The Magician

Plot

The Magician opens on a theatrical stage where a performer enters from the wings and bows to the audience. He removes his coat and hat, which mysteriously vanish into thin air, demonstrating his magical abilities. The magician then pulls a white handkerchief from his pocket, holds it over his knees, and causes his long trousers to disappear, revealing knickerbockers underneath. With a wave of his magic wand, a table suddenly materializes before the audience, adorned with a large pile of tissue paper. The magician picks up the paper, shakes it several times, and three live geese emerge and fly across the floor, creating a spectacular and mystifying finale that showcases the wonders of cinematic trickery.

Historical Background

The year 1900 marked a pivotal moment in cinema history, as the medium was transitioning from novelty to storytelling. The film industry was still in its infancy, with the Edison Manufacturing Company and Biograph Company dominating American production. This period saw the development of film grammar and techniques that would become standard practice. 'The Magician' was created during the height of the public's fascination with both spiritualism and stage magic, reflecting contemporary cultural interests. The film also emerged at a time when Thomas Edison was aggressively protecting his film patents through the Motion Picture Patents Company, which would soon control much of American film production.

Making Of

The production of 'The Magician' took place at Edison's Black Maria studio in West Orange, New Jersey, before the company moved to the Bronx. Edwin S. Porter, who was still early in his career as a filmmaker, experimented extensively with stop-motion techniques to achieve the disappearing effects. The crew faced significant challenges working with live animals, particularly the geese that had to be coaxed to fly out of the tissue paper at the right moment. The magician performer was reportedly a professional stage entertainer who had to adapt his stage magic techniques for the camera, learning to perform his tricks within the confined space of the early film studio and timing his movements to work with the primitive camera equipment.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'The Magician' utilized the fixed camera perspective typical of early cinema, with the entire film shot from a single stationary position. The camera work was straightforward but effective, allowing the magical effects to take center stage. The lighting was bright and even, necessary for the slow film stock of the era. The composition placed the magician centrally in the frame, ensuring maximum visibility for his tricks. The cinematographer had to carefully time the camera stops for the special effects, requiring precise coordination with the performer. The black background of the stage helped create contrast and made the magical effects more dramatic.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical achievements for its time, most notably the sophisticated use of stop-motion photography for the disappearing effects. The transformation from trousers to knickerbockers represented an early example of what would later be called substitution splicing. The tissue paper to geese effect required precise timing and multiple exposures, demonstrating advanced understanding of film manipulation techniques. The production also showcased early animal handling techniques in cinema, as the geese had to be trained and coordinated for their appearance. The film's success in creating believable magic helped establish many special effects techniques that would become standard in the industry.

Music

As a silent film from 1900, 'The Magician' had no synchronized soundtrack. However, it was typically accompanied by live musical performance during exhibition. Theater pianists or small orchestras would play appropriate magical-themed music, often using popular tunes of the day or improvising mysterious-sounding melodies. Some venues employed sound effects, such as chimes or bells, to enhance the magical moments. The Edison Company occasionally suggested specific musical cues in their exhibition guides, though these were not mandatory. The musical accompaniment varied significantly depending on the theater and the musicians available.

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic moment when the magician shakes the tissue paper and three live geese suddenly fly out, creating a spectacular effect that amazed early cinema audiences and demonstrated the magical possibilities of film

What Critics Said

Contemporary trade publications praised 'The Magician' as 'a most amusing and mystifying subject' that 'never fails to elicit applause and wonder from audiences.' The Edison Company's promotional materials emphasized the film's ability to 'mystify and delight' viewers. Modern film historians recognize the work as an important early example of American special effects cinema, noting Porter's innovative use of stop-motion techniques. While not as celebrated as the works of Georges Méliès from the same period, the film is acknowledged for its contribution to the development of cinematic magic and its role in Edwin S. Porter's evolution as a filmmaker.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1900 were reportedly astonished by 'The Magician,' with many theater owners reporting that the film was a consistent crowd-pleaser. The disappearing coat and hat effects were particularly popular, often drawing audible gasps from viewers unfamiliar with cinematic trickery. The emergence of live geese from tissue paper became a talking point among audiences, who debated how the effect was achieved. The film was frequently re-booked by theaters due to popular demand, and it became one of Edison's most reliable titles of 1900-1901. Contemporary accounts suggest that even skeptical viewers were won over by the film's clever illusions.

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