Robert Paul is a largely forgotten name today, but he was a major pioneer of British cinema, and was quick to grasp the commercial potential of cinema in ways that better known pioneers such as William Friese-Greene were not. He was more of a mechanic than a filmmaker making, with Birt Acres, his own camera on which to shoot films in 1895, and also Britain's first projector, the Animatograph, with which to screen them in 1896. Early in the 20th century he had a custom-made studio built in Muswell Hill.

This early trick film is actually quite impressive, and is easily the equal of anything produced by French master Georges Melies. It shows a group of people being 'entertained' in their home by a medium, who is portrayed as little more than a magician. His big trick is to make himself disappear and turn the room upside down so that we can watch his audience standing, walking, rolling around on the ceiling, etc.

The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

A Spiritualist causes a group of table-turners to walk upside down on the ceiling.

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"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

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Вверх тормашками, или Летающие люди

Georges Méliès in Summoning the Spirits (1899)

Georges Méliès in Four Heads Are Better Than One (1898)

Jehanne d'Alcy in Haggard's She: The Pillar of Fire (1899)

Georges Méliès in Le Chevalier mystère (1899)

Upside Down; or, the Human Flies

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