Une histoire du cinéma français I - The pioneers years 1880-1918
An exhaustive history of French cinema coordinated by Claude Beylie.
1st Part
2 chapters: The Lumière years and the pionneers years.
Missing films:
The few entries after 1918 are thematic mentions (mostly an actor or a director).
Full list
The 6 chapters:
Une histoire du cinéma français I - The pioneers years 1880-1918
Une histoire du cinéma français II - Les "années folles" and the magnificent years 19-39
Une histoire du cinéma français III - The noir years and grey years 40-59
Une histoire du cinéma français IV - The breakdown years 60-79
Une histoire du cinéma français V - Today years 80-2000
Une histoire du cinéma français VI - Short films & Animated films
1st Part
2 chapters: The Lumière years and the pionneers years.
Missing films:
- Ballet du feu (Jacques Ducom et Edmond Floury - 1896 - Gaumont)
- La Biche au bois (Jacques Ducom et Edmond Floury - 1896 - Gaumont)
- Les Cloches de Corneville (Alice Guy - Gaumont)
- Le Triomphe de la République (Victor Jasset et Georges Hatot)
- Un homme aimanté, Romeo Bosetti 1907
- Dans la série des Zigomar : Le Maître invisible, Zigomar et la femme rousse
- Balaoo et Protéa, 1913
- Dranem amoureux de Cléopâtre, Roger Lion 1916
- Série La Vie drôle avec Marcel Lévesque,dir. Louis Feuillade 1913
The few entries after 1918 are thematic mentions (mostly an actor or a director).
Full list
The 6 chapters:
Une histoire du cinéma français I - The pioneers years 1880-1918
Une histoire du cinéma français II - Les "années folles" and the magnificent years 19-39
Une histoire du cinéma français III - The noir years and grey years 40-59
Une histoire du cinéma français IV - The breakdown years 60-79
Une histoire du cinéma français V - Today years 80-2000
Une histoire du cinéma français VI - Short films & Animated films
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209 titles
- DirectorÉmile ReynaudOne night, Arlequin come to see his lover Colombine. But then Pierrot knocks at the door and Colombine and Arlequin hide. Pierrot starts singing but Arlequin scares him and the poor man goes away.
- DirectorÉmile ReynaudPre-cinematograph colour animation of a woman and man at the beach.
- DirectorLouis LumièreWorkers leaving the Lumière factory for lunch in Lyon, France in 1895; a place of great photographic innovation and one of the birth places of cinema.
- DirectorLouis LumièreA stationary camera looks across the boulevard at a diagonal toward one corner of Lyon's Cordeliers' Square. It's a long shot, with a great deal of depth of focus. We can see the sky and fronts of four buildings, each four or five stories tall. It's a busy thoroughfare, with pedestrians walking in front of the buildings and crossing the boulevard between horse-drawn vehicles. A double-decker bus passes in front of us, pulled by two horses. Various tradesmen pass on wagons. One van passes.
- DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAuguste LumièreMrs. Auguste LumiereAndrée LumièreAs part of a maiden public film screening at the Salon Indien, on December 28, in Paris, Auguste Lumière pivots the centre of attention around his baby daughter, as he tries to feed her from a spoon.
- DirectorLouis LumièreSeveral little boys run along a pier, then jump into the ocean.
- DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAntoine FéraudAntoine LumièreFélicien TreweyTwo men play cards, as a third watches and a waiter brings drinks. The third man pours drinks as the waiter laughs.
- DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAndrée LumièreSuzanne Lumière"Two babies are shown seated in high chairs and apparently enjoying themselves. Suddenly one snatches a toy from the other, and they indulge in hair-pulling."
- DirectorLouis LumièreStarsAndré HonnoratJeanne KoehlerMrs. Auguste LumiereOn the terrace, a small concert which consists of a man playing the violin, two women at a piano, and another woman who sings, play a lovely tune.
- DirectorAuguste LumièreLouis LumièreStarsMadeleine KoehlerMarcel KoehlerMrs. Auguste LumiereA train arrives at La Ciotat station.
- DirectorAlexandre PromioMais aussi les vues de NY, Boston, Chicago, etc.
- DirectorLouis LumièreStarsFrançois ClercBenoît DuvalAn impudent child plays a prank on a gardener innocently watering his plants.
- DirectorGeorges Hatot
- DirectorGeorges HatotSous le titre, la Mort de Jeanne d'Arc
- DirectorGeorges HatotThe Duke of Guise is worried about the king's evil intentions. A lady warns the duke, considering it appropriate that he should not go to the council. The king summons him and the guards stab him.
- DirectorGeorges Hatot
- DirectorGeorges HatotLouis LumièreStarsBretteauThe Lumière catalog sold this title as 13 individual, one-scene films - allowing exhibitors to choose which films they wanted to purchase and how to arrange them in their programs. Lumière catalog no. 933 through 945.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsOctavie HuvierGaston MélièsGeorges MélièsIn what is considered to be the first remake in the history of cinema, the grand French director, Georges Méliès, directs his very first short film, influenced by the Lumière Brothers' original story in "Partie d'écarté (1896)".Méliès
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsJehanne d'AlcyGeorges MélièsAs an elegant maestro of mirage and delusion drapes his beautiful female assistant with a gauzy textile, much to our amazement, the lady vanishes into thin air.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsFrom the depths of a plain wooden box, a skilful conjurer materializes a lively boy in a clown suit. Next, he takes a heavy battle-axe. What are his intentions?
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsJehanne d'AlcyGeorges MélièsAn astronomer falls asleep and has a strange dream involving a fairy queen and the Moon.Rêve de l'astronome
- DirectorGeorges MélièsThe battleship Maine is blown up in Havana harbor during the Spanish-American War.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsDramatized re-enactments of the events of the Dreyfus-affair from 1894 to 1899.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsA band-leader assembles an orchestra by mystifying means.
- DirectorCharles PathéThe view represents the arrival of a train at Bel Air station (Paris). We witness the arrival of the train, then the travelers get off and on, the train leaves.Pathé
- The view shows a family having lunch. A quartet of people eat with their children, the house dog attends the lunch.
- The view depicts the exit of a factory in Paris, the workers (men and women) come out in crowds, children dragging small cars.
- DirectorAlice GuyStarsAlice GuyGermaine SerandYvonne SerandThe first film directed by a female director, "The Cabbage Fairy" presents a brief fantasy tale involving a strange fairy who can produce and deliver babies coming out of cabbages. Gently moving through the cabbages and using of lovely gestures, she takes one baby out of there, then makes more magic and delivers two more.Alice Guy
(autres films Gaumont cités : Ballet du feu, La Biche au bois (Jacques Ducom et Edmond Floury). - DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsVictor AndréBleuette BernonA group of astronomers go on an expedition to the Moon.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsThe leader of a marching band demonstrates an unusual way of writing music.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsMarguerite ThévenardBleuette BernonIn this spectacular free adaptation of the popular theatre play "La Biche au Bois", the valiant Prince Bel-Azor pursues a baleful old witch to her impregnable castle, to save the beautiful young Princess Azurine.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsFernande AlbanyJehanne d'AlcyUsing every known means of transportation, several savants from the Geographic Society undertake a journey through the Alps to the Sun which finishes under the sea.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsCharles ClaudelOctavie HuvierFrançois LallementA man rents an apartment and furnishes it in remarkable fashion.
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsFernande AlbanyAboard the futuristic flying machine of his own invention, Professor Mabouloff and his team of intercultural explorers set off on yet another impossible expedition to North Pole's vast landscapes. What wonders await the bold adventurers?
- DirectorAlice GuyStarsEmile HoutmanRené SerandAnatole Thiberville
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaReproduction of the terrible catastrophe which destroyed the town of St. Pierre on May 8th, 1902.Zecca
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaStarsJean LiézerZecca
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaDissatisfied with his life, a desperate man decides to make an unholy pact with the Devil, ignoring the seven deadly sins.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaStarsJean LiézerBretteauFerdinand ZeccaA burglar is arrested for a murder. He is condemned to death. Before his execution the murderer dreams of his past, of how he was a bank clerk, then turned to crime. The criminal is then taken out of his cell, and a moment later is executed.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaA happy family is brought to ruin when the father starts drinking.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaDuring a strike, several workers are killed in a confrontation. The wife of one of them kills the factory owner. At her trial, the owner's son asks for mercy, knowing that his father was wrong. Because of that the wife is freed.
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaA father and son are working in a coal mine. An explosion occurs, which kills the son.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaA prisoner attempts an escape from a brutal penal institution.
- DirectorLucien NonguetLucien Nonguet - Pathé
- DirectorLucien NonguetA dramatization of the uprising in Odessa, Russia in 1905: A ship's crew, tired of being mistreated, mutinies and takes over their ship. When they reach land, a sailor who died during the mutiny is made a martyr, inspiring an uprising in the city. Then the authorities decide to repress the revolt with a brutal show of force.
- DirectorLucien NonguetAt school in Brienne. On the bridge of Arcole. The campaign in Egypt. Passage of the St. Bernard Pass. Garden party in Malmaison.
- DirectorLucien NonguetThe Coronation. The battle of Austerlitz. Soldier sleeping during watch. The burning of Moscow. Waterloo. The Emperor's death.L’Épopée napoléonienne
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaA self-proclaimed "knight" and his hapless squire travel the Spanish countryside, attacking "giants" that are really windmills in his attempt to win the love of the fair Dulcinea.Les Aventures de Don Quichotte de la Manche
- DirectorLucien NonguetFerdinand ZeccaStarsMadame MoreauMonsieur MoreauThe story of Jesus Christ from the proclamation of his Nativity to his crucifixion. Impressive scenes and dynamism of the actors prelude to the Italian colossal movies of the silent period.02-07
- DirectorSegundo de ChomónThree young children set up a table, and on the table is placed a miniature stage. The stage curtain opens, a carpet appears, and then the carpet unrolls by itself. Two puppet figures then come out and begin to perform a series of routines.Segundo de Chomon
Le Théâtre du petit Bob - DirectorGaston Velle"A Drama in the Air" revolves the adventure of two aviation pioneer and their voyage inside a balloon. They keep looking through the scenery from the distance, it's all good and fun until tragedy hits them when the air suddenly brings a stormy rain to interrupt their journey.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaStarsDranemAunt does sewing, takes snuff. The cat climbs on the table.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaStarsDranem
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaStarsDranemAn old man is seated at a table endeavoring to eat something. He is evidently afflicted with stomach trouble, and it is with great difficulty that he manages to swallow his food. He examines his tongue by looking at it in a hand mirror, and here the scene changes to show what was seen in the looking glass. After satisfying himself that he is in pretty bad condition, he takes some medicine from a bottle, drinks it, and then the fun commences. The facial contortions are extremely laughable.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaStarsDranem
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsAndré DeedThe funniest of all mystical pictures yet produced. Several body parts of a dancing clown float away from his body and come back again.Dislocation extraordinaire
- StarsAndré DeedAt a prize fight,Deed gets int a fight of his own with two other spectators and gets thrown out. He goes to a boxing instructor, and after one lesson, he sets out for revenge.
- StarsAndré Deed
- StarsAndré DeedBoireau's flamboyant military costume gets stuck everywhere he goes.
- DirectorGeorges HatotAndré HeuzéStarsAndré DeedRené GréhanLéon MathotAn old woman is sitting on the bench in the park. watching the frolics of some children nearby. we a balloon with which the youngsters are amusing themselves, gets entangled in her hair, and to her horror, her wig is carried away in tow. The unfortunate dame and all the spectators join in pursuit and their chase carries them through the streets. They climb the Eiffel Tower, scramble over roofs and fences, only to see the wig fall into the street, where it is swept up by the street cleaner, to the great disgust of the owner.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaA policeman spots a dog stealing a piece of meat from a butcher's shop, and gives chase. Soon several more policemen have joined the pursuit. But the chase does not turn out as the policemen expect.
- DirectorLouis J. GasnierA laundry man parks his horse-drawn cart to make a delivery. While he is inside, his horse sees a bag of oats and starts to eat them. By the time the man comes back outside, the horse has eaten a whole bag of oats, and has so much energy that he begins to race out of control.
- DirectorLouis J. GasnierStarsMax LinderA young student goes to his father and asks for money. When this isn't enough he goes to his mother who gives him more. Happy, he meets his friends who are at a cafe with two young women. They eat and drink and the waiter comes with the bill and demands the student pay it. A fight ensues and he is brought back to his parents house in a carriage. His parents wake up and rush to their son who can't furnish an explanation.
- DirectorLouis J. GasnierStarsMax LinderMax causes havoc when he joins other skaters on a frozen lake.Les Débuts d'un patineur
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderGeorges CoquetLucy d'OrbelMax needs a tonic after an illness, and the doctor prescribes a Bordeaux glass of wine three times a day. One proves to be enough, as Max drinks a quart glass of wine and proceeds to get into trouble.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderJean LeuvielleMarcelle LeuvielleThe story of this film is particularly interesting, because our old friend Max has recently undergone a very serious operation, and this is his first reappearance. He plays this little sketch with a view of assuring his friends that he has entirely recovered, and he is ably assisted by his sister and father and mother. In the picture Max arrives at his home town, is met at the station by his sister, who accompanies him home, where he meets his father and mother and all the pets of the household. The story is built around these pets and is a corking good comedy.Max en convalescence
- DirectorMax LinderLucien NonguetStarsMax LinderLéon BelièresCharles de RochefortMax and his young bride attempt to enjoy an Alpine honeymoon, despite the presence of her mother.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderStacia NapierkowskaGeorges GorbyMax Linder again to the fore as a lover who undertakes to convince Papa that Max is the son-in-law he is going to have. Of course, the girl has decided that no one will do but Max, and with these two agreeable, there is nothing for father to do but comply, although he makes many brave and amusing attempts to avoid losing his daughter to the fickle Max.
- DirectorRené LeprinceMax LinderStarsMax LinderJane RenouardtHenri CollenMax is a stage struck youth, and because of a deep-seated desire to go on the stage, refuses to consent to a marriage his father has planned for him. The girl, whom Max has never met, is also stage struck, and entertains no wish of marrying him, though her mother is anxious to see her make the alliance. The parents finally manage to bring the young people together, and they, in turn, exert all their skill in an attempt to disgust each other. An accidental meeting between the two when they are off guard causes them to change their minds, and, as a climax of the scene, we see them gently clasped in each other's arms. The scene following, and the last one, is subtitled, Six Months Later. The girl appears with a baby in her arms in a filthy tenement house. Max enters as a broken-down sport, and demands money from her. She refuses to part with her last cent, and, in the quarrel and struggle that follows, he kills her, and then - the curtain falls and the spectator discovers that he has been witnessing Max and his wife in a drama within a drama. They have fulfilled their stage ambitions, besides satisfying their parents.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderLucy d'OrbelCharles de RochefortMax reads in a newspaper, that Gladys Maxence, a rich American woman, seeks a young sportsman for marriage. When he arrives at her home he finds four other competitors. To win Gladys' hand he has to beat them in various sporting events, e.g. horse racing, fencing, boxing. After the seventh event there is a tie between Max and Willy. So Max must be first in the final car racing, but he has an accident and looses. He pretends to be hurt and hopes to win out of pity. Although she finds him out he does.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderLéonie YahneCharles de RochefortMax is in love with a charming girl, who also is already affianced to another. Does Max despair? Never. The debonair gentleman sets his wits to work to frustrate his rival's little game, and though he meets with several rebuffs in the end he is successful. Even then the rival, on the eve of his wedding, tries to turn the tables on Max, and very nearly succeeds, but with the little lady's help Max finally wins. The story is full of quaint and whimsical humour, which culminates in some exceedingly funny scenes before a mirror, in which Max sees strange visions.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderStacia NapierkowskaBefore he descends into a real Spanish bullfighting arena, Max practices in his Paris apartment with a cow in his bedroom.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderMartha MansfieldErnest MaupainThe adventures of Max Linder, some based on real events, some fictional, as he travels by ocean liner from France to America.Max en Amérique
- DirectorGeorges MoncaStarsCharles PrinceFernand FreyDutardA couple enter a store to purchase an antique wardrobe. Shortly after they leave the merchant's daughter is entertaining her gentleman friend, and he, not being on the best of terms with her father, steps in to the wardrobe in order to escape the wrath of the old man. The piece of furniture has to be delivered to the address of the purchasers, so in comes the movers and soon the wardrobe is loaded on a wagon and driven to its destination, and placed in the boudoir of the owners. Through the keyhole in the door the unfortunate prisoner surveys his new surroundings, and sees the table being laid for a fine feast. During the absence of the people the fellow comes out of his quarters, and helps himself to all the good things on the table. He takes the wine and food back into the wardrobe and when the couple return and are wrangling over it being gone, he is ravenously enjoying his hearty meal. Finally he comes out and gets into the bed, and when the woman discovers him, she gives the alarm and rushes off for the police. In the meantime he gets back into his prison, and the man of the house comes in and retires and is peacefully in the Land of Nod, when his wife returns with the officers. They pounce on the innocent man, and he is at a loss to know the cause of all the excitement when out walks the visitor from his hiding place, and explains all to the satisfaction of every one. The officers retire, and the happy trio now become fast friends and sit down to enjoy the good joke over a cold bottle.Rigadin (Charles Prince)
- DirectorAlbert CapellaniMichel CarréStarsMistinguettArmand NumèsCharles PrinceAn unfortunate creature, who, when the story opens, has seen only the seamy side of life, and who has been brought up among the lowest surroundings, wanders one day into a tavern frequented by the roughest characters, in the hope of gathering together a few pennies with which to buy some food. Her appearance there, however, is the cause of strife between two of the "toughs," one of whom happens to be an old admirer of the woman, who, notwithstanding the life she has led, still retains her good looks. During the struggle between the two men, the woman is thrown out bodily into the snow, where she lies unconscious, and her body is almost covered with the fast-falling flakes when an automobile passes that way and the occupant, a wealthy youth, jumps out to see if he can be of assistance. He lifts the poor benumbed creature into his car and takes her to his home, where, during her convalescence, he learns to love her and finally offers her marriage. After their marriage they live like turtle doves together, although the woman often has moments of intense suffering for fear her husband might turn his back on her should he ever discover how low and undesirable were her associates before she was fortunate enough to meet him. Her fears are not groundless, either, as she has already been the recipient of threatening letters from her former lover, to whom she has been obliged to send "hush money" on several occasions. Becoming attracted by the footlights, after having witnessed many performances by the best actors and actresses, our heroine finally induces her husband to assist her in securing an engagement with a well-known manager. The latter finds that the applicant has decided talent and has made her a splendid offer. On the evening of her debut, as she is alone in her dressing room, her former lover makes his appearance and, being down on his luck and therefore somewhat desperate, after an unsuccessful request for money, he tears the woman's necklace from her throat, and when she tries to call for help, strangles her. As he is rushing from the place with the jewels he meets the woman's husband, who hands him over to the police. The frightened woman then pours out her confession regarding her former life, while her noble husband listens with tears in his eyes and reassures her when she hints that his love for her must now be dead.
- DirectorGeorges MoncaStarsCharles Prince
- DirectorGeorges MoncaStarsCharles Prince
- DirectorGeorges MoncaStarsMax CharlierMaurice de CanongeMaria FrometLiterary adaptation: A boy is given up by his foster parents to a traveling player.1ère version de Monca
- DirectorLouis Feuillade
- DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsMax LinderBased on characters from Shakespeare's play: When Juliet's father refuses to let Romeo see her, Romeo resorts to extreme measures.Roméo Bosetti, acteur-réalisateur burlesque.
Toute la série - DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsPaul BerthoThe distressing plight of a young man who, dissatisfied with the food his wife serves him, eats horse meat, develops various equine mannerisms, and eventually lands in the hospital.Série de Bosetti
- DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsPaul Bertho
- DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsMaurice SchwartzSarah DuhamelSérie de Bosetti avec également Sarah Duhamel.
- DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsSarah DuhamelSérie de Bosetti avec Sarah Duhamel
- DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsPaul BerthoOur little hero has fallen desperately in love with a pretty girl, whom he meets when she is with her aunt. In spite of the latter's rather forcible snubbing, Bill follows the ladies, until they enter a milliner's shop, where a huge hat is purchased by the girl and ordered to be sent home. As the shop Bill watches them, when his attention is distracted by the sight of a girl leaving the shop carrying a huge hat-box. Bill quickly learns the destination of the box and by means of bribes, persuades the girl to allow him to travel in the box. Now his troubles commence. The girl tries to take the box on a car but a sudden lurch sends it spinning. Then in turn it falls off a carriage down a flight of steps into the river, until, wet through and weary, the girl brings the gigantic box to the house. Here Bill's charmer unties the cords, and is greatly astonished to see Bill himself issue from it, wet through, and one or two eels clinging affectionately to him. As he relates his experience the girl relents, and Bill is at length rewarded.Série de Bosetti avec Paul Bertho
- DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsLucien BatailleSérie de Bosetti avec Lucien Bataille
- DirectorRomeo BosettiStarsSarah DuhamelSérie de Bosetti avec Sarah Duhamel
- DirectorRobert PéguyStarsRoger TrévilleJacotteGermaine Roger
- DirectorGérard BourgeoisJean DurandStarsRené HervilJoaquim Renez
- DirectorJean DurandStarsLucien BatailleSérie
- DirectorJean DurandStarsErnest BourbonRaymond AimosBerthe DagmarThe only way Onésime could think of to get his inheritance quicker was to set the clocks forward. Surprise: the whole world starts speeding up wildly.Série
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsRené DaryRenée CarlPaul MansonBébé's father is attacked by the "apaches", a group of hooligans. Bébé and his sister decide to avenge him by gaining the group's trust and bringing them into a trap.Série de Feuillade
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsRenée CarlRené DaryPaul Manson
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsRené PoyenJeanne Saint-BonnetRenée CarlBout 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'...Série
- DirectorErnest ServaèsStarsCharles ServaèsSérie Polycarpe
- DirectorErnest ServaèsStarsErnest ServaèsSérie Arthème Lupin