On the Roof

Plot

In this early French silent comedy, two criminals are seen on a rooftop with a woman whom they violently throw off the building. As the woman falls, a passing policeman notices the crime and rushes to investigate. The crooks attempt to evade capture through various comedic means, including hiding and tricking the officer. The policeman, portrayed as bumbling and incompetent, struggles to apprehend the criminals as they outsmart him at every turn. The film concludes with the criminals escaping while the policeman is left defeated and confused, typical of the slapstick comedy style that would become popular in early cinema.

Historical Background

1897 was a pivotal year in early cinema, just two years after the Lumière brothers' first public screening. Georges Méliès, a magician-turned-filmmaker, was pioneering narrative cinema at his Star Film Company. This period saw the transition from actuality films (simple recordings of real events) to staged fictional narratives. Cinema was still primarily a novelty attraction shown at fairgrounds and music halls. The film industry was in its infancy, with no studios, distribution networks, or standardized production practices. Méliès was one of the few filmmakers creating fictional narratives with special effects, establishing many conventions that would define cinema for decades to come.

Making Of

Georges Méliès produced this film in his custom-built glass studio in Montreuil, which allowed him to control lighting and weather conditions year-round. The rooftop set was constructed on the studio floor using painted backdrops and wooden platforms. Méliès, a former magician, brought theatrical techniques to filmmaking, including exaggerated acting styles and visible stage machinery. The actors were likely drawn from the Théâtre Robert-Houdin, which Méliès owned. The falling woman effect was achieved through simple editing tricks or possibly a hidden trap door. The entire production would have been completed in a single day, as was typical for Méliès' efficient early film productions.

Visual Style

The cinematography reflects the primitive state of film technology in 1897. The camera was static, mounted on a tripod for the entire duration, as camera movement was not yet practiced. The lighting came primarily from natural light through the glass roof of Méliès' studio, supplemented by reflectors. The film was shot on 35mm film with a hand-cranked camera at approximately 16 frames per second. The composition was theatrical, with the entire set visible in frame, similar to a stage play recording.

Innovations

While not technically innovative compared to some of Méliès' other works featuring multiple exposures and substitution splices, the film demonstrated effective use of constructed sets and controlled environments for filmmaking. The falling sequence may have utilized early editing techniques or mechanical effects. The film represents Méliès' mastery of creating believable action within the constraints of 1897 film technology and his efficient production methods that allowed for rapid output of quality content.

Music

As a silent film, it had no synchronized soundtrack. During exhibition, it would have been accompanied by live music, typically a pianist or small orchestra playing appropriate mood music. The musical accompaniment would have been improvised or drawn from popular classical pieces of the era. Some exhibitors might have used sound effects created backstage to enhance the action, such as crashing sounds for the falling woman.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic moment when the criminals throw the woman from the rooftop, creating suspense and establishing the criminal nature of the characters

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception is largely undocumented as film criticism was not yet established as a profession in 1897. However, the film was likely well-received by audiences of the period, as evidenced by Méliès' continued production of similar films. Modern film historians recognize it as an important example of early narrative cinema and Méliès' developing style. Critics today view it as a primitive but significant step in the evolution of cinematic storytelling and comedy.

What Audiences Thought

The film was popular with turn-of-the-century audiences who were still fascinated by the novelty of moving pictures. The simple, visual comedy transcended language barriers, making it suitable for international distribution. The slapstick elements and clear narrative would have been easily understood by audiences new to cinema. The film's success contributed to Méliès' growing reputation as a leading filmmaker of the era and helped establish the commercial viability of fictional narrative films.

You Might Also Like