The One-Man Band

Méliès should've devoted more time to the "one-man band" part. It lasted only like 30 seconds, and the other 45 seconds of the film aren't very interesting. It's funny how you can exchange some other phrase for "one-man band" and "minutes" for "seconds" in the above sentence and you'll have described many later films. The fundamental challenges of pacing and editing are still basically the same today as they were 100 years ago.

Melies is one of cinema's greatest magicians.

Yet another experiment with camera tricks, this time with multiple exposures.

Pretty cool, though more could have been done with the band.

It does feel like a step up from most of Melies' previous work in terms of effects. However he basically gives up the film having any real story which is a shame considering he was typically quite good at that considering how short his films were.

Nice, though it makes you wish it was a little longer, if only to get a better look at Méliès playing with the instruments.

While definitely one of Melies weaker films, this film still captures the imagination and has great effects for the time it was made

Méliès again testing boundaries of film making effects.

Effects are ok, not his best though.

Once again, Méliès did it first. Needed to be longer, though.

Melies invents movie magic.

Melies gives new meaning to the term "one-man band". Witty and fun

Great example for early multiple exposures.

Great!

Not bad.