The Cigar Box

About the production

This film was created during Segundo de Chomón's prolific period at Pathé Frères, where he was often tasked with creating magical trick films to compete with Georges Méliès. The oversized cigar dispenser prop was custom-built for the production, and the film required precise timing and multiple exposures to achieve the appearance/disappearance effects. The musical element of the dispenser was likely suggested through intertitles or live musical accompaniment during exhibition.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Made in 1907, in France, under Segundo de Chomón, The Cigar Box belongs to short filmmaking during early cinema when shorts dominated nickelodeon programs.

Why this film matters

Within short history, Segundo de Chomón's name attaches to the work; surviving prints help researchers study silent-era craft; 1907 film.

Making of

The production of 'The Cigar Box' required meticulous planning and execution of multiple photographic techniques. Segundo de Chomón employed substitution splices, where the camera was stopped, performers added or removed, and filming resumed to create the illusion of magical appearance and disappearance. The oversized cigar dispenser was constructed as a practical prop with mechanisms to allow performers to enter and exit unseen. The film was likely shot in Pathé's studio in Vincennes, using artificial lighting to control the magical effects. Chomón's background as a magician and illusionist greatly influenced his approach to filmmaking, bringing theatrical magic techniques to the new medium of cinema. The performers had to time their movements precisely with the mechanical operations of the prop and the stop-motion photography, requiring multiple takes to achieve the seamless effects that characterize the final film.

What critics said

Contemporary reviews of The Cigar Box are sparse in open sources; later catalog entries chiefly summarize plot and credits.

Did you know?

• Segundo de Chomón was often called 'The Spanish Méliès' due to his mastery of trick photography and magical effects
• The film showcases Chomón's innovative use of substitution splices, a technique he helped perfect
• Pathé Frères distributed this film internationally, making it one of the earliest Spanish-directed films to reach global audiences
• The cigar dispenser prop was an elaborate mechanical creation that could open and close on cue for filming
• This film was part of a series of magical box films that were popular in early cinema, following the success of similar illusion-based shorts
• Chomón's wife, Julienne Mathieu, often appeared in his films and may be one of the performers in this short
• The film was hand-colored in some releases, a common practice for Pathé productions of this era
• At 2 minutes, this was considered a standard length for trick films of the period, designed to be shown in variety programs
• The musical aspect of the cigar dispenser reflects the contemporary fascination with automata and mechanical novelties
• This film demonstrates Chomón's ability to create complex spatial illusions within the confined space of early film studios

Visual style

The cinematography of 'The Cigar Box' demonstrates the sophisticated use of multiple exposure and substitution splicing techniques that were hallmarks of Segundo de Chomón's work. The film employs a static camera position typical of early studio productions, allowing the focus to remain on the magical transformations occurring within the frame. Lighting was carefully controlled to ensure the visibility of the performers while maintaining the illusion of their magical appearance and disappearance. The composition centers the oversized cigar dispenser as the focal point, with performers arranged symmetrically around it to maximize the visual impact of the illusions. The cinematography required precise timing and coordination between the camera operator, performers, and mechanical effects to achieve the seamless transitions that characterize the film. The use of depth in the staging creates a sense of space within the confined studio environment, enhancing the three-dimensional quality of the magical effects.

Innovations

The film represents significant technical achievements in early special effects, particularly in the area of substitution splicing and multiple exposure techniques. Segundo de Chomón perfected the method of stopping the camera, making changes to the scene, and resuming filming to create seamless magical transformations. The mechanical cigar dispenser prop was an innovative creation that combined practical effects with photographic tricks to enhance the illusion. The film demonstrates sophisticated understanding of editing rhythms and timing, with each appearance and disappearance precisely calibrated for maximum impact. The coordination between mechanical effects and camera work shows an advanced level of planning and execution for the period. The film also showcases early color techniques, as some versions were hand-colored using Pathé's stencil process, adding another layer of technical sophistication to the production. These achievements contributed significantly to the development of cinematic special effects and established techniques that would influence filmmakers for decades.

Music

As a silent film from 1907, 'The Cigar Box' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original exhibition. The musical accompaniment would typically have been provided by a pianist or small orchestra in the theater, playing popular tunes of the era or classical pieces appropriate to the magical nature of the film. The musical element suggested by the cigar dispenser's description would have been reinforced through the live music, with performers possibly using sound effects to enhance the mechanical aspects of the prop. The score would have been synchronized with the visual action, building excitement during the magical appearances and providing dramatic punctuation for the disappearances. In some venues, a narrator might have provided additional context or explanation, particularly for audiences unfamiliar with trick film conventions. Modern screenings of the film typically feature newly composed scores or period-appropriate classical music to recreate the original viewing experience.

Memorable scenes

• The magical sequence where multiple elegantly costumed figures emerge one after another from the oversized cigar dispenser, each appearing in a puff of theatrical smoke and disappearing just as mysteriously, creating a mesmerizing rhythm of appearance and vanishment that showcases the technical wizardry of early cinema special effects.

What audiences thought

Audiences in 1907 reportedly found 'The Cigar Box' delightful and magical, as trick films were among the most popular attractions of early cinema programs. The film's visual spectacle and seamless illusions would have been particularly impressive to viewers still adjusting to the possibilities of the new medium. The combination of mechanical props and photographic magic appealed to contemporary tastes for novelty and wonder. The film was likely shown in variety programs alongside other shorts, newsreels, and live performances, where it served as a highlight of the cinematic portion of the entertainment. Modern audiences viewing the film in retrospectives and archives often express admiration for the technical sophistication achieved with such primitive equipment, finding charm in the simplicity and directness of the magical effects. The film continues to entertain viewers interested in cinema history and the origins of special effects, serving as an accessible introduction to early trick films.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Georges Méliès' trick films
• Stage magic and illusion shows
• Automaton exhibitions
• Theatrical spectacles
• Pathé Frères' production style

This film influenced

• Later magical realist films
• Contemporary special effects cinema
• Fantasy genre development
• Visual effects techniques in modern cinema

Film restoration

The film is preserved in several film archives, including the Cinémathèque Française and the Library of Congress. While some prints show deterioration typical of films from this era, the film has survived in watchable condition. Some versions retain the original hand-coloring, while others exist in black and white. The film has been digitally restored by several archives for inclusion in early cinema retrospectives and educational collections.

Where to watch

• YouTube (various archive uploads)
• Internet Archive
• European Film Gateway
• Cinémathèque Française online collections
• Museum of Modern Art film screenings
• Early cinema retrospective programs