SEASON 1: The Horror Genre,
George Albert Smith,
and Spiritualism
In Season 1, we begin our deep dive into the horror genre by discussing what, exactly, makes a horror film. We analyze what is, arguably, the first horror film, George Melies' 1896 film Le Manoir du Diable (The House of the Devil). And, we look at English director George Albert Smith's contributions to film history and his link to the Victorian spiritualism movement through the Society for Psychical Research.
S01E01: Sunday in the Dark with Georges: The Beginnings of Horror
In Episode 01, we discuss the beginnings of film horror which lie in the age of the magic lantern and phantasmagoria. We also briefly discuss early versions of the movie camera. Our main discussion centers around George Melies' 1896 film Le Manoir du Diable (The House of the Devil).
S01E02: Old Dogs, New Tricks: From Magic Tricks to Trick Films, Part 1
In Episode 02, we begin with a discussion of what exactly makes a horror film. We cover everything from the etymology of the word horror, and the biological differences in how we respond to horror, to how directors, cinematographers, composers, and editors scare us. Plus, much more.
In our main discussion, we question if certain early Méliès films, which some have deemed horror films, actually are horror films at all.
Some of the Méliès films we cover in this episode, which pre-date last week's main film The House of the Devil (Le Manoir du Diable) (1986) are A Terrible Night (Une Nuit terrible)(1896) and The Vanishing Lady (Escamotage d'une dame chez Robert-Houdin) (1896).
S01E03: Old Dogs, New Tricks: From Magic Tricks to Trick Films, Part 2
In Episode 3, we explore some aspects of Victorian culture, specifically mysticism, mesmerism, spiritualism, and their relation to scientific thinking of the time. We offer a brief and interesting history of Franz Mesmer, a fascinating character who laid the groundwork for much of the spiritualism movement that was so popular in the Victorian era. We also wander right into the middle of a murder mystery plot regarding the Society for Psychical Research. How does this relate to film history? This is the world inhabited by director George Albert Smith (1864-1959). Many would say he rivals Melies in importance to the early development of the film industry.
S01E04: Old Dogs, New Tricks: From Magic Tricks to Trick Films, Part 3
In Episode 4, we continue with the life of director George Albert Smith. Along the way we revisit the Society for Psychical Research and its contributions to early feminism; discuss Pepper's Ghost; explore Smith's wife Laura Bayley's contributions to his film work; discuss Smith's pleasure garden, St. Ann's Well Gardens in Hove, as well as the history of limelight.
S01E05: Old Dogs, New Tricks: From Magic Tricks to Trick Films, Part 4
In Episode 5, we delve head-first into the film output of G. A. Smith and the many advances in filmmaking for which he was responsible. We discuss films such as Old Man Drinking a Beer, Photographing a Ghost, A Seen Through a Telescope, Kiss In the Tunnel, and Santa Claus, among others. We continue to trace the development of film technology with advances such as the Biokam and Kinemacolor. Along the way we become obsessed with x-rays, just like the Victorians; briefly discuss English filmmaker James Williamson and Indian filmmaker D. G. Phalke; trudge through the messiness of copyright and distribution in the Victorian film business; and much more!
S01E06: Old Dogs, New Tricks: From Magic Tricks to Trick Films, Part 5
Episode 6, the final episode in what ended up being a mini-series of Old Dogs, New Tricks, ties a bow around the various stories in the past 4 episodes. We follow Georges Melies and G. A. Smith through the end of their filmmaking careers and ultimately their own lives; we finish up the story of the Society of Psychical Research and all those involved, especially regarding the Blackburn confession; we finally try to solve the mysterious death of Frank Podmore; and much more!