At the dawn of the previous century, a new breed of sorcerer emerged: blending the ancient arts of stagecraft and prestidigitation with experimental movie trickery, these modern magicians transported audiences to entirely new realms of wonder.

This program travelled back in time to rediscover special effects epics and “trick films” more than 100 years old by Georges Méliès, Edwin S. Porter, Segundo de Chomón, W.R. Booth, and others.

Rare 16mm prints were shown with musical selections both traditional and unusual (jazz, world music, avant garde).

(An expanded edition of our Oct. 2013 show, with fully revised and expanded program notes.)