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EIGHT GIRLS IN A BARREL - THE MYSTERIOUS RETORT - A MESMERIAN EXPERIMENT - BLUE BEARD - THE DAMNATION OF FAUST

EIGHT GIRLS IN A BARREL
France 1900
In the middle of the stage, a barrel is placed on a stand. A man and eight young girls
surround it. The man shows, as if necessary, that there is absolutely no link between the
barrel and the floor, but nevertheless sends the eight young girls, one after the other, into
the barrel without the appearance of being full. At the end of this marvelous trick, the
illusionist returns to the barrel in order to show the audience that it is in fact " full of
emptiness ".

THE MYSTERIOUS RETORT
France 1906
An alchemist attempts to perform several experiements, but soon he becomes tired and
falls asleep. During his slumber, his flask grows into a gigantic size. A devil suddenly
appears and makes various monsters come out of the flask, which eventually explodes.
The devil is then seen in the middle of the flames and places his victorious foot on the
body of the magician who lies on the ground, unconscious.

A MESMERIAN EXPERIMENT
France 1905

BLUE BEARD
France 1901
Lord Blue-Beard, already a seven-time widower, is married in holy matrimoney. Upon
leaving on a trip, he forbids his new bride to enter the castle chamber. But, tempted by
the devil, she enters and discovers the corpses of Blue-Beards seven wives. Seeing that
she has disobeyed him, Blue-Beard wishes to murder her, but the young woman's
brothers arrive just in time to save her. The tyrant is demolished.

THE DAMNATION OF FAUST
France 1903
After the death of Marguerite, Mephistopheles takes hold of Faust. They mount the
carriage of a messenger, who takes them to Hades. Continuing on foot, they pass by
fantastical scenery. Finally, the Devil shows Faust several pretty nymphs and a ballet
with beautiful dancers. Then, after a long vertical descent, Faust rushes towards the fires
of hell, while the Devil prevails, in the middle of his kingdom and servants.