The Vanishing Lady: Méliès’ 1896 Magic Vanish

Step right up to "The Vanishing Lady" (Escamotage d'une dame au théâtre Robert Houdin), a 1896 French silent short by magician Georges Méliès, Star Films catalog #70. In this black-and-white marvel, Méliès strides onto the stage, ushering in assistant Jeanne d'Alcy. He lays a newspaper on the floor, sets a chair atop it, and seats Jeanne. With a flourish, he drapes a blanket over her—poof, she’s gone! Waving his arms, he conjures a skeleton, then blankets it to reveal Jeanne, back alive and smiling. This one-minute trick film, born in Méliès’ Robert Houdin theater, delights film buffs and history fans with its pioneering magic and playful sorcery.