A VOYAGE AROUND A STAR (1906)
aka Voyage autour d’une etoile
Article 2259 by Dave Sindelar
Viewing Date: 5-24-2007
Posting Date: 10-19-2007
Directed by Gaston Valle
Cast unknown

An astronomer, smitten by heavenly bodies in the stars, decides to fly into space in a soap bubble to meet them.

In one way, I was quite impressed with this attempt to mimic a George Melies movie; it’s the one that most looks like Melies might have done it himself. Of course, one of the big factors is that it includes one of Melies’ continuing characters – namely, the cranky guy in Saturn. You know, you really don’t want to mess with the cranky guy in Saturn; he doesn’t take kindly to those flirting with his heavenly bodies, as the astronomer finds out here. Still, the most striking thing about this short is the ending, which is rather grotesque for what is for the most part a light-hearted comedy.

Incidentally, this movie was at the top of my hunt list, so I’ve been looking for it a long time.