Explosions, transformations, levitations … The 1907 short film “The Golden Beetle” showcased the special effects of early cinema to delighted audiences.
The 3-minute silent film also features frame-by-frame hand colorizations to add even more of a “wow” factor.
“The Golden Beetle” was produced in France and originally released there under the name “Le Scarabée d'or,” according to the Library of Congress. Segundo de Chomón directed the movie, featuring a man who throws a golden beetle into a fire, only to have it turn into a magical fairy and turn the tables on him.