Enchanted Glasses

Plot

In this fantastical trick film, a devilish figure dances with an empty dress that magically comes to life, revealing a woman magician within. The magician performs a series of spectacular illusions, conjuring six women from empty space and making them vanish, then transforming her own clothing from feminine attire to men's formal wear. She creates six women from smoking boxes whose gowns instantly transform into ballet dresses, before making them disappear in a puff of smoke. The film's centerpiece involves the magician placing six glasses on a table and pouring wine into each, causing a woman to materialize inside every glass. After reversing the wine flow and making everything vanish, she transforms back into a dress and disappears, leaving the devilish figure to return and convert the dress into torches before vanishing himself in smoke.

Historical Background

1907 was a pivotal year in early cinema, marking the transition from simple actualities to more complex narrative and trick films. The film industry was consolidating, with Pathé Frères establishing itself as the dominant global film producer. Segundo de Chomón, though Spanish by birth, had become one of France's most innovative filmmakers, working in direct competition with Georges Méliès. This period saw audiences becoming more sophisticated in their understanding of cinematic possibilities, demanding more elaborate special effects and magical illusions. The film reflects the era's fascination with spiritualism, magic, and the supernatural, themes that resonated with turn-of-the-century audiences. Cinema was still establishing itself as both an art form and entertainment medium, with films like 'Enchanted Glasses' demonstrating the unique capabilities of the new technology to create impossible visions.

Making Of

The making of 'Enchanted Glasses' required meticulous planning and execution of early cinematic special effects. Segundo de Chomón, working for Pathé Frères, employed multiple exposure techniques to create the appearance of women materializing from thin air and inside glasses. The transformation sequences were achieved through careful substitution splicing, where the camera would be stopped, elements changed, and filming resumed. The smoking effects were created using stage pyrotechnics, which had to be carefully controlled to avoid damaging the film equipment or endangering performers. The magician's costume changes were accomplished through quick-change techniques and clever editing. The production likely took place in Pathé's studio facilities in Paris or Vincennes, where de Chomón had access to the most advanced film equipment of the time. The film's success led to de Chomón becoming one of Pathé's most valuable directors of fantasy films.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'Enchanted Glasses' employs static camera positioning typical of early films, with all action taking place within a single frame. The lighting is bright and even, necessary for the multiple exposure techniques used throughout the film. The visual style emphasizes clarity and visibility of the magical effects, with careful attention to framing the transformation sequences. The camera work demonstrates technical precision in maintaining consistent framing across the multiple takes required for the special effects. The black and white photography creates stark contrasts that enhance the magical quality of the appearances and disappearances.

Innovations

'Enchanted Glasses' showcases several important technical innovations in early cinema. The film's multiple exposure techniques for creating the appearance of multiple women from a single performer were particularly sophisticated for 1907. The substitution splicing used for costume transformations demonstrates remarkable precision in early editing. The film's use of pyrotechnics for smoke effects while maintaining visual clarity shows advanced understanding of practical effects. The sequence of women appearing inside glasses required careful planning of focus and exposure to create convincing illusions. The smoothness of the magical transformations, achieved through meticulous in-camera techniques, represents a significant advancement over earlier, more jarring trick films.

Music

As a silent film, 'Enchanted Glasses' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical accompaniment would have been piano or organ music, often improvised to match the on-screen action. Magical appearances would have been emphasized with musical flourishes, while transformation sequences might have featured more dramatic or mysterious melodies. Some theaters may have used pre-selected classical pieces or popular songs of the era. The absence of synchronized sound meant the visual effects had to carry the entire narrative and emotional weight of the film.

Memorable Scenes

• The sequence where six women appear inside wine glasses as the magician pours liquid, creating a stunning visual effect that exemplifies early cinema's magical capabilities
• The transformation of the magician's clothing from feminine dress to men's formal wear, showcasing early special effects mastery
• The finale where the devilish figure converts the dress into torches and vanishes in smoke, providing a dramatic conclusion to the magical proceedings

What Critics Said

Contemporary trade publications praised 'Enchanted Glasses' for its clever special effects and magical illusions, noting de Chomón's technical skill and imagination. The film was particularly admired for its smooth transitions and seemingly impossible transformations. Critics of the time compared it favorably to the works of Georges Méliès, though some noted de Chomón's more refined execution of effects. Modern film historians view the work as an exemplary piece of early cinema, demonstrating the sophistication achievable with primitive equipment. The film is now recognized as an important example of the trick film genre and a significant contribution to the development of cinematic special effects.

What Audiences Thought

Early cinema audiences were captivated by 'Enchanted Glasses,' which was popular in theaters across Europe and America. Viewers were particularly amazed by the sequence showing women appearing inside glasses, which seemed like genuine magic to audiences unfamiliar with film techniques. The film's rapid succession of magical effects kept audiences engaged and demonstrated the wondrous possibilities of the new medium. The transformation sequences received especially enthusiastic responses, with many viewers returning to see the film multiple times to try to understand how the effects were achieved. The film's success contributed to de Chomón's growing reputation as a master of cinematic magic.

You Might Also Like