This film is part of Free
The House That Jack Built
All's well that ends well - which is exactly what happens when movie magic undoes a boy's wanton vandalism
Overview
A simple special effect resolves a children's quarrel. What little girl wouldn't be put out to see her house, lovingly constructed from building blocks, destroyed by a mischievous boy's hand? But when the film is played backwards, it looks as if the little boy is conjuring the house out of rubble. Peace restored... until he tries it again. By 1900, the audience would probably have seen this trick before - so perhaps the reversal represents the little girl's wish that real life was as fun as the movies?
The director of this film, George Albert Smith, first became well-known on the stage doing a hypnotism act, before opening a pleasure garden in Hove where he put on magic lantern shows. He 1896 he enthusiastically embraced the new medium of cinema and became one of Britain's first filmmakers, part of the what's been called the 'Brighton School'. This film demonstrates his flair as a showman, and is remarkably self-conscious about its own technique, heralding the special effect with the card 'wReversed'.
Related
As Seen through a Telescope As Seen through a Telescope
Comedy 1900 1 mins Silent
A peeping Tom gets a shocking glimpse of stocking in this early take on film voyeurism.
Countryman and the Cinematograph Countryman and the Cinematograph
Comedy 1901 0 mins Silent
A country yokel gets a shock in an early example of a 'film within a film'.
Fire! Fire!
Drama 1901 5 mins Silent
A dramatic rescue from a burning building by heroic firemen is one of our most important films
Undressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired Traveller Undressing Extraordinary; Or, The Troubles of a Tired Traveller
Trick film 1901 2 mins Silent
Entertaining example of early 'special effects'
Grandma's Reading Glass Grandma's Reading Glass
Trick film 1900 1 mins Silent
A boy examines things through his Grandmother’s magnifying glass, and early film takes a huge step forward.
The Big Swallow The Big Swallow
Comedy 1901 1 mins Silent
A classic early film gag - and a big leap forward for a fast-evolving new art
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.