THE ? MOTORIST (1906)
Article 2092 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 12-7-2006
Posting Date: 5-5-2007
Directed by Walter R. Booth
Cast Unknown

A ! policeman is run down by a ? car. When he attempts to pursue, the ? car climbs the side of a @ building, goes into the * sky, and drives on the # clouds, eventually ending up riding around the !!?! rings of Saturn.

This is another Melies imitation, but it’s certainly one of the most amusing ones out there. The fact that it actually features some of its scenes outdoors (in contrast to the studio-bound Melies oeuvre) gives it a good sense of novelty, and many of the special effects are pointed and very funny, especially the one where the car turns into a horse and carriage to astound the pursuing policeman. This is one of the best of the early trick films.