Méliès plays the magician in the film, the
special effects for which were achieved using
substitution splices and
dissolves. The film is strongly influenced by the
Pygmalion myth, as is suggested by the inscription "Galathea Théâtre" on the set and various classical motifs, including Grecian costumes, classical musical instruments such as the
auloi and the
lyre, and a backdrop showing a classical landscape with a
tempietto. Classical scholar Martin M. Winkler concludes: "Méliès the filmmaker-wizard-creator is evidently a modern Pygmalion." ==Release==