The One-Man Band

Directed by Georges Méliès

Produced by Star Film

A delightful early cinema trick film that uses ingenious photography to create a whimsical illusion of a one-man band conjuring an entire ensemble from thin air.

A band-leader has arranged seven chairs for the members of his band. When he sits down in the first chair, a cymbal player appears in the same chair, then rises and sits in the next chair. As the cymbal player sits down, a drummer appears in the second chair, and then likewise moves on to the third chair. In this way, an entire band is soon formed, and is then ready to perform.