[Le Tonnerre de Jupiter]

0503-0505

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[Le Tonnerre de Jupiter]


Los rayos de Júpiter

MEL 1904-A


Jupiter's Thunderbolts; or, the Home of the Muses

(A mythological burlesque)

In the beginning of the scene the rising sun tinges some clouds, with gleaning colors; they slowly fall apart and reveal Jupiter, King of Olympus, in all his glory, seated in a golden chariot drawn by an eagle. He holds in one hand the royal sceptre and in the other his redoubtable thunderbolts, and behind his head the rays of the sun shine resplendent.
Jupiter alights from his chariot, which fades away in the background, and he calls his faithful servant. Mercury, the messenger of the gods. At the command of Jupiter, le latter transforms the clouds into pedestals of marble.
Jupiter decides upon the creation of nine muses-Melpomene, Thalia, Erato, Polymnia, Urania, Calliope, Enterpe and Terpsichore, destined to become the goddesses of Tragedy, Comedy, the Lyre, Astronomy, History, Eloquence, Music and Dancing. In order to accomplish this he makes use of his all-powerful thunderbolts, but they are used up and work no more. He summons Vulcan, the armorer of Olympus, and commands him to bring some new thunderbolts. Vulcan goes out and returns bringing on the end of some tongs the bolts which he has just forged. Jupiter burns himself while attempting to seize them. He wraps his hand in his handkerchief and makes a second attempt to grasp his powerful weapon. The first time that Jupiter makes use of his new thunderbolt he is half stunned because of its tremendous strength. He turns to Mercury and Vulcan, who hasten to his side; then he draws from his thunderbolts flames which are converted into the Muses, who take their proper places upon each pedestal and thus form a charming picture. Jupiter is pleased with his work and orders Music and Dancing, from jealousy, descend from their pedestals and start to perform, some to declaim, others to recite poetry and some to sing, whilst Mercury plays upon the double flute and Vulcan strikes upon his anvil with measured strokes. Jupiter is deafened by the horrible din. He grows red from anger, and makes them all instantly return to their pedestals at the crash of a clap of thunder. But even there they continue their hubbub, and he sends forth a terrible peal of thunder which, increased tenfold from the rage of the God, produces an unexpected and disastrous result-the Muses take fire and are consumed in long tongues of flames. Jupiter tears his hair in his despair at haying destroyed his work, and turning his anger against his all-powerful thunderbolt, the source of all the evil, he throws it to the ground and furiously stamps upon it. But the thunderbolt bursts and the lamentable detonation sends His Majesty into the air. He falls back upon it and again he is hurled upward in a sorry plight. A second time he falls back, and the thunderbolt leaps up and pursues him, rolling behind him and sending out sparks and flames, Jupiter hurriedly takes refuge in flight, but the thunderbolt, with equal speed, rushes on behind.

MEL 1905-A

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1 Méliès 503-505  
2 Georges Méliès  
3 1903 70m/170ft
4 France   

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07/02/1906 FranceParis G. Méliès Tonnerre Jupiter
 
G. Méliès
Paris, le 7 février 1906
Monsieur Caroli
[...]
503-505     Tonnerre Jupiter
Collection particulière [D.R.]

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