Open ClassicCINEMA
Back to the collection

OPEN CLASSIC CINEMA · 1173

The Merry Frolics of Satan

190617 minFrance
DramaHorrorFantasy

Synopsis

An inventor accepts magical pills that promise to make a rapid journey around the world possible. He signs the contract without reading it and unknowingly sells his soul. The wonders that follow are directed by a devil who has disguised himself as a helpful alchemist.

Watch the film ↓
Video edition
Wikimedia Commons
Original language
No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified.
This copy runs
21:32
Subtitles
No subtitle track in this language

No spoken dialogue. Intertitles: not identified. No subtitle track in this language.

Languages and subtitles

No subtitle track in this language

Wikimedia Commons · Georges Méliès · Public domain

Cast

DirectorsGeorges Méliès

Inspirations

Méliès joins a comic version of the Faust bargain to material from spectacular stage fantasies. Part of the film grew from a sequence he had already made for a theatrical production.

Sources and availability

General references identify the work and its copy. A reference beside an editorial section is linked to the claims checked in that section.

Wikipedia — film referenceWikidata — film identity and credits

Work catalogued as public domain in the United States.

The public-domain references concern the original films in the United States. Rights can differ for other countries, editions, restorations, music or translations. Sources are listed on each film page.

Availability checked on September 15, 2026.

Photograph credit

Photographs cropped, resized and optimized as WebP, displayed in monochrome.

  • Georges Méliès — Georges Méliès; Publicity materials for an exhibition at La Caixa Foundation: http://press.lacaixa.es/socialprojects/exhibiton-georges-melies-magic-of-cinema-caixaforum-barcelona-eng__816-c-17952__.html · Public domain

Audience rating

Loading ratings…

Keep exploring

Collection