Ferdinand Zecca
2021 - 1943Le vieux cabotin
Ferdinand Zecca, René Leprince
Talby is a celebrated tragedian. Among his most fervent admirers is Gaby Sombreuse. One day, Gaby meets her idol in the flesh and is... very disappointed. Talby, for his part, falls madly in love with the young woman while realizing the age gap is impassable. Six years later old age takes its toll: nobody wants Talby on the boards any more. To survive, the old thespian has no other choice but to become a clown in a small circus.
The Old Tragedian
Cœur de femme
Ferdinand Zecca, René Leprince
René Alexandre, Louis Ravet
Jean Clédat, a young sculptor, has fallen in love with Gabrielle Normand, a painter. Jean's father, who expected him to perform his art in his native town, is surprised not to see him come back after his studies at the Fine Arts Academy, all the more as Marie-Claire, his kind-hearted fiancée, is waiting for him at home. Suspecting a love affair, Clédat Senior comes to visit Jean out of the blue. Not only are his suspicions confirmed but they are even reinforced when he catches sight of a doll in his son's studio. After telling Gabrielle that he will provide maintenance for the "child", he forces his son son to go back home. The only thing is that he is making a mistake : there IS a four-year-old girl, but she is Gabrielle's little sister, not her daughter...
When Paris Loves
Jim le glisseur
Ferdinand Zecca
Apparently inspired by the antics of Harry Houdini, Slippery Jim opens in the office of a police commissioner to whom a rather cocky villain is presented. The commissioner orders the prisoner to be clapped in irons, but this proves to be easier said than done because our anti-hero - presumably the Slippery Jim of the title - proves to be an expert escapologist.
Slippery Jim
La vie et la passion de Jésus Christ
Lucien Nonguet, Ferdinand Zecca
Madame Moreau, Monsieur Moreau
The story of Jesus Christ, from the proclamation of His Nativity to His Ascension into heaven. Impressive staging and beautiful hand-coloring distinguish the film from its Passion-play counterparts; Its scale and dynamic crowds prelude the Italian epics to come.
The Life and Passion of Jesus Christ
La Fièvre de l'or
Ferdinand Zecca, René Leprince
Claude Garry, Louis Ravet
Maxime Vermont tries to get a financial help from his father-in-law, to no avail. Inspired by an idea from a pulp serial, Maxime sets out to kill his father-in-law in order to repay his massive debts. Later, opportunistic Maxime scams the poor and needy out of their savings and celebrates lavishly.
Gold Fever
Les sept châteaux du diable
Ferdinand Zecca
An oppressive droning score makes this rendering of the Faust legend quite disturbing to watch. The film itself consists of a number of impressive ‘appearing out of thin air’ effects, some lavish costumes, sets and backdrops. A climactic sword fight between a man and the Devil is a standout scene.
The Seven Castles of the Devil