Liquid electricity
Encyclopedia
Liquid electricity is a fictional liquid substance that often appeared in comedy short films of the silent film
era. It is the "distilled essence of electricity" in liquid form, a (usually) glowing substance easily stored in bottles. It provides fantastic energy and super-speed when used as a fuel for automobiles, aircraft, and machines of all sorts. One variant of liquid electricity could be drunk by humans, who often did so for humorous effect in silent film comedies.
The use of "liquid electricity" as a comedic plot device was often used by filmmakers as a way to present "speeded-up motion
" and demonstrate the use of this special effect
in film. The motion picture industry was in its infancy in the early 20th century, and the use of slow motion
and fast motion effects were a new novelty to movie-going audiences. In 1987's Spaceballs
, a similar substance called "Liquid Schwartz" is used to power a spaceship in the same manner as liquid electricity. Comcast
's commercials for its "high-speed Internet
" service portrayed a similar substance (a mercury
-like substance that could be rubbed onto machines, shoes, or even drunk) that was used, again, for a comedy punchline.
The use of liquid electricity is seen as an early form of science fiction
in film, and a number of the early short films that used this substance (most of which have been lost) are classified as "science fiction" films.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
era. It is the "distilled essence of electricity" in liquid form, a (usually) glowing substance easily stored in bottles. It provides fantastic energy and super-speed when used as a fuel for automobiles, aircraft, and machines of all sorts. One variant of liquid electricity could be drunk by humans, who often did so for humorous effect in silent film comedies.
The use of "liquid electricity" as a comedic plot device was often used by filmmakers as a way to present "speeded-up motion
Time-lapse
Time-lapse photography is a cinematography technique whereby the frequency at which film frames are captured is much lower than that which will be used to play the sequence back. When replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing...
" and demonstrate the use of this special effect
Special effect
The illusions used in the film, television, theatre, or entertainment industries to simulate the imagined events in a story are traditionally called special effects ....
in film. The motion picture industry was in its infancy in the early 20th century, and the use of slow motion
Slow motion
Slow motion is an effect in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down. It was invented by the Austrian priest August Musger....
and fast motion effects were a new novelty to movie-going audiences. In 1987's Spaceballs
Spaceballs
Spaceballs is a 1987 American science fiction comedy parody film co-written by, directed by, Mel Brooks and starring Bill Pullman, John Candy, Mel Brooks & Rick Moranis. It also features, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, and the voice of Joan Rivers. The film was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on...
, a similar substance called "Liquid Schwartz" is used to power a spaceship in the same manner as liquid electricity. Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
's commercials for its "high-speed Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
" service portrayed a similar substance (a mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
-like substance that could be rubbed onto machines, shoes, or even drunk) that was used, again, for a comedy punchline.
The use of liquid electricity is seen as an early form of science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
in film, and a number of the early short films that used this substance (most of which have been lost) are classified as "science fiction" films.