Jack Jaggs and Dum Dum

Jack Jags and Dum dum (1903)

*** (out of 4)

aka Tom Tight et Dum-Dum

Melies plays a magician who walks on stage to do a trick with a fake woman but another magician jumps on stage and tries to ruin his act. Before getting on with his own trick, Melies must first take care of the intruder. This is a very fast paced and entertaining film from the director who gets to show off his magic tricks but also throws in some nice humor as well. The highlight of the film is when Melies uses a hammer to knock the other magician through the floor. It's also worth noting that Melies appears here wearing a fat suit, which I believe is the first time I've seen him do this. A few nice jokes are made about his stomach getting in the way. The magic tricks involves the fake woman's head and Melies turning it into a bouncing ball.

Melies plays a magician who brings the parts of a female dummy on stage. Her stacks the parts on a bench in the back. While he attempts to do some magic tricks, a rival magician tries to mess things up. Soon the pile of pieces turns into a real woman and the two magicians begin to try to gain favor. Not much new here at all.