George Méliès was a famous illusionist and magician that worked un Paris.
When he discovered the cinematograph, he thought that the new means had many possibilities as a show.
Méliès used the cinematograph to make magic tricks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1GJo97F4ds
Méliès also filmed fantastic sories, with sets, actors and actresses, make-up and wardrobe. He imagined fantastic plots, like a trip to the moon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FrdVdKlxUk
Finally, he configured a new show conception with the cinematograph. Films had to be watched in movie theatre with music in live. A pianist or an orchestra played accompaniment music with the images.
For all these reasons, George Méliès was one of the greatest filmmakers in history.