Magic Tricks with Georges

The Vanishing Lady (aka "The Conjuring of a Woman at the House of Robert Houdin") (1896)
Starring: Georges Méliès
Director: Georges Méliès
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A magician gives a private performance where he makes a lady vanish and then reappear gradually.

Usually, I find the Georges Méliès films where he's just doing standard magician's tricks but using camera trickery to accomplish the illusion to be the most uninteresting of his works. However, "The Vanishing Lady" is one of the most impressive entries in that category, because the film stops are nearly undetectable, and the way he is takes steps to "prove" the magic is real almost appear like they are mistakes and are very well done.

For a bit of film that's some 125 years old is very impressive... and I suggest you take a minute (literally) to check it out right now.