Louis Feuillade

The film follows the exploits of a nefarious band of master criminals led by the seductive femme fatale Irma Vep.

Jacques d'Athys, a French adventurer, returns to his home in Nice after an expedition to Indochina where he has picked up a Eurasian fiancée and a book that, unbeknownst to him, contains a coded message revealing the whereabouts of both secret treasures and sensitive government intelligence. This makes him the target of foreign spies, including a Marquise of mysterious Latin origin, a Hindu hypnotist and an evil German doctor, who will stop at nothing to obtain the book.

The artist awakens. His maid brings him a letter from the Gaumont Studio. After a quick glance to it, he hastens to get dressed and runs to the studio followed by his wife, his maid and his son, Bout-de-Zan who want a part in the movie. When he finally finds a director, a cameraman and a script, the roles were assigned to everyone and everyone is partially satisfied... (imdb)

Marius Barbentane is visiting Bout-de-Zan uncle. He brings him and his wife a rabbit he pretends to have shot at 500 m. He invites them to make the bet that he can shoot a bird at 500m. (imdb)

Fantômas makes it as the emperor of Crime. First is the robbery at the Royal Palace Hotel. Then he abducts Lord Beltham. As Fantômas' fame increases actor Valgrand creates the rôle of public enemy No.1 on stage (imdb)

From his castle lair high above the countryside, mystery man Judex (granite-faced Rene Creste) seeks to protect the lovely Jacqueline, while nursing a secret hatred for her fatcat father.

The efforts of lawyer Jacques Varese and journalist Raoul de Nerac who attempt to expose and destroy the criminal organization led by a sadistic banker Rudolph Strelitz. (imdb)

A woman's corpse is found in Dr. Chaleck's house. Juve immediately suspects Fantomas, so Juve and his friend Fandor try to find the dangerous Fantomas in Paris streets.

After a body disappears from inside the prison, a series of crimes take place, all seemingly by the dead man. With Juve presumed dead, Fandor must investigate alone. Will Fantomas finally be brought to justice? (imdb)

As inspector Juve seems to be unable to put Fantômas behind bars the Press comes up with the idea Juve must be Fantômas himself. (imdb)

Fantômas has been arrested and is jailed in Brussels, but inspector Juve wants him arrested and sentenced for all his crimes in France. (imdb)

When he goes to Paris an aristocrat steps into a cinema and is shocked by something he sees on screen.

Set in WWI, a soldier given medical leave and sent to help harvest vineyards finds himself amongst an array of interesting characters.

A short telling of the Nativity Story

An anonymous playwright corresponds with the woman who has performed his play while hiding that he is a dwarf.

The daring detective with the sweeping black cape go on further adventures.

Feuillade's short film on the downfall of the debauched (read "effeminate") Roman Emperor Heliogabalus in 218 is perhaps lacking in historical accuracy with its female senate for ladies fashions and rampaging lions escaped from the circus, but it looks fabulous. (MUBI)

Mme Ducordon discovers an infectious new dance at the music hall called the Bous-Bous-Mie and just can't stop shakin' her booty. Her dancing has a disruptive effect on the other tenants in her apartment block. (MUBI)

Renée Carl stars in this mythological story as the mortal Arachne, who falls foul of Athena when a Muse judges her weaving to be superior to the goddess, banishing her to Hades and the realm of Poseidon. (MUBI)

Renée Carl stars in this lively slapstick silent short as a beautiful lady who causes distractions and accidents among the male population as she walks though the streets of Paris. (MUBI)

Bout de Zan is a very precocious young man! When the circus comes to town, he does what any kid might do in this situation--he steals the circus' elephant!!! Later, he sits on the curb with the elephant and begs coins off people--with a sign saying 'blind since birth'. I am not sure if this is supposed to mean the kid or the animal! (imdb)

"L'Agonie De Byzance" (1913) is a historical film that depicts the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, an event that marked the end of the Byzantine Empire. (imdb)

The innkeeper's daughter is in love, but her mother has already decided that she is going to be married to another man. Raymond, the young woman's fiancé, is devastated. After a few expository scenes, this extremely simple plot becomes fragmented into two mirror-like flashbacks, shown in split-screen: she dreams of her past happiness with her beloved, embracing her during a boat excursion on a pond, he has a nightmare where she is seen embracing the other man. (imdb)

A mother (Renee Carl) goes to see a palm reader who informs her that a loved one is about to die. The woman doesn't know if it's her son or her husband (Rene Navarre) but history buffs will know who it is as it's April 10, 1912 and the husband is about to board Titanic. (imdb)

LA TARE (literally, "The Flaw") is a 43-minute film about Anna, a woman who is rescued from a Parisian dance hall to work in a charitable hospital. Over the years, she rises to become the head of the institution, but when an old habitué of the dance hall recognizes her picture, he attempts to blackmail her. When she refuses, he publishes a letter in the paper and the good local people who make up the hospital's board demand her resignation. (imdb)

A young inventor is kidnapped to force him to tell the secret of his invention, but he foils his captors thanks to a pen with invisible ink. (imdb)

Nymphs and cupids dance in celebration of the arrival of Spring. (imdb)

Melodrama about a rich father who gains custody of his child while the mother goes off in tears. Of course, the child is miserable even though he has everything in the world but after a weekend trip at his poor mother's house, the child realizes that money isn't everything and he has to convince the father that his money is evil. (imdb)

Three men go out on the ocean in a row boat. There, they see dancing fairies. Then manage to catch one and take her aboard the boat--taking her back to the castle with them. Then, one of the men asks the fairy to marry him and they do so--though something strange occurs right after the ceremony. (imdb)

A man in a rolling bed rolls uncontrollably through the streets

A four-year-old saves the day.

A zealous janitor mops the floor so hard nobody can stand up.

A soldier with a fur hat hides in a closet.

Early slapstick short from Louis Feuillade involving runaways, except that, instead of it being a runaway horse (see Griffith;s THE CURTAIN POLE for an example), it is a cartful of what appear to be hundred-pound pumpkins that get away, rushing hither and yon, down sewers, up chimneys, pursued by the drayer, a couple of other people and a very unwilling donkey. (imdb)

This short film consists of a crazy old colonel being asked to entertain party guests about his exploits of daring. However, being a totally insane old coot, he runs amok acting out his war-time heroics--smashing and throwing everything in the room! (imdb)

The son of Emperor Nero's poisoner drinks the fatal potion prepared by his mother. (imdb)

A soldier during World War 1 wants to be reunited with his family for Christmas.

A midsummer Phantasy. The man having been attacked by footpads, puts on a suit of medieval armor which has been magnetized at a dynamo by two boys. Every metallic article which he approaches flies to him, to the great consternation of many people. (imdb)

A man has diarrhea.... a French comedy.

Oscar is on the trail of a new conquest. This serials played by Léon Lorin and various feminine actors, here Angèle Lérida, is full of comic elegance, parisianism of the Grands Boulevards and a real taste for fine shots.

This serials played by Léon Lorin and various feminine actors, here Davrières, is full of comic elegance, parisianism of the Grands Boulevards and a real taste for fine shots. Appreciate the crossing of the Champ de Mars.

Nymphs and cupids dance in celebration of the arrival of Spring.

Nymphs and cupids dance in celebration of the arrival of Spring.

Nymphs and cupids dance in celebration of the arrival of Spring.

Drama in which a dismissed servant takes revenge by setting the lions of his ex- mistress free. Madam Berre, the widow of an African traveler, has a lion and two lionesses in her conservatory. Fred, a servant who abused her beasts, is sent away by her. Under the pretense of haven forgotten his hat, he comes back while Mrs. Berre receives guests that evening. Fred lets the lions out of their cages.

Les Vampires is a 1915-16 French silent crime serial film written and directed by Louis Feuillade. (wikipedia)

Les Vampires is a 1915-16 French silent crime serial film written and directed by Louis Feuillade. (wikipedia)

Gustave (Biscot) realizes he has acquired a telekinetic power.

With the help of Lévesque and Musidora, Feuillade creates a light-hearted meta-fiction, self-parodying his own work.

Two war orphans, Joseph, apprentice printer, and Lisette, typist, live with their grandmother in Belleville. Lisette loves his next door neighbor, the painter Amedee, but this one does not offer him a union. Joseph Amedee learning is the son of a general, advocates for Lisette and everything ends in marriage. (imdb)

The life of French poet André Chénier, precursor of the Romantic movement, who was guillotined during the Rveolution aged only 31. (imdb)

Pierrot et Pierrette, brother and sister, live in a caravan with their grandfather, the former ringmaster of a circus. To earn a living, they sing in the streets, and their lives are happy. But a charitable lady interferes, determined to put grandfather in an old folks' home and the children in an orphanage. Pierrot and Pierrette run away, and fall into the hands of a travelling vendor who wants to use them for burglaries. (imdb)

Starring Max Charlier and Mlle Loisier, is a very rare and considered many years a lost film. Gaumont catalogue no 1590, the title was changed in "La terroriste."

A child is kidnapped and forced to sell flowers on the street.

Rich man rewards a tramp for defending him from muggers. Nobody can cash the big bill the tramp is carrying; comical misadventures.

The Secret of the Red Corsair is a French silent film directed by Louis Feuillade and released in 1910 taking place on a boat where the scheming captain is someone to watch out for.

The Vampires do not give up their attempts on the life of Philip Guard even after he is married. The wife of the janitor who was accidentally poisoned by wine meant for Philip's wedding is now in Philip's employ. She is anxious to avenge her husband's death, and consults a fortune teller. The fortune teller is a Vampire. By hypnotizing her visitor, the woman influences her to open the door of Philip's home to the Vampires.

Satanas, having committed suicide in prison, Venenos becomes the head of the Vampires. He learns that Philip is engaged to be married and orders Irma Vep to take an apartment in the same building and watch the girl. Irma learns that the betrothal dinner is soon to be celebrated. Venenos is advised and tells the caterer that the dinner has been postponed one day. The Vampires impersonate the caterer and his assistants. (imdb)

Satanas, disguised as bishop goes to visit Irma Vep in prison to announce its issuance. The ship that takes Irma is cast in prison by Satanas. Irma Vep returns to Paris. Captured in turn Satanas commits suicide in prison. (imdb)

After Phil Guard and Normandin capture two Vampires, Irma Vep and Moreno, the latter is guillotined and the woman is condemned to life imprisonment. The authorities as well as Philip, good reporter that he was, were lulled into security, thinking the Vampires were now powerless. They did not even know about Satanas, who was now leader of the band. Before her incarceration for life, Irma Vep is sent by the authorities to Algeria to testify regarding a crime committed there. (imdb)

Sixth part of Louis Feuillade's serial concerning gangsters called les vampires in the 1910s in Paris.

The examining magistrate from Saint-Clement-Sur-Cher relocates to Paris and is assigned to the Vampire case and the Moréno affair. After being summoned to the magistrate, Moréno commits suicide using a concealed cyanide capsule. His body is left in his cell, but during the night he wakes up, very much alive. He kills the night-watchman and takes his clothes, escaping from the prison. He is noticed by Mazamette, who is suffering from insomnia. (wikipedia)

While faking illness to get off work, Philippe tries to decode a red booklet that he lifted from the Grand Inquisitor's body, which contains the crimes of the Vampires. He discovers that his house is under surveillance by the Vampires, so he leaves in disguise. Following clues in the booklet he arrives at "The Howling Cat" night club. Performing there is Irma Vep (Musidora), whose name Philippe sees is an anagram for vampire. (wikipedia)

The Grand Vampire, under the alias of a real estate broker "Treps", meets Juan-José Moréno (Fernand Herrmann), a businessman, who asks for an apartment with a safe. The Grand Vampire puts Moréno into an apartment whose safe is rigged to be opened from the rear through the party wall of an apartment belonging to Irma Vep and the Grand Vampire. However, the case Moréno places inside contains the Vampires' black attire. (wikipedia)

Jimmie is crazy to own a rifle and pesters his uncle to give him one for his birthday. Uncle indulges his little nephew and buys him a regular rifle of his heart's desire, and Jimmie proceeds to try his aim at shooting. His first practice proves quite erratic and both the large parlor mirror and chandelier suffer demolition. Father then takes an intervening hand, and after due reprimand, decides that Jimmie must only shoot outdoors.

A man and his wife have a nice little racket of coining false money. While they go out to spend it, their daughter comes across a poor old woman and her daughter, without any money to buy a meat pie. She runs home and gets them one of the counterfeits...but the pie seller knows bad money.

A child terrorizes a fisherman by dressing his dog in a crocodile costume.

A lady enthusiastically performs a vaudeville act, and anyone who witnesses it can't help themselves to sing and dance.

Part of a comedy of manners series, Scenes From Real Life, that Feuillade did in which people are shown as they actually are and not as they ought to have been.In this one malicious talkers and nasty gossipers are targeted.

A clerk is unable to keep his wife and family in comfort, and he asks his manager for an increase. But a girl has offered her services to the manager, and as she is willing to accept a smaller wage he engages her instead and tells the man that he can go. The clerk resolves to go to the girl and ask her to give up her place, but she refuses. She discovers he has left his umbrella behind, and finds him just moving, away with his two little children.

Foezel, a dim-witted police officer, is persuaded to loan his trousers to an actor who is playing a cop in a movie.

The noble Margrave of Hess, condemns captain Christian to exile for presuming to ask the hand of his daughter Genevieve in marriage.

The scene of the drama is a block of modern flats. Many of the residents are away at a dance, and the janitor and his staff decide upon a jollification of their own. They invite their friends to a fine high tea. Everybody is having a fine time, and their spirits are running high. We are now taken to the outside of the hall door, and watch with amusement the frantic pounding and bell ringing of the residents returning from their evening engagements and seeking admission to their apartments.

Mme de Calvières (Sylvia Lux) and her brother Roger (Édouard Mathé), due to an unpaid debt, fall into a difficult situation.

Bébé's nanny reads to him the exploits of Saint Martin, who gave half of his coat to a poor man at the gates of the city of Amiens, so that he could protect himself from the cold. Bébé, marveled by this story, then plays in the park and meets a poor man and his son who are both freezing. Bébé decides to imitate Saint Martin, removes his coat and tears it in two pieces. He gives one piece to the poor boy. Bébé returns to his nanny and tells her his good action.

A cine-roman following the fates of a Portuguese nobleman, a Carmelite nun, and a mysterious lookalike.

Mozart feels compelled to finish a final requiem as he fears death is quickly approaching. Although the doctor has specifically ordered Mozart not to play or compose, Mozart begins a composition after listening to his student play the violin and having visions of three of his operas. After Mozart has finished his requiem a group of friends comes to visit him, and as they sing his last composition to him, Mozart dies.

A lion escaped from a cinema house. The news came to Tim, and as there was a fine rug in an adjoining room made from the skin of a lion, he determined to make the most of a fine opportunity. He placed the skin over his shoulders and frightened the household into hysterics. Then he induced the cook to take his place in the skin. Meanwhile Tim's father had assured his wife and her friends that the lion they saw was not the escaped beast, but quite a different animal.

Bout-de-Zan and his little friends dress up.

The little youngster plays tricks with the kit of tools given him by his aunt.

Handsome Harry endeavors to obtain the hand of a dear little girl, who is herself very much in love with a boy of her own age. The parents favor Handsome Harry and do all they can to bring about the love match, but to no purpose. The girl and the young lover win over the affections of the mother to their side, and the young lover becomes a footman to the family.

Le Mort vivant is a French film made by Louis Feuillade and released in 1912.

The atmosphere in the living-room of Bébé's parents living-room is peaceful. Bébé is reading a children's book and his father the newspaper while Madam is playing the piano. Peaceful at least until the maid comes in and gives Bébé's mother a document that makes her wince. Her husband takes notice of the paper and realizes it is an invoice from a clothes shop, whose amount gives him vertigo. Beside himself one more time, he starts one of those quarrels Bébé is fed up with.