Apparently a variation on LA CHUTE DE CINQUIEME ETAGE, this one is about a drunk who throws his wife and family out of the window -- at least apparently since the first half is not known to survive. Then, in sorrow, he tries to hang himself.
Although Melies is primary remembered for his flights of fantasy and feats of magic, he turned out a fair number of serious pieces, including a series of shorts about the Dreyfus Affair in 1899; and some of his fantasies had serious undertones to them. It's interesting to see this straight-out piece of melodrama.
This is one of the many previously lost or infrequently seen Melies pictures that have been made available by Serge Bromberg, David Shepherd and a myriad of other hands in the newly issued DVD set GEORGES MELIES: FIRST WIZARD OF CINEMA. Required viewing for anyone interested in the history of movies ..... and a lot of fun.
Although Melies is primary remembered for his flights of fantasy and feats of magic, he turned out a fair number of serious pieces, including a series of shorts about the Dreyfus Affair in 1899; and some of his fantasies had serious undertones to them. It's interesting to see this straight-out piece of melodrama.
This is one of the many previously lost or infrequently seen Melies pictures that have been made available by Serge Bromberg, David Shepherd and a myriad of other hands in the newly issued DVD set GEORGES MELIES: FIRST WIZARD OF CINEMA. Required viewing for anyone interested in the history of movies ..... and a lot of fun.