Synopsis

TRICK. A conjuror evokes women in national dress from an umbrella and then transforms them into an ancient Greek tableau. Library of Congress data (6). Méliès copyright (9). No main title. The set of a side show under construction. A theatre booth 'Galathea Theatre'. A conjuror in top hat and tails and carrying a cane and overcoat enters. He sets down his hat and cane with a floursh and throws the overcoat into the wings. He takes the hat and begins to juggle with it. The hat turns into a ball which he bounces up and down. Taking his cane he balances the ball on it. The ball is transformed into a piece of material. He spins the material on the cane and it becomes an umbrella. He jumps on the stage and waving the umbrella across him he is transformed into a Greek in classical dress. He shakes out of his umbrella a young woman in national dress. Waving his umbrella he evokes five more women in national dress and then shaking flowers from the umbrella he evokes a fairy who stands on the centre of the platform playing a lyre. He conjures up three more women. The women form a tableau in front of the stage. The conjuror turns the stage into a Greek temple. At a sign from the conjuror they jump from the stage and are transformed into contemporary clothes. The women dance. The Greek temple is turned into the original theatre set. The conjuror leaps over a stool and is transformed into his original clothes. He picks up his umbrella, tears off the material and it becomes his overcoat. He looks around, picks up the ball and throws it to the ground. It rebounds and becomes his top hat. He acknowledges the audience and bows (82ft). [16mm]. Note. The 'Star' catalogue describes the national dress of the women conjured up in the following order: Algerian, Swiss, Spaniard, Russian, Turk, Hollander, Swede, Gipsy and Fairy. It is difficult when watching the images to ascribe the costumes accurately. (Shotlist)