Shows a bedroom in a hotel. On the wall of the room is a conspicuous sign "Don't blow out the gas." A hayseed enters the room, accompanied by a bellboy. The boy deposits the Rube's bag and umbrella, turns a somersault, and vanishes through the door. The Rube then removes his hat and coat and places them upon the table. They immediately vanish. He then blows out the gas. The scene then instantly changes to a funeral procession, headed by Reuben's hearse, and followed by the carriages of his country friends. Strictly up-to-date picture. (Edison Catalog, 1901)
Direction
Porter's instant cut to funeral—cinema's first 'gotcha' ending.
Practical Effects
Vanishing hat trick is actually good magic for 1901.
Director
Edwin S. Porter
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Gas lamp deaths were genuinely common—Porter turned urban fear into disposable entertainment. Edison's catalog marketed it as 'strictly up-to-date,' proving 1901 had irony.
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