Excelsior!--Prince Of Magicians (1901)

It's a real pleasure being able to embed this little known Melies film.  It was found in an antique trunk purchased by Lobster Films from an antique dealer (I believe, in Paris) that turned out to be full of turn of the century films!  I love stories like this!!  It is part of film history that really fascinates me.  Over the last 15 years or so, several famously lost films, like Richard III from 1912 have been found in similar circumstances (if memory serves, in South Africa).  

Title card created for the film by Lobster

This print was amongst 30 Melies films in the trunk, 17 of which, including this one, were not previously known to exist anywhere else.  The print was printed on 35 mm negative in Haghefilm in The Netherlands (as was the entire collection).  This little fancy is another one of Melies "trick films" that were at there height of popularity at the time.  Though film historians debate Melies' importance or true film making merit at the turn of the 20th century, he certainly was very instrumental in two regards:  the pushing of a story line or narrative in film, and the invention of the special effects in film.  No small things!  So enjoy this little film fancy.  And:  HAPPY HALLOWEEN!