"The Red Spectre" is simply a themed stage magician's routine enhanced by trick photography. One needn't trouble over any real plot line, and there isn't any point to what happens to the women in the routine; they're all Lovely Assistants assisting the magician! Notice how they pose becomingly in their pretty costumes, preen, dance and nod to the audience? Even the three shown miniaturized in the milk bottles look quite happy and pleasant, since they're just doing their job of being decorative parts of the act.
The "Good Fairy/Spirit" looks more like a rival magician (notice her bat-winged cape), and far from being a contest between Good and Evil, it's more a challenge between equals. This adds a bit more narrative, an element of conflict, but really doesn't seem intended to convey any deep significance. The sorceress is almost another Lovely Assistant, just with a more active role and showing more leg. Notice that far from deploring his dark powers, she appears to absorb them herself at the last by assuming his cloak after having vanquished him.
This is a charming example of stage technique of the time, and the final scenery effects and beauty pageant are quite delightful. Just watch it as an old-time magic act and it makes perfect sense!
The "Good Fairy/Spirit" looks more like a rival magician (notice her bat-winged cape), and far from being a contest between Good and Evil, it's more a challenge between equals. This adds a bit more narrative, an element of conflict, but really doesn't seem intended to convey any deep significance. The sorceress is almost another Lovely Assistant, just with a more active role and showing more leg. Notice that far from deploring his dark powers, she appears to absorb them herself at the last by assuming his cloak after having vanquished him.
This is a charming example of stage technique of the time, and the final scenery effects and beauty pageant are quite delightful. Just watch it as an old-time magic act and it makes perfect sense!