Travis Simpkins: Georges Melies

Le manoir du diable, or The Haunted Castle (1896): Georges Melies

Directed by and starring Georges Melies, Le manoir du diable or The Haunted Castle (1896) is a French Silent Film masterpiece that is widely considered to be the both the first Horror film and the first Vampire movie. The story concerns cavaliers battling demons and spectres in a medieval castle. Innovative special effects and camera tricks are showcased nicely.

Le manoir du diable. The Haunted Castle. 1896. Georges Melies

Georges Melies

"The Haunted Castle"

After the Ball (1897): Georges Melies

Directed by Georges Melies, Apres le bal, or After the Ball (1897) is often considered to be one of the first "Adult Films". The short French Silent Film depicts a woman disrobing and being bathed by a maid.

After the Ball. 1897. Georges Melies

Georges Melies

"After the Ball"

Le melomane or "The Music Lover" (1903): Georges Melies

Directed by and starring Georges Melies, Le melamine, or The Music Lover (1903) is a French Silent Film masterpiece that showcases some of his most memorable effects... particularly removing his own head and tossing it. The story concerns a marching band leader that demonstrates a unique way of writing music.

Le melomane. The Music Lover. 1903. Georges Melies

Georges Melies

"Le melomane"

The Black Imp (1905): George Melies

Directed by and starring Georges Melies, Le diable noir, or The Black Imp (1905) is a French Silent Film masterpiece that shows some unique early camera effects. The story concerns a traveler that gets harassed at his Inn by a mischievous devil.

The Black Imp. 1905. Georges Melies

Georges Melies

"Le diable noir"

The Merry Frolics of Satan (1906): Georges Melies

Directed by and starring Georges Melies, Les quatre cents farces du diable (The 400 Tricks of the Devil), also known as The Merry Frolics of Satan (1906) is a French Silent Film masterpiece that follows the Devil's chariot through a mystical landscape. The colors are lovely and Melies' talents are on full display.

The Merry Frolics of Satan. 1906. Georges Melies

Georges Melies

"The Merry Frolics of Satan"

A Trip To the Moon (1902): Georges Melies

Thanks to the success of Martin Scorsese's Hugo (2011), everyone is now familiar with Le Voyage dans la lune or A Trip to the Moon (1902), Georges Melies' pioneering masterpiece. The innovative special effects and animation Melies was able to accomplish is truly an amazing feat, and deserves to be appreciated. History was not always so kind to the film, however. The film was very well-received upon it's release 110 years ago (naturally, because films of any kind were new and rare), but interest in Melies faded after World War I, and so did interest in preserving his films. When Melies made a movie, he usually made two versions: one black and white, the other a hand-tinted color version. The black and white one survived relatively well, but the color version was thought to be lost forever... until a sole copy was found in a French barn in 1993. The film was so badly deteriorated, it was not fully restored and re-released until 2011. It remains one of the most important films ever made.

At a meeting of Astronomers, a proposal to travel to the moon is made. After some dissent, several volunteers step forward...