How He Missed His Train

Plot

In this early comedy short, a gentleman rushes to catch a train at the station but encounters a series of magical mishaps. As he attempts to board his train, his clothing repeatedly transforms into different garments - from his formal suit into women's dresses, children's clothes, and various other inappropriate outfits. Each transformation causes him to miss his chance to board, leading to increasingly frantic and comedic situations. The film culminates with the man finally giving up in frustration as his train departs without him, leaving him in yet another absurd costume transformation.

Historical Background

In 1901, cinema was still in its infancy, with most films being simple actualities or brief trick films. Georges Méliès was one of the few filmmakers creating narrative content with elaborate special effects. This period saw the rise of permanent movie theaters and the growing popularity of motion pictures as entertainment. The film was created during the Belle Époque in France, a time of artistic innovation and technological advancement. Méliès's work represented a crucial transition from the simple documentaries of the Lumière brothers to the narrative cinema that would dominate the 20th century. The train theme was particularly relevant in 1901, as railways were transforming society and representing modernity and progress.

Making Of

The production of 'How He Missed His Train' exemplifies Méliès's meticulous approach to filmmaking in the early 1900s. The transformation sequences required precise timing and multiple costume changes, with Méliès having to hold perfectly still between takes to maintain the illusion of seamless magical changes. The set construction was elaborate for its time, featuring a detailed train station backdrop that created depth and realism. Méliès's glass studio allowed him to control lighting conditions essential for the special effects. The filming process was laborious, with each transformation requiring a complete stop of the camera, costume change, and careful positioning before filming could resume. Méliès often performed these transformations himself, demonstrating his showman background as a magician.

Visual Style

The film employs Méliès's characteristic theatrical style, with static camera placement and deep staging that creates the illusion of depth. The cinematography emphasizes the magical transformations through careful framing and timing. The use of substitution splices creates the illusion of instantaneous costume changes, while the painted backdrops and theatrical sets create a fantastical atmosphere. The lighting was carefully controlled in Méliès's glass studio to ensure consistent exposure across the multiple takes required for each transformation sequence.

Innovations

The film showcases Méliès's pioneering use of substitution splices, which he helped develop and perfect. This technique of stopping the camera, making changes to the scene, and then restarting filming was revolutionary for its time. The multiple exposure techniques used for the transformations were groundbreaking and established many principles of visual effects that would be used throughout cinema history. The film also demonstrates Méliès's innovative set construction and lighting techniques in his custom-built studio.

Music

As a silent film, 'How He Missed His Train' would have been accompanied by live music during its original screenings. The typical accompaniment might have included piano or organ music, with the musical selection often left to the discretion of the theater's musician. Some theaters may have used pre-compiled musical cues specifically designed for Méliès's films, emphasizing the magical and comedic elements of the story.

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic sequence where the protagonist's suit transforms into a woman's dress just as he's about to board the train, causing him to stumble back in shock and miss his departure completely

What Critics Said

Contemporary reception of Méliès's films was generally enthusiastic, with audiences marveling at the magical effects that seemed impossible in the era. Critics of the time praised Méliès's ingenuity and showmanship, though formal film criticism as we know it today did not yet exist. Modern film historians recognize this film as an important example of early cinematic innovation and Méliès's contribution to the development of visual effects and narrative cinema.

What Audiences Thought

Early 20th century audiences were reportedly delighted by Méliès's transformation films, which were among the most popular attractions of the time. The combination of comedy and magical effects proved irresistible to viewers who had never seen such illusions on screen before. The film was particularly successful in fairground theaters and early cinema halls where Méliès's works were regularly featured. Audiences often returned multiple times to try to understand how the transformations were achieved.

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