Étienne Arnaud

Robin Hood

Robin Hood is a 1912 film made by Eclair Studios when it and many other early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based in Fort Lee, New Jersey at the beginning of the 20th century. The movie's costumes feature enormous versions of the familiar hats of Robin and his merry men, and uses the unusual effect of momentarily superimposing images different animals over each character to emphasize their good or evil qualities. The film was directed by Étienne Arnaud and Herbert Blaché, and written by Eustace Hale Ball. A restored copy of the 30-minute film exists and was exhibited in 2006 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

La Fille de la Madelon

The widow of a soldier in the 1914-1918 war, running an inn called "Au rendez-vous des veterans", is happy to see her daughter in love with an officer whose father was once in love with La Madelon.

Alice Guy Films a 'Phonoscène' in the Studio at Buttes-Chaumont, Paris

Behind-the-scenes footage showing Alice Guy directing an early sound film.

Modern Education

The great men of letters and military conquest pose on subsequent pages of a very special history book.

Christopher Columbus

This film presents some of the principal episodes in the life of Christopher Columbus, including the discovery of America. Here we see the meeting with Queen Isabella of Spain and her promise to fit out a fleet. The next scene gives one an idea of the Spanish galleons at sea. Months seemed to have passed and no sight of land; the sailors are very impatient and in the end mutiny. Just at this moment land is sighted, and here we get a very fine view of the "lookout" in the "crow's nest." The next scene shows how Columbus had to fight his way with the natives, while these in the end were conquered by kindness. The next scene brings us back to Spain, where he has awakened great jealousy, and is charged with cruelty by some of his crew. Investigations are made and he is cast into prison. He sees from his cell, the great welcome Amerigo Vespucci receives, as having added a new world to the throne of Spain. The authorship of this film was also ascribed to Louis Feuillade.

Chamber of Forgetfulness

A husband, thinking his wife is unfaithful to her, has a confrontational scene with her, which causes her to have a heart attack and die. He sends his son away until, after a dozen years, he discovers she was true; whereupon he summons his son and, after a bit, they reconcile at her grave.

Saved from the Titanic

A young woman tells her parents and fiance (in flashback) about the recent sinking of the Titanic and her experiences as a passenger during the disaster. Her intended marriage now faces a new hazard because her fiance is a sailor and her parents have just been reminded of the dangers of the sea. Premiering in the United States just 29 days after the event, it is the earliest dramatization about the tragedy.

On the Barricade

During the Paris Commune, a boy runs across trouble at the barricade. The film is now attributed to Alice Guy-Blaché by the Gaumont company, although there is some debate about whether it was directed by Étienne Arnaud.

Robin Hood

Robin Hood is a 1912 film made by Eclair Studios when it and many other early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based in Fort Lee, New Jersey at the beginning of the 20th century. The movie's costumes feature enormous versions of the familiar hats of Robin and his merry men, and uses the unusual effect of momentarily superimposing images different animals over each character to emphasize their good or evil qualities. The film was directed by Étienne Arnaud and Herbert Blaché, and written by Eustace Hale Ball. A restored copy of the 30-minute film exists and was exhibited in 2006 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

La Fille de la Madelon

The widow of a soldier in the 1914-1918 war, running an inn called "Au rendez-vous des veterans", is happy to see her daughter in love with an officer whose father was once in love with La Madelon.

Alice Guy Films a 'Phonoscène' in the Studio at Buttes-Chaumont, Paris

Behind-the-scenes footage showing Alice Guy directing an early sound film.

Modern Education

The great men of letters and military conquest pose on subsequent pages of a very special history book.

Christopher Columbus

This film presents some of the principal episodes in the life of Christopher Columbus, including the discovery of America. Here we see the meeting with Queen Isabella of Spain and her promise to fit out a fleet. The next scene gives one an idea of the Spanish galleons at sea. Months seemed to have passed and no sight of land; the sailors are very impatient and in the end mutiny. Just at this moment land is sighted, and here we get a very fine view of the "lookout" in the "crow's nest." The next scene shows how Columbus had to fight his way with the natives, while these in the end were conquered by kindness. The next scene brings us back to Spain, where he has awakened great jealousy, and is charged with cruelty by some of his crew. Investigations are made and he is cast into prison. He sees from his cell, the great welcome Amerigo Vespucci receives, as having added a new world to the throne of Spain. The authorship of this film was also ascribed to Louis Feuillade.

Chamber of Forgetfulness

A husband, thinking his wife is unfaithful to her, has a confrontational scene with her, which causes her to have a heart attack and die. He sends his son away until, after a dozen years, he discovers she was true; whereupon he summons his son and, after a bit, they reconcile at her grave.

Saved from the Titanic

A young woman tells her parents and fiance (in flashback) about the recent sinking of the Titanic and her experiences as a passenger during the disaster. Her intended marriage now faces a new hazard because her fiance is a sailor and her parents have just been reminded of the dangers of the sea. Premiering in the United States just 29 days after the event, it is the earliest dramatization about the tragedy.

On the Barricade

During the Paris Commune, a boy runs across trouble at the barricade. The film is now attributed to Alice Guy-Blaché by the Gaumont company, although there is some debate about whether it was directed by Étienne Arnaud.

Gold of the Seas

Because he found a box washed up by the sea holding unknown contents, a poor and despised fisherman and his daughter are suddenly courted by everyone in the village.

Four-Year-Old Heroine

A little girl runs away from the maid in charge of her care and, during her escapade, she will arrest two thugs, prevent a blind man from drowning, and save some drunks from being run over by a train. According to Etienne Arnaud's own notes, he filmed this short on the 18th and 19th of July, 1907. Alice Guy, who is mistakenly attributed to have directed it, had been living in the United States long before those dates.

The Roses

Women turn into roses in this hand-coloured nitrate short from Gaumont.

Spanish Clair de Lune

Two lovers perform a fandango dance. A jealous quarrel follows and the heart-broken swain decides to end it all. He throws himself from the window of his room, but instead of falling to his death, the anchor of a passing balloon intercepts his flight and he is taken high into the clouds. Laughing at his plight, the moon arouses the anger of the desperate lover and a battle between the two ensues.

La Marseillaise

An early Gaumont short.

The Death of Mozart

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.

The Dancer and the King

The secretary of the young king of Bavarre sees and is impressed with a little girl. He watches her dancing in the street. When her father dies, the secretary takes the little dancer under his care and in time she becomes the premiere danseuse of the capital. The young king sees her and becomes infatuated. To win her, he showers attention and riches and in turn she pleads for the poor of the nation. The king grants her request, thereby incurring the enmity of the nobility, who lay all the blame for his acts at the little dancer's door.

The Apache Strike

Criminals go on strike in protest at their treatment by the authorities, to the distress of the police and magistrates who find they have nothing to do.

Precious Fools

Being a tramp is not always a disadvantage. For example when there is a masquerade ball. Indeed wearing flea-ridden rags might just mean having donned a costume. This is what happens to two resourceful Brussels bums, La Cloche and Picolard, who manage to gain entry in a fancy-dress ball. Once there, La Cloche is mistaken by an oriental prince for a respected doctor. His mission will be to give care to a music-hall diva. Even more exciting, he is asked to vaccinate a whole troupe of showgirls. Trouble guaranteed.

Ceux De Demain

Jean is ten years old and imagines that he is the cause of the misunderstanding that occurred between his parents. He leaves the military institute where he studies and becomes the protégé of an opera singer at whose house, one day, he surprises a thief who blesses him. His parents reconcile at the foot of his hospital bed.

Mam'zelle Spahi

Two mistresses snubbed by their respective lovers crash a military ball and their lovers then resort to an unusual strategy to win them back.