Alice Guy

Films

Bathing in a Stream Watch Bathing in a Stream

Bathing in a Stream

Bathing in a Stream

Dir. Alice Guy
(1897)    1 minute

An early Alice Guy fragment that is exactly as the title describes it: a brief document of folks bathing in a stream.

The Fisherman at the Stream Watch The Fisherman at the Stream

The Fisherman at the Stream

The Fisherman at the Stream

Dir. Alice Guy
(1897)    1 minute

It could be said that the essence of comedy is the misfortune of others. Among other things, of course. In THE FISHERMAN AT THE STREAM, our fisherman is set upon by a band of swimmers. When attacked, fight back!

Disappearing Act Watch Disappearing Act

Disappearing Act

Disappearing Act

Scène d'escamotage
Dir. Alice Guy
(1898)    1 minute

DISAPPEARING ACT represents, as you might suspect, a magic act. Not any ordinary act, however. More of a "metamorphosis" in the hands of director Alice Guy.

The Burglars Watch The Burglars

The Burglars

The Burglars

Les Cambrioleurs
Dir. Alice Guy
(1898)    1 minute

Alice Guy's brief THE BURGLARS takes a classic cops-and-robbers set-up and places it upon the roofs of Paris circa late-1800s.

At the Hypnotist's Watch At the Hypnotist's

At the Hypnotist's

At the Hypnotist's

Dir. Alice Guy
(1898)    1 minute

One of Alice Guy’s earliest films to include a story, AT THE HYPNOTIST'S is an uncharacteristic trick film in the style of George Méliès.

The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man Watch The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man

The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man

The Turn-of-the-Century Blind Man

Dir. Alice Guy
(1898)    1 minute

Comedy takes a strange turn in this short about the mistaken identification (and, in this case, criminally intentional mistaken identity) between a "blind" beggar and his ersatz replacement.

Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak Watch Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak

Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak

Surprise Attack on a House at Daybreak

Dir. Alice Guy
(1898)    1 minute

As the title of this Alice Guy war-themed short describes, there is a surprise attack on (or near) a house. With no particular set-up for the action, it is up to the viewer to decide why these men are here and why there are on the attack.

Wonderful Absinthe Watch Wonderful Absinthe

Wonderful Absinthe

Wonderful Absinthe

Dir. Alice Guy
(1899)    1 minute

Ah, absinthe! WONDERFUL ABSINTHE details the process of louche or, rather, what happens when a distracted drinker believes they are adding water when they aren't

At the Club Watch At the Club

At the Club

At the Club

Au cabaret
Dir. Alice Guy
(1899)    1 minute

Everyone knows that mixing gambling and liquor can produce unexpected and occasionally dangerous results. As true today as it was back in the late-1800s (when this dramatic short subject was made).

Turn-of-the-Century Surgery Watch Turn-of-the-Century Surgery

Turn-of-the-Century Surgery

Turn-of-the-Century Surgery

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    2 minutes

If you ever wondered about surgery in the late-1800s/early-1900s, look no further than this short. Granted, what you'll see is an exaggerated instance of medical malpractice but it all works out in the end. Or does it?

Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder Watch Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder

Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder

Automated Hat-Maker and Sausage-Grinder

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    1 minute

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Filmmaker Alice Guy creates something of an oddity with this one-minute comedy. An inventor and his assistant create a machine that, true to its title, makes hats and grinds sausages!

Avenue de l'Opera Watch Avenue de l'Opera

Avenue de l'Opera

Avenue de l'Opera

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    1 minute

You aren't imaging things. This short, filmed on the aforementioned Avenue de l'Opera in Paris, is in reverse as intended.

At the Photographer's Watch At the Photographer's

At the Photographer's

At the Photographer's

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    1 minute

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In the early days of photography, it was necessary to remain perfectly still. Unfortunately, the protagonist of this film cannot seem to stop moving (much to the disappointment of the photographer).

Dance of the Seasons: Winter, Snow Dance Watch Dance of the Seasons: Winter, Snow Dance

Dance of the Seasons: Winter, Snow Dance

Dance of the Seasons: Winter, Snow Dance

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    1 minute

Presumably, this is one in a series of four short dance performances devoted to the seasons. WINTER, SNOW DANCE appears to be the only one of these films to survive.

The Landlady Watch The Landlady

The Landlady

The Landlady

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    1 minute

THE LANDLADY is pestered and then tricked. These are the only materials Alice Guy needs for this one minute comedy from 1900.

Pierrette's Escapades Watch Pierrette's Escapades

Pierrette's Escapades

Pierrette's Escapades

Le départ d'Arlequin et de Pierrette
Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    2 minutes

Preserved by Filmoteca de Catalunya, PIERRETTE'S ESCAPADES retains the original hand-tinting from the Alice Guy dance film's release in 1900.

At the Floral Ball Watch At the Floral Ball

At the Floral Ball

At the Floral Ball

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    2 minutes

A turn-of-the-last-century document of a short dance (in costume, in this case, and hand-tinted) from legendary French filmmaker Alice Guy.

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy Watch The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

Dir. Alice Guy
(1900)    1 minute

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Where do children come from? From the cabbage-patch, of course! At least in this comedy short, they do.

Miss Dundee and Her Performing Dogs Watch Miss Dundee and Her Performing Dogs

Miss Dundee and Her Performing Dogs

Miss Dundee and Her Performing Dogs

Miss Dundee et ses chiens savants
Dir. Alice Guy
(1902)    4 minutes

Resurrecting the lost world of vaudeville, the performing dogs do tricks on their hind legs. Miss Dundee shows them off.

An Untimely Intrusion Watch An Untimely Intrusion

An Untimely Intrusion

An Untimely Intrusion

Dir. Alice Guy
(1902)    1 minute

Married couples can never quite seem to get along. Not even for a minute! In this one-minute Alice Guy short, they're not content with fighting alone. They'll fight with anyone.

Midwife to the Upper Class Watch Midwife to the Upper Class

Midwife to the Upper Class

Midwife to the Upper Class

Dir. Alice Guy
(1902)    4 minutes

In the abstract, it is difficult to know (a century later) what Alice Guy intended from this unusual short. Outside of an offensive sight-gag, the story is somewhat entertaining regardless of the meaning.

How Monsieur Takes His Bath Watch How Monsieur Takes His Bath

How Monsieur Takes His Bath

How Monsieur Takes His Bath

Dir. Alice Guy
(1903)    1 minute

An uncharacteristic "trick" film from Alice Guy. The fellow prepares for his bath. And prepares. And prepares.

Faust and Mephistopheles Watch Faust and Mephistopheles

Faust and Mephistopheles

Faust and Mephistopheles

Dir. Alice Guy
(1903)    2 minutes

A re-telling of the classic tale of Faust in all of two minutes by French filmmaker Alice Guy (later known as Alice Guy-Blaché).

The Tango Watch The Tango

The Tango

The Tango

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

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True to its title, THE TANGO is a brief document of a tango. As was common for the era, the film is hand-tinted.

Alice Guy Films a "Phonoscène" Watch Alice Guy Films a "Phonoscène"

Alice Guy Films a "Phonoscène"

Alice Guy Films a "Phonoscène"

Alice Guy tourne une phonoscène sure le théâtre de pose des Buttes-Chaumont
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

Alice Guy-Blanché frames the making of a “phonoscène” (a forerunner to sound film) as a kind of Russian nesting doll, with a well-lit scene taking place within the darkened activity of its mechanical reproduction.

Dranem Performs "The True Jiu-Jitsu" Watch Dranem Performs "The True Jiu-Jitsu"

Dranem Performs "The True Jiu-Jitsu"

Dranem Performs "The True Jiu-Jitsu"

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

It is a common misperception that sound-films didn't arrive until the late 1920s. Here, in this 1905 short, is a performance from French music hall singer Dranem (alias Armand Ménard).

The Bricklayers Watch The Bricklayers

The Bricklayers

The Bricklayers

Les O'Mers dans "Les Maçons"
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

In this early comedy short, the O'Mers appear as bricklayers. All havoc breaks loose, accordingly.

The Statue Watch The Statue

The Statue

The Statue

La Statue
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    6 minutes

A French comedic short from the early 1900s where the titular statue breaks from its expected stillness.

The Magician's Alms Watch The Magician's Alms

The Magician's Alms

The Magician's Alms

La charité du prestidigitateur
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    3 minutes

Alms for the poor! A vagabond magician teaches a moral lesson in this Alice Guy short from 1905. When charity comes your way, pass it along.

Clown, Dog and Balloon Watch Clown, Dog and Balloon

Clown, Dog and Balloon

Clown, Dog and Balloon

Chien jouant a la balle
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

There is a clown. There is a dog. There is a balloon. The clown bounces the balloon. The dog bounces the balloon. Bounce, bounce, bounce!

Spain Watch Spain

Spain

Spain

Espagne
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    10 minutes

Alice Guy's silent travelogue through Spain (and a delightful portrait of the country in the early 1900s).

The Malaguena and the Bullfighter Watch The Malaguena and the Bullfighter

The Malaguena and the Bullfighter

The Malaguena and the Bullfighter

La Malagueña et le torero
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

In this brief, hand-tinted short featuring the titular Malagueña and a bullfighter, the couple perform a little dance for your viewing pleasure.

Cook and Rilly's Trained Rooster Watch Cook and Rilly's Trained Rooster

Cook and Rilly's Trained Rooster

Cook and Rilly's Trained Rooster

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

There is a pedestal. There is a rooster. That's about all there is to it.

Cake Walk Watch Cake Walk

Cake Walk

Cake Walk

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    1 minute

A brief dance by Nouveau Cirque is documented in this Alice Guy short.

Saharet Performs the Bolero Watch Saharet Performs the Bolero

Saharet Performs the Bolero

Saharet Performs the Bolero

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

French filmmaker Alice Guy documents a short dance performance in this hand-tinted short.

Polin Performs "The Anatomy of a Draftee" Watch Polin Performs "The Anatomy of a Draftee"

Polin Performs "The Anatomy of a Draf...

Polin Performs "The Anatomy of a Draftee"

Polin, L'Anatomie du conscrit
Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

French singer Polin performs a short song about getting drafted. Granted, the song is in French and it isn't subtitled but, from his pantomime, you'll get the idea that he is not particularly excited about joining the military.

Dranem Performs "Five O'Clock Tea" Watch Dranem Performs "Five O'Clock Tea"

Dranem Performs "Five O'Clock Tea"

Dranem Performs "Five O'Clock Tea"

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    3 minutes

Armand Ménard (alias Dranem, a reversal of his last name) performs a little number entitled "Five O'Clock Tea" (although it is in French and it isn't subtitled, unfortunately).

Felix Mayol Performs "Indiscreet Questions" Watch Felix Mayol Performs "Indiscreet Questions"

Felix Mayol Performs "Indiscreet Ques...

Felix Mayol Performs "Indiscreet Questions"

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    3 minutes

Alice Guy documents a short musical performance by French singer Felix Mayol in this early sound (and, remarkably, early color) film.

Felix Mayol Performs "The Trottins' Polka" Watch Felix Mayol Performs "The Trottins' Polka"

Felix Mayol Performs "The Trottins' P...

Felix Mayol Performs "The Trottins' Polka"

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    2 minutes

Alice Guy documents a short musical performance by French singer Felix Mayol in this early sound film.

Felix Mayol Performs "White Lilacs" Watch Felix Mayol Performs "White Lilacs"

Felix Mayol Performs "White Lilacs"

Felix Mayol Performs "White Lilacs"

Dir. Alice Guy
(1905)    3 minutes

Yet another early sound short from Alice Guy. In this brief performance, French singer Felix Mayol performs the song "White Lilacs." Unsubtitled, unfortunately, but his singing does not require translation.

The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ Watch The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ

The Birth, the Life and the Death of ...

The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    34 minutes

Over the course of a little more than thirty-three-and-a-half minutes, the entire story of Jesus Christ is conveyed by French director Alice Guy.

Madame's Cravings Watch Madame's Cravings

Madame's Cravings

Madame's Cravings

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    4 minutes

This comedy short could otherwise be entitled HERS FOR THE TAKING. The madame of the actual title does, indeed, have a few cravings. She literally takes matters in to her own hands to satisfy those cravings.

A Sticky Woman Watch A Sticky Woman

A Sticky Woman

A Sticky Woman

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    2 minutes

A STICKY WOMAN creates a sticky situation in this early French short.

The Drunken Mattress Watch The Drunken Mattress

The Drunken Mattress

The Drunken Mattress

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    10 minutes

Comedy is benefited by originality. In this Alice Guy short, an alcoholic is inadvertently sewn in to a mattress. With that unique premise, havoc ensues.

The Truth Behind the Ape-Man Watch The Truth Behind the Ape-Man

The Truth Behind the Ape-Man

The Truth Behind the Ape-Man

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    6 minutes

In this silent short from the early 1900s, we learn the truth about a man that becomes an ape. Evolution in reverse?

The Consequences of Feminism Watch The Consequences of Feminism

The Consequences of Feminism

The Consequences of Feminism

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    7 minutes

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Easily among the most famous of the early female filmmakers, Alice Guy (later Alice Guy-Blaché) would not be the person you would generally expect to make the gender-bending CONSEQUENCES OF FEMINISM. It features an unusual take on feminism, to be certain.

An Obstacle Course Watch An Obstacle Course

An Obstacle Course

An Obstacle Course

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    5 minutes

When there is a prize involved, folks will do just about anything. Run an obstacle course? Of course! Madness ensues.

The Hierarchies of Love Watch The Hierarchies of Love

The Hierarchies of Love

The Hierarchies of Love

La hiérarchie dans l'amour
Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    3 minutes

It is said that women love a man in uniform. The one in this romantic comedy does, for certain, and then she loves another. She trades up!

The Cruel Mother Watch The Cruel Mother

The Cruel Mother

The Cruel Mother

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    7 minutes

Alice Guy (later known as Alice Guy-Blaché) tackles the subject of bad parenting in this dramatic, tear-jerking short.

A Story Well Spun Watch A Story Well Spun

A Story Well Spun

A Story Well Spun

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    2 minutes

A STORY WELL SPUN is a pun. The spinning comes from a barrel and everyone the encounters the barrel has an issue with it. An issue catching up with it and an issue keeping away from it!

The Parish Priest's Christmas Watch The Parish Priest's Christmas

The Parish Priest's Christmas

The Parish Priest's Christmas

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    6 minutes

It's Christmas time and the parish priest tends to his congregation. A religious-themed look at the holiday from the French perspective, circa early-1900s.

Ocean Studies Watch Ocean Studies

Ocean Studies

Ocean Studies

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    2 minutes

In this documentary short, we observe the effects of the tides on the French seashore as the ocean surges among the rocks of the coast.

The Game-Keeper's Son Watch The Game-Keeper's Son

The Game-Keeper's Son

The Game-Keeper's Son

Dir. Alice Guy
(1906)    5 minutes

A young boy tries to stop a few bad men from doing bad things in Alice Guy's silent short from 1906.

The Race for the Sausage Watch The Race for the Sausage

The Race for the Sausage

The Race for the Sausage

Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    4 minutes

You have a dog and you have a sausage. The dog wants the sausage. Others want to keep the dog from the sausage. THE RACE FOR THE SAUSAGE, then, is a race against the dog. Guess who wins?

The Fur Hat Watch The Fur Hat

The Fur Hat

The Fur Hat

Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    5 minutes

There is something about cupboards that always encourages someone to hide inside. THE FUR HAT goes there and beyond. Another delightful comedy-of-errors short from French filmmaker Alice Guy.

The Glue Watch The Glue

The Glue

The Glue

Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    4 minutes

A little glue can create a very sticky situation. A lot of glue is downright problematic in this silent French slapstick short.

The Cleaning Man Watch The Cleaning Man

The Cleaning Man

The Cleaning Man

Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    4 minutes

Some folks aren't very good at their jobs. Not very good at all. Take the titular cleaning man, for instance. He's a bit overzealous about cleaning. In some situations, that would be a good thing. Not in this situation.

A Four-Year-Old Hero Watch A Four-Year-Old Hero

A Four-Year-Old Hero

A Four-Year-Old Hero

Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    5 minutes

A precocious little girl saves the day in this delightful comedy short from 1907.

The Rolling Bed Watch The Rolling Bed

The Rolling Bed

The Rolling Bed

Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    4 minutes

A rolling bed causes a heap of trouble in this slapstick short from French filmmaker Alice Guy.

The Irresistible Piano Watch The Irresistible Piano

The Irresistible Piano

The Irresistible Piano

Le piano irresistible
Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    4 minutes

When a pianist starts playing an infectious melody, his neighbors cannot stop from dancing along. Dance, dance, dance but don't stop!

On the Barricade Watch On the Barricade

On the Barricade

On the Barricade

Sur la barricade
Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    5 minutes

Taking a page from Victor Hugo’s LES MISÉRABLES, Alice Guy-Blanché’s historical drama imagines a boy unwittingly caught up in an insurrection.

The Dirigible "Homeland" Watch The Dirigible "Homeland"

The Dirigible "Homeland"

The Dirigible "Homeland"

Dir. Alice Guy
(1907)    1 minute

A short documentary portrait of a dirigible leaving the hanger and taking flight. Regardless of the brief duration, the film is a beautiful display of early-1900s lighter-than-air travel.

Making an American Citizen Watch Making an American Citizen

Making an American Citizen

Making an American Citizen

Dir. Alice Guy
(1912)    16 minutes

Pioneering director Alice Guy-Blanché produced this short only a few years after she herself immigrated to the United States from France.

Genres

Recent Reviews

vanbizz
vanbizz

Pierrette's Escapades

Beautiful and tinting


Debbie Keds

The Glue

I love it. This is me 100 years later. lol


Edwin Miller

The Cabbage-Patch Fairy

One of the early attempts to create an actual story as opposed to simply filming real lives. A cute idea, but seeing those babies handled like props is a little...


Shllima Pritsker

The Irresistible Piano

great


eloomis

Turn-of-the-Century Surgery

Amputation comedy. How can you go wrong. Any historian of medicine needs to show this in class.


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