Des Jägers Traum (1903)

Julius Neubronner (1852-1932), a chemist and inventor from Kronberg was one of the first people to film in the Rhine-Main region. In 1903 he acquired his first film camera, an Ernemann "Kino" for 17.5mm film with center perforation. With his camera Neubronner recorded historical events as well as the everyday life of his family. Furthermore, he also shot short sketches performed by himself and his family on a stage set-up in the garden of their home. "The Hunter's Dream" is based on a short play written by Neubronner, with himself in the lead role. The film tells the story of an old man who encounters the God of Youth (performed by Neubronner's daughter) and finds himself suddenly rejuvenated. He shows wild interest in a waitress who slaps his face. The man goes off on a hunt with his rifle but as he wants to shoot a deer, he must realize that the rifle barrel is bent. When he aims regardless, water shoots from the barrel. A policeman arrests the man, who suddenly finds himself sitting on a bench in his pyjamas. All footage was shot in front of backdrops, the deer was made of papier-mâché.