George Albert Smith, who previously directed *The Haunted Castle*, a reimagining of a Georges Méliès work, offers *The X-Rays* (also known as *The X-Ray Fiend*). The short depicts a young woman encountering an enthusiastic older man; he displays obvious affection and embarrassment. An X-ray camera then appears—either floating or connected to someone in dark clothing—seemingly revealing the couple’s inner workings before they revert to their original state once the device departs. That's essentially all there is to it. The film seems to exist without a clear reason, and the figure operating the camera doesn't reappear elsewhere. It simply appeared as an unusual discovery following *The Haunted Castle*. *The X-Rays* utilizes an early special effect—the jump cut. In this technique, actors must hold perfectly still when “Cut!” is called, freezing every muscle. The set is then altered, filming resumes, and the actors continue their performance, often reacting to the unexpected change. This creates the illusion of objects or people vanishing and reappearing. The film’s appeal lies in its nostalgic charm and artistic merit; the costumes worn by the couple during their “inside-out” sequence are quite striking. The jump cut technique is prominently featured here. It was likely a fascinating and entertaining short for audiences at the time, perhaps as captivating as kids spending pennies to view similar effects on Mutoscopes—something I would have enjoyed immensely.

Source on TMDB