Some years ago, I borrowed a collection of films by George Melies from a public library. They were enchanting--many short silent films involving special effects. The most famous one was included, with a rocket landing on the face of the man on the moon.

Lost 19th century film by Méliès discovered at the Library

https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2026/02/lost-19th-century-film-by-melies-discovered-at-the-library/

#filmhistory #GeorgeMelies #filmmaking #oldfilms #classicfilms #automatons #motionpictures #victorianfilmmaking #victorianfilm

Lost 19th century film by Méliès discovered at the Library | Timeless

Library conservators recently made a startling discovery in a batch of decaying film reels -- a long-lost 1897 film by early cinema icon George Méliès. The French magician-turned-filmmaker's

The Library of Congress

So,while readers were gobbling up the Penny Dreadfuls and Penny Bloods, and theatre goers were lapping up opera and melodrama on stage, other innovations were making their way into Victorian leisure life....such as photography and later the phonograph.

Niépce, Daguerre, Muybridge, the Lumiere brothers were among the many that lay the groundwork for modern-day mass entertainment.

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#pennybloods#victorianphotography #victorianfilmmaking