A little "Jules Verne" /

Abstract

A boy is put to bed by his mother, but when she leaves the room, he pulls out a book. Dropping off to sleep, he begins to dream. The wall behind him transforms into a screen, with a portrait of Jules Verne. The boy imagines the starry night sky, with comets shooting by. The gondola of a balloon parks outside his window. He climbs aboard, ascending over a skyline and harbor. Lightning strikes the balloon, and it drops into the ocean, with the boy swimming to the bottom. Various marine vegetation and jellyfish turn into sea maidens. Dancers salute an undersea goddess, showering her with sand. Caught by a giant squid, the boy fights with it for his life, and awakens to his mother's scolding. Instead of a squid, he has actually been fighting his pillow, and he has shaken its feather contents all over his bed and room. His mother angrily picks up the book, unsurprised at the source of his dreams, and puts the apologetic and happy child to bed.English title from film and AFI STAR database record no. 7726.French title, Un petit Jules Verne, per Catalogue Pathé des années 1896 à 1914, 1907 à 1909, p. 44; AFI STAR database record no. 7726.There is a brief color scene. When lightning strikes the balloon, the resulting fire is in color.The original nitrate had some hand-coloring.Pathé no. 1940.Additional holdings for this title may be available. Contact reference librarian. DLCDigital files viewed.Sources used: American Film Institute online catalog, Oct. 25, 2006; Catalogue Pathé des années 1896 à 1914, 1907 à 1909, p. 44; AFI STAR database record no. 7726