The Christmas Dream

Plot

The film opens in an elegant boudoir where wealthy children, assisted by their governess, prepare for bed on Christmas Eve. After hanging their stockings carefully on the bedpost, the children drift off to sleep. The scene magically transitions to reveal the town rooftops under a night sky, where numerous angels with glowing wings fly gracefully through the air. These celestial beings descend toward each chimney, depositing mysterious packages and gifts down into the homes below. The angels continue their nocturnal mission, spreading Christmas joy throughout the sleeping town, creating a magical vision of Christmas gift delivery through divine intervention rather than the more modern Santa Claus figure.

Historical Background

The Christmas Dream was produced during a pivotal moment in cinema history, when films were transitioning from simple actualities to narrative storytelling. In 1900, the motion picture industry was still in its infancy, with films typically lasting only a minute or two and being shown as part of vaudeville programs. Georges Méliès was at the forefront of this evolution, having already established himself as a pioneer of special effects and fantasy cinema. The film emerged just a few years after the Lumière brothers' first public screening in 1895, and during a time when Christmas traditions were still being standardized in Western culture. This period also saw the rise of film distribution networks, with Méliès's Star Film Company becoming one of the first international film distributors, selling his films worldwide through catalogs and agents.

Making Of

Georges Méliès created this film during his most productive period as a filmmaker, using his signature combination of theatrical staging and cinematic tricks. The production involved careful planning of the angel flying sequences, which required actors to be suspended from wires against a black backdrop, then combined with the town footage through multiple exposure. Méliès's background as a magician and theater director heavily influenced the film's visual style, with its painted scenery and theatrical lighting. The hand-coloring process was labor-intensive, requiring artists to paint each frame individually using fine brushes. The film was shot on 35mm film using Méliès's custom-built camera, which he modified to allow for special effects techniques.

Visual Style

The cinematography in The Christmas Dream showcases Georges Méliès's distinctive visual style, characterized by theatrical staging, painted backdrops, and innovative camera techniques. The film employs static camera positions typical of the era, but uses multiple exposure photography to create the illusion of angels flying over the town. The lighting is dramatic and theatrical, creating contrast between the warm interior of the boudoir and the mystical night exterior. The hand-coloring process adds visual richness, with particular attention to the angels' wings and the Christmas gifts. Méliès's background in stage magic is evident in the carefully composed shots that maximize the visual impact of his special effects.

Innovations

The Christmas Dream demonstrates several of Georges Méliès's pioneering technical achievements in early cinema. The film features sophisticated multiple exposure techniques to create the illusion of angels flying over rooftops, a complex effect for 1900. Méliès employed substitution splices for magical transitions between scenes, such as the change from the boudoir to the night sky. The use of wires and harnesses for the flying angels, combined with careful matte work, shows Méliès's innovative approach to creating physically impossible effects. The extensive hand-coloring of the film represents one of the earliest examples of color in motion pictures, with each frame individually painted by skilled artisans. These techniques collectively showcase Méliès's role as a technical innovator who helped establish the visual language of cinematic special effects.

Music

As a silent film from 1900, The Christmas Dream was originally presented without a recorded soundtrack. During initial screenings, it would have been accompanied by live music, typically a pianist or small orchestra playing appropriate Christmas-themed music or popular songs of the era. The musical accompaniment would have varied by venue and could include classical pieces, hymns, or improvisations by the house musician. Modern restorations and presentations of the film often feature newly composed scores or period-appropriate Christmas music to enhance the viewing experience.

Memorable Scenes

• The magical transition from the children's bedroom to the night sky filled with flying angels
• The sequence of angels gracefully descending toward chimneys to deliver Christmas gifts
• The opening scene in the elegant boudoir with children hanging their stockings

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews from trade publications praised the film's magical effects and charming subject matter, with Edison's catalog highlighting it as a particularly enchanting fantasy. The film was noted for its clever use of special effects and its appeal to family audiences. Modern film historians and critics recognize The Christmas Dream as an important example of Méliès's work and early fantasy cinema, often citing it in discussions of the evolution of Christmas films and the development of cinematic special effects. Critics today appreciate the film's historical significance and its role in establishing Christmas as a viable subject for cinematic storytelling.

What Audiences Thought

The Christmas Dream was well-received by audiences of 1900, who were still marveling at the magic of motion pictures. The film's Christmas theme and magical angels appealed to both children and adults, making it popular during the holiday season. Audiences were particularly enchanted by the flying angels effect, which demonstrated the seemingly magical possibilities of the new medium. The film's success contributed to Méliès's growing international reputation as a master of cinematic fantasy. Contemporary audience reactions, as reported in trade papers, emphasized the film's ability to capture the wonder and magic of Christmas through the innovative technology of cinema.

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