Movie 5min

The Cake-Walk Infernal (1903)

Original title: Le cake-walk infernal
Rating:

Facts
Director Georges Méliès
Country France
Language French
Titles
(Translated) The Infernal Cake Walk
(Original) Le cake-walk infernal
(Country Spesific) The Infernal Cakewalk
Production
Distribution
(Spain, DVD, 2005) Divisa Home Video
(USA, DVD, 2008) Flicker Alley
(France, 1903) Georges Méliès
(France, 1903) Star-Film
Categories
Black and White Dance Demons Fantasy Hell Horror Short Silent Film The Devil Trick Film
Description

Pluto, having seen the earth, comes back home amazed at the success of that well-known dance, the "cake-walk." He has brought back with him two noted well-known dancers, who start their favorite dance amidst the flames. A queer and ugly being wishes also to join in the dance, but his limbs break away and dance far from him. All the subjects of His Majesty are seized with the irresistible mania for dancing, and start an unbridled provincial dance. At this sight Satan starts out of the earth a large blaze, which annihilates everything around him, disappearing himself through the flames. This view has beautiful new effects and much improves with colors. For the first time in a cinematograph view one can see some of the will-o'-the-wisp wandering among human beings. The effect is magical.

Source: Melies Catalog

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Cast
Georges Méliès - Devil
Crew
Georges Méliès - Production Design
Georges Méliès - Editor
Georges Méliès - Producer
Georges Méliès - Director
Reviews
by
Gravatar
Happy dancing in hell

I guess it is borderline blasphemy to make a movie about people and demons happily dancing in hell, but I think it's all about making a joyful horror that is a bit different and connects to a hype of the time - the cake-walk. The Devil has the mid-stage, but the dancers are the entertainment. I watched this with a suiting piano track and it really made the movie and gave it that extra experience that was intended.