George Melies 'El Primer Mago Del Cine (1896-1913).
6 DVD set Lobster / Arte 2012.
Now recognised as THE master of early cinema and introduced to a while new generation of readers and film goers when featured in Brian Selznick's stunning 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret', George Melies was the most creative film maker of his time.
Despite creating the iconic movies such as 'A Trip To The Moon' and 'The Impossible Voyage' and running offices in both Paris and New York, his life ended in much humbler circumstances, eventually selling sweets amd toys at Mount Parnasse Station.
Little Tich appears in the 1905 film 'Le Raid Paris-Monte Carlo en deux heures' tells the story of a breakneck car journey between the two cities and includes a brilliant 'Flat Stanley'-style special effect. Tich walks round right across the screen in his mighty big boots and stands next to a veritable giant of a man about a minute into the film.
To see two creative giants of the age come together is a genuine treat!