Among the themes that Melies went through several times are those of someone who falls asleep, whether it be a ballet master, a clockmaker, or here, a composer. And while the composer's dreams comically range from an ethereal harpist to demons doing a cake-walk while chorines dance the can-can, there is always wistful undertone to them: why can't life be a little easier?
This is one of the many previously lost or infrequently seen Melies pictures that have been made available by Serge Bromberg, David Shepherd and a myriad of other hands in the newly issued DVD set GEORGES MELIES: FIRST WIZARD OF CINEMA. Required viewing for anyone interested in the history of movies ..... and a lot of fun.