1906 in Movies

Movie reviews for movies (short films) made in 1906.

1. “Dream of a Rarebit Fiend,” directed by Wallace McCutcheon and Edwin S. Porter (8*/10)

I remember this being cool, but I don’t remember why.

2. “The Merry Frolics of Satan,” directed by Georges Melies (7/10)

This film has regrettably aged rather horribly and has gone full Black and Yellow (and colorized Black and Yellow). A way more elaborate version of his classic “haunted room” gag with some of the ideas from his longer films mixed in.

3. “A Crazy Composer,” directed by Georges Melies (7/10)

This is the second Melies movie I’ve seen where the music attempted to match the action on screen (of performers). Of course, there’s no way of really knowing whether that’s true or not, but anyway.

This guy is out there, which is cool. But the dream sequence thing we have seen before.

4. “A Mix-Up at the Gallery,” directed by Georges Melies (7/10)

A new spin on Melies’ slapstick with a second set on a different level, which is new for him.

5. “The Hilarious Posters,” directed by Georges Melies (7/10)

This is a more elaborate spin on Melies’ oft-used ‘picture comes alive’ gag. There’s a lot more going on in this one than usual.

6. “A Roadside Inn,” directed by Georges Melies (7/10)

Melies takes his two floors in one shot concept and changes it to two rooms in one shot.

7. “A Desperate Crime,” Georges Melies (7/10)

This is one of Melies’ longer pieces but unfortunately not all of it has survived. It’s supposedly a docudrama. It’s clearly more serious than usual. Also, his first location sets, which is neat. Not as inventive as usual, but still inventive relative to the era.

8. “The Witch,” directed by Georges Melies (7/10)

A longer film, using some of Melies’ usual tricks to the purpose of story. Not his best but worth watching.

9. “The Impossible Convicts,” directed by G.W. Bitzer (7/10*)

Don’t remember it t’all.

10. “The Tramp and the Mattress Makers,” directed b7 Georges Melies (6/10)

This pretty typical Melies slapstick but there is a switch of scenes which, as has been pointed out elsewhere, is unusual for one of Melies’ shorter works.

11. “Soap Bubbles,” directed by Georges Melies (6/10)

A new spin on Melies conjuring a woman out of thin air.

12. “The Mysterious Retort,” directed by Georges Melies (6/10)

Just another spin on the more elaborate version of his magic act.

13. “The Luny Musician,” directed by Georges Melies (5/10)

More of the same stuff: haunted room gag.

14. “The Chimney Sweep,” directed by Georges Melies (4/10)

A very straight-ahead and uninteresting “epic” from Melies. The backgrounds are great but they are always great with Melies. There’s nothing else really that is unique to this film.

15. “Punch and Judy,” directed by Georges Melies (4/10)

A fragment of a longer short, very little has survived. New setting though.