Santa Claus

Santa Claus

Santa Claus, an inventive and imaginative fantasy film by G.A. Smith (one of cinema's earliest innovators) makes use of several special effects, including double-exposure and superimposition to show Santa Claus visiting the home of two children. In possibly one of the earliest example of parallel action on film, Smith projected the image of Santa Claus arriving and descending the chimney within the same frame where the children are shown sleeping.

UK 1898 Dir G.A. Smith
Produced by G.A. Smith
c. 1 min. Black and white

Keywords: Father Christmas, Christmas, Santa Claus, presents, chimney, snow, children, sleeping, trick photography, illusion, double-exposure, superimposing, parallel action.

Key frames

Download Santa Claus (1:20)

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To find out more, see the analysis of Santa Claus on BFI Screenonline.

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Last Updated: 05 Jun 2008