The primary movement photos debuted in 1895, and within the years instantly after, filmmakers rushed to determine this new medium. Amongst these was the British stage hypnotist George Albert Smith, who acquired his first digicam in 1896 or 1897, in line with victorian-cinema.net, and by the tip of 1897 had made a whopping 31 films. The subsequent 12 months, he started experimenting with particular results—superimposition and intelligent modifying, principally—and created Santa Claus, the very first Christmas-themed movie. It’s a easy (and silent) story wherein a well-known Saint Nick, in white-trimmed gown and lengthy beard, descends a chimney to ship items to 2 lovable Victorian tots. It’s solely a minute and 17 seconds lengthy, so give it a watch proper right here: