 and50, were first shown on 12 October 1896 in the Théâtre Robert-Houdin.[15] This film presumably shows the imperial couple and their retinue on their way toVersailles. | |||||
| 49 | Les Haleurs de bateaux | Towing a Boat on the River | July 1896 (1896-07)[11] | Lost | |
| 50 | Cortège du Tzar au Bois de Boulogne | The Czar's Cortège in the Bois de Boulogne | October 1896 (1896-10)[15] | Lost | |
Presumably showsNicholas II of Russia and his retinue in theBois de Boulogne. For more information, see film48. | |||||
| 51 | Sortie des ateliers Vibert | Closing Hours at Vibert's Perfume Factory (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Probably inspired by the 1895 Lumière Brothers filmWorkers Leaving the Lumière Factory.[4] No further information available. | |||||
| 52 | La Voiture du potier | The Potter's Cart | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Probably filmed in Paris.[15] | |||||
| 54 | Place de la Concorde | Place de la Concorde (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows thePlace de la Concorde. | |||||
| 55 | La Gare Saint-Lazare | St. Lazare Railroad Station (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows theGare Saint-Lazare. | |||||
| 56 | Grandes Manœuvres | Manoeuvres of the French Army | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
| 58 | Place de la Bastille | Place de la Bastille (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows thePlace de la Bastille in Paris. | |||||
| 59 | Marée montante sur brise-lames | Tide Rising Over the Breakwater | July 1896 (1896-07)[15] | Lost | |
No further information available. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 60 | Retour au cantonnement | Return to the Barracks | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Part of the military series (see film56). No further information available. | |||||
| 62 | Réunion d'officiers | French Officers' Meeting | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Part of the military series (see film56). Presumably shows officers of theFrench Army. | |||||
| 63 | Tempête sur la jetée du Tréport | The Pier at Tréport During a Storm (France) | July 1896 (1896-07)[15] | Lost | |
Presumably filmed inLe Tréport. For more information, see film14. | |||||
| 64 | Le Bivouac | The Bivouac | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Part of the military series (see film56). Presumably shows the use of abivouac sack. | |||||
| 65 | Batteuse à vapeur | Threshing-Machine Worked by Power | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows one or moresteam-poweredthreshing machines. Also known asThreshing Machines Worked by Power.[20] | |||||
| 66 | Sac au dos! | Sacks Up! | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Part of the military series (see film56). No further information available. | |||||
| 67 | Libération des territoriaux | Breaking up of the Territorial Army (France) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Part of the military series (see film56). Presumably shows members of theFrench Army. | |||||
| 68 | Départ des officiers | Officers of French Army Leaving Service | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Part of the military series (see film56). Presumably shows officers of theFrench Army. | |||||
| 69 | Place Saint-Augustin | Place Saint-Augustin (Paris) | 1896 (1896) | Lost | |
Presumably shows thePlace Saint-Augustin. | |||||
| 83–84 | Le Cortège du Bœuf gras passant place de la Concorde | The Mardi Gras Procession (Paris, 1897) | 2 March 1897 (1897-03-02)[19] | Lost | |
Presumably shows thePlace de la Concorde in Paris onMardi Gras. | |||||
| 85 | Cortège du Bœuf gras, boulevard des Italiens | The Mardi Gras Procession (Paris, 1898) [sic] | 2 March 1897 (1897-03-02)[19] | Lost | |
Presumably shows theBoulevard des Italiens in Paris onMardi Gras. Note that the English-language catalogue entry for the film erroneously dated it to the following year, 1898. | |||||
| 86 | Une cour de ferme | A Farm Yard | 1897 (1897) | Lost | |
Presumably shows afarmyard. | |||||
| 87 | Les Apprentis militaires | Military Apprentices | 1897 (1897) | Lost | |
No further information available. | |||||
| 91 | Défilé des pompiers | Firemen on Parade | 1897 (1897) | Lost | |
Presumably shows members of afire department. | |||||
| 92 | Danseuses au Jardin de Paris | Dancing Girls (Jardin de Paris) | 1897 (1897) | Lost | |
No further information available. | |||||
| 97–98 | Cortège de la Mi-Carême | Mid-Lent Procession in Paris | 25 March 1897 (1897-03-25)[19] | Lost | |
Filmed in Paris onLaetare Sunday (in French,Mi-Carême).[19] | |||||
| 99 | Bataille de confettis | Battle With Confetti | 25 March 1897 (1897-03-25)[19] | Lost | |
Filmed in Paris onLaetare Sunday (in French,Mi-Carême).[19] | |||||
| 115 | Tourneur en poterie | A Potterymaker | 1897 (1897) | Lost | |
Presumably shows an artisan using apotter's wheel. | |||||
| 136 | Match de boxe (professeurs de l'École de Joinville) | Boxing Match | 1897 (1897) | Lost | |
Presumably filmed at the military school inJoinville-le-Pont. | |||||
| 139 | Carrefour de l'Opéra | Place de l'Opéra,3d view (Paris) | 1897 (1897)–1898 | Lost | |
Claimed to be the first film to usetime-lapse photography.[21] Presumably shows thePlace de l'Opéra in Paris. See also films10 and17. | |||||
| 148 | Assaut d'escrime (École de Joinville) | Fencing at the Joinville School | 1898 (1898) | Lost | |
Presumably filmed at the military school inJoinville-le-Pont. | |||||
| 151 | Panorama pris d'un train en marche (ponts et tunnels) | Panorama from Top of Moving Train | 1898 (1898) | Survives | |
Filmed on a train on theChemin de fer de Petite Ceinture, passing the station Bel-Air-Ceinture.[16] Also known asPanorama from Top of a Moving Train.[22][23] | |||||
| 157 | Montagnes russes nautiques | Shooting the Chutes | 1898 (1898) | Lost | |
Presumably shows aroller coaster (in French,montagnes russes). | |||||
| 173–174 | Funérailles de Félix Faure (1—char; 2—les troupes) | Funeral of Felix Faure | 23 February 1899 (1899-02-23)[24] | Lost | |
Filmed in Paris.[24] Presumably shows the hearse and attending troops at the funeral ofFélix Faure,President of France. | |||||
| 193 | Combat de coqs | A Lively Cock-Fight (US),A Lively Cock Fight (UK) | 1899 (1899) | Lost | |
Presumably shows acockfight. | |||||
| 201 | Panorama du port de Saint-Hélier (île de Jersey) | Bird's-Eye View of St. Helier (Jersey) | 1899 (1899)[24] | Lost | |
In 1899 the Méliès family again took their summer vacation on the coast ofNormandy. During the trip Méliès filmed three actualities (201,202, and203), as well as footage of the open sea, which he used in special effects in his fiction filmsNeptune and Amphitrite andChrist Walking on the Water the same year.[24] This film presumably shows the port ofSaint Helier. | |||||
| 202 | Entrée du paquebot Victoriadans le port de Jersey | Steamer Entering the Harbor of Jersey | 1899 (1899)[24] | Lost | |
| 203 | Débarquement des voyageurs, port de Granville | Passengers Landing at Harbor of Granville | 1899 (1899) | Lost | |
Presumably filmed inGranville, Manche. For more information, see film201. | |||||
| 232–233 | Panorama de la Seine | Panorama of River Seine | 1899 (1899) | Lost | |
Two short actualities filmed on theSeine, showing construction of buildings for the 1900Exposition Universelle in Paris.[25] SeeParis Exposition, 1900 (film series): Related films for more information. | |||||
| 245–261 | Vues spéciales de l'Exposition de 1900 | Paris Exhibition, 1900 | 1900 (1900) | Unknown | |
A series of seventeen actualities, serving as a documentary record of the 1900Exposition Universelle in Paris.[26] See themain article for more information. | |||||
